Rassegna Casistica - No 09 - 1990 12

Magazine Overview

This issue of RASSEGNA CASISTICA, published by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), is dated December 1990, issue number N. 9. The main cover headline is "INDAGINI" (Investigations), indicating a focus on detailed case studies of reported aerial phenomena. The magazine's editorial staff is coordinated by Alessandro Cortellazzi. The issue covers a range of UFO sightings and related phenomena reported in Italy, primarily from the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Introduction

The introductory section notes that as 1990 draws to a close, the number of UFO reports has significantly increased, with many cases involving phenomena observed by multiple witnesses. The magazine highlights that the year has been positively marked by the intention to improve the quality of its publications through the collaboration of its readers and contributors, stating that the "Rassegna Casistica" remains a unique and limited publication.

Investigations (INDAGINI)

The core of this issue is dedicated to detailed reports and investigations of specific UFO incidents:

Case 84SS01 - July 8, 1990 - Porto Ferro (SS)

Investigated by Antonio Maria Cuccu, this report details an observation made on a summer night near Porto Ferro, Sardinia. A witness, Antonio Maria Cuccu, observed a luminous object described as a "disc" moving slowly over the sea. The object ascended rapidly, leaving a luminous trail. The witness described it as a "sigaro" (cigar) with a luminous trail and an ocarina-like shape. The object was observed for about ten minutes before ascending and disappearing.

Case 88PY01 - October 8, 1988 - Zeme (PV)

Investigated by Claudio Cavallini, this case involves multiple witnesses in Zeme, Pavia, who reported seeing three luminous discs rotating in the sky. The phenomenon was observed from a farm and the nearby village. The witness, Renzo B., initially saw three lights while going to check on a rice drying facility. He then saw three luminous discs, which were also observed by his wife and daughter. The daughter used binoculars and noted portholes around the discs and a luminous dome in the center. The phenomenon lasted about two hours. Cavallini offers two possible explanations: simple nocturnal lights (L.N.) or laser lights from a nearby disco, noting that some witnesses identified the lights as disco headlights the following week. He also considers atmospheric phenomena like refractions or thermal inversions.

Case 88SS03 - November 29, 1988 - Sassari (SS)

Investigated by Antonio Maria Cuccu, this report features a witness, Simone C., a fifteen-year-old, who observed an orange sphere while traveling on a road near Sassari. The sphere appeared to be about a couple of centimeters in size and was seen against a sky with some clouds. The object faded and disappeared after a few seconds. The witness's cousin, who was also in the car, did not observe the phenomenon.

Case 89SS01 - August 28, 1989 - Porticciolo (SS)

Investigated by Antonio Maria Cuccu, this incident occurred near Porticciolo, Sardinia. Leonardo M. and three Roman tourists observed a flickering, white, luminous source moving erratically in the sky. They initially considered it a high-altitude aircraft but dismissed the idea due to the lack of secondary lights. The object moved horizontally, stopped, descended, then ascended again, and finally disappeared. The observation lasted about a minute and a half, with no sound reported.

Case 89YA01 - November 20, 1989 - Cislago (VA)

Investigated by Corrado Guarisco, this case involves L. F., who observed four lights arranged in a square formation. These lights were similar in size, color, and luminosity to the moon and appeared behind a thin cloud. The lights rotated counter-clockwise and appeared to move towards the center of the square, increasing in size and brightness. The phenomenon lasted approximately twenty minutes without any noise. The witness excluded the possibility of light beams originating from the ground.

Case 90CA01 - January 22, 1990 - Quartu Sant'Elena (CA)

Investigated by Antonio Maria Cuccu, this report details an observation made by E.L. and her father while driving near Quartu Sant'Elena, Sardinia. They observed a lenticular object, estimated to be about 20 meters in size, moving parallel to their car at approximately 50 km/h. The object had red lights, a dark space between them, a dark dome on top, and a bright orange glow underneath. The object stopped when the car stopped and resumed its movement when the car moved. The witnesses drew the object after the encounter, and their drawings showed significant similarities.

Case 90T002 - March 29, 1990 - Torino

Investigated by Matteo Leone, this case involves a witness in Torino who observed a dark, circular, stationary object in the sky. The object appeared about ten times larger than the moon and had a thin, sickle-shaped white light on its right side. The witness initially thought it might be a balloon or a projector. Later, the object emitted a strong blue light, then changed color to red, orange, and yellow. The witness described the object as being composed of numerous luminous triangles. The phenomenon lasted between 23:10 and 23:15.

