UFO Rivista di Informazione Ufologica - No 11

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO Rivista di Informazione Ufologica" (UFO Magazine of Ufological Information), published by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), is the 11th issue of Volume III, dated July 1992. It is a bi-annual publication priced at £. 6,000, focusing on ufological information with a scientific approach. The cover prominently features "IL CASO DI TRANS-EN-PROVENCE" (The Trans-en-Provence Case).

Editorial Stance and Introduction

The editorial highlights a recent resurgence of public interest in the UFO phenomenon in Italy, fueled by media coverage including newspapers, television, and new books. However, the editorial expresses concern that this coverage often sensationalizes the topic, focusing on fringe elements and perpetuating misconceptions about UFOs, such as alien visitation, government cover-ups, and extraterrestrial involvement in human affairs. The magazine aims to distinguish factual ufology from pseudoscience and myth, providing a guide to recent events and news in the field.

Special Feature: GEPAN-SEPRA

Interview with the Director of the French Official Agency

The magazine includes an extensive interview with Jean-Jacques Velasco, the director of SEPRA (Service d'Expertise des Phénomènes de Rentrées Atmosphériques), the French agency that succeeded GEPAN (Groupe d'Etude des Phénoménes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés). Velasco, an optical instrumentation engineer, discusses the transition from GEPAN to SEPRA, explaining that SEPRA's mandate is more focused on tracking atmospheric re-entries of satellites and investigating unidentified aerospace phenomena with a rigorous scientific approach. He clarifies that SEPRA does not conduct basic research but rather analyzes and evaluates reported cases. The agency has a budget that allows for investigations and analyses, and while it doesn't publish technical notes, information can be obtained upon request. Velasco acknowledges the difficulty of dealing with the public perception of UFOs but emphasizes the importance of scientific methodology.

The GEPAN-SEPRA History

Pages 4 and 5 provide a historical overview of GEPAN and its evolution into SEPRA. GEPAN was founded in May 1977 under Claude Poher at the CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) in Toulouse, with the aim of scientifically studying UFO phenomena. It involved a scientific council and conducted statistical analyses of reported cases. GEPAN published "Notes techniques" detailing its activities and findings. The agency experienced a period of intense activity under Alain Esterle in 1979-1980, but later faced funding cuts and a shift in focus. In November 1988, GEPAN was replaced by SEPRA, with a modified mandate and cessation of public divulgation, focusing on satellite re-entries and the analysis of aerospace phenomena. The article also touches upon criticisms of GEPAN, including accusations of being a front for military interests.

Key Cases and Investigations

The "Trans" Case (Trans-en-Provence)

This section details the landing case in Trans-en-Provence, France, on January 8, 1981. The witness, Renato Nicolai, reported seeing a disc-shaped object land, leaving circular traces on the ground. The GEPAN conducted a thorough investigation, involving soil and vegetation analysis. The findings indicated significant soil compression, striations, and biochemical changes in the plants, suggesting an unknown phenomenon. Despite extensive analysis by multiple laboratories, no definitive explanation was found, leading GEPAN to classify the case as "unidentified." The article discusses the scientific analysis of the soil and vegetation, noting the presence of iron and phosphate, and the biochemical alterations in the plants, such as changes in chlorophyll and sugar concentrations. The GEPAN's conclusion was that the phenomenon was of unknown origin, with possible electromagnetic effects.

The "Amaranto" Case

This case, investigated by GEPAN and published in its technical notes, involves a witness named Henri, a biologist, who observed an ovoid object hovering in his garden for 20 minutes on October 21, 1982. The object, described as metallic and green-blue, left no physical trace on the ground but caused dehydration in nearby amaranto plants. The GEPAN's analysis of the plants showed biochemical alterations, though the results were considered inconclusive due to issues with sample preservation. The magazine discusses the possibility of an intense electric field causing the observed effects on the vegetation.

The Crosia Film

This article by Giuseppe Stilo critically examines a film shot in Crosia, Italy, in 1987, purportedly showing a luminous disc. The film gained public attention through media coverage, including a RAI television program. The author questions the circumstances surrounding the filming, the reliability of witnesses, and the consistency of the reported details, such as the date and the number of observers. The article analyzes the visual aspects of the film, noting similarities to other UFO footage and discussing the potential for mundane explanations, such as atmospheric phenomena or camera artifacts.

A Norwegian Precedent?

