UFO PRESS - No 15 - (Ene 1983)

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO PRESS
Issue: 15
Volume: VI
Date: January 1983

This issue of UFO PRESS, a quarterly publication from Argentina, focuses heavily on the 'Caso Fattorel,' a detailed account of a UFO sighting and alleged abduction experience. The magazine also reflects on the past year, outlines future goals, and discusses the state of ufology in Spanish-speaking countries.

Editorial

The editorial, written by Guillermo Carlos Roncoroni, reflects on 1982 as a difficult year for Argentina, impacting all activities, including ufology and publishing. Despite the challenges, the publication managed to continue. A significant event was the visit of Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Dr. Willy Smith, which led to the establishment of CUFOS Buenos Aires as an official branch of the Center for UFO Studies. The editorial also laments the closure of the respected ufological magazine STENDEK due to economic reasons. Looking ahead to 1983, UFO PRESS aims to improve its content and presentation, expand its reach, and organize CUFOS Buenos Aires, including forming regional delegations. The preparation of a Field Investigator's Manual and the Spanish edition of the INTERNATIONAL UFO REPORTER are also mentioned as key projects. The editorial emphasizes the need for collaboration from readers and collaborators to overcome economic obstacles and achieve these goals.

Key Articles and Features

EL CASO FATTOREL

This extensive report, authored by Alejandro Chionetti of CIU, details the experience of Juan Fattorel on the night of February 19-20, 1982. Fattorel, a 41-year-old farmer, was returning home when his vehicle stalled near Allen, Río Negro. He reported seeing a hovering object, described as metallic and similar to a Fiat 600 without its front, about 10 meters away. He experienced a sensation of smoke in his eyes and heard a humming sound. Subsequently, he felt an intense pain in his neck, lost consciousness, and awoke disoriented on the ground. He noticed circular marks on his neck and hands, and blisters on his fingertips. The report includes Fattorel's personal account, his disorientation upon waking, and his eventual assistance by an omnibus driver. The article also touches upon the investigation of alleged power outages in the area coinciding with the incident, which were found to have conventional explanations.

FENOMENO OVNI: NATURALEZA Y FINALIDAD (The UFO Phenomenon: Nature and Purpose)

Authored by Casas Huguet, this article offers a personal perspective on the UFO phenomenon. Huguet acknowledges the difficulty in defining the subject and emphasizes that his views are based on years of study and investigation. He asserts that the UFO phenomenon has a real and objective character, linked to an intelligent factor capable of manifesting in diverse ways. These manifestations include sightings of craft, luminous projections, ground traces, magnetic phenomena, sounds, radioactivity, and heat. He notes the incomprehensible speeds and behaviors associated with these phenomena and the potential presence of occupants. Huguet suggests that the details of each observation, while seemingly singular, might collectively contribute to a broader understanding.

CARACTERES Y SINTOMATOLOGIA DE FATTOREL UNA SEMANA MAS TARDE (Fattorel's Characteristics and Symptomatology One Week Later)

This section revisits Juan Fattorel a week after the incident. He expresses frustration with media attention and insists on the truth of his account, highlighting the personal cost of his experience, including medical expenses. Fattorel still suffers from leg pain and a sharp pain in his abdomen, which he attributes to ingesting water while detained. He also presents the physical marks: two perfectly circular marks on each hand and two on each side of his neck, with the neck marks being less distinct. The article notes that the hand marks could be consistent with contact with a hot, circular object. The author also discusses Fattorel's personality, noting his local prestige and his father's reputation for natural healing and a 'curative gaze,' a trait Fattorel reportedly shares.

LA PERSONALIDAD DEL TESTIGO (The Witness's Personality)

This section further explores Juan Fattorel's character. He is described as intelligent and simple. He denies having supernatural 'gifts' during an initial interview but accepts versions from third parties in a later encounter, attributing them to his father or 'karmic' influence. Fattorel has no recollection of the 'lost time' during the incident and does not believe he was taken inside the object. He appears unconcerned about the missing time, focusing instead on his intelligence and simplicity.

LOS SUPUESTO EFECTOS EN LA ZONA Y LOS OTROS TESTIMONIOS (Alleged Effects in the Area and Other Testimonies)

This part of the report investigates claims of power outages and short circuits in Allen around the time of Fattorel's experience. Investigations at the CELLACO juice plant revealed frequent power fluctuations, while at the YATA styrofoam plant, a transformer failure caused a temporary outage, both with normal explanations. Reports of 'backpackers' seeing strange lights were also mentioned but could not be verified, leading the authors to doubt the existence of these witnesses.

