Stendek - Vol 03 No 09 - August 1972

Magazine Overview

Title: STENDEK
Issue: N.° 9
Volume: Año III
Date: August 1972
Publisher: Servicio Informativo C. E. I. (Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios)
Country: Spain
Language: Spanish

Editorial

The editorial, written by Lluís Marí, addresses the numerous groups and centers dedicated to UFO study worldwide. It emphasizes the critical need to distinguish between genuine observations and potential misinterpretations or deliberate falsifications. Marí highlights an article in this issue that aims to demonstrate the possible manipulation of photographs related to the well-known San José de Valderas case. He argues that before delving into case studies, it's essential to separate observations that might have natural explanations and to uncover any faked evidence. Marí anticipates that the article on the San José de Valderas photographs will provoke reactions from believers but asserts that this critical approach is necessary for a more accurate understanding of the UFO phenomenon, avoiding emotional biases that could lead to confusion.

Key Articles and Content

Portada: Caso do terneiro arrebatado

The cover story, "Caso do terneiro arrebatado" (Case of the Abducted Calf), is illustrated with a drawing depicting a rural scene with cattle, a fence, and power lines, suggesting a connection to the case.

Editorial, por Lluís Marí

Discussed above, this editorial sets the tone for the issue by advocating for critical analysis and the debunking of fraudulent evidence in UFO research.

Observaciones Ibéricas de marzo y abril de 1972

This section compiles various UFO sightings reported across Spain during March and April 1972:

• March 8, Ciudad Real: Students and a professor observed a bright point in the northwest sky for over an hour, described as blue with red radiating trails. It had reportedly been seen for a week.
• March 20, Lugo: Two Renfe employees and a taxi driver reported a strange luminous object with weak light and appreciable dimensions crossing the sky at high speed towards La Coruña-Madrid, at an altitude below 2,500 meters. It made no noise and expelled a single luminous burst.
• March 20, Santuario de la Fuensanta, Murcia: Several residents reported seeing a UFO moving at high speed over the sanctuary, resembling a comet, bright, and appearing to fall to earth before disappearing behind mountains. The parish priest of San Pío X also witnessed the event.
• March 21, Alicante: A UFO described as orange-like with a long grey trail was seen flying at high altitude and vertiginous speed, appearing to be burning, heading from North to South, possibly towards Algeria. It was observed by people at the airport, and its speed and lack of noise ruled out an airplane.
• March 21, Monte Serantes, Vizcaya: Painter Carmelo Bilbao and friends observed a luminous artifact that initially looked like a ladder, then changed to a pistol shape. It moved at vertiginous speed, changing direction and shape, appearing very large and illuminated, possibly of advanced technology.
• March 26, Playa de San Juan, Alicante: Numerous people observed a strange yellow object with an orange trail moving from the sea towards land for almost an hour. Witnesses dismissed the possibility of it being an airplane due to its duration.
• April 8, Lérida: A UFO was photographed over the city.
• April 9, La Unión, Murcia: Five occupants of a car observed a luminous phenomenon that initially appeared as a red-lit ball in a circle. It oscillated, changed shape to a half-moon, and seemed to split.

Algo sobre las fotografías del supuesto OVNI de San José de Valderas, por Oscar Rey Brea

This article critically examines the photographs from the San José de Valderas case. Oscar Rey Brea, identifying himself as a Spanish ufologist who does not view the case with indifference or prevention, asserts that the photographs are a crude fabrication ('burdo trucaje'). He questions the claims made by Antoni Ribera and D. Francisco Almor regarding the case's international interest and the object's size. Brea intends to demonstrate the falsity of the photographs using photographic, topographic, and meteorological techniques. He points out several inconsistencies in the photographs, such as the lack of people in the vicinity despite the presence of a castle and observers, the object's clear appearance in a contralight photo, and the improbable coincidence of landscape features in different shots taken by two photographers.