This section briefly mentions a 1976 film from Norway that shares some similarities with the Crosia footage, particularly regarding the appearance of the luminous object and the presence of potential camera artifacts like out-of-focus images and lack of reference points. The analysis of the Norwegian film suggests it might be explained by technical factors related to the camera and lighting conditions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Throughout the issue, there is a consistent emphasis on the need for scientific rigor in ufological research. The magazine aims to debunk sensationalism and misinformation, presenting detailed case studies and the methodologies employed by official and semi-official organizations like GEPAN and SEPRA. The editorial stance favors a cautious, evidence-based approach, distinguishing between unexplained phenomena and speculative theories. The recurring theme is the challenge of investigating UFOs, the limitations of current scientific understanding, and the importance of careful data collection and analysis. The magazine promotes the idea that while many UFO reports can be explained by conventional means, a residue of genuinely unexplained cases warrants continued scientific inquiry.

This issue of UFO magazine delves into several key UFO cases and related phenomena, primarily focusing on incidents in Belgium and Italy, with a significant portion dedicated to debunking sensationalist claims and exploring the role of technology and misinterpretation in UFO sightings.

The Crosia Case and Optical Illusions

The article begins by examining the case of Gilles Munsch, a French ufologist and engineer who analyzed footage from Crosia, Italy. Munsch concluded that the unusual luminous images in the film were not from a UFO but were caused by the videocamera's zoom lens, particularly when focusing on streetlights. He proposed three hypotheses: a peculiarity of the lens, a characteristic of the camera's electronics (like the CCD sensor), or a specific feature of the streetlamps. His experiments, including filming helicopter lights, supported the idea that the effects were generated by the camera's optics. Patrick Ferryn, a photographic expert from the Belgian ufological association SOBEPS, further elaborated on this, suggesting that the 'swelling' of luminous sources and the appearance of 'discs with moldings' were consistent with optical aberrations in videocameras, especially when using the zoom function. The phenomenon was observed to occur when the camera's autofocus was actively seeking maximum clarity, leading to momentary defocalization. This effect was amplified by the zoom.

Ferryn also noted that the 'notches' on the edges of the discs were likely due to the internal structure of the camera's optical tube. The article contrasts these findings with the initial sensationalist interpretations, highlighting how optical systems, especially more sophisticated and expensive ones, can produce such effects.

Astronomical Explanations

The issue explores the possibility of astronomical explanations for some sightings. The Belgian sighting in Gemmenich, initially thought to be an unknown object, was identified as the planet Jupiter. Similarly, a sighting in Amay, Belgium, also attributed to Jupiter, showed a bright point becoming a disc with notches, explained by filming without a tripod and using autofocus. Another case in Flémalle, Belgium, involving a 'round disc,' was also linked to zoom effects on a luminous point, likely Jupiter.

The Belgian Wave of UFO Sightings

The magazine provides an update on the wave of UFO sightings in Belgium, which began in the autumn of 1989. A significant event was the radar-visual observation on the night of March 30-31, 1990, where gendarmes observed luminous points that were also detected by NATO radar at Glons and Semmerzake. F-16 fighter jets were scrambled but could not achieve visual contact. Colonel De Brouwer of the Belgian Air Force initially stated that the reported accelerations and maneuvers were beyond human technology. However, further analysis by SOBEPS, in collaboration with military authorities, suggested that some radar echoes might have been meteorological phenomena, specifically 'convection bubbles' caused by thermal currents and temperature inversions. Auguste Meessen, a physics professor, concluded that a specific radar echo was meteorological in nature. However, the echoes detected by the F-16s remained unexplained.

The case of Marcel Alfarano, who filmed a triangular object with three lights and a central intermittent red light on March 31, 1990, is also discussed. While initially intriguing, experts suggested it could be a conventional aircraft, given its trajectory near the Brussels-National airport.

Landings and Traces

The issue touches upon alleged UFO landing traces, noting that investigations into most cases revealed mundane explanations like 'fairy circles' or frost damage. However, the case of Georges D. in St. Georges, Belgium, on May 4, 1990, is presented as a possible exception. He reported a cone-shaped luminous object with a central crater that hovered low to the ground, leaving behind four circular traces with flattened grass and a fine yellowish powder.

UFO "Belga" in Veneto, Italy

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a UFO sighting in Romano d'Ezzelino, Italy, on February 11, 1984. Multiple witnesses reported observing large, stationary lights that later moved and disappeared, accompanied by a low humming sound. Some witnesses described the lights as forming a square or diamond pattern. The article discusses various explanations, including conventional aircraft, but notes the lack of definitive proof. It also references similar sightings in Veneto in August 1983, which were later attributed to large American transport planes flying to the Aviano air base.

