Rassegna Casistica - No 04 - 1989 04

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Rassegna Casistica," published by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), is dated April 1989 and is issue number 4. The publication aims to promote reflection on UFO case studies through shared experiences and analysis. This issue introduces a "Letters" section to encourage public exchange of opinions.

Indagini (Investigations)

Girandola di Colori nel Cielo di Massino Visconti

This case, investigated by Gian Pietro Donati, describes a sighting on March 12, 1988, by a student in Massino Visconti (NO). The witness observed a luminous, strangely oscillating object in the sky for several minutes. Notably, neighborhood dogs began barking intensely during the sighting, a behavior that continued as long as the object was visible.

Descrizione dell'Oggetto

The object was described as having a circular base and an oval front, with sharp contours and a dark silver color. It was surrounded by alternating yellow and red rectangular lights that flashed intermittently. The underside of the object featured four groups of three small triangular lights (green, yellow, red) that flashed rapidly in an anti-clockwise sequence. A light vapor was observed emanating from the base, slightly obscuring the lights.

Considerazioni sul Caso di Gian Pietro Donati

Investigator Gian Pietro Donati expresses some perplexities regarding the case. He notes the unusual reticence of the witness's grandparents, who were present but claimed not to have noticed the object. The witness's testimony was not always consistent, with some details being added or modified over time. Donati suggests that the witness's strong interest in ufology might have influenced his perception, potentially leading to an "expected event" interpretation. He also points out other UFO observations in the Lake Maggiore area, suggesting a potential pattern.

Dossier Sardegna

This section presents two cases from Sardinia investigated by Antonio Maria Cuccu.

#### Case 875502: La Maddalena (SS), November 20, 1987

Marcello D. observed a "large yellow light" approaching on the sea surface near La Maddalena. This light was soon joined by two other lights. The central light moved vertically, while the other two moved in opposite horizontal directions and disappeared. Other people witnessed the phenomenon, which occurred silently.

#### Case 875501: Alghero (SS), November 20, 1987

Witnesses, including F.F. and M.C., observed a luminous ball moving horizontally across the sky. It was described as having multiple colors (green, yellow, purple) and appeared to be about three to four times the size of a car headlight. The object then split into three luminous parts and moved towards Alghero before disappearing. F.F. described the main object as cigar-shaped, like a "rugby ball," emitting a multi-colored luminous trail. He also noted the appearance of smaller, yellow luminous bodies that accelerated rapidly.

Case 88CA01: Villanovafranca (SS), August 1988

Investigated by Antonio Maria Cuccu, this case involves a sighting by signor A.P. and his family. They observed an unusual luminous phenomenon in the sky, initially mistaken for festival lights or TV reflections. The object, described as a sphere about 15 cm in apparent size and located at an altitude of approximately 400 meters, was initially immobile. Its luminosity then faded, appearing as an internal light of pale green color. It later reignited and moved rapidly towards Serri, then reappeared in other locations before disappearing permanently. The witness noted a yellow luminosity that would fade to a pale green, revealing a structure resembling "a frame of luminous spokes."

Case 88CA02: San Gavino Monreale (CA), August 16, 1988

Investigated by Antonio Maria Cuccu, this case involves signora M.S. and her companions observing a circular light in the sky. The object had apparent dimensions of 15 to 20 cm and rotated clockwise, occasionally changing shape from circular to oval, sometimes appearing to have a tail. The phenomenon was observed by three women and later by a young man who identified it as a common star. The light was seen in its original position later that night but had disappeared by the early morning.

Case 889901: Sassari, August 20, 1988

Investigated by Antonio Maria Cuccu, this case describes signora B.T. observing a bright, metallic, luminous object that appeared to vibrate. It had a round shape, seemingly cut off on one side, followed by a smaller, identical luminous body. The objects were compared in size to a small table, about fifty centimeters in diameter. They remained visible for a few seconds before vanishing, not by disappearing behind buildings or fading out, but as if they had "vanished before their eyes."