Los Extra-terrestres (V), por Jader U. Pereira

This is the fifth part of a series on extraterrestrials.

Posibles ambigüedades sobre OVNIs, por el Ing. Sebastián Robiou Lamarche

This article explores potential ambiguities surrounding UFO sightings.

Brasil: «Caso do terneiro arrebatado», por Casas Huguet

This article discusses the "Case of the Abducted Calf" in Brazil.

Ampliación al ensayo sobre 1950, por Carlos Orlando y Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos

This is an extension of an essay about events in 1950.

Los extraños seres de L'Escala, por Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos

This article details strange beings reported in L'Escala.

Observaciones en el mundo

A section presenting UFO observations from around the world.

"Prodigios" durante la conquista de América

This piece discusses "prodigies" that occurred during the conquest of America.

Los OVNIs ante la ciencia, por Albert Adell

Albert Adell examines UFOs from a scientific perspective.

Erratum

This section corrects errors from the previous issue, attributing them to a new printing press. It notes that graphics for Figures 1 and 4 in the article "Notas estadísticas sobre la Oleada de 1950 en España y Portugal" were swapped, and that the references (i) through (v) in the article "Actividad OVNI en relación con los días de la semana" were due to the translator, Sr. Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos.

Directory and Staff

• Director: Joan Crexells
• Sub-Director: Pere Redón
• Editorial Board: Sr JOSE MARIA CASAS-HUGUET (Presidente), Sr. FRANCESC MELIS (Vice-Presidente), Sr. PERE REDÓN (Sec. Gral. y Tesorero), Sr. MANUEL MANÉN (Vice-Secretario), and Consejeros: Sr. MIQUEL SOLER, Sr. JOAN CREXELLS, Sr. JOSEP SERRA, Sr. LLUÍS TOMÁS, Sr. DAVID G. LÓPEZ, Sr. ALBERT ADELL, Sr. LLUÍS MARÍ.
• Honorary Presidents: Profesor Don Hermann Oberth, Don Màrius Lleget, Don Antoni Ribera, and Don Mariano Velasco.
• Publisher Information: Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios de Barcelona, founded in October 1958, registered as Association No. 154, section 1.ª. Social headquarters at Balmes, 86 entresuelo 2.ª, Barcelona. Correspondence address: CEI, Apartado 282, Barcelona, España.
• Printing: SIRVENSAE - Av. José Antonio, 754.
• Legal Deposit: B. 21-354-1972

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, photographic analysis of alleged UFO evidence, and the critical examination of UFO cases. The editorial stance, as articulated by Lluís Marí, is one of rigorous skepticism and a demand for verifiable proof. The magazine actively promotes a scientific approach, encouraging readers to question claims, identify potential hoaxes, and distinguish between objective observation and subjective interpretation. The emphasis on debunking fraudulent evidence, particularly concerning the San José de Valderas photographs, underscores the publication's commitment to maintaining the credibility of UFO research by weeding out unsubstantiated or fabricated accounts.

This issue of *Phénomènes Spatiaux*, identified as number 27 from the first quarter of 1971, is part of Volume XV and focuses on "Extra-Terrestrials (V)" with a significant portion dedicated to the analysis of UFO phenomena. The magazine is published by GEPA and originates from France, with this particular issue featuring articles primarily in Spanish.

Analysis of UFO Photographs (San José de Valderas Case)

A substantial part of the issue is dedicated to a critical examination of photographs related to the alleged UFO sightings in San José de Valderas, Spain. The author, Sebastian Robiou Lamarche, meticulously analyzes two sets of photographs, labeled X and Y, suggesting they may have been manipulated. The analysis hinges on geometric and trigonometric calculations to determine if the photographs were taken from the same vantage point. Lamarche argues that discrepancies in the angles formed by the UFO, a castle tower, and a nearby post in photographs X-2 and Y-1 indicate that they were not captured simultaneously or from the same location, leading to the conclusion that the images might be a fabrication.