Critiques of UFO Research and Media Portrayal

The magazine strongly criticizes the sensationalist approach to UFO research, particularly as presented in Italian television programs like 'Mixer' and associated video documentaries. It argues that these programs often rely on unsubstantiated claims, misinterpret evidence, and promote fringe theories without critical analysis. The article highlights the dangers of 'instrumental use of UFO cases' for personal publicity and the damage it does to the credibility of serious ufological research.

Key Concepts and Individuals in UFOlogy

The issue includes a glossary of terms and concepts prevalent in American UFO circles:

• Area 51: A secret US military base associated with advanced aircraft testing and UFO theories, including claims of reverse-engineered alien technology.
• E.B.E. (Extraterrestrial Biological Entities): A term used for aliens, with theories suggesting their manipulation of human history and genetics.
• Photo: Discusses the controversial 'alien photo' that circulated, identified as a prop or puppet.
• Grigi (Greys): A term for small, grey, hairless aliens, often depicted as one of two alien races in contact with the US government.
• Howe, Linda Moulton: A journalist and producer known for her research into cattle mutilations and UFOs.
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): A US law that allows public access to government documents, used by ufologists to investigate government involvement in UFO phenomena.
• Lazar, Bob: A controversial figure who claimed to have worked at Area 51 and studied alien technology, but whose credibility has been questioned due to inconsistencies and lack of evidence.
• Majestic-12 (MJ-12): A purported secret committee allegedly formed to investigate UFO crashes, with documents related to it being highly debated as either genuine or fabricated.
• Moore, William: A ufologist who played a key role in the MJ-12 controversy and admitted to collaborating with US intelligence to spread disinformation.
• Mutilations (Cattle Mutilations): The phenomenon of livestock found dead and mutilated, with various theories ranging from animal predators to alien experimentation.
• Paranoia: Describes a segment of American ufology characterized by extreme skepticism towards government and belief in widespread conspiracies involving aliens.
• Roswell: The famous 1947 incident involving a reported UFO crash, a case that has generated numerous theories and books.
• Rubbia, Carlo: A Nobel laureate whose logical arguments about the possibility of extraterrestrial life were used by the TV program 'Mixer' to lend credibility to its UFO segment.
• Whistleblowers: Individuals who claim to have insider information about government UFO secrets.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFO evidence, the debunking of sensationalist claims through scientific and logical analysis, and the exploration of how technology (like videocameras) and psychological factors can influence perceptions of UFOs. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of extraordinary claims lacking solid proof, advocating for rigorous investigation and a distinction between credible research and conspiracy-driven speculation. The magazine emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between genuine UFO phenomena and misinterpretations, hoaxes, or deliberate disinformation campaigns.

This issue of "UFO - RIVISTA DI INFORMAZIONE UFOLOGICA" is dedicated to informing readers about where they can purchase the magazine. It highlights that beyond subscriptions, the publication is available at numerous bookstores and newsstands across Italy, facilitated by the magazine's associates and the cooperation of the vendors.

Distribution Network Across Italy

The magazine provides an extensive list of retail locations categorized by region:

Piedmont

In Piedmont, readers can find the magazine at various bookstores including "ARETHUSA" (via Po 2, Turin), "BANCARELLA AERONAUTICA" (Corso Peschiera 148, Turin), "COMUNARDI" (via Bogino 2, Turin), "MILONE" (via Saluzzo 19/D, Turin), and "ZANABONI" (Corso Vittorio Emanuele 41, Turin). Other locations in Turin include newsstands MAGNE (via San Secondo 20) and NAPIONE (via Ventimiglia 50). In Alessandria, it's available at "LEONARDO DA VINCI" (via Trotti 22). Novara features "LA TALPA" (via Solaroli 4/c) and "MEDUSA" (viale XX Settembre 30). Domodossola (NO) has Edicola NEGRI (piazza Mercato 38), Borgomanero (NO) has "IL DIALOGO" (viale Marazza 16), Romentino (NO) has "GARAVAGLIA" (via Beldi 31), and Verbania-Intra (NO) has "ALBERTI" (c.so Garibaldi 74).

Liguria

In Liguria, the magazine can be found at "AMENOTHES" (vico Giannini 1/3, Genoa) and at Edicola LA NOTIZIA (via Calamaro 11/R, Savona) and Edicola MERLINO MARIA (piazza Giulio 11 13, Savona).

