UFO Information - No 19

Magazine Overview

Title: HEILBRONNER UFO INFORMATION
Issue: NR. 19
Date: MAI 1985
Publisher: CENTRALEN ERFORSCHUNGSNETZ AUSSERGEWÖHNLICHER PHÄNOMENE - ORTSGRUPPE HEILBRONN (CENAP-OGH)
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of "Heilbronner UFO Information" (UI) presents a critical and analytical approach to UFO phenomena, aiming to separate fact from speculation. It features a detailed review of the book "UFOs - Die Unmögliche Wahrheit?", questioning the scientific validity of its contributors and their conclusions. The magazine also explores related topics such as alchemy and the scientific challenges of interstellar travel.

Contents

Editorial and Reader Mail

The issue begins with an "Inhalt" (Table of Contents) listing various articles, including "Ein Buch und was man davon halten kann" (A Book and What to Make of It), "Leserforum" (Reader Forum), "Wie könnten UFOs zu uns kommen?" (How Could UFOs Come to Us?), and sections on "Alchemie" and "Mystik aus dem All" (Mysticism from Space).

A letter from Roland Gehardt, one of the editors, introduces the critical review of UFO books, noting that many publications claiming to be scientifically founded often lack rigor and present unsubstantiated claims. He highlights an article by Klaus Webner that critically examines a book, suggesting it is more of a collection of sensational claims than a serious investigation.

"Was ist ein UFO?" (What is a UFO?)

This section clarifies the definition of a UFO, stating it is an "unidentified flying object" that appears strange to the observer and cannot be identified during the observation period. It emphasizes that this definition does not inherently imply extraterrestrial spacecraft, countering common misconceptions.

Review: "UFOS - DIE UNMÖGLICHE WAHRHEIT?" (UFOs - The Impossible Truth?)

This is the central focus of the issue, with a multi-page critique by Klaus Webner of the book edited by Matthias Engelhardt. Webner scrutinizes the book's premise that UFOs are an "impossible truth" and that scientists are writing about them. He challenges the book's contributors and their arguments:

• Critique of Contributors: Webner questions the credibility of figures like Hermann Oberth and Illo Brand, suggesting their claims are not well-supported. He disputes the assertion that only 2-5% of UFO cases remain unexplained, calling the book's statistics unrealistic.
• Misinterpretation of Evidence: The review points out how the book uses quotes from various sources, including sensationalist literature, to suggest the existence of flying saucers. Webner argues that the book misinterprets evidence, such as the Trinidad photos, which he claims were fabricated.
• Skepticism vs. Belief: Webner criticizes the book's dismissal of skepticism, particularly towards figures like Donald Menzel, and its promotion of a "belief" in UFOs. He argues that the book's approach to UFOlogy is unscientific, relying on subjective interpretation rather than verifiable data.
• Adamski and Contactees: The review strongly condemns the book's positive portrayal of contactees like George Adamski, calling him a fraud and his claims unsubstantiated. Webner links contactee phenomena to "occult criminality."
• Methodology: Webner criticizes the book's reliance on anecdotal evidence and its dismissal of scientific analysis of phenomena like psychic readings or contactee reports. He argues that the book's "reliability factor" is a form of "mathematically formulated superstition."
• Examples of Misrepresented Cases: The review highlights specific examples, such as the Skylab III sighting, which the book claims is an unidentified object, but Webner identifies as a Russian satellite. He also debunks claims about UFOs near the Michaeliskirche and "UFO clouds."
• "Raum & Zeit" Magazine: The review also criticizes the magazine "Raum & Zeit," which published the book, for its pseudoscientific content and advertisements for esoteric products.

"Wie könnten UFO's zu uns kommen?" (How Could UFOs Come to Us?) - Part 10

This section, authored by Ing. Joachim Jahn, delves into the scientific and engineering challenges of interstellar travel.

• Time Dilation: The article explains the concept of time dilation as described by Einstein's theory of relativity, illustrating how time passes differently for astronauts on a high-speed journey compared to people on Earth. For a trip to Alpha Centauri (4.2 light-years away), an astronaut might experience about 3 years and 7 months, while Earth would experience about 12 years.
• Energy Requirements: It quantifies the energy needed for interstellar rockets, comparing chemical fuels, nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion. It highlights that antimatter offers the highest energy density (E=mc²).
• Technological Hurdles: The author discusses the immense mass ratios required for spacecraft, the fuel needed, and the potential destruction of a spacecraft traveling at near-light speeds due to the density of matter in space.
• Conclusion: Jahn concludes that the idea of conquering the universe through current or near-future technology is unrealistic and "thoughtless rhetoric" given the vast distances and physical limitations.

"VILM-TIP" (Video Information and Literature)

This section provides information on obtaining UFO-related video cassettes from Klaus Webner and details about UFO research organizations.

• Klaus Webner's Videos: Information is provided on ordering video cassettes from Klaus Webner, including a documentary filmed in Stuttgart in 1979 that reportedly captured the phenomenon of a smaller object circling a larger one, and footage of Colman von Keviczky.
• UFO Research Organizations: It lists contact information for "Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Phänomens -GEP- e.V." (Society for the Research of UFO Phenomena), an organization in Lüdenscheid, Germany, that offers information and a journal for UFO research.

"Alchemie" (Alchemy)

This section explores the topic of alchemy from psychological and historical perspectives.