He further questions the possibility of the UFO 'cooperating' with the photographers to achieve proportional measurements. The author also dismisses the idea that different camera lenses or distances could account for the observed differences in object size, proposing that the original negatives might have been intentionally amplified differently. Lamarche suggests several plausible methods for creating such photographic hoaxes, including using a clean glass with a drawn UFO, a small maquette suspended by a fine thread, or superimposing negatives. He also touches upon meteorological conditions, noting that the sky was semi-covered by altocumulus clouds, with varying degrees of cloud cover in the photographs, which he finds suspicious given the short timeframe.

Statistical Analysis of UFO Sightings

The issue presents extensive statistical data compiled from various sources, including the GEPA magazine and GGIOANI. This data covers several aspects of UFO observations:

Diurnal Hourly Statistics:

Out of 141 cases where the time was specified, 98 occurred at night and 43 during the day. The peak activity period is the first part of the night (sunset to midnight), with 58 cases, followed by the second part of the night (midnight to 6 AM) with 40 cases. Activity decreases during the day, with 23 cases between 6 AM and noon, and a low of 20 cases between noon and 6 PM. However, there's a notable surge between 4 PM and 5 PM, reaching 8 cases, suggesting a daily cycle of activity peaking around midnight.

Duration of Observations:

For 109 cases, the duration was recorded. The majority of observations were brief: 79 cases lasted between 1 to 5 minutes. Other durations included: some seconds (1 case), 10 to 15 minutes (10 cases), 20 to 30 minutes (7 cases), 45 minutes to 1 hour (3 cases), and several hours (9 cases).

Distance Between Observers and Occupants:

In 155 cases, the distance was specified. A significant number of encounters involved close proximity: 29 cases were 'contact' (null distance), 63 cases were within 1 to 5 meters, and 11 cases were between 5 and 15 meters. A smaller number were between 15 and 50 meters (20 cases), and 32 cases were over 50 meters. The data suggests a strong tendency towards close encounters, especially when occupants were not wearing spacesuits.

Historical Trends in Distance:

• Analysis of distance trends over time shows a shift:
• Until 1954: 60% of observations were at short distances, 40% at long distances (20% difference).
• 1955-1964: Short distances increased to 74%, long distances decreased to 26% (48% difference).
• 1965-1969: Short distances decreased to 66%, long distances increased to 34% (32% difference).

This indicates a period of closer encounters between 1955-1964, followed by a slight increase in distance, possibly suggesting occupants are becoming more cautious.

Statistical Distribution of Observation Locations:

The most frequent landing locations reported are: Fields (76 cases), Roads (62 cases), Cities (62 cases), Forests and thickets (11 cases), Maritime beaches (7 cases), Near inhabited places (7 cases), Railway lines (6 cases), Rivers (6 cases), Lakes (5 cases), and Near airports (5 cases).

Post-Observation Confirmations:

For 57 cases, subsequent confirmations were recorded, representing about 25% of all observations. These included: Footprints (27 cases), Materials found at landing sites (9 cases), Footprints (10 cases), Discomfort or injuries to witnesses (11 cases), Radioactivity (3 cases), Marks on vehicles (3 cases), Object photographs (2 cases), and Written messages (1 case), unusual fungi (1 case).

Witness Statistics:

Out of 186 cases with known witness identity, the number of witnesses per observation varied: 140 cases had one witness, 38 had two, 19 had three, and so on, up to 6 witnesses in one case. In 9 cases, there were 'some' witnesses, and in 4 cases, a 'crowd'.

Regarding witness age, 187 were adults, 14 were young people (16-20), and 25 were children (up to 15). In cases involving children, subsequent confirmations often corroborated the sighting by other witnesses.

The profession of witnesses was also analyzed, with farmers and laborers being the most frequent (38 cases), followed by workers (15), merchants (12), civil servants (9), and housewives (9).

