Stendek - Vol 04 No 13 - June 1973

Magazine Overview

Title: STEN DEK
Issue: N.° 13
Volume: Año IV
Date: JUNIO 1973
Publisher: Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI), Barcelona
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Editorial

The editorial, penned by Joan Crexells, introduces the issue's main focus: the study of a tape recorded by Javier Bosque. It highlights the CEI's success in engaging a member of the scientific community in UFO research, who has become an assiduous student of the phenomenon. The editorial recounts an anecdote where this new scientific contact offered a plausible explanation for 'sudden stops' observed in UFOs, attributing it to the transformation of kinetic energy rather than an impossible maneuver. This approach is praised for its scientific prudence and its attempt to explain theoretical impossibilities using current physics. The editorial emphasizes that the tape study represents a potential turning point in UFO research due to the existence of a tangible 'proof'—the tape itself—which can be studied in a laboratory. It also touches upon the hypothesis that the UFO's 'minders' might have induced the witness to record the event, thereby leaving evidence of their presence.

Key Articles and Content

Study of the Tape Recorded by Javier Bosque

This extensive article, authored by Albert Adell and Pere Redón, details the investigation into a sound tape recorded by Javier Bosque. The authors describe the challenges faced, including the witness's initial reluctance to provide details and the difficulty in contacting individuals associated with him. They recount how Javier Bosque was advised to seek technical expertise from Don Eduardo Romero, director of Radio Rioja and a professor of Electronics.

Don Eduardo Romero initially suggested the sounds were normal oscillator beeps from a radio transmitter. However, upon learning the context of the recording, he became intrigued. He noted that the variations in amplitude were not constant, as expected from human-made devices, suggesting the source of the 'inductor' was in motion. The extreme speed variations implied by the recording alarmed him, as he had never encountered anything similar.

The investigation led to attempts to replicate the sounds using a simple oscillator, which produced acoustically similar results but failed to convince the researchers. The possibility of a directed electromagnetic field created by a teledirected object was considered. A particularly intriguing finding was a perceived distortion in the wave crests, which some interpreted as a 'data output,' suggesting the UFO was not merely passively observed.

Further analysis was conducted with the help of a radio amateur club in Logroño, but without definitive results. The tape was then sent to Zaragoza for further examination. The article highlights the difficulty in reproducing the complex modulations manually, especially within short time frames.

Analysis of Oscillograms (Photos 1-4)

• The article presents and analyzes four photos of oscillograms derived from the tape.
• Photo n.° 1: Shows the beginning of the recording, including guitar sounds and two distinct 'clicks' that mark the transition from afternoon to night recording. It also shows an amplitude modulation with a rise occurring within 1/10 to 1/20 of a second after the second click.
• Photo n.° 2: Demonstrates amplitude modulation with a rhythmic distribution of intervals, suggesting a possible codification or message. The grid lines represent time, with major divisions at approximately one second. The regularity of the 'steps' in modulation is noted as extraordinary and difficult to achieve manually.
• Photo n.° 3: Exhibits extraordinary changes in modulation, with a clear indication of time, where the grid lines align perfectly with modulation intervals. The profile has lost its rectangular shape, adopting new forms with instantaneous signals and smooth falls, raising questions about a change in message.
• Photo n.° 4: Presents new modulation systems described as truly surprising, with an absolute loss of rectangular plateaus and dominant sinusoidal characteristics with large amplitude variations. The short intervals between crests and the regularity of periods make manual trickery seem absurd.

The authors contrast these findings with a 'fake' tape created by Mr. B, which, while acoustically similar, produced a photographically erratic record that could not compare to the original. The sinusoidal modulations were deemed impossible to reproduce acceptably in the fake.

Other Articles and Sections

• Editorial: Discusses the challenges and significance of the tape study, emphasizing a scientific approach to UFO phenomena.
• Erratum: Corrects errors in previous issues, including a drawing on page 9 and measurements on pages 10 and 12 concerning an article about the Brunelli-Porchietto incident, and dimensions in an article about a UFO landing in Matadepera.
• Director's Note: The director is Joan Crexells, and the sub-director is Pere Redón.
• Editorial Stance: The publication states that the concepts and opinions expressed in signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of the CEI, and authors are responsible for their own writings.
• Collaboration: D. Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos contributed to this issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the rigorous scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, moving beyond mere anecdotal accounts to detailed analysis of physical evidence, such as audio recordings and their oscillographic representations. The editorial stance is one of open-minded scientific inquiry, encouraging the exploration of hypotheses within the framework of current scientific knowledge, rather than dismissing phenomena outright. The CEI positions itself as a platform for such investigations, emphasizing that published opinions are the responsibility of the authors, not the organization itself. There is a clear effort to engage with scientific principles and to debunk hoaxes while remaining open to the possibility of genuine unexplained events.