Lombardy

Lombardy locations include Edicola BELLO (via V. Emanuele 18, Cassina Rizzardi, CO), Edicola BOGANI (via Roma 20, Fenegrò, CO), and Libreria "OMODEO" (via Silva 12, Vigevano, PV).

Trentino Alto Adige

In this region, the magazine is available at Edicola PEDRONI (piazza Battisti, Trento) and "LA RIVISTERIA" (Trento).

Emilia Romagna

Emilia Romagna features Libreria Internazionale "RIZZOLI" (via Rizzoli 8, Bologna) and Libreria "IBIS" (via Castiglione 31, Bologna). In Parma, Edicola BULGARELLI (piazza Garibaldi) carries it. Reggio Emilia has Edicola FRAIMINI (via Confalonieri I). Fidenza (PR) offers Libreria "PIROLA-MAGGIOLI" (vicolo Antini 28/30), "L'IPPOGRIFO" (via Cavour 83), "MARMELLOSI" (via Berenini 81), and Edicola CATTELANI (via Cavour 81). Salsomaggiore (PR) has Libreria CAMPANINI (via Romagnosi), and Pontetaro (PR) has Libreria "PIROLA-MAGGIOLI" (via Ida Mari 2).

Tuscany

Tuscany locations include Libreria "MARZOCCO" (via dei Martelli 22, Florence), Edicola ARTINI (via Don Minzoni 10, Siena), a location on viale 24 Maggio (Siena), Edicola "PORTA OVILE" (Siena), and Edicola MICHETTI (piazza del Popolo, Montalcino, SI).

Umbria

In Umbria, the magazine is available at Libreria "ALTEROCCA" (c.so Tacito, Terni), Edicola GRISCI SILVANA (via Cesi 5, Terni), Edicola MINIUCCHI (via 1º maggio, Terni), and Edicola LEONARDI (via Delle Ortensie 5, Orvieto, TR).

Lazio

Lazio locations include "LIBRI UFO" (via Ostiense 54 bis, Rome), Libreria "PROFONDO ROSSO" (via dei Grandi 260, Rome), Libreria "POCKET 2000" (via Famagosta, Rome), Libreria "SAN SILVESTRO" (Piazza San silvestro, Rome), Edicola DE LEGIBUS (circonvallazione Ostiense, Rome), Edicola FURINI (piazza del Gesù, Rome), and Edicola CAMPOSEO (via Chiabrera 136/138, Rome). Additionally, Edicola PELOSI (piazza Cola di Rienzo, Rome) and Edicola VIA ROMA (Montefiascone, VT) are listed.

Campania

Campania locations include Libreria "LOMBARDI" (Corso Costantinopoli 5 bis, Naples), Libreria "TRAMA" (piazza Cavour 75, Naples), Edicola OSPEDALE MONALDI (via Leonardo Bianchi, Naples), Edicola CAPUZZO (via S. Teresa 56, Naples), Edicola MUSEO NAZIONALE (via Enrico Pessina 52, Naples), Edicola BATTAGLIA (via Bosco di Capodimonte, Naples), Edicola IAVARONE (via Firenze 51, Naples), Edicola GENTILE (via Garibaldi/borgo Cairoli, Naples), Edicola PALMISANO (via Lepanto 33, Naples), Edicola PALMISANO (viale Augusto, Naples), and Edicola STAZIONE FERROVIARIA (Cancello, NA). In Caserta, the magazine is available at Libreria "CROCE" (piazza Dante 11), Libreria "NIGRO" (via Acquaviva 23), Libreria "GUIDA" (via Caduti del Lavoro 29), and Libreria "NORINA" (via Acquaviva 55).

Sicily

In Sicily, readers can find the magazine at Libreria "VALENZA" (via Sammartino 51/A, Palermo), Edicola MARCHESE (Piazza O. Ziino, Palermo), Edizioni PEGASO (via Notarbartolo 15/B, Palermo), and Libreria "MARSA" (via XX Settembre 26, Catania).

Sardinia

Sardinia locations include Libreria "VENDITTI" (piazza Università 1, Sassari), "LIBRORAMA" (via Brigata Sassari 57, Sassari), and Libreria "IL LABIRINTO" (via Carlo Alberto 125, Alghero, SS).

Back Issues

Readers interested in obtaining back issues are instructed to request them directly from the publisher's address.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue's primary focus is on accessibility and distribution, indicating a commitment by the magazine's editorial team to ensure their publication is readily available to a wide audience of UFO enthusiasts across Italy. The detailed listing of retail points suggests a robust distribution strategy and a desire to connect with readers in various geographical areas.