UFO Rivista di Informazione Ufologica - No 27

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO Rivista di Informazione Ufologica, number 27, dated August 2003, is a 16-page publication from Italy, priced at €4.00. The cover prominently features the headline "L'arte dei Cerchi nel Grano" (The Art of Crop Circles) and highlights articles on Hessdalen 2002 investigations, a review of Nazi UFOs, and the controversy surrounding alien abductions.

Editorial: 1947: Roswell? Absent!

The editorial by Giuseppe Stilo discusses the discovery of President Harry S. Truman's personal diaries from 1947, noting the absence of any mention of the Roswell incident. Stilo critiques the 'conspiracy of silence' mentality prevalent in ufology, where a lack of evidence is interpreted as proof of a cover-up. He argues that this mindset, akin to a neo-gnostic thought, dismisses conventional research methods and evidence, constantly shifting the goalposts for proof to ever more inaccessible levels. He contrasts this with a scientific approach that relies on verifiable evidence and logical analysis, lamenting how this 'conspiracy' ideology hinders serious understanding of UFO phenomena.

Current Affairs (Attualità)

Raeliani, Clonations... UFO

Edoardo Russo reports on the Clonaid society, linked to the Raelian sect, announcing the birth of the first cloned baby. The article traces the Raelian movement's origins to Claude Vorilhon's alleged encounters with extraterrestrials ('Elohim') who supposedly created humanity. It highlights the movement's blend of UFO themes with religious and technological aspirations, including their plan to build an embassy in Jerusalem. Russo emphasizes the significant difference between ufology as the study of UFO sightings and cults like the Raelian movement, expressing discomfort at any perceived association.

UFO News at a Minimum in 2002

This section notes a significant decrease in media coverage of UFOs in Italian newspapers during 2002, with only 591 articles reported, the lowest in a decade. Interestingly, the number of reported UFO sightings in Italy actually increased in 2001 and 2002, suggesting that media attention does not directly correlate with the number of sightings. Direct witness reports and online sources are becoming more important for collecting UFO data.

And Scarce Are the Cases Collected by the Air Force

Giorgio Abraini and Sebastiano Ridolfi report that the Italian Air Force officially recorded only six UFO sightings in Italy in 2002. This is in stark contrast to the over 700 cases cataloged by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), indicating a low level of interest from military and authorities in UFO-related issues.

UFOs of the KGB Return

This piece debunks sensationalist media reports about newly revealed Soviet UFO documents. It clarifies that the documents, released by the KGB in 1991 and concerning 18 reports from 1982-1990, were already known and published in Italy in 1995 by Roberto Pinotti.

SOS-OVNI Archives at Risk

Bruno Mancusi reports on the international effort to save the extensive archives of the French ufological association SOS-OVNI, which is facing dispersion due to debt. A European pool of organizations is working to preserve these valuable materials, including books, magazines, and research files.

It's Not So Easy to Predict Waves

Donald Johnson of the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies predicted a global wave of UFO sightings in March 2003, based on historical data. However, the article notes that past attempts to predict UFO waves have had limited success.

The Italian Crop Circles

Margherita Campaniolo and Roberto Malini discuss the phenomenon of crop circles in Italy during the spring and summer of 2003. They note the increasing number of formations appearing across the country, often accompanied by reports of unusual lights. The article explores the historical and symbolic significance of grain in various cultures, linking it to fertility, prosperity, and rebirth. It compares Italian crop circles to those in England, noting similarities in design and evolution, and discusses the debate between those who see them as messages from extraterrestrials and those who attribute them to human artistic expression (Land Art) or hoaxes.

Alien Abductions: Stellar Clashes at Harvard

Paolo Toselli delves into the controversy at Harvard University regarding alien abduction experiences. Psychiatrist John Mack believes these are genuine encounters with extraterrestrials, while psychologists Richard McNally and Susan Clancy propose that they can be explained by sleep paralysis, false memories, and psychological factors. The article details the differing approaches of Mack, who focuses on the subjective experience, and McNally/Clancy, who use laboratory experiments to study memory and cognition. It highlights the concept of 'false memories' and how psychological states and cultural narratives might influence the interpretation of anomalous experiences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of ufology with broader societal issues, including scientific skepticism, conspiracy theories, and the psychological interpretation of anomalous experiences. There's a clear distinction made between serious ufological research and cultic or pseudoscientific phenomena. The editorial stance appears to favor critical analysis and evidence-based investigation, while acknowledging the persistent allure of mystery and the 'conspiracy of silence' narrative within the UFO community.