• Psychological Significance: An article addresses Axel Ertelt's wordplay on "ALCHEMIE = ALL+CHEMIE," noting its linguistic specificity to German. It discusses Carl Gustav Jung's profound study of alchemy, viewing its texts not as literal transformations but as reflections of the individual and collective unconscious, and as a reaction against a purely rationalistic Western culture.
• Alchemy and Chemistry: Another piece examines the relationship between alchemy and modern chemistry, suggesting that while alchemy was a precursor, its development was limited. It argues against explaining alchemy solely through history or sociology, proposing it is primarily a "worldview" with spiritual and cosmological dimensions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is a commitment to critical inquiry and a rejection of unsubstantiated claims within the UFO field. The editors and contributors consistently advocate for a scientific and rational approach, dissecting popular beliefs and sensationalist literature. The publication positions itself as a "serious UFO journal" that aims to provide accurate information and debunk pseudoscience, particularly targeting works that promote "occult criminality" or unverified phenomena. The editorial stance is one of rigorous skepticism towards claims lacking empirical evidence, while remaining open to genuine scientific investigation of unexplained phenomena.

Title: HEILBRONNER UFO INFORMATION
Issue: 11
Date: February 19, 1985
Publisher: Neue Presse
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of "Heilbronner UFO Information" delves into the persistent mystery of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), exploring their nature, sightings, and the ongoing efforts to understand them.

Unbekannte Flugobjekte - oft verfolgt, doch nie erreicht

The lead article, "Unbekannte Flugobjekte - oft verfolgt, doch nie erreicht" (Unidentified Flying Objects - Often Pursued, Never Caught), addresses the enduring fascination and concern surrounding UFOs. It begins with an account from Professor Nikolai Scheltuchin, Vice-Head of the UFO Commission in the USSR, who recommended the use of his special postal service for reporting unidentified flying objects following an unusual experience by a Soviet traffic aircraft near Minsk. The crew of a "TU 134 A" reportedly saw an unknown object, described as "airplane-shaped," following them from an altitude of 40 to 50 kilometers.

The article notes that UFOs have occupied governments and parliaments for nearly 40 years, since the widely reported sighting by private pilot Ken Arnold on June 24, 1947, over Mount Rainier in Washington State. Arnold claimed to have seen nine giant, glowing disc-shaped objects. The phenomenon has since become a source of constant human fascination, with reports of circular and cigar-shaped objects.

Soviet Professor Scheltuchin, in an interview with the trade union newspaper "Trud," suggested that the experience of the Aeroflot flight crew might have been a sensory illusion or an unexplained atmospheric and geophysical event. He cited the possibility of atmospheric phenomena and unknown physical processes causing the sightings.

Another theory, published by Professor Grigory Barenblatt from the Russian Institute for Oceanography, suggests that UFOs could be caused by swirling atmospheric currents containing dust. These currents could suddenly become visible, creating a disc-like appearance, and then abruptly disappear, explaining the rapid evasive maneuvers attributed to UFOs.

Despite these potential explanations, both Soviet and American scientists continue to search for signals from alien civilizations using large radio telescopes. The recent discovery of potential planetary systems outside our own solar system, at distances of at least eleven to twelve light-years, has fueled speculation about future visits from extraterrestrial intelligences.

Recent Sightings and Reports

Green Celestial Bodies Over Germany

Reports from Frankfurt and Zweibrücken describe at least one to two recognizable meteorites observed flying from south to north over parts of Germany during a Monday night. Police departments and weather stations in Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg received calls from witnesses who had seen "green shimmering unknown celestial bodies." Some callers reported a swarm of meteorites. Air traffic control suggested these could have been multiple, unperceived celestial bodies that burned up over the North Sea.

UFO Over Gießen?

On Sunday night around 11:43 PM, numerous citizens in Gießen reported seeing an unknown flying object very low and silently over the city towards Wieseck. Observers described the object as a large fireball with a blue tail. The Wetzlarer Neue Zeitung reported that the Bochum Observatory identified the object as a meteorite swarm that flew from south to north and likely disintegrated over the North Sea or off the coast of Holland.

UFO Research Organizations and Publications

CENAP - German UFO Alarm Centers

The magazine promotes membership in CENAP (Heilbronn branch), presenting itself as a serious UFO research group. It offers information and sample reports upon request. Contact details are provided for various CENAP representatives in Lüdenscheid, Mannheim, and Heilbronn.

GEP

The "Gemeinschaft zur Erforschung unbekannter Phänomene e. V." (GEP) is presented as an organization for the research of unknown phenomena. Contact information is provided for its representative in Lüdenscheid.

EUROCAT- NACHRICHTEN

This publication offers a sample copy for DM 2 or 2 IRC (International Reply Coupons).

BIO- QUELLE

A free private magazine that brings "the special," sent monthly upon request with return postage.

Private Contact Magazine

A private contact magazine from Austria, offering addresses worldwide and space for personal ads.

UFO Sightings from Astronauts

An individual is seeking any material (books, magazines, photos, films, videos) related to UFO sightings by astronauts.

Private Astrology Research Group (PEGA)

This group invites those interested in serious astrological research to join their constructive work. They publish the "PEGASUS" magazine.

DIE ANDERE REALITÄT

This is a group of private individuals publishing a parapsychological newspaper, distributed free of charge. Their goals include providing evidence of life after death, understanding the meaning of physical life, and contributing to a new era of peace and love through unity with a higher intelligence.

MYSTERIA

A journal for UFO research and Pre-Astronautics. A trial issue can be obtained for DM 3.50 in stamps.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea of serious, scientific investigation into UFO phenomena, distinguishing itself from sensationalism. It highlights various research groups and publications dedicated to the subject, encouraging reader participation and information sharing. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting different theories and reports while emphasizing the need for rigorous research. The recurring theme is the persistent, unexplained nature of UFO sightings and the global interest in understanding their origins and implications.