Casi Limite (Borderline Cases)

Un Misterioso Incontro sulla Superstrada per Manerbio

This case, investigated by Massimo Staccioli, details an alleged encounter on January 22, 1987, involving a 21-year-old mechanic, M.R. While driving near Manerbio, his car suddenly stopped functioning. Upon exiting the vehicle, he encountered a "hairy being" with large eyes, nearly two meters tall. After the encounter, the car started working again. The following morning, authorities found human-sized tracks on the roadside that ended inexplicably in a ditch. The report notes that similar "mysterious episodes" had occurred in the area, sometimes linked to extortion attempts or drug-related activities. The explanation eventually leaned towards a mentally disturbed individual.

Lettere e Commenti

Umberto Cordier of Savona writes to compliment the publication and specifically mentions case 88TNO2 from issue 2, dated January 31, 1988.

Studi e Analisi (Studies and Analysis)

Ortotenia: Ancora se ne parla (Ortotenia: It's Still Being Discussed)

This section by Enrico Bernieri revisits the theory of "Ortotenia," the tendency for UFO sightings to align along straight lines, first proposed by A. Michel. Bernieri acknowledges that while the theory has been debated for decades, it continues to generate interest. He attributes this to a lack of comprehensive information and the failure to clearly define the problem. He references studies by Jacques Vallée and Donald Menzel, who used computer simulations and statistical calculations to suggest that such alignments could be explained by chance, especially when considering the vast number of potential alignments within a given sample of sightings.

Bernieri introduces his own work, "Orthoteny Statistics" (1986), which aims to provide a method for calculating the probability of alignments occurring by chance on circular surfaces. He presents a formula (P = 2.4π * T^(1-m) * (1 + ∫(1-ax^m)dx / 0)) and a simplified version for three events (P3 = 3.81*T^-2 + 1.1*T^-1), where T is the ratio of the surface radius to the event radius, and m is the number of aligned events. He also explains how to calculate the theoretical frequency by multiplying Pm by the binomial coefficient. The formula is limited to circular surfaces but can be adapted for other shapes. Bernieri offers to perform calculations for readers.

UFO/IFO: Una Nuova Monografia

This announcement promotes a new monograph titled "UFO/IFO: IL PUNTO SULLA SITUAZIONE" by Claude MAUGÈ, translated and compiled by Giuseppe VERDI. It is described as a comprehensive overview of the "new currents" in French ufology from the 1980s. The monograph is 70 pages long and available for purchase.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings across Italy, with a focus on object descriptions, behaviors, and associated phenomena like animal reactions. The magazine also engages in theoretical discussions, particularly concerning the statistical analysis of UFO sightings and the validity of alignment theories like "Ortotenia." The editorial stance appears to be one of thorough investigation and open discussion, encouraging reader participation and presenting both observational data and analytical perspectives. There is an emphasis on scientific rigor and the need for statistical validation when interpreting complex phenomena.

This issue of "CASISTICA ESTERA" from "Cuadernos de Ufologia" (Issue 11, 2nd Epoch, December 1988) features an in-depth analysis titled "RAPPORTI DI ABDUCTION IN SPAGNA" (UFO Abduction Reports in Spain) by V. J. Ballester Olmos and J.A. Fernandez Peris. The article examines alleged UFO abduction experiences within Spain, focusing on cases from the 1950s and 1960s, drawing from contemporary press sources.

Abduction Cases in Spain: A Comparative Analysis

The authors observe that, unlike in other countries, UFO abduction cases had a moderate social impact in Spain. The term "abduction" was not widely recognized by Spanish media until 1979. Prior to this, foreign abduction cases were often presented as exotic expressions of the UFO phenomenon without significant public reach in Spain. The article highlights two key characteristics of Spanish abduction cases: their typological features only gained traction in the late 1970s, and despite a national ufological archive containing around 3500 cases (including landings and 'contact' events), "abduction" cases are remarkably rare, with only six documented instances.

The rise in "abduction" phenomena in Spain appears to parallel the publicity given to foreign cases by the media. The article presents a table (Tavola 1) listing Spanish abduction cases chronologically, along with details such as the event date, reporting date, location, witness, examination method (including hypnotic regression), and interpretation. Notably, the interpretations for these cases often include "Fraude" (Fraud), "Probable fraude" (Probable fraud), "Fantasia" (Fantasy), "Psicosis" (Psychosis), and "Visión hipnagógica" (Hypnagogic vision).