Object Statistics:

In 211 cases, a solid object was observed, compared to 4 cases of a simple light. In 15 cases, no object was seen, but these were included due to extraordinary circumstances. The number of objects observed ranged from 1 (194 cases) to several. The shape of the object was mentioned in 172 cases, with common forms including 'saucer' (98 cases), 'cigar' (23 cases), and 'sphere' (17 cases). Other shapes like half-egg, cone, oval, bus-shaped, fire globe, platform, triangle, and rocket-shaped were also reported.

Weapons and Effects:

In 20 cases, occupants were reported to carry 'weapons', used in 12 of those instances. In 18 cases, no weapon was seen, but witnesses reported effects. A total of 30 cases experienced the effects of these 'weapons', representing 13% of the total. Reported effects included paralysis (14 cases), loss of strength (6 cases), fainting (3 cases), burns (2 cases), dazzling (2 cases), falling backward (2 cases), chest oppression (3 cases), and death (1 case).

Psychological Aspects of UFO Investigations

Sebastian Robiou Lamarche's article, "Possible Ambiguities About UFOs," emphasizes the importance of a critical approach to UFO investigations, focusing on the human element. He argues that many phenomena, both natural and artificial, can be mistaken for UFOs due to a lack of popular knowledge. The concept of 'unidentifiable' is relative to an individual's knowledge base and the distance from the object. Lamarche stresses that the investigator must consider the witness's psychological state, including consciousness, perception, memory, and potential for hallucination. He also touches upon parapsychological phenomena and physical/astronomical causes that might be mistaken for UFOs.

The Role of Consciousness and Perception:

Lamarche delves into the nature of consciousness, suggesting it acts as a selector, filtering information based on prior experiences, interests, and personality. This selective process means that individuals may not perceive events identically. He uses the example of a drawing of the letter 'E' to illustrate how prior knowledge shapes perception. He also recounts a case where a witness's detailed drawing of a classic saucer-shaped UFO differed significantly from other witnesses' descriptions of a luminous oval object, suggesting the witness's preconceived notions influenced her perception.

Subjectivity in Measurement:

The article highlights the subjective nature of human perception, particularly concerning time, speed, and distance. Lamarche argues that precise mathematical measurements from witnesses are often unreliable, especially for phenomena like UFOs. He advocates for interviewing multiple witnesses to gain a more complete picture and acknowledges that subjective measurements can be a result of the witness's speculation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of *Phénomènes Spatiaux* adopts a rigorous, analytical stance towards UFO phenomena. It prioritizes critical examination of evidence, particularly photographic and testimonial data, employing statistical methods and psychological insights to discern potential hoaxes or misidentifications from genuine anomalies. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism, encouraging thorough investigation and discouraging premature conclusions. The recurring theme is the complexity of UFO investigations, emphasizing the need to account for human perception, potential deception, and natural phenomena before accepting extraterrestrial explanations. The magazine aims to provide tools and methodologies for researchers to sift through ambiguous cases and identify those that truly warrant further study.

This issue of STENDEK, Volume 08, Issue 08, dated March 1972, is primarily focused on the psychological aspects of perception and UFO phenomena, featuring a detailed case study from Brazil and an analysis of the 1950 UFO wave in Spain and Portugal.

Perception and Reality

The initial articles explore how human perception is limited and subjective. The text explains that our senses only capture a fraction of reality and that this information is further processed and interpreted by the brain, influenced by prior knowledge, experience, and environmental factors. The example of a circle appearing as an ellipse or a line when tilted illustrates how visual perception can be altered. The article emphasizes that what we perceive is not necessarily an exact replica of reality, citing the influence of psychological mechanisms and prior familiarity with objects.

Gestalt psychology principles such as Proximity, Similarity, and Common Fate/Direction are discussed as ways the mind organizes visual information. The text also touches upon the subjective nature of time and space, and how memory plays a role in UFO investigations by gradually filtering out details, necessitating prompt interviews with witnesses.

