Rassegna Casistica - No 05 - 1989 09

Magazine Overview

This issue of Rassegna Casistica, dated September 1989, is published by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU) and coordinated by Alessandro Cortellazzi. The magazine aims to actively involve readers in the research and discussion of UFO phenomena, with the goal of continuous improvement.

Investigations (INDAGINI)

Putignano (BA) - March 19, 1963

Reported by Arcangelo Cassano, this case details an observation by Michele L. and Vito N. at 9:00 PM in Putignano. They witnessed an intense light in the sky that grew larger and more defined, appearing as an elongated, silvery half-moon object at an altitude of 700-800 meters. It approached at a speed comparable to a C-47 aircraft, emitting a greyish trail from its rear. A green-blue beam of light then emanated from the object's underside, illuminating the ground. Seven smaller, round, dark red objects later appeared at the sides of the main object and were absorbed back into it. The entire sighting lasted about four to five minutes.

Prato (FI) - June/July 1985

Investigated by Giuseppe Stilo, this report features Angela F.'s account of seeing a cylindrical or cigar-shaped object in the sky around 5:00 PM. The object was white, smooth, and tapered towards its direction of movement. It moved at a constant speed, reflecting sunlight. Angela F. estimated its apparent size to be about three times that of the moon. She described a central, possibly rectangular, white 'wing' on its visible side. The phenomenon lasted only a few seconds before the object disappeared behind a building.

Considerations on the Prato Case: Giuseppe Stilo notes that the witness's estimation of the object's distance and size might be inaccurate. The observation point was suboptimal due to urban surroundings and industrial areas. The witness and her husband are described as avid readers of mystery publications, and she believes the phenomenon involves extraterrestrials. Stilo suggests the object could be a conventional aircraft misinterpreted due to lighting conditions, the briefness of the observation, and the witness's preconceived notions.

Parma and Province: Unsustainable UFO Traffic

San Vitale di Baganza (PR) - August 26, 1989

Investigated by Giorgio Pattera, this case involves a witness who, with family and friends, observed a light in the sky around 10:15 PM. The object was light grey, semi-transparent, and appeared illuminated from within. It was oval-shaped, moved slowly, and performed a circular motion at a low altitude, without producing any noise. It would disappear behind clouds and reappear. The phenomenon was still visible at 11:00 PM. The witness later observed a faint ray or projection directed downwards from the object.

Stradella (PR) - August 28, 1989

Investigated by Giorgio Pattera, Davide R. reported seeing two blue lights pulsating intermittently around 11:00 PM. These lights were stationary and silent. Later, a strange, dark, donut-shaped object appeared directly overhead. The witness then noticed the two blue lights had reappeared. He observed them for a few minutes before returning home.

Parma - August 28, 1989

Investigated by Giorgio Pattera, Maria Rosa C. observed a luminous, bright, round object on her balcony around 8:45 PM. She had noticed a similar object on previous evenings. The object was larger than Venus, with a pulsating intensity and a reddish-pink hue. A luminous projection, about 3-4 times the diameter of the main body, extended from its upper part. Two neighbors, using binoculars, confirmed the observation. The object descended, describing an arc, and moved towards the northeast. It remained visible even when passing behind clouds. No noise was heard.

Considerations on the Parma Case: Giorgio Pattera suggests that the observed phenomenon was likely the planet Venus. He attributes the misinterpretation to exceptional atmospheric clarity after a storm, Venus's unusual low position on the horizon, and its apparent movement due to Earth's rotation, which made it seem to disappear quickly.

Parma and Province - October 6, 1989

Investigated by Giorgio Pattera, Mrs. Maria M. (74 years old) observed a large, immobile, rubber-shaped light in the sky around 4:00 AM. It was described as twice the size of the full moon, with numerous luminous points along its edge, resembling a car's hazard lights. The object pulsed on and off silently.

CASI LIMITE (Limit Cases)

Hunting... on the Mountains of Vallico Sopra

Vallico Sopra (LU) - October 10, 1987

Investigated by Moreno Tambellini, this case recounts a widely circulated story in the Serchio Valley about a hunter's encounter with a 'lizard-man' on Mount Palodina. The creature was described as four meters tall, with fire-spitting capabilities and bulletproof armor. The hunter reportedly fired at it, but the shot was ineffective, and he fled in terror. The hunter later retracted his statement due to public ridicule and the overwhelming nature of the event.

Mysterious Entities Shaped Like Skittles

Barga (LU) - July 1987

Investigated by Moreno Tambellini, this case involves Annamaria G. who, while searching for mushrooms, observed two dark, undefined figures walking in an unusual, gliding manner. She described them as resembling 'two priests' or 'two chaplains,' with round heads and narrow torsos. They moved linearly, appearing to 'slide' rather than walk, and seemed to be communicating. They disappeared behind a bush. The encounter lasted about seven minutes.

Foreign Casework (CASISTICA ESTERA)

USA Sightings

This section, authored by Dan Wright, reviews UFO investigation reports from the USA, specifically referencing an article from the 'MUFON UFO JOURNAL' of May 1989. It discusses the evaluation of 174 cases collected over 17 months by MUFON investigators across 23 US states and 2 Canadian provinces. The article highlights the challenges of incomplete reports and digressions in witness testimonies. It also notes that a significant number of reports come from areas where MUFON is very active. Out of 174 cases, 98 were considered complete, with 79 substantially verified. The article mentions that 40 additional cases were pending further material, and no analysis had yet been completed for photos from 'Mr. Ed' of Gulf Breeze, Florida.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are detailed UFO sighting reports from various locations in Italy, with a focus on the late 1980s. The magazine emphasizes the importance of active participation from readers in UFO research and discussion. The editorial stance appears to be one of thorough investigation and documentation of reported phenomena, while also acknowledging the possibility of misidentification or conventional explanations, as seen in the considerations provided for some cases. The inclusion of international casework, specifically from the USA, suggests a broader scope of interest in global UFO activity.