This issue of Stendek, dated 1973, focuses on the analysis of a puzzling audio recording made by Javier Bosque, potentially capturing sounds related to a UFO encounter. The magazine presents a detailed technical investigation of the recording, exploring possibilities of hoax, natural phenomena, or genuine extraterrestrial activity.

Analysis of Javier Bosque's Recording

The core of the issue revolves around the sounds captured by Javier Bosque, which were analyzed using an oscilloscope and various technical instruments. The article details the frequency and amplitude modulations, noting abrupt changes and a 'glissando' effect from 1000 Hz to much lower frequencies, culminating in a sharp increase to inaudible frequencies.

Technical Breakdown of the Signal

The analysis, conducted by Mateo Navaridas, breaks down the signal into several intervals. Initial frequencies range from 640 Hz to 1046 Hz, with subsequent intervals showing variations and a significant jump to 4150 Hz. The report notes the difficulty in measuring harmonic distortion due to high noise levels, especially at 4150 Hz. The residual analysis reveals components of 2nd and 3rd harmonics but no overtly abnormal structures.

Simulation and Comparison

Navaridas attempted to simulate the recording in a laboratory setting using a radio generator, a modulated frequency generator, and a cassette recorder. The simulated results closely matched the original recording's graphics, though lacking amplitude variations. This simulation was used to compare with the original data and subsequent studies.

Conclusions on the Recording's Origin

Navaridas concludes that it is impossible for Bosque to have faked the tape, and a prank with a simple remote-controlled object is also ruled out. He suggests that the signal might originate from a distant broadcast, possibly a European station testing modulation after its regular broadcast. The complex code within the signal is deemed unintelligible with current means but suggests intelligence and a specific method. The independence of the recorded sounds from external factors like ambient noise or Bosque's movements is highlighted as a key indicator against a hoax.

Object Characteristics and Witness Testimony

Javier Bosque described the object that entered his room as a luminescent, metallic, vibrating, three-dimensional object, roughly croquette-shaped (0.50m diameter). The analysis speculates on the nature of its vibration, suggesting it might be an external corona or a thin metallic shell separated by a vacuum. The object's movements, particularly its altitude changes, are hypothesized to correlate with the frequency variations in the recording.

Medical and Psychological Evaluation

An appendix includes a medical certificate for Javier Bosque, dated July 5, 1972. It states that he suffered no physical or psychological alterations and underwent 'sofronization' (a form of hypnosis) without issue, indicating a high intellectual level and no hidden motives. The certificate suggests that doubting his psychological state would be a greater temerity than doubting the evidence itself.

Appendices and Further Investigations

Several appendices detail further aspects of the investigation. Appendix N.º 2 discusses the possibility of the signal being from a distant radio station, while Appendix N.º 3 presents the medical certificate. Appendix N.º 4 mentions other UFO-related phenomena and events occurring around the same time, including military exercises and a report of a strange light following a traveler near Logroño. The magazine also includes a section by Albert Adell and Pere Redon on 'Possible Ambiguities about UFOs,' discussing meteors and bolides as potential explanations for sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine maintains a stance of open investigation into UFO phenomena, acknowledging the limitations of current scientific understanding. It emphasizes the importance of technical analysis and witness testimony while remaining critical of potential hoaxes or misinterpretations. The editorial team appears committed to exploring these unusual events, even if they challenge conventional scientific paradigms. The recurring theme is the meticulous, albeit speculative, examination of evidence to understand the nature of unidentified aerial phenomena.

This issue of *Phénomènes Spatiaux*, identified as issue number 30 and published in the fourth quarter of 1971 by GEPA, focuses on a variety of unexplained aerial phenomena. The cover story, "UN MISTERIOSO HAZ DE LUZ CAUSA UNA MUERTE ATROZ EN EL BRASIL" (A Mysterious Beam of Light Causes a Horrific Death in Brazil), by Professor Felipe Machado Carrión, details a disturbing case from 1946.