Case Study: The 'Brazil Calf Abduction'

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the "Caso do Terneiro Arrebatado" (The Case of the Abducted Calf) from Brazil. On October 25, 26, or 27, 1970, near Alegrete, Brazil, two witnesses, Pedro Trajano Machado and his son Eurípides, observed a calf separate from its mother and the herd. The calf began to levitate about one meter above the ground, moving parallel to the ground and then ascending vertically until it disappeared. The witnesses described the calf as maintaining a normal, four-legged posture throughout the event. No unusual sounds, lights, or environmental changes were noted during the incident. The witnesses, described as nearly illiterate and reserved, did not exhibit excessive excitement after the event. The case is presented as unique and rare, with the explanation of an OVNI (UFO) being the most plausible, despite no direct sighting of a craft.

Analysis of the 1950 UFO Wave in Spain and Portugal

Another section provides an extension to a previous study on the 1950 UFO wave in Spain and Portugal. The authors, Carlos Orlando and Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, revisit the topic, noting that while UFO reports existed in Spain since 1800, the public was not significantly impressed until cases in 1946 and the major wave of 1950. They discuss why this wave might have been overlooked, attributing it to insufficient detail in local publications, lack of emphasis by some authors, and a scarcity of dedicated UFO investigators in Spain at the time.

The article presents several typical UFO sighting cases from March 1950, detailing the date, location, and descriptions of the objects. These include sightings of bright objects moving at high speeds, round objects with colored trails, and objects resembling flying saucers. The authors also provide statistical tables analyzing the frequency of UFO sightings by day of the week and time of day, noting a higher incidence on Wednesdays and Tuesday nights, and a lower incidence on Sundays and Saturday nights. A map illustrating the geographical distribution of sightings suggests a random pattern, with no clear correlation to population density, although major cities like Madrid and Barcelona naturally reported more cases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of psychological factors in understanding UFO reports, highlighting how perception can be distorted and how witness testimony needs careful analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into UFO phenomena, acknowledging the complexity of the subject and the human element involved. The publication encourages readers to share their own observations, indicating a commitment to gathering and disseminating information on UFOs. The articles suggest that while many sightings can be explained by conventional means, some cases, like the 'Brazil Calf Abduction,' remain enigmatic and point towards phenomena not yet fully understood.

This issue of Stendek, a Spanish-language publication focused on UFO phenomena, features a prominent article on a sighting in L'Escala, Gerona, Spain, titled "LOS EXTRAÑOS SERES DE L'ESCALA (GERONA)" by Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, President of CEONI. The magazine also includes reports from various international locations and a review of a book on UFOs.

La correlación con Marte

This section discusses a correlation between Earth-Mars distance and the number of reported UFO cases between 1949 and 1951, presented visually in a graph. The author notes that this comparison is intended to provide a more direct and significant visual effect. The section concludes with final recommendations, emphasizing the importance of completing knowledge about this period of UFO history and the fascination of working with past UFO "waves" or "Oleadas." It suggests that a global perspective of UFO reports throughout the years is crucial for developing any UFO theory and encourages local ufologists to renew their efforts in investigating the 1950 "Oleada," considering reactors as a possible explanation for some cases. Foreign scholars are urged to conduct similar statistical evaluations of past "Oleadas" and analyze collections of UFO reports from specific regions to compare observations across different countries and time periods.

LOS EXTRAÑOS SERES DE L'ESCALA (GERONA)

This article details a peculiar case reported in L'Escala, Gerona, Spain, on September 21, 1968. The report, based on multiple press agencies (Cifra, Logos, Europa-Press), describes fisherman Joan Ballesta witnessing two strange beings emerging from the sea. The beings are described as dressed in black with completely yellowish faces, and their appearance was chilling. Ballesta reported the incident to the Guardia Civil, who found no trace of the beings or any evidence. The article presents three slightly different versions of the event from various newspapers, highlighting the similarity in descriptions and the proximity in time and location. The author discusses the possibility of a hoax or a real event, urging Catalan colleagues to investigate the case further by interviewing Ballesta, the Guardia Civil, and publishing their findings.

