UFO Rivista di Informazione Ufologica - Numero speciale 1992 12

Magazine Overview

This special issue of UFO - Rivista di informazione ufologica (UFO - Magazine of Ufological Information), published by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), is a reduced-format issue (16 pages instead of 36) not included in the standard subscription, offered as a complimentary item to subscribers and members. It serves as an introduction to CISU and its services, featuring two main articles of general interest.

The issue is dated December 1992, Volume III, Number 2, and is a special edition, priced at £. 2.500. It is a semestral publication curated by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici.

Key Articles and Content

The Scientists and UFOs: The American Scientific Community's Attitude

Authored by Ron Westrum, a professor of sociology specializing in the sociology of science and reactions to anomalies, this article critically examines the inadequate scientific response to the UFO phenomenon over the past four decades. Westrum argues that very few scientifically organized and funded investigations have been conducted. Research has largely been done in scientists' free time or with diverted funds, with limited progress in knowledge. He highlights the importance of the scientific community as an environmental detection system and laments its lack of responsibility in investigating UFOs. The article primarily focuses on the US context, acknowledging its significant influence on global ufological research due to its powerful military and electronic detection systems. Westrum suggests that the US scientific community's reaction to UFOs can serve as a general model for how scientists respond to cryptoscientific anomalies.

Initial Reactions (Late 1940s - Early 1950s): The initial scientific response was dismissive, viewing UFOs as a passing fad. Sociologists and physicists often characterized them as "nonsense," "mania," or "illusion." This view was reinforced by the ease with which many sightings could be explained by mundane causes.

Exceptions and Military Interest: Some scientists involved in secret military research began to consider certain UFO phenomena as genuinely anomalous, such as the green fireballs in New Mexico. The military also showed considerable interest, with personal opinions sometimes differing from public statements. Donald Keyhoe, a retired Marine officer, played a role in maintaining public interest and founding the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP).

Technological Context: The post-war era was characterized by limited intellectual tools for understanding concepts like extraterrestrial visitation. Computers, atomic bombs, and jet aircraft were nascent technologies. The scientific culture was relatively unsophisticated, making it difficult to grasp the possibility of hyper-intelligent beings interacting with Earth.

The 'War of the Worlds' Era: The 1950s saw continued UFO sightings by pilots and military personnel. The U.S. Air Force's UFO study projects (Project Sign, Grudge, and Blue Book) were established. The Robertson Committee, tasked with examining Blue Book data, suggested it wasn't sufficient to support the space traveler hypothesis, while Blue Book continued primarily to calm public fears. This period also saw the involvement of J. Allen Hynek, who became a consultant for the Air Force and later a prominent figure in ufological research.

Growth of Ufology (1960s): Increased interest from scientists was partly driven by the growth of private ufological associations and their investigations. The NICAP's "The UFO Evidence" (1964) and the growing quality of ufological literature, including books by Jacques Vallée ("Anatomy of a Phenomenon," 1965; "Challenge to Science," 1966), began to challenge the limitations of scientific skepticism. J. Allen Hynek's public shift from official skeptic to advocate for serious study of UFOs was significant, leading to his influential book "The UFO Experience - A Scientific Inquiry" (1972).

The Condon Report: The Air Force-funded study at the University of Colorado, led by physicist Edward Condon, concluded that UFO investigations yielded nothing scientifically significant. The report, published in 1969, was criticized for its biased methodology and failure to reference the superior Battelle Memorial Institute study.

Mature Ufology (1970s-1980s): This period saw increased scientific contributions, with researchers like Allan Hendry synthesizing work from Hynek's Center for UFO Studies. A structured group of skeptics, including Philip Klass, James Oberg, and Robert Sheaffer, emerged and actively challenged proponents of UFO research. The lack of communication between UFO researchers and those involved in SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) is noted as a missed opportunity, as both groups grapple with the challenge of investigating potential extraterrestrial intelligence.

Quo Vadis?: The article concludes by emphasizing the need for more science and scientist involvement in ufology, suggesting that the current unsatisfactory state reflects a weakness in the social organization of science.

Italian UFO Cases in Numbers

This section presents the first data from the "Progetto Cataloghi Regionali" (Regional Catalog Project) by Gian Paolo Grassino and Edoardo Russo. After 10 years of data collection, CISU has compiled a national catalog of over 8,600 UFO sightings in Italy spanning fifty years. The project, initiated in 1981, involved local archives and CISU collaborators.