The Araçariguama Incident: A Mysterious Death

The article recounts the death of Joao Prestes Filho in Araçariguama, Brazil. On a Tuesday of Carnival in 1946, Prestes was struck by a silent beam of light while attempting to enter his home. The beam caused his body to rapidly disintegrate, leaving only bones and teeth. Despite the horrific nature of the event, no medical examination was conducted, and the death certificate cited 'death by diverse wounds.' The police investigation yielded no positive results, and no traces were found at the scene. The incident is presented as a phenomenon beyond current scientific understanding, possibly extraterrestrial in origin. The article notes that similar incidents, like the one involving Captain Thomas A. Mantell, have occurred, and mentions a Soviet parallel. It also touches upon disappearances and alleged abductions related to UFOs.

Understanding Aerial Phenomena: Meteors, Comets, and Planets

The magazine provides a detailed explanation of various celestial and atmospheric phenomena that can be mistaken for UFOs. A table (Tabla I) outlines the periodicity of meteor showers, listing events like the Lyrids, Perseids, Orionids, and Leonids, with their approximate dates and hourly rates. It defines a bolide as a meteor brighter than Venus, capable of causing detonations and leaving craters, citing the mysterious Tunguska event of 1908 as an example. The article also discusses comets, describing their composition, luminous nuclei, and tails, and notes that while they appear fixed due to distance, their periodic appearances are predictable (Tabla II lists notable comets and their discovery years). Planets, particularly Venus, are highlighted as frequent sources of misidentification due to their brightness, which can mimic pulsating lights or movement.

Experimental Phenomena and Misidentifications

The issue explores phenomena that can lead to confusion in UFO reports. High-altitude balloons, including neoprene and polyethylene types, are described as capable of expanding to large sizes and reaching extreme altitudes, potentially appearing as unidentified objects. Satellites are also mentioned as small, moving points of light. The article discusses 'experimental phenomena' such as luminous clouds created by experiments like 'Stornfury' in Florida, which involved seeding hurricanes with silver iodide, and high-altitude experiments by the Max Planck Institute using sodium and barium to study Earth's magnetic fields, which create colorful, short-lived clouds visible from afar.

Categorizing and Analyzing UFO Reports

Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos contributes an article titled 'REGISTRO DE LOS ATERRIZAJES NEGATIVOS ESPAÑOLES' (Register of Spanish Negative Landings). This section focuses on analyzing UFO reports that have been explained or clarified, distinguishing them from genuine, unexplained cases. It highlights the importance of accurate data, noting that errors in dates, locations, and circumstances can distort research. The author aims to create a statistical comparison between 'negative' cases and those considered authentic, seeking to identify patterns of false reports, misinterpretations, and lies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine maintains a stance of objective and scientific study of the UFO problem, opposing sensationalism and 'literary' or photographic horrors that could traumatize readers. It acknowledges that reality can surpass fiction, as exemplified by the Brazilian death case. The editors express gratitude to contributors and researchers, including Professor Carrión, Jader U. Pereira, Paul Misraki, and others, for their work in translating and analyzing these complex phenomena. The publication encourages readers to share their observations and contribute to ongoing research, emphasizing the potential dangers of approaching UFOs too closely, as warned by Frank Edwards. The overall tone suggests a serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, seeking to separate the known from the unknown and to understand the potential implications of encounters with unknown aerial objects and their occupants.

This document, likely an excerpt from a publication like "UFO Nachrichten" or a similar journal, focuses on a statistical analysis of reported UFO (Type I) phenomena in the Iberian Peninsula. The primary content is a detailed table listing 60 observed cases with their dates, times, locations, and a classification code, followed by an in-depth statistical examination of these 'negative' cases (those with explanations other than genuine UFO activity).

Table I: Preliminary List of 60 Type I Observations in the Iberian Peninsula The first page presents "TABLA I," a chronological list of 60 UFO observations identified in the Iberian Peninsula. Each entry includes a sequential number, the date (day, month abbreviation, year), the time of observation (if available), the location (city/region and province, with Portugal noted where applicable), and a four-letter code (H, T, S, SH, TS, TSH) that likely denotes specific characteristics of the sighting or the case's status (e.g., H for 'huellas' or traces, T for 'tierra' or landed, S for 'seres' or occupants, SH for 'se conserva el agente productor' or case preserved, TS for 'tierra' and 'seres', TSH for 'tierra', 'seres', and 'huellas'). The data spans from April 14, 1936, to June 29, 1971.