Correspondents and Collaborators

The magazine lists its editorial committee, collaborators, and a wide network of correspondents in Argentina and internationally, including France, Poland, Belgium, Spain, Mexico, Chile, Bolivia, and the USA. This extensive network highlights the publication's commitment to gathering information from various sources.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed case studies of UFO encounters (specifically the Fattorel case), analysis of the UFO phenomenon's nature and purpose, and the personal experiences and psychological aspects of witnesses. The editorial stance is one of serious and objective reporting, aiming to inform readers about ufological investigations while acknowledging the challenges and economic realities faced by such publications. There is a clear emphasis on investigation, evidence, and personal testimony, balanced with a critical approach to unverified claims.

This issue of UFO PRESS, dated July 1979, features a prominent cover story titled "LA FOTO DE BARILOCHE: OTRO PUNTO DE VISTA" by Guillermo C. Roncoroni, alongside a psychological analysis of the "CASO PRETZEL" by Alejandro Agostinelli. The magazine, published by Editorial Cielosur in Argentina, focuses on ufological research and interpretation.

Analysis of the Bariloche Photograph

The article by Guillermo C. Roncoroni meticulously examines a photograph taken by Dr. Tardá in Bariloche, Argentina, depicting a luminous anomaly. Two initial analyses are presented: one by investigators Rojo and Moreno of the Mendocino group CICE, who concluded the photograph was an authentic UFO, and another by William Spaulding, director of GROUND SAUCER WATCH (GSW), who suggested it was an optical reflection. Roncoroni, undertaking a third analysis, finds both previous conclusions partially lacking. He details the photograph's context, taken in daylight on Lake Nahuel Huapí, noting that neither Dr. Tardá nor his companions observed anything unusual at the time. Roncoroni disputes the GSW's hypothesis of an optical reflection, arguing that the image lacks symmetry typical of reflections and that the GSW's analysis was based on a third-generation copy, potentially affecting contrast and detail. He concludes that the image is of an unidentified nature, distinct from a simple optical reflection, though he does not definitively label it a UFO, acknowledging the lack of direct witness observation during the event.

Psychological Perspective on the Pretzel Case

Alejandro Agostinelli presents the opinion of psychologist Román Cetrángolo on the "CASO PRETZEL," a case previously studied by Dr. Oscar Galíndez. Cetrángolo critiques Galíndez's study for its perceived "materialistic ufology" and for not giving sufficient weight to the personality of the witness, María Elodia Pretzel. He questions whether the experience might have been purely psychic or a result of repressed desires, rather than a physical entity. Cetrángolo suggests that Galíndez may have been unconsciously influenced by his own interests. He also challenges Lic. Vaggione's dismissal of a hallucinatory phenomenon based solely on its duration and the witness's detailed recall, proposing that these factors could have been affected by emotional states. Cetrángolo emphasizes the importance of considering the witness's psychological state and suggests that psychological tests like Rorscharch could have provided deeper insights, though he notes that if administered later, they might not reflect the original state.

Synthesis of Perspectives

Agostinelli concludes by noting that two opposing viewpoints on a controversy can both hold truth depending on the approach. He suggests that the Pretzel case, like many UFO phenomena, might be understood through a combination of psychological and potentially physical factors, highlighting the complex interplay between observer and observed.

Reader Correspondence and Bibliography

The issue includes a "CORREO DE LECTORES" (Readers' Mail) section, soliciting news and observations from readers to enrich the magazine's archive and research efforts. It also provides a bibliographic reference list, including previous issues of UFO PRESS and UFOLOGIA, and a book on photographic evidence of UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the interpretation of UFO evidence, particularly photographic data, and delves into the psychological aspects of witness testimony. There is a clear editorial stance favoring rigorous analysis and a critical examination of conclusions, encouraging readers to contribute to ongoing research. The articles demonstrate a commitment to presenting multiple viewpoints and fostering a deeper understanding of complex ufological cases.

Title: UFO PRESS
Issue: 15
Volume: 4
Issue Date: April 1983
Publisher: COMISION DE INVESTIGACIONES UFOLOGICAS
Country: Argentina
Language: Spanish

This issue of UFO PRESS, a quarterly publication dedicated to the investigation of anomalous aerial phenomena, delves into the scientific analysis of a mysterious substance known as 'hilos de virgen' or 'angel hair' and recounts a peculiar incident involving two bank officials.

Analysis of 'Angel Hair' Substance

The main article, 'ANALISIS DE UNA MUESTRA DE "HILOS DE VIRGEN"' by Joseph Accetta, investigates the composition and properties of 'angel hair,' a substance reported to fall during UFO events. A sample, collected by James Harder in San Francisco on October 11, 1977, was subjected to intensive analysis. Contrary to popular belief that this substance is unstable and dissolves on contact, the analyzed sample proved to be stable to sunlight and insoluble in water and cleaning fluids. It also showed resistance to sulfuric acid, with only a slight yellowing. Boiling it in sodium hydroxide solution transformed the fibrous strands into a gelatinous, insoluble state. Preliminary protein tests yielded negative results, suggesting that if it were a protein, it was highly stable.