The article then draws a parallel with a similar "OVNI landing" reported in Peru. Twelve fishermen in Naplo, Peru, claimed to have seen three strange beings dressed in black with pale faces emerge from the sea. The police archived the case as a "reserved occurrence." The author notes the striking parallelism between the two cases and suggests several hypotheses: a fabricated story by Ballesta, with a South American agency misinterpreting and spreading it; Ballesta's account being true, with the Peruvian identity being a misdirection by a press agency; or both cases being real, indicating a significant phenomenon. The article calls for further investigation into the L'Escala case.

OBSERVACIONES EN EL MUNDO

This section compiles UFO sightings from around the world:

• URUGUAY: On March 25, 1972, in Montevideo, residents reported seeing a uniform yellowish-red luminous object moving horizontally at apparently low speed over the coast.
• NORTE DE AFRICA (NORTH AFRICA): In Ceuta, Spain, two women reported seeing luminous discs over the bay that disappeared quickly. The following day, April 17, 1972, a young man saw a radiant disc hovering in the sky near García Aldave, which he described as not being an airplane.
• AUSTRIA: The Institute of Meteorology in Vienna investigated a UFO sighting from the previous weekend. While initially suspected to be a meteorological balloon, the Austrian Air Force ordered a jet to investigate. The pilot observed a platinum-colored, shiny object at an altitude of approximately 13,800 meters, which moved constantly and did not resemble a star. Despite military spokesmen suggesting it was likely a lost meteorological balloon, amateur astronomers noted its luminosity was far greater than Venus.

"PRODIGIOS“ DURANTE LA CONQUISTA DE AMERICA

This section presents historical accounts of celestial phenomena during the Spanish exploration and conquest of the Americas, based on a letter from Don Antonio Millán Sánchez referencing Salvador de Madariaga's work "El Ciclo Hispánico."

• Columbus's Voyage (1492): Two to three days before reaching America, Columbus sighted a light that appeared like a chain of wax rising and falling.
• Hernán Cortés's Expeditions (circa 1509): Aztec priests reported seeing a white, luminous smoke that thickened and became very bright around midnight.
• Juan de Grijalba's Expedition (1517): A chaplain on one of Grijalba's ships reported seeing a "great miracle": a star appeared above their ships after sunset, emitting rays and leaving a luminous trail in the air over a large settlement.

LOS OVNIS ANTE LA CIENCIA

This is a review of the book "Los OVNIs ante la Ciencia" by Oscar A. Galíndez, an Argentine analyst and secretary of CADIU. The reviewer praises the book as one of the most important works on the subject, noting that Galíndez analyzes global UFO cases in depth, deduces trend laws, and illustrates them with new, previously unknown phenomena. The book is commended for its erudition, clarity, objective approach, and systematic investigation, examining both physical and immaterial constants related to UFOs. The reviewer highlights Galíndez's philosophical and historical approach in the speculative final part of the book.

REVISTAS OVNI EN EL MUNDO

This section lists two UFO-related magazines:

• Canadian UFO Report: Edited by John Major, with a mailing address in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada.
• Visiteurs Spatiaux/Uit De Ruimte: A quarterly magazine from the GESAG/SPW center, directed by Jacques Bonabot, with a mailing address in Bruges, Belgium.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed investigation of specific UFO sightings, the comparison of similar cases across different locations and time periods, and the exploration of historical accounts of unexplained aerial phenomena. The magazine adopts a serious and analytical stance, encouraging rigorous investigation and a global perspective on UFO reports. It emphasizes the need for critical analysis and the potential significance of even seemingly minor details in understanding the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, seeking evidence-based explanations while acknowledging the profound mystery surrounding UFOs.