Rassegna Casistica - No 08 - 1990 09

Magazine Overview

'Rassegna Casistica', published by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), is a magazine dedicated to the study of UFO phenomena. This issue, N. 8 from September 1990, focuses on detailed case studies and investigations, aiming to build a reference model for national UFO case analysis. The editorial team encourages reader participation through critiques and suggestions.

Investigations and Case Reports

This issue presents several detailed investigations into reported sightings:

Case 88NO04: Gattico (NO) - April 1988

Investigated by Gian Pietro Donati, this case involves a witness who observed a strange object in the sky while working at a gas station. The object was described as immobile with two thin protuberances and suddenly disappeared. The witness and a customer both observed the phenomenon.

Case 88NO05: Ornavasso (NO) - August 15, 1988

Investigated by Gian Pietro Donati, this report details an observation of a 'fire' on a mountain by several witnesses. The light had fixed, sharp contours and did not flicker. It later ascended vertically, turned at a right angle, and moved away. A previous episode involving a circular patch of burnt grass on a nearby mountain was also mentioned.

Case 89M103: Segrate (MI) - May 11, 1989

Investigated by Fabio Gariani, this case describes a witness observing a non-spherical object in the morning sky. The object exhibited an oscillating movement, sometimes appearing to glide, before ascending and disappearing into the clouds. The witness used binoculars for observation.

Case 89TA01: Taranto - June 16, 1989

Investigated by Arcangelo Cassano, this report concerns a witness who observed a luminous light emerge from behind a building and move across the sky at an estimated altitude of 1000 meters without noise. The light's intensity increased and then decreased. The witness, an amateur astronomer, initially considered attributing it to an aircraft or helicopter but ruled these out due to the object's characteristics and lack of typical noise. The investigator, however, found the case to be of limited interest due to the witness's perceived uncertainty and confusion.

Case 89CT01: Palagonia (CT) - December 20, 1989

Investigated by Antonio Rampulla, this incident involved two witnesses who observed what they initially perceived as a 'falling star'. The object then inverted its trajectory, ascended rapidly, and left a luminous trail. The witnesses made the sighting public by contacting a local television station. The investigator notes that the data collected was approximate, making definitive conclusions difficult, and suggests several hypotheses ranging from natural phenomena to unknown aerial objects.

Case 90SA01: Caselle in Pittari (SA) - January 20, 1990

Investigated by Biagio Liotti, this case describes a witness observing a spherical, oval light with a metallic dome-like top, producing a whistling sound. The object was described as being of metallic constitution. The investigator classifies the sighting as anomalous night light with physical and sound effects, suggesting it was a real experience. The investigator also notes the lack of other witnesses despite the object's visibility from a populated area.

Case 88SA*1: Torre Orsaia (SA) - June 1988 (Monster-Serpent Case)

Investigated by Biagio Liotti, this report details an encounter with a large, serpentine creature described as being about two meters tall, with green, scaly skin and hair. The creature reportedly moved slowly towards the witness, who fled and was later diagnosed with severe sunstroke. The incident led to other alleged sightings of the 'monster' in surrounding areas. The initial hypotheses considered a large snake, boa, python, or alligator.

Considerations and Hypotheses

Each investigation is followed by a section offering considerations and hypotheses regarding the observed phenomena. These range from astronomical explanations (like the planet Mars) and atmospheric refractions to more speculative theories about unknown aerial vehicles or phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes detailed witness testimony and thorough investigation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into anomalous phenomena, encouraging scientific rigor while acknowledging the limitations of current understanding. The inclusion of 'Considerazioni ed Ipotesi' sections highlights the ongoing effort to interpret these events within various frameworks, from conventional explanations to more unconventional ones. The magazine's commitment to building a 'model' for case analysis suggests a desire for systematic and comparative study of UFO reports.

Title: Rassegna Casistica
Issue: 11
Volume: 87PR03
Date: July 25, 1987
Publisher: La Gazzetta di Parma
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of Rassegna Casistica, a section likely from a newspaper or magazine focusing on case reviews, presents two distinct reports of unexplained phenomena.