Further analysis using electron microscopy confirmed the sample's stability. Trace elements detected included chlorine, sulfur, potassium, calcium, silicon, and iron, possibly from sand and soil. More surprisingly, particles of aluminum, silver, and titanium, ranging from 1 to 10 microns, were found. The rest of the sample was determined to be organic.

Analysis by a third laboratory confirmed the organic nature, revealing a composition of 43.2% carbon, 6% hydrogen, and 13.6% nitrogen (oxygen content undetermined). Infrared Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) tests showed refractive curves similar to silk. A sophisticated protein test indicated that nearly half the sample's weight consisted of glycine, a simple amino acid and a building block of protein molecules. The test could not determine if it was synthetic or natural glycine.

Table I lists other detected elements in parts per million, including potassium, lithium, sodium, calcium, aluminum, titanium, silver, copper, zinc, manganese, magnesium, silicon, lead, and iron. The article concludes that if this sample is representative of 'angel hair,' it is not unstable or evanescent as commonly reported, contradicting popular belief.

The phenomenon is tentatively identified as a result of the migration of small arachnids. Spider silk is composed of a protein called fibroin, primarily made of glycine and alanine, with a structure similar to organic substances like nylon and silk, which are known for their stability and strength. The chemical evidence thus supports the explanation of spider silk.

The only anomaly noted was the presence of silver, titanium, and aluminum in small concentrations, which could have adhered to the silk as it was carried by the wind.

A Fantastic Case: The Unexplained Car Incident

'UN CASO FANTASTICO' by Oscar A. Uriondo details a strange event that occurred in May 1972 involving two bank officials, Ivo Dugour and Néstor Berlingieri, traveling from Mar del Plata to Capital Federal in Argentina. While driving, Berlingieri suddenly stopped the car, stating he felt an irresistible urge to sleep. He turned off the engine, secured the doors and windows, and then fell asleep. Dugour also fell asleep.

They awoke to find the car moving slowly (20-30 km/h) with the engine off, despite the terrain being flat. They tested the lights, which worked normally. Berlingieri, who had the keys, managed to restart the engine. They realized the car had been moving on its own for a significant distance without power.

Upon arriving in Dolores, Berlingieri was agitated, while Dugour remained calm and somnolent. Later, when Dugour was driving, he experienced a strange, tingling sensation in his head, similar to a limb falling asleep, which persisted and forced him to drive slowly.

Berlingieri's account largely matched Dugour's, except he did not recall securing the car or having the keys. He also fell asleep instantly and awoke with his hands on the steering wheel, the car moving on a deserted highway. Neither witness could pinpoint their location when stopped, estimating it was about 30 km from Maipú. They could not estimate the distance covered while asleep.

Both witnesses, accustomed to night travel, experienced unusually intense and unaccustomed sleepiness. They reported no luminous phenomena or strange noises.

The authors conclude that there is no reason to doubt the witnesses' veracity. The incident, while seemingly fantastical, is not unique, with similar unexplained phenomena reported in Chile, France, and the United States, often involving the presence of UFOs or not. The conclusion is that some non-electromagnetic or gravitational force may be acting on aerial and terrestrial vehicles. Further investigation is needed to confirm or refute this hypothesis and develop explanatory models.

Future Editions and Editorial Notes

An announcement for the upcoming edition (Issue 16) of UFO PRESS highlights articles on 'LA ESFERA LUMINOSA DE CHAPADMALAL' by Alejandro C. Agostinelli, 'EL INEXPLICABLE CASO VOMMARO' by Alejandro Chionetti, 'LA INVESTIGACION DE CASOS FOTOGRAFICOS' by Guillermo C. Roncoroni, and 'SECUESTROS REALES E IMAGINARIOS' by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. This edition is scheduled for distribution in the second half of April 1983.

The magazine also announces the incorporation of Néstor Puccetti as a staff illustrator for CIU-CUFOS Buenos Aires, aiming to enhance the visual presentation of their publications.

Collaborations

UFO PRESS invites independent researchers and ufological groups to submit their work. Guidelines include submitting original research, focusing exclusively on UFO topics (casuistics, statistical analysis, evaluation, theory, investigative practice, and essays), typing manuscripts with double spacing, and including illustrations, photographs, and diagrams. Authors must provide a note authorizing the COMISION DE INVESTIGACIONES UFOLOGICAS to publish their material. All submissions are evaluated by the Editorial Committee to ensure they align with the publication's objective of serious and objective investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects.

UFO PRESS is a quarterly publication edited and distributed by the COMISION DE INVESTIGACIONES UFOLOGICAS, an entity funded by its members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue emphasizes a scientific and analytical approach to UFO phenomena, particularly evident in the detailed chemical and physical analysis of the 'angel hair' substance. The editorial stance favors rigorous investigation and objective evaluation, as demonstrated by the detailed reporting of witness testimony and the cautious interpretation of the unexplained car incident. The publication aims to present credible research and encourage collaboration within the ufological community, while also acknowledging the need for further study to understand complex phenomena.