Data Distribution and Classification Page 2 explains the coding system used in Table I. A period (.) indicates the object or phenomenon was observed at a low altitude, T signifies the object touched the ground, S indicates strange beings were observed, and H denotes that the phenomenon left traces or the case is preserved. The document also mentions the collaboration with various centers and correspondents in compiling these reports, noting that most information comes from the daily press, supplemented by investigations. Key collaborators are listed, including Oscar Rey, Fr. Antonio Felices, Enrique Vicente, José Vera, CEI, Rafael Serratosa, and Ignacio Darnaude.

Statistical Analysis of Negative Cases The core of the document is the statistical analysis of these 60 'negative' cases, which are contrasted with a larger catalog of authenticated landings. The analysis focuses on two main aspects:

1. Hourly Distribution of Landings An examination of the hourly distribution of the 60 cases (where time is known for about one-third) is presented in Figure 1. The distribution is described as non-homogeneous, with peaks at 17:00, and also around 19:00-21:00, 24:00, 03:00, and 10:00. This pattern is contrasted with studies of genuine Type I landings, which show a marked nocturnal character with a sharp peak around 21:00 and lower activity during the day. The negative cases, however, do not exhibit a coherent pattern.

2. Annual Distribution Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the annual distribution of the negative cases (60) and landings (120). The document notes that the Spanish 'wave' of 1968/69 is reflected in the 60 cases but without the magnitude of authentic Type I cases. The authors suggest that the peaks in the annual distribution of negative cases are influenced by public perception, heightened by repeated press information, which temporarily reduces apathy and fear of ridicule. They propose that periods of 'waves' might be generated by widespread psychosis favoring fabricated 'plate' cases, but the proportion of fraud cases in these periods is not significantly higher than in other years.

3. Distribution by Categories Table IV presents a comparison of percentages for different categories (landing, short altitude, no object, occupants) across three catalogs: 1,176 worldwide landings, 120 Iberian landings, and the 60 negative Iberian cases. A strong correlation is found between real landing cases. However, the 60 negative cases show significantly higher percentages for 'objects on the ground' and 'no object seen' (miscellaneous) compared to landings, while 'short altitude' cases are much lower. The proportion of cases with occupants shows agreement across the datasets.

Table II: Incidents and Their Causes Page 3 introduces "TABLA II," which lists 60 incidents and their explanations or causes. This table categorizes various phenomena, including 'ball lightning,' meteorites, atmospheric phenomena, and alleged UFO sightings, alongside explanations such as fraud, misinterpretation, hoaxes, publicity seeking, mental disturbance, and even natural phenomena like bears or landslides. This table serves to categorize the 'negative' cases discussed statistically.

Table III: Annual Distribution of Frauds and Their Percentages Table III provides a year-by-year breakdown of fraud cases and their percentages, distinguishing between 'peak' years (1954, 1965, 1968/69) and other years. The percentage of frauds in peak years is 43%, while in other years it is 30%. This suggests that while fraud is a component, it doesn't solely account for the observed patterns, especially during reporting waves.

Table IV: Percentages Observed in Three Landing Catalogs Table IV details the percentage distribution of cases across categories (landing, short altitude, no object, occupants) for three different catalogs: 1,176 worldwide cases, 120 Iberian cases, and the 60 negative Iberian cases. The data highlights significant differences in the distribution of 'objects on the ground' and 'no object seen' between the negative cases and the authenticated landings.

Table V: Class of Explanation Table V breaks down the 60 negative cases by their explanation: Fraud (35%), Manufactured Object (25%), Natural Phenomenon (20%), and Various (20%). This provides a quantitative view of the types of explanations assigned to the 'negative' sightings.

Conclusions The document concludes that the statistical behavior of the 60 negative Type I cases in the Iberian Peninsula significantly differs from that of authenticated landings. The authors argue that Type I UFO activity cannot be explained solely as a collection of frauds, jokes, misinterpretations, or equivocal events. Instead, they posit that the underlying reason for these phenomena must be sought in the spontaneous or artificial generation of a phenomenon that is "absolutely new in the annals of contemporary science."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes revolve around the statistical analysis of UFO sightings, differentiating between potentially genuine cases and those with mundane explanations. The editorial stance is critical of explanations that dismiss all UFO reports as mere fraud or misinterpretation. The authors advocate for a serious investigation into the nature of UFO phenomena, suggesting that they represent a novel and significant aspect of reality that requires new explanatory frameworks beyond conventional understanding. The document emphasizes the role of press coverage in shaping public perception and reporting patterns.