Case 90GE02 - June 25, 1990 - Genova

Investigated by Giuseppe Stilo, this report describes a witness who suddenly felt compelled to go onto his terrace and observed a crescent-shaped object with multi-colored lights. He also saw two white headlights. Subsequently, a bright white sphere approached the object, stopped, and then disappeared upwards, while the larger object moved away. The witness was initially disoriented and thought it might be an aircraft.

Considerations and Hypotheses

In the Zeme case (88PY01), Claudio Cavallini discusses the difficulty in evaluating the case, offering two hypotheses: simple nocturnal lights or laser lights from a disco. He notes that some witnesses identified the lights as disco headlights, and that the phenomenon was observed on a Saturday night, consistent with disco activity. He also suggests the possibility of atmospheric phenomena.

In the Quartu Sant'Elena case (90CA01), the witnesses' drawings of the object were compared and found to be very similar, reinforcing the reality of their observation. The investigation ruled out explanations involving military exercises or airport activity.

In the Torino case (90T002), the witness, despite not being particularly interested in ufology, meticulously recorded the time of the sighting. He hypothesized a connection to the SNAM plant of ITALGAS nearby.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of RASSEGNA CASISTICA strongly emphasizes detailed, investigative reporting of UFO sightings. The recurring theme is the presentation of eyewitness accounts, often accompanied by the investigator's analysis and potential explanations, ranging from conventional atmospheric phenomena and misidentifications (like disco lights or aircraft) to more enigmatic aerial objects. The magazine appears to maintain a stance of serious inquiry into these phenomena, providing a platform for documented cases and witness testimonies. The focus on multiple witnesses, detailed descriptions, and the investigators' efforts to corroborate or explain the events highlight the magazine's commitment to ufological research.

Title: TESTIMONIANZE
Issue: 11
Volume: 73TO96-00
Date: September 1973 (raw), 1973-09 (ISO)
Publisher: LN
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of 'Testimonianze' presents a collection of witness testimonies regarding unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) observed in Italy.

Witness Testimonies

San Mauro Torinese, September 1973

The first testimony, dated September 1973, describes an event in San Mauro Torinese. The witness's attention was drawn to the sudden appearance of a luminous object approximately eight meters high and ten meters away. The object was circular with a diameter of about one meter, appearing as a half-sphere with the full part facing upwards. After about five seconds, a bright white light beam, the same size as the object, emerged and began to scan the adjacent courtyard. The object itself moved horizontally by a couple of meters. The beam's movement was slow, as if searching. After approximately ten seconds, both the beam and the object disappeared suddenly. The total duration of the phenomenon was about fifteen seconds. Interestingly, the witness's dog also reacted to the object by barking. No sounds, noises, rustling, or peculiar odors were detected by the witness. No other witnesses were present, and the residents of the house whose courtyard was 'visited' were not home.

Catania, January 1984

The second testimony, recorded in September 1988 but detailing an event from January 1984, comes from Antonio Rampulla in Catania. While driving home with two colleagues after working late, they encountered a violent downpour. In a nearly isolated area, their attention was caught by a large, blinding, indefinably shaped light behind some trees. After stopping the car, they observed the light, which seemed stationary and illuminated the area as if it were a stadium. They also heard a sound similar to a sharp whistle coming from the object. After about three minutes of observation, the light suddenly vanished, leaving them surprised and perplexed. They then continued their journey home.

Parma, December 1988

The third testimony, dated December 1988, is from a witness in Parma. While returning to the city by car with his brother driving, approximately five hundred meters from the University Campus, the witness spotted an object in the sky to his right. It was about 30 degrees above the horizon, over a group of three-story houses about a kilometer away. The object was described as 'fusiform' (fusiform) or a very flattened ellipse, grey-lead in color, neither luminous nor reflective of the sun. Its apparent size was similar to a large dirigible, but with more pointed extremities and no visible gondola. For the few seconds it was visible, the object appeared stationary, even though the car was traveling at about 60 km/h. Shortly after the sighting began, a group of houses obstructed the view. The witness did not immediately inform his brother to avoid distraction. However, upon clearing the houses, the 'fusiform' object had disappeared, even though only a few seconds had passed. He then told his brother, but by then it was too late to see it again. They stopped briefly to check if it reappeared, but without success.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the presentation of firsthand accounts of unexplained aerial phenomena. The magazine appears to serve as a repository for such testimonies, providing a platform for individuals to share their experiences. The editorial stance, as inferred from the content, is one of documenting these events without overt skepticism or sensationalism, focusing on the details provided by the witnesses. The inclusion of dates, locations, and witness accounts, along with the collection method (e.g., "Relazione del testimone rilasciata a..."), suggests an effort towards archival and investigative reporting within the realm of UFOlogy.