Key Information

• Publisher: Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (C.I.S.U.)
• ISSN: 1594-039X
• Price: € 4,00
• Website: www.cisu.org, www.ufo.it, www.ufodatanet.org, www.upiar.com
• Contact: CISU postal address and phone numbers provided.
• Editorial Policy: Articles are signed by their authors, with unsigned pieces handled by the editorial staff. The magazine is non-profit and aims for cultural and informational purposes.

This issue of "UFO" magazine, dated August 2003, focuses on the analysis of UFO sightings from 2002-2003 and delves into the ongoing research at Hessdalen, Norway. The cover headline, "2002-2003: gli avvistamenti," introduces a comprehensive review of the reported cases and new findings.

Casistica 2002-2003: An Analysis of Sightings

The article "2002-2003: gli avvistamenti" by Giorgio Abraini and Sebastiano Ridolfi provides a statistical breakdown of UFO sightings reported to CISU. From October 2002 to June 2003, a total of 362 cases were recorded. The analysis details monthly distribution, noting peaks in February and April 2003. It also highlights the recurring phenomenon of "angel hair" during the autumn months and significant events like a bolide sighting across Northern Italy and a close encounter near Stradella (PV). The article also touches upon the presence of crop circles in Sardinia and their potential connection to UFO phenomena.

The issue further examines the typological distribution of sightings, noting a significant portion attributed to "para-ufological" causes, partly due to phenomena like crop circles and sonic booms. The regional distribution of sightings in 2003 is compared to previous years, showing a consistent pattern.

Interesting Cases and Significant Events

Several specific cases are detailed:

• Fasano (BA), November 2, 2002: Two individuals observed a white, oval object with gray hues and a dome, emitting a yellow light, which hovered and then vanished.
• Stradella (PV), December 12, 2002: Two young women reported an oval object emitting an orange light, approximately 10 meters in diameter, which caused a temporal anomaly.
• Praticello di Gattatico (RE), March 23, 2003: A person observed pink light beams with black streaks moving parallel to the ground, described as snake-like.
• Province of Cagliari, April 12, 2003: An automobilist witnessed a UFO landing and then taking off rapidly, later finding a ground trace.
• Varese, May 25, 2003: A person observed a flying object described as resembling "flying humanoids" with a rope ladder and colored spheres.
• Florence, June 7, 2003: A luminous, white-ringed object was observed at close range, then moved away and disappeared.
• Olbia, June 23, 2003: A large, luminous red ball that turned white emitted a "child" speaking with a booming voice.
• Benevento, June 24, 2003: Two Alpi Eagles pilots reported a near-collision with a large, elongated object passing beneath their aircraft at high altitude.

Hessdalen: Investigation and Polemics

The magazine features an extensive report on the Hessdalen phenomenon in Norway, including an interview with Matteo Leone, a physicist who participated in a CIPH mission in August 2002. Leone discusses his findings, which include the identification of car headlights as a potential explanation for some reported "lights" in the valley. He critiques the methodology of the EMBLA project, particularly the work of Massimo Teodorani, suggesting that their conclusions about the Hessdalen lights are not well-supported by the evidence.

Leone argues that many of the phenomena observed in Hessdalen can be explained by conventional means, such as car headlights, aircraft, and meteors. He emphasizes the need for rigorous scientific methodology and proper archival research, contrasting his approach with what he perceives as speculative interpretations within some ufological circles.

The article also touches upon the closure of the Hessdalen UFO museum due to low visitor numbers and a reported decrease in unexplained sightings in the valley.

Historical UFO Research and Critiques

Another significant section is dedicated to the critique of the book "Mussolini e gli UFO. Gli "X-Files" del nazifascismo" by Alfredo Lissoni and Roberto Pinotti. Giuseppe Stilo analyzes the book's arguments, highlighting methodological flaws, reliance on dubious sources, and the authors' attempt to link historical documents to UFO phenomena without sufficient evidence. Stilo questions the authenticity and interpretation of the so-called "fascist files" and criticizes the book's speculative approach to Nazi secret weapons and alleged UFO projects.

CISU Activities and Publications

The issue also includes updates on the activities of the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), including its participation in the Fiera del Libro in Turin, photographic exhibitions, and ongoing research projects like "Progetto 1954" which aims to analyze UFO sightings from that year. Information is provided on CISU's online resources and local chapters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a rigorous, evidence-based approach to ufology, emphasizing critical analysis, proper research methodology, and the importance of distinguishing between factual data and speculation. There is a clear stance against sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, advocating for a scientific approach to understanding anomalous aerial phenomena. The editorial stance encourages continued research while maintaining a skeptical yet open mind to genuine unexplained cases.