Distribution of UFO Sightings:

• Annual Distribution: UFO sightings occur in "waves," with significant increases in certain periods. Major waves in Italy were observed in 1954 and 1978, with notable years also including 1950, 1952, 1973, and 1974.
• Regional Distribution: UFO sightings are particularly numerous in Piedmont, Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna, each with over 1,000 cases. Other regions show distribution generally proportional to population and surface area, with the exception of Liguria.
• Temporal Distribution: The number of annual sightings, generally below 100 in the 1960s, increased through the 1970s, peaking in 1978, and then declining in the early 1980s. Since a low in 1982, sightings have stabilized around 100-200 cases per year.

Hourly Distribution: The pattern of daily sightings shows a small peak in the early morning (5-7 AM), decreasing during the day, and rising again in the evening, with a maximum between 10 PM and 11 PM. Most observations occur during evening and night hours.

Typological Distribution: The majority of cataloged cases (over 70%) are "Nocturnal Lights," observed from a distance. "Close Encounters" (observed from close range) account for a significant portion, indicating potentially interesting cases with detailed characteristics. These are further categorized into IR-0 (observation from close range), IR-1 (temporary environmental effects), IR-2 (durable physical traces), and IR-3 (presence of humanoids). Cases involving direct contact or abduction (IR-4) are less common.

CISU: Active Ufology

This section details the activities and structure of the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU). CISU is a non-profit association of over two hundred members and collaborators dedicated to the scientific study of UFO phenomena. Its objectives include promoting scientific study, facilitating information exchange, coordinating national data collection, and disseminating objective knowledge.

CISU Activities:

• Investigation: Local investigations are conducted by members following the "Methodology Manual," focusing on collecting reliable information about observed phenomena.
• Archiving and Cataloging: CISU maintains a comprehensive "UFO Database" of investigation reports, press clippings, research papers, and specialized publications.
• Study: Analysis and evaluation of collected data aim to identify causes of sightings and develop theoretical models using scientific methods.
• Dissemination: CISU organizes national meetings, conferences, radio/TV programs, and publishes articles to share findings.

CISU Publications:

• UFO - Rivista di informazione ufologica: A bi-annual magazine with detailed investigations, interviews, and articles.
• Notizie UFO: An 8-12 page circular published four times a year, covering current events, news from Italy and abroad, and CISU activities.
• Rassegna casistica: Three issues per year presenting CISU's investigations of Italian sightings, interesting international cases, and related analyses.
• Notiziario Archivio Stampa: A monthly selection of non-specialized press articles (available to "Sostenitore" members or by subscription).
• Documenti UFO: A series of specialized monographs, regional and thematic case catalogs.

CISU also offers services such as the "CISU Video Service," a "Library Service" for purchasing ufological books, "Eco Stampa UFO" (a monthly UFO press clipping service), "Servizio Documentazione Estera" (monthly selection of foreign ufological articles), and access to the "UFO Database" for photocopies of materials.

Other Publications and Services

Pages 5, 6, 7, and 8 list various publications available for purchase from CISU, including:

• Back Issues of 'UFO' and 'Notizie UFO': Available for purchase.
• Books for Collectors: A selection of books not necessarily aligned with CISU's scientific approach, offered for collection purposes.
• Foreign Catalogs and Studies: Photocopies and original language publications on UFOs.
• Official Documents: Photocopies of official reports related to UFO investigations.
• CISU Monographs: Various specialized publications.
• Regional Case Catalogs: Catalogs of UFO sightings from specific Italian regions.

Page 7 also includes the index of articles published in previous issues of UFO Rivista di Informazione Ufologica, covering issues from June 1986 to December 1988.

New Editorial Release

“UFO IN ITALIA” - Third Volume: The "Cooperativa studi e iniziative UPIAR" has released the third volume of its "UFO IN ITALIA" series, covering the period 1955-1972. This volume details 130 UFO cases, 14 IFO cases, 8 "meteor flaps," 7 contactee cases, 7 "fortiani" phenomena, and 10 extraordinary phenomena, with documentation sources and extensive commentary. It also includes an analysis of the period.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of CISU, as articulated in the issue, is that UFO phenomena should be studied scientifically. They do not claim to know what UFOs are or to hold preconceived notions. Instead, they emphasize the collection and scientific study of reports of unusual aerial phenomena, regardless of their ultimate cause (unknown natural phenomena, experimental aircraft, alien visitors, or conventional explanations). The magazine aims to promote a new, more rigorous, and critical approach to ufology, aligning with the scientific method and aiming for a "neutral" stance regarding various interpretations and hypotheses.