The year 1978 is highlighted as significant, coinciding with the distribution of Steven Spielberg's film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" in Spanish cinemas. Furthermore, 1978 and 1979 saw numerous radio and television programs dedicated to the abduction phenomenon, achieving high listenership. In 1979, Spanish television also broadcast the series "UFO Investigation," based on the "Project Blue Book" investigations of the US Air Force.

The article then details six specific "pure abduction" cases and five "lost time" cases, providing a synopsis and an evaluation for each.

Case Studies:

1. Tendilla (Guadalajara), December 18, 1977: Miguel Herrero Sierra, a 34-year-old truck driver, reported an object landing near his vehicle. He was taken inside the object for approximately three hours, with about fifteen minutes of conscious memory. Hypnotic regression confirmed his account. Evaluation: False. The witness is described as anxious, seeking notoriety, and having an ambiguous personality.
2. Medinaceli (Soria), February 5, 1978: Julio Fernandes, 31, was directed by a "mental order" to change his route and encountered a materialized circular craft. He and his dog were taken inside by tall beings for a lengthy medical examination. Evaluation: Probable false. Suspected analogy with the Tendilla case; regression poorly executed, focusing on pre-abduction details.
3. Vich (Barcelona), March 28, 1970: Julio Garcia Moratinos, a 17-year-old deaf-mute, was taken aboard a 48-meter hemispherical ship by two tall, hairy beings. He was transported to a planet on the opposite side of the sun, where he spent eight years, while a "double" lived a normal life on Earth. Evaluation: Fantasy of the boy, inspired by the film "Star Wars."
4. Almogia (Malaga), 1976: Francisco Suarez Bravo, a 48-year-old shepherd, was abducted by a human-like "extraterrestrial" and taken to a large, two-story "disk." He was brought to a planet called "Galaxia 38" and married an inhabitant named "Maria." He returned to Earth four years later. Evaluation: False. A fabrication intended to cover up marital abandonment, stemming from popular imagination and limited education.
5. Jumilla (Murcia), July 1946: Prospera Munoz, a 42-year-old switchboard operator, recalled being taken into a disk at age 7 by two beings of similar stature and undergoing a medical examination, believing an apparatus was installed in her brain. She reported further encounters in 1954, 1959, 1960, and 1971. Evaluation: Fantastic episode produced by an unstable and psychotic personality.
6. Vallgorguina (Barcelona), July 21, 1985: Xavier C., 23, experienced a 24-hour blackout while photographing ancient stones. Upon developing his photos, he saw images of a monstrous green being with a helmet. Under hypnosis, he recounted being abducted and subjected to analysis that "fabricated" a being similar to himself. Months later, he encountered this "double" in public in Barcelona. Evaluation: False/psychosis. Unreliable witness, member of an esoteric group, prone to visions. Hypnotic regression not credible.

"Lost Time" Cases:

The article also lists five cases of "lost time" (Teba, Bencazon, Angues, Tarrejancillo del Rey, La Roda) with dates ranging from 1975 to 1979, but provides minimal detail beyond the date and location, with interpretations often indicating "Fraude" or "Suceso inexplicado" (Unexplained event).

Conclusions and Editorial Stance

The review and evaluation of these six Spanish "abduction" cases led to several conclusions:

• All cases were explained rationally within the scope of current knowledge, finding conventional explanations that contrasted with the psychological reasons and falsifications of the witnesses. No case presented extraordinary evidence to support the thesis of an inexplicable event.
• The cases were influenced in their testimonial accounts by the implications of recognized media interference.

The article, translated by Alessandro Cortellazzi from Trento, originates from "Cuadernos de Ufologia" No. 4, 2nd Epoch, December 1988.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the analysis of UFO abduction cases, witness testimony, the role of hypnotic regression in investigations, and the significant impact of media coverage on public perception of these phenomena. The editorial stance, as reflected in the evaluations of the cases, is largely skeptical, leaning towards rational explanations such as fraud, fantasy, psychological issues, and media influence, rather than accepting the events as genuinely inexplicable extraterrestrial encounters. The magazine appears to be a platform for detailed case studies within the ufology community, offering critical analysis and interpretation.