This issue of UFO magazine, dated August 2003 (Issue 27), delves into historical UFO phenomena and related topics, with a strong focus on Italian contributions and early accounts. The main sections cover "Primordi" (Beginnings), "Storiografia" (Historiography), and "Avvistamenti" (Sightings), alongside book reviews and merchandise offers.

Storiografia: The 'Marconi Death Ray' Legend and Early Teleportation

The issue begins with an in-depth examination of the "Marconi death ray" legend. It clarifies that the myth's origin is not tied to 1933 or alleged fascist UFO files, but rather to earlier concepts of "death rays" dating back to World War I. Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Pouget, a participant in Marconi's experiments, recounts how his superior jokingly suggested calling the microwave experiments the "death ray apparatus." Pouget's article from 1960 is presented as a key source, detailing the experiments conducted in 1935 near Rome, which involved using microwaves for detection, the basis of radar technology. The article debunks the idea of Marconi working on secret weapons for the government, but confirms significant interest from authorities in microwaves for remote detection.

Giovanni Paoloni, a professor of Archival Science, is cited for his research into Marconi's private papers, finding no evidence of "mortal ray" experiments but ample documentation on the use of microwaves for object detection. An OVRA (political police) memo from 1937 is quoted, expressing satisfaction with the "death ray" rumors and their propaganda potential during the Ethiopian war.

The historiographical section also explores early Italian science fiction's engagement with teleportation. Nico Conti's article, "Literary Teleportation of the Early 1900s," highlights Ettore Santi's 1906 short story "L'esperienza di Donati" as an early Italian depiction of a teleportation device similar to Star Trek's, inspired by spiritualist phenomena like medium Crookes's materializations. However, Conti notes that Emilio Salgari's 1904 story "Il mio terribile segreto," published under a pseudonym, predates Santi's work and describes a form of "teleportation" or "even if the confusion of terms is emblematic in itself."

Further historical accounts include the "phantom army" sighting near Lewisburg, Virginia, in 1863, reported in Frank Moore's book, and a 1896 Ethiopian sighting of a luminous object with a smoke trail, discussed in relation to historical sources by Giuseppe Stilo.

Avvistamenti: 'Angel Hair' and UFO Crashes

The "Avvistamenti" section focuses on the "angel hair" phenomenon and reported UFO crashes. The article "Scoperto altre piogge di capelli d'angelo" (Other 'Angel Hair' Showers Discovered) revisits the 1954 "angel hair" events in Italy. It details reports from Tuscany, Florence, Perugia, and La Spezia, noting the substance's similarity to spun sugar that dissolves on contact. Analysis of samples from Perugia indicated boron and silicon glass fibers, with speculation that they might be related to radar experiments.

A significant case from November 14, 1954, in Casaloldo, Mantua, is described in detail. A football match was interrupted by the appearance of a disk-shaped object that split into two, while white filaments rained down. The article cites primary sources, including the Gazzetta di Mantova, and provides witness accounts, including that of Dr. Giacomo Benetti.

Another case, "1953: UN 'DISCO VOLANTE' SI INABISSA NEL MARE DI MARINA DI PISA" (1953: A 'FLYING SAUCER' SINKS IN THE SEA OFF MARINA DI PISA), recounts a fisherman's sighting of a flying saucer diving into the Tyrrhenian Sea near Marina di Pisa. The event was followed by unusual, large footprints on the beach, suggesting the possibility of an extraterrestrial survivor.

Book and Merchandise Offers

The magazine concludes with advertisements for UPIAR books, including Giuseppe Stilo's works on UFO phenomena in 1952 and 1950, and a series of T-shirts featuring UFO illustrations by Giorgio Giorgi. An advertisement for the "Stargate: enigmi dal cosmo" multimedia collection is also featured.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes rigorous historical research, aiming to debunk myths and provide factual accounts of UFO phenomena. There is a clear focus on Italian contributions to early ufology and science fiction. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking to understand the origins and nature of UFO reports through archival research and witness testimony, while also acknowledging the speculative and sometimes fantastical elements that have surrounded the topic. The magazine promotes the idea that understanding these phenomena requires a deep dive into historical records and a critical evaluation of sources.