Rassegna Casistica - No 02 - 1988 10

Magazine Overview

This issue of RASSEGNA CASISTICA, published by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), is the second issue of its first year of activity, dated October 1988. The publication aims to stimulate collaborators to participate in investigative activities and contribute their comments and reflections to foster a qualitative space for organized research. This issue marks a graphical transition and anticipates the third issue, which will be attached. The magazine covers various UFO cases, investigations, and testimonies.

Investigations and Testimonies

LUCI SU ROMA - Quartiere Ostiense (Rome)

This case, investigated by Flavio Gottardi and Claudio Zacchia, concerns an event on August 29, 1984, at 7:55 PM in Rome's Ostiense district. A couple, Giorgio G. and Ida C., observed a circular object in the sky, described as similar to an open parachute. Shortly after, seven more black, circular objects appeared. These objects formed geometric patterns and performed evolutions, including crossing each other and forming a giant '1'. The smaller object remained stationary for a time before rejoining the formation. The entire phenomenon lasted about 10-15 minutes, during which the witnesses felt a sense of near-total silence. The objects were described as the size of the full moon and emitted no light or noise. The witnesses also noted filaments rotating around the objects' edges.

MARCHE - Registrazione filmata di un «Ufo » (Marche)

On March 23, 1988, around 7:20 PM in Castelfidardo (Ancona), Michele C., a 17-year-old, witnessed a strange light in the sky while returning home. The light was circular, much larger than a star, and pulsed red before turning blue and disappearing. His father joined him, and they filmed the phenomenon for nearly five minutes. The light moved, changing color and position, before disappearing towards the northeast. Michele's mother and sister also confirmed seeing the light. The object was estimated to be at an altitude of 3000 meters. Analysis of the film revealed the light's changing shape and a dark 'tail' or 'wake' behind it. Another object, smaller and slightly flattened, was also noted in one frame.

ROSIGNANO MARITTIMO (LI) - Photographic Evidence

On June 29, 1988, around 8:00 PM in Castiglioncello (Livorno), Rocco M. was taking photos of seagulls when he observed a red cloud moving rapidly. From this cloud, a metallic object, described as a flattened double cone, emerged and moved at incredible speed. He managed to photograph it as it slowed down, vibrated, and then accelerated towards Sardinia. Witnesses at a nearby beach also reported seeing a UFO. The object was estimated to be about two meters in diameter. The witness experienced palpitations and a headache after the sighting.

TESTIMONIANZE (Testimonies)

Sover (Trento): On January 31, 1988, around 8:30 PM, a witness observed a strong yellow light near Cima Tosa, which appeared larger than a star and close by. The light moved slightly to the right and disappeared. The witness ruled out Venus and suggested it could be a military signal.

Castelrotto (BZ): On April 27, 1988, around 5:00 AM, two hunters observed a luminous white-red object on a snowy slope, which rotated and changed color. Two smaller blue lights were also seen nearby. The observation was later obscured by clouds.

CASI LIMITE (Borderline Cases)

Olgiate Comasco (CO): On February 7, 1979, around 10:00 PM, Raffaele M. and his nine-year-old daughter Cristina experienced their car suddenly stopping and all electrical systems failing as a dark, tall figure approached. The figure, described as about two meters tall with a glowing face and deep wrinkles, observed them before disappearing. Simultaneously, the car's lights and engine restarted. A distinct handprint, which had removed the paint from the car's body, was found on the right rear side of the vehicle. The witness reported significant distress following the encounter.

CASISTICA ESTERA (Foreign Cases)

IL SUONO DELL U.F.O. (The Sound of the UFO) - France

This section reports on an event in Nort-sur-Erdre, France, on September 10, 1988. A ten-year-old boy, Laurent X, claims to have recorded the sound of a UFO and also saw a luminous, oval object. The event gained significant media attention, with various news outlets and investigative groups, including GEPSI and GEPAN, looking into the case. Laurent described the object as pulsing and having a diameter of about five meters. The report notes the media frenzy surrounding the case and the boy's claim of witnessing a natural phenomenon rather than a spacecraft.

