UFO Information - No 10

Magazine Overview

Title: HEILBRONNER UFO INFORMATION
Issue: 10
Volume: 84
Date: June 1984
Publisher: CENTRALEN ERFORSCHUNGSNETZ AUSSERGEWÖHNLICHER PHÄNOMENE - ORTSGRUPPE HEILBRONN (CENAP-OGH)
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of "Heilbronner UFO Information" delves into various aspects of UFO research, featuring critical analysis of prominent figures, historical perspectives on spaceflight, and detailed accounts of alleged encounters.

Unglaublich A. Wahr: Karl Weit Under Scrutiny

The lead article, "UNGLAUBLICH A. WAHR" by Roland Gehardt, focuses on Karl Weit, described as the President of the German UFO/IFC Study Society and an ultimate judge of ufological matters. Weit is portrayed as someone who does not tolerate criticism. The article recounts an incident on February 27, 1984, during the ARD television program "UNGLAUBLICH ABER WAHR," where Weit was confronted by Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Haack, a UFO and occultism researcher with over 20 years of experience. Weit was expected to comment on a Cologne UFO case that had been identified as a balloon, but instead, he chose to recount two of his own alleged UFO sightings, reportedly to the amusement of the audience. The article criticizes Weit for his association with George Adamski, whom the author labels the "greatest forger" in ufology. Weit's denial that Adamski was previously a sausage seller, despite it being mentioned in a Ventla book, is highlighted as an example of his lack of knowledge and awkward presentation. The author suggests that Weit made himself ridiculous during the broadcast.

Following this televised appearance, Weit reportedly wrote a lead article in his own publication, "UFO-NACHRICHTEN," to justify himself. In this article, he allegedly attempted to discredit other participants in the discussion, calling them unqualified and unintelligent. He also reportedly made personal attacks, referring to the ARD broadcast as having a "tendency towards ignoring ufological realities, both in terms of facts and personnel." The article also mentions Weit's wife, Anny, who allegedly defended him hysterically, calling him a "sorcerer." The author notes that the DUIST (likely another UFO organization) also published reader letters, some of which might have been written by Weit himself. The article accuses Weit of reader deception for failing to disclose that he had to admit the Cologne case and a landing case in Nahe Suffolk had nothing to do with UFOs, despite having previously used them as proof of "spaceships" in "UN" (UFO-NACHRICHTEN) issues.

How Could UFOs Reach Us? The Journey of Spaceflight

This section, authored by Ing. Joachim Jahn, is the second part of a series on space travel. It begins by discussing the human dream of interplanetary travel and the scientific belief that it will be realized in the coming years. It quotes Wernher von Braun, stating that conquering the universe is as inevitable as the sunrise. The article then traces the development of rocket technology, referencing ancient Babylonian depictions of flight and the ancient Greek philosopher Lukian's dream of a moon journey. It highlights the human desire to leave Earth and experience weightlessness.

The author explains that reaching space is only possible through the principle of reaction propulsion, as space is a vacuum. Rockets are identified as the only suitable craft for this purpose, whether powered by liquid fuel or atomic energy. The importance of fuel choice for long-distance travel is also mentioned.

The history of reaction propulsion is traced back to the discovery of gunpowder by the monk Schwarz, leading to the development of the first firework rockets. The article notes that early rocket technology was not advanced enough for larger rocket aircraft until the beginning of the 20th century. The challenges of high acceleration during rocket launches are discussed, noting that humans can only withstand about three times the normal gravitational acceleration for extended periods. The German A4 (V2) rocket, which reached six times the normal fall acceleration at launch, is cited as an example. The development of multi-stage rockets is mentioned as a way to mitigate these acceleration limits.

The article then discusses the development of the propeller drive in early aviation, noting its limitations in achieving speeds below the sound barrier due to air turbulence. The jet engine is presented as an improved propulsion system capable of supersonic speeds, but it is deemed unsuitable for spacecraft due to its need to suck in large amounts of air. The article emphasizes that spacecraft require significantly higher speeds to overcome Earth's gravity, necessitating special rocket engines that use specific fuels and require oxygen for combustion.