Torre Orsaia Incident: The Serpent Creature

The first report details an incident in Torre Orsaia, where witnesses claimed to have seen a large serpent-like creature moving stealthily through the grass, leaving deep tracks. Some even asserted they saw it attack and devour a goat. This led to rumors of a 'gorilla' escaped from the Zoo of Lago Negro in Basilicata, with promises of rewards for its capture. The Carabinieri of Torre Orsaia launched an investigation and conducted a site inspection where a witness, Mr. M.G., had first observed the creature. While rumors circulated about special Carabinieri units from Salerno arriving to track the creature, it was later clarified that their presence was due to investigations into kidnappings in the Salerno area.

The son of one witness reported that a few days after his father's encounter, some hunters killed a large, old wild boar weighing two quintals, with prominent tusks, near a mountain not far from the area. They believed this boar was the 'monster' their father had seen. Further discussions with the Carabinieri of Torre Orsaia revealed that two women had reported the presence of a large serpent in the area a few years prior.

The family of the witness appeared to believe the account, though they acknowledged his distress and fear, attributing it to seeing something inexplicable. Several hypotheses were proposed: the Carabinieri suggested a large reptile like a boa, python, or alligator; the Sapri Civil Hospital diagnosed sunstroke; family and friends speculated about hallucinations, possibly due to alcohol, or a well-orchestrated prank. The general public leaned towards hallucination or misinterpretation of an unknown animal causing fear.

This section is attributed to Biagio Liotti of Roccagloriosa (SA).

Parma Sightings: Unexplained Lights

The second part of the issue, under the heading "TESTIMONIANZE" (Testimonies), presents two separate accounts from Parma.

July 25, 1987 - 22:30

A witness in Parma reported observing a very bright light originating from the east at approximately 60 degrees altitude. The light was described as being half the diameter of the full moon and moved rapidly across the sky, traversing the open window from left to right at an inclination of about 45 degrees. The witness's dog, usually calm, became agitated, barking and growling furiously, and tried to jump onto the windowsill. The light was described as yellow-saffron in color, intense, and brilliant, casting the shadow of a nearby pine tree onto the ground. The phenomenon lasted only a few seconds. No noise or odor was detected, but cats in neighboring gardens were heard 'hissing' as if irritated or frightened. The witness's mother, who was watching television in the living room, had not noticed anything.

November 26, 1989 - 17:30

Another witness in Parma, Giorgio Pattera, reported an observation on Sunday, November 25, 1989, around 17:30. While walking home, the sky was clear and starry, and it was very cold. He noticed a very bright light, described as similar to an oxy-acetylene flame, round with fuzzy edges. It appeared stationary and was large, about four times bigger than other stars, but much lower on the horizon at about 30 degrees altitude in the southwest. It seemed to be hovering over the University Campus, approximately two kilometers away as the crow flies.

The witness showed the light to his family, and they observed that while it remained stationary, it began to move slowly northward, a movement noticeable against a distant high-voltage pylon. They went outside to observe it better with binoculars and later from a third-floor window. One of the sons telephoned the newsroom of "La Gazzetta di Parma" to report the sighting. Neighbors were also alerted and observed the light with binoculars from their balconies.

The observation lasted until 18:40, when the luminous globe, which gradually dimmed, disappeared behind some houses.

Both testimonies were collected by Giorgio Pattera in Parma, on August 3, 1987, and November 28, 1989, respectively.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the documentation of unexplained phenomena, presented as "case reviews" (Rassegna Casistica). The magazine appears to adopt a neutral stance, presenting witness testimonies and official investigations without definitively endorsing any single explanation. It highlights the variety of theories proposed, ranging from natural phenomena and misidentifications to more extraordinary explanations. The inclusion of reports about both a large creature and aerial lights suggests a broad interest in anomalous events. The editorial approach seems to be to gather and present these accounts for public consideration.