UFO Rama - No 197 - febbraio 2018

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-RAMA
Issue: No. 197
Date: February 2018
Type: Monthly UFOlogical Bulletin from Italy and the World.

Editorial

The editorial addresses the frequent question about the utility of continuing to catalog 'lights in the sky' (UFOs). It argues that while some might prefer to wait for visitors from space to reveal themselves, private UFO study groups are engaged in a 'numbers war' while deep space exploration, aided by amateur groups, is discovering new worlds that could harbor life. The editorial emphasizes that the reason to continue cataloging Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) is to prevent humanity from mistaking signals from visitors for a threat and reacting with force. It also references the 'Doomsday Clock,' which measures humanity's proximity to nuclear apocalypse, and mentions that since the late 1940s, individuals claiming contact with extraterrestrials have been delivering warnings for humanity to change its ways and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The editorial urges readers not to let these warnings go unheard.

Articles

"Scienziati dilettanti scoprono mondi alieni" (Amateur Scientists Discover Alien Worlds)

This article, dated February 6, 2018, from 'Corriere della Sera,' reports on the discovery of five alien planets orbiting a star 620 light-years away in the Aquarius constellation. These discoveries were made possible by the collaboration of thousands of amateur astronomers working on NASA's Kepler space telescope data through the Zooniverse platform. This 'citizen science' project, organized by the California and Massachusetts Institutes of Technology, allows ordinary citizens to help identify planetary signals by examining Kepler data and voting on whether a signal represents a planet or background noise.

"Scoperti i primi pianeti «nascosti» in un'altra galassia" (First 'Hidden' Planets Discovered in Another Galaxy)

Published in 'Corriere della Sera' on February 6, 2018, this article by Giovanni Caprara details the discovery of the first group of 'hidden' planets in a nearby galaxy. This achievement was made possible by NASA's Chandra X-ray observatory and Einstein's theory of relativity. Unlike the approximately five thousand exoplanets previously found orbiting stars in our own Milky Way galaxy, these planets are located in another galaxy, approximately 3.8 billion light-years away. The discovery utilized a phenomenon known as 'gravitational lensing,' where the gravity of a massive object bends light, magnifying distant objects. The article mentions that the discovery of these planets, estimated to be around two thousand and ranging in size from the Moon to Jupiter, strengthens the idea that planets are common and increases the possibility of finding a 'twin' of Earth elsewhere. It also briefly touches upon the recent findings regarding the seven planets around the star Trappist-1.

"Quando l'ufo divide anche gli ufologi" (When UFOs Divide Even Ufologists)

This article from 'Il Tirreno' on January 12, 2018, discusses a photograph taken in the Lucchesia region of Italy that shows a small, indistinct spot in the sky. While some ufologists, like the 'Shado' group, are analyzing it, others are skeptical, noting that the object could be anything from a bird or insect to a drone or balloon. The article highlights how even simple photographic evidence can lead to disputes within the ufological community and emphasizes the importance of proper geolocation and verification of witness accounts.

"Scontro fra ufologi sull'oggetto avvistato" (Clash Between Ufologists Over Sighted Object)

This piece from 'Il Tirreno' on January 16, 2018, elaborates on the dispute mentioned above, concerning a photograph taken in Capannori, Italy. The ufological research group 'Shado' of Lucca, along with the national UFOlogy center (Tuscany section), has opened an investigation. However, the original photograph has not been made available, and the analysis is based on a copy found online. Researchers have suggested the object could be of various origins. The article criticizes the witness for not reporting the sighting to local ufologists or authorities and states that without further information, the case is considered to have zero value by the associations.

"Ufo, molti avvistamenti in Liguria" (UFOs, Many Sightings in Liguria)

Published in 'Eco di Bergamo' on January 6, 2018, this article reports that 2017 saw a significant increase in UFO sightings across Italy, particularly in Liguria. Angelo Carannante, president of the Mediterranean Ufological Center (Cufom), presented a dossier of images and films from these sightings. He noted that the sightings included various types of UFOs (disks, spheres, squadrons) exhibiting surprising clarity, suggesting a qualitative leap in observed phenomena compared to previous years.

"«Razzo di Kim» Sms alle Hawaii ma è un errore" ('Kim's Rocket' SMS to Hawaii But It's an Error)

This article from 'Corriere della Sera' on January 14, 2018, details a false ballistic missile alert sent to Hawaii. The alert, which lasted 38 minutes, caused panic as people sought shelter. It was later revealed to be a mistake made by a technician at the Hawaii's Emergency Management Agency who believed the alert was real and not part of a scheduled drill. The incident highlights the high tensions in the region and the pressure on Donald Trump to find a diplomatic solution to the North Korean nuclear issue.

"Il tecnico delle Hawaii temeva un vero missile" (The Hawaii Technician Feared a Real Missile)

This follow-up article from 'Corriere della Sera' on January 31, 2018, clarifies that the technician who sent the false missile alert to Hawaii did so intentionally because he did not realize it was part of a scheduled drill. He genuinely believed the alert signaled an imminent ballistic missile attack from North Korea.

"L'ALLARME «Aumentato il rischio di catastrofe atomica»" (THE ALERT 'Increased Risk of Atomic Catastrophe')

This brief report, dated January 26, 2018, states that the world is now 30 seconds closer to midnight on the 'Doomsday Clock,' symbolizing nuclear apocalypse. Scientists from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the clock's hands forward, citing the current geopolitical situation as the most dangerous since World War II. Only two minutes remain until midnight.

"Usa. Codici nucleari a Trump: il Congresso è preoccupato" (USA. Nuclear Codes to Trump: Congress is Worried)

Published in 'la Repubblica' on October 7, 2017, this article discusses a Congressional examination of the US President's power to launch a nuclear attack. Initiated by the Democratic opposition, this was the first such discussion in over 40 years. Concerns were raised about Donald Trump's temperament and the potential for him to irresponsibly order a nuclear strike, especially after his threats towards North Korea. While Republicans and some generals believe the Commander-in-Chief must retain this power, Democratic senators expressed deep worry about the President's instability and potential to act rashly.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial intelligence, and related scientific and societal implications. There's a strong emphasis on the importance of continued investigation and cataloging of sightings, even if the purpose isn't immediately clear to everyone. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious optimism regarding the potential for extraterrestrial contact, coupled with a strong concern about humanity's capacity for self-destruction, particularly through nuclear conflict. The magazine also highlights the role of amateur contributions and citizen science in advancing knowledge in these fields. The articles reflect a blend of reporting on specific sightings, scientific discoveries, and geopolitical events that intersect with themes of potential alien contact and global security.