The history of practical rocket experiments in Germany is then detailed, starting in the early 1920s with Dipl. Ing. Nebel's small black powder rocket reaching 1000m in Berlin. The article mentions Valier and Opel's experiments with reaction-powered cars on the Avus race track in 1927, noting Valier's fatal accident. Opel's experiments with black powder rockets are highlighted as important for rocket science. The founding of the "Verein für Raumschiffahrt" (Society for Space Travel) by Johannes Winkler and Professor Herrman Oberth is described, along with the development of the first German liquid-fuel rocket with a gasoline nozzle, which reached 2000m in late 1929. The film "Frau im Mond" (Woman in the Moon), produced by a film company that financed these rocket experiments, is also mentioned.

The article concludes this section by noting that three years later, Dipl.Ing. Dornberger was joined by a group of ten scientists, including Prof. Oberth, Dipl. Ing. Nebel, and Prof. Wernher von Braun. The text then transitions to discussing the impact of the German V2 rocket on the superpowers after World War II, enabling altitude research up to 200 km. This altitude is described as the edge of the ionosphere, where instruments recorded temperature, gas composition, and radiation intensity. The article notes the practical vacuum at 100 km altitude and the presence of noble gases at 150-180 km, creating phenomena like shooting stars and the Northern Lights due to electrical ionization. The ionosphere is described as a region of complete darkness, with the sun appearing as a bright fireball in the dark sky, marking the threshold of space.

UFOs and Encounters: The CENAP Perspective

This section features an interview with UFO researchers Roland Gehardt and Jochen Ickinger from CENAP (Central Research Network for Extraordinary Phenomena). They express their belief in the UFO phenomenon but emphasize a critical approach, stating they do not blindly accept everything people claim. They are depicted in a room filled with UFO-related materials, including over 2000 slides, books, and files.

Gehardt and Ickinger discuss their methodology, which involves critically examining UFO reports. They dismiss many cases as hoaxes or misidentifications, citing examples like a man claiming to be from "Pegasus" or a photo of a "being" that turned out to be a friend in aluminum foil. They state that out of 254 investigated cases, only seven remain unexplainable and credible. They express a desire to scientifically prove a sighting but find it difficult.

Two cases are presented as potentially credible: the first involves Maurice Masse, a lavender farmer in Valensole, France, in the summer of 1965. Masse reported an egg-shaped, silver-white craft with a six-legged landing gear that hovered about half a meter above the ground. Two beings, described as about 1.20 meters tall with large heads, no mouths (only a hole), and smooth skin, emerged from the craft and interacted with his lavender plants. Masse was temporarily paralyzed by a device they used. The craft then silently ascended and departed. The landing site showed signs of disturbance, including a depression and a hole.

The second case is from April 24, 1964, in New Mexico, where police officer Lonnie Zamora witnessed a black Chevrolet speeding, which he pursued. He then saw a bright blue light and what he described as an "egg-shaped, silver-white thing with a landing gear, the size of a car." The object landed in a remote area, and two small figures, about 1.20 meters tall in white suits, were observed. Zamora reported the incident, and upon investigation, the object was described as egg-shaped, silver-white, windowless, and resting on a six-legged landing gear. It then made a loud noise and ascended vertically, hovering silently before flying south. The object was also seen by other witnesses.

Gehardt considers these two cases credible due to the similarity in the descriptions of the craft and the beings. The article concludes with a speculative note about the possibility of these beings returning to Earth and their existence being proven.

Other Content

The issue also includes advertisements for various magazines and publications, such as "PANORAMA," "WORLD-MAGAZINE," "EUROCAT NACHRICHTEN," and "BIO-QUELLE." There is also an advertisement for the "KONTAKT-KATALOG" from "MYSTERIÖSER ZIRKEL" in Argentina, offering addresses and descriptions of contacts for various interests. Additionally, there is a listing of "UFO-ALARMZENTRALEN" (UFO Alarm Centers) in Lüdenscheid, Mannheim, and Heilbronn, providing contact details for individuals and groups involved in UFO research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFOlogists and their claims, the historical development of spaceflight and rocketry, and the presentation of specific UFO sighting and alien encounter cases. The editorial stance, as represented by Roland Gehardt and CENAP, is one of cautious skepticism towards sensational claims, emphasizing the need for critical analysis and evidence-based research while acknowledging the reality of the UFO phenomenon. The magazine positions itself as a "serious UFO Fachzeitschrift" (Serious UFO Trade Journal).