Title: Rassegna Casistica
Issue Date: May 1989 (based on MUFON UFO Journal No. 253)
Publisher: MUFON UFO Journal
Language: Italian

This document is a compilation of UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings, translated from the MUFON UFO Journal. It focuses on cataloging and detailing various reported encounters, primarily from 1987 and 1988, with an emphasis on witness testimony, object characteristics, and associated phenomena.

Case Classification and Statistics

The issue begins by categorizing 58 cases, with 23 classified as IR-1 (isolated night sightings with an average of one witness). Nineteen cases involved single witnesses reporting daytime events, while several others involved multiple witnesses reporting nighttime events. Notably, no visual radar reports or IR-2, 3, or 4 cases were mentioned. An additional 33 cases from the period were analyzed, including 15 registered as night lights (NL), 7 as distant daytime objects (DD), and 11 as distant night lights. The classification system used by Hynek is mentioned as not clearly accounting for sightings occurring after twilight. Night objects (NL) are further defined by a 'Berline Coefficient' from the MUFON UFO Journal, March 1987. Fifteen of the 33 observations involved single observers, while five had witnesses with specific knowledge of aerial objects. Thirteen reports included multiple witnesses.

Sky Conditions, Sounds, and Electromagnetic Effects

Out of 156 cases reclassified based on sky conditions, sound perception, and apparent electromagnetic effects:

• Sky Conditions: 50 cases occurred under clear or partially cloudy skies. Four occurred during cloudy conditions, one in fog, and one while rain threatened.
• Sounds: No sounds were associated with the objects in 47 events. However, a buzzing sound was heard in three cases, and a jet-like whistling sound was perceived in two others. One witness reported interference on radio waves, possibly due to electrical discharges, and another reported house window vibrations caused by an indefinable roar.
• Electromagnetic Effects: Four cases reported electromagnetic effects: 1. A car engine stopped, and its headlights dimmed momentarily. 2. A car radio produced strange interference, audible only on one station, while a car was flown over by an object. 3. An electrical interruption was confirmed near a hovering object above high-tension lines. 4. In a possible abduction scenario, a car stopped, and a bright red object with visible 'beings' approached.

Best Case Scenarios

Twelve cases are highlighted for their thorough reporting and common characteristics, meeting specific criteria on the 'Spenser scale' for strangeness (at least S4 - unusual) and witness reliability (at least P4 - credible and balanced). These cases are presented chronologically:

• April 3, 1987 - Mauckport, Indiana: A woman returning home was enveloped by an orange glow from a hovering disc (300 feet above) with a protruding rim and red, green, and blue lights. The object wavered, then accelerated vertically.
• March 13, 1987 - 20 Miles from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan: A family driving on Highway 2 observed a silent, 12-foot-long cylindrical object matching their car's speed at a distance of 40 feet. The object moved ahead of the car and accelerated out of sight.
• September 3, 1987 - Greensburg, Pennsylvania: Five men, including three police officers, observed a metallic disc hovering over high-tension lines. A nearby electrical interruption was reported and attributed to the object's presence.
• September 24, 1987 - Near Corydon, Indiana: A young observer saw a dome-shaped object with windows, emitting a yellow-green glow. It moved erratically, brushing past a barn and avoiding a farmhouse before disappearing. The car experienced a jolt, and its headlights dimmed.
• January 21, 1988 - Oak Harbor, Washington: Three adults, including a reserve army officer, and two boys observed a silent, blue-white, luminous disc with a pulsating aperture that rotated clockwise.
• February 22, 1988 - Irwin, Pennsylvania: Three adults observed a silent disc with red and white lights, surrounded by an aura, emitting two downward light beams and moving in fits.
• March 11, 1988 - Gulf Breeze, Florida: A priest and a young babysitter observed a silent, rotating disc emitting a bluish light from a window. The object hovered and disappeared behind trees.
• March 13, 1988 - Near Loxley, Alabama: An aeronautics technician first heard a jet-like sound, then observed a disc moving vertically overhead, with lights along its edge.
• March 14, 1988 - Gulf Breeze, Florida: Two women observed a disc with portholes emitting orange light, with a ring of light underneath. The object moved towards their car, but attempts to photograph it were unsuccessful.
• April 28, 1988 - Gulf Breeze, Florida: A retired aviation technician and a veterans' organization commander observed a silent object hovering over a field. The object had a bright orange upper section and emitted a blue light beam. Three small planes later circled the field.
• September 3, 1988 - Ipswich, Massachusetts: A woman saw a small aircraft with green and yellow lights underneath and red lights along the edge, hovering over a field. Her husband confirmed the description. A UFO sighting was previously recorded over the same field 12 years prior.
• October 24, 1988 - Valparaiso, Florida: The wife of a USAF officer reported seeing three lights through her second-floor window. She observed a rectangular object approaching at eye level, emitting light for about a meter around it. No sound was detected, and the light reflected on a nearby pond.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this compilation are the variety of UFO/UAP shapes and behaviors, the frequent occurrence of electromagnetic effects on vehicles and electrical systems, and the importance of credible witness testimony. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious documentation and analysis of these phenomena, as evidenced by the detailed classification and reporting of cases, drawing from sources like the MUFON UFO Journal. The focus is on presenting factual accounts and observations rather than speculative interpretations.