Viaggio nel mare dei media (Journey into the Sea of Media)

This article discusses the extensive media coverage of Laurent X's UFO sighting in France. Following the initial report, numerous radio and television stations became involved, with recordings being shared widely. The article critiques the media's handling of the story, noting some sensationalism and misrepresentation, while also acknowledging the efforts of local newspapers like "Presse-Océan" and "Ouest-France" in providing more measured reporting. The role of official bodies like GEPAN in investigating the phenomenon is also mentioned.

In cerca di punti e di linee (Searching for Points and Lines)

This section reflects on the investigation of Laurent X's case, highlighting the challenges of analyzing such phenomena. It discusses the difficulty of obtaining clear evidence and the need for distinct investigative parameters compared to standard criminal cases. The article emphasizes the witness's sincerity and the potential for confusion between genuine phenomena and misinterpretations. It details the process of recording the sound and observing the light, noting the witness's precise description of the event.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Rassegna Casistica are UFO sightings, investigations, and witness testimonies, with a focus on cases from Italy and one from France. The magazine aims to present factual accounts and the results of investigations, encouraging reader participation and discussion. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting evidence and analysis without excessive sensationalism, while also acknowledging the complexities and potential for misinterpretation. The publication seeks to foster a constructive dialogue on the subject.

This issue of Rassegna Casistica, identified as number 11 from volume 12, published in April 1988 by Infor-space, focuses on the analysis of a peculiar sound recording allegedly made from a UFO. The magazine is in Italian and appears to be a compilation of case reviews.

UFO Sound Recording Analysis from Nort-sur-Erdre

The main article details an investigation into a recording made by a witness named Laurent in Nort-sur-Erdre, France. Laurent reported an object that produced a 'sound' and a 'bip-bip' which lasted approximately twenty seconds. The recording was made using a tape recorder, with the witness orienting the device towards the phenomenon. The phenomenon reportedly ceased after four to five minutes, leaving only the recording as evidence.

Initially, Laurent's statements about the duration of the 'noise' were contradictory, with him stating it lasted forty seconds, but later clarifying it was twenty seconds, corresponding to the 'bip-bip'. The article questions how Laurent managed to perform several actions (opening shutters, understanding the situation, climbing to the windowsill, orienting the microphone) within such a short timeframe. It also notes the absence of other noises that Laurent might have produced.

Figure 1 shows a graphical representation of the entire recording, with the time axis in seconds, indicating the 'bip-bip' pulses. Figure 2 is an extract highlighting a 'tutuu' sound, described as similar to helicopter noise, overlapping with a rapid sequence of sounds 'te-te-te'.

Professionals who listened to the 'bip-bip' suggested it sounded like a Morse code signal, specifically the letter 'A' (dot-dash). While the source of this 'A' signal could not be identified, the 'noise' component was more successfully identified. It was linked to a radar emission known as the "moulinette à caviar," which has a characteristic rotor sound and is associated with an "over-the-horizon" Soviet radar installed in Transylvania, Romania. This radar is known to disturb transmissions.

The article notes that analyses conducted at a CNRS laboratory for the AESV showed a similarity between Laurent's recording and the famous radar's graphical developments.

Despite the detailed analysis, the article concludes by questioning the need for definitive conclusions, suggesting that the case of Nort-sur-Erdre might be interpreted in various ways, including as a potential approach to radio-diffusion if extraterrestrial evidence is lacking.

Other Mentions and Errata

The issue also includes a brief mention of a previous article about "LA MEDUSA ROSA SU LONDRA" (The Pink Medusa Over London) by Jenny Randles. An errata corrects the source and translator for this previous article, indicating it was from "NORTHERN UFO NEWS" n. 129, February 1988, and translated by Edoardo Russo, from Torino.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to adopt a critical yet investigative stance, presenting factual accounts and technical analyses of UFO-related phenomena. It acknowledges the possibility of misinterpretation or hoaxes but also explores the technical aspects of recordings and signals. The editorial tone suggests a desire for rigorous examination of evidence, even when it leads to mundane explanations like radar interference or radio signals. There's an underlying theme of skepticism towards sensationalism, as seen in the initial questioning of Laurent's account and the comparison to the possibility of extraterrestrial 'pranks'. The inclusion of an errata demonstrates a commitment to accuracy in reporting sources and attributions.