AESV - no 06

Magazine Overview

This issue of the "ASSOCIATION D'ETUDE SUR LES SOUCOUPES VOLANTES" (A.E.S.V.) bulletin, identified as No. 6 from April 1978, marks the third year of its quarterly publication. The magazine covers a range of topics related to ufology and astronomy, including detailed analyses of UFO characteristics, significant historical cases, and scientific advancements in understanding the cosmos.

Editorial: Fantastique... Sensationnel... Sublime...

The editorial reflects on the impact of Steven Spielberg's films, particularly "Duel" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," on public perception of the extraordinary. It notes how Spielberg masterfully uses mass psychology, creating suspense and conditioning viewers. The editorial contrasts "Close Encounters" with "Star Wars," deeming the former technically rich but narratively weak, while "Close Encounters" is praised for its technical prowess and compelling story. The film's production was shrouded in secrecy, even from Columbia Pictures, which was facing financial difficulties. "Close Encounters" ultimately surpassed "Star Wars" in box office records, bringing satisfaction to both Spielberg and the studio.

Article: Face a Face avec les Extraterrestres ou Le Cas du Capitaine Thomas Mantell

This section delves into the case of Captain Thomas Mantell, an incident that occurred on January 13, 1948, near Fort Knox, USA. The report details how an unusual object was observed hovering above the fort, prompting military alerts. Radar detected the object, confirming it was not a weather balloon or aircraft. At 13:30, state police reported numerous residents observing a similarly shaped object. Captain Mantell, flying an F-51 with two wingmen, was dispatched to investigate. The control tower guided Mantell as the object ascended and changed direction. At 13:45, Mantell reported seeing something high above him. The object then began to ascend rapidly, reaching 10,000 feet. Mantell described it as metallic and enormous. The object continued to climb, and Mantell attempted to reach 20,000 feet. Communication with Mantell ceased abruptly. Shortly after, debris from his plane was found scattered over several kilometers. The article presents two hypotheses: either the UFO disintegrated the F-51, or the plane disintegrated due to rapid pressurization during its steep ascent. The body of Captain Mantell was never found, leaving the incident unresolved.

Article: Vu pour Vous

This section reports on the tri-monthly meeting of French ufological groups held in Chambery, Savoie, on March 4-5, 1978. Nineteen groups were present, with ten others unable to attend due to distance. The meeting, organized by C.S.E.R.U. (Comité Savoyard d'Etudes et de Recherches Ufologiques) as part of C.E.C.R.U. (Comité Europeen de Coordination de la Recherche Ufologique), included presentations of groups and their projects. Discussions covered surveillance nights organized by the Societe Varoise d'Etude des Phenomenes Spatiaux (SVEPS), with an agreement to establish radio liaison lists. A telephone network was also proposed to facilitate rapid alerts. The use of advanced kite photography for aerial UFO photos was presented. The detection of UFOs was debated, with a decision to form a detection commission at the next congress. The meeting concluded with group reports and technical discussions, fostering good relations among participants.

Article: Astronomie. La Radio Astronomie.

This article introduces the field of radio astronomy, explaining how advancements in telescopes have allowed astronomers to detect powerful signals from space, which are then converted into electroacoustic signals. These waves originate from various celestial bodies, including the sun, stars, galaxies, quasars, and black holes, likely emitted by atomic activity. Radio astronomy emerged after World War II, focusing on studying celestial bodies via radio waves. The science expanded significantly around 1940 with the development of radar technology, though radar differs from radio telescopes. The article notes that German radar receivers abandoned in Holland after the war were repurposed by Dutch astronomers for radio astronomy. It discusses how radio astronomy has provided crucial information about the birth and death of planets, the universe, and distant galaxies. The use of radio telescopes to detect potential emissions from other solar systems is highlighted, mentioning accidental discoveries at the California Institute of Technology. The article also touches upon the concept of "Black Holes" as described in the book "Gravitation," explaining them as regions where gravity is so intense that not even light can escape.

Article: Principaux Radio Telescopes

A list of major radio telescopes is provided, including their designation, location, and year of completion: Stanford, California (1959); Hat Creek, California (1960); University of Illinois, Danville, Illinois (1962); University of Ohio, Delaware, Ohio (1962); Areilho, Porto Rico (1963); and Nancey, France (1967).

Article: Lexique

This section provides definitions for astronomical terms and celestial bodies:

• Lune (Moon): Earth's natural satellite, influencing tides, located 480,000 km away, and has been the subject of numerous visits.
• Mercure (Mercury): The closest planet to the Sun, slightly larger than the Moon, with an average distance of 59 million km and a revolution period of 87.969 days.
• Mars: The fourth planet from the Sun, approximately 244 million 300,000 km from Earth and 227 million km from the Sun, with a revolution period of 1 year and 321.73 days.
• Mizar: A double star discovered by Galileo in 1620, forming part of the Big Dipper.
• Messier 31 (Andromeda Galaxy): Visible in Cassiopeia, its light takes 2 million years to reach us.
• Manoir: A family of 16 asteroids orbiting the Sun with similar ages.
• Menelas: A Greek asteroid following Jupiter's orbit, discovered in 1647, preceding the Trojan asteroids on the same orbit.

Petites Annonces - Gratuites

This section contains classified ads. Readers are instructed to send their responses in an envelope with the announcement number, addressed to A.E.S.V., including a self-addressed stamped envelope for reply. Ads include requests for old UFO books (1950-1960) by specific authors, a search for old books on Provence, and an offer to buy a good astronomical telescope with a tripod. Another ad offers translation services between English and French for various types of documents.

Attention - Information

Readers are reminded that the AESV bulletin is available at a specialized bookstore in Aix en Provence. They are also urged to subscribe to ensure the continuation of the publication and to include a postage stamp with correspondence when expecting a reply to help reduce costs.

Dossier: Caracteristiques des U.F.O.

This extensive dossier, extracted from "THE ALIENS" ("Les Etrangers"), aims to provide a comprehensive summary of observed UFO forms. The article calls for reader contributions to make the dossier as complete as possible. It then details various characteristics of UFOs:

Movements:
1. UFOs rotate and oscillate, sometimes erratically like a Yo-Yo.
2. Ascending or descending movements are often described as "falling leaf" behavior.
3. Cylindrical (cigar-shaped) UFOs are sometimes observed with escorting satellites.
4. Maneuvers in a vertical position can involve a "cloudy protection."
5. Small discs or spheres may enter or exit these cigar-shaped craft.
6. Cigar-shaped UFOs can emit a gaseous discharge resembling rocket exhaust.
7. UFO speeds vary from slow gliding to speeds exceeding current aerospace capabilities.
8. Acceleration and deceleration rates are enormous, with UFOs capable of right-angle turns, sudden stops, and instantaneous departures, sometimes vanishing before observers' eyes.

Colors:
9. In darkness, UFOs display a variety of colors, from incandescent to flashing lights, like multiple "portholes" or rotating projectors.
10. During the day, UFOs typically appear white, pale grey, or metallic.
11. Some reports mention color changes and a change in aspect, with UFOs appearing to fade, become transparent, or disappear entirely.

Sounds:
12. Most UFOs are silent, but not all.
13. Close observations have reported sounds described as electric motors, drills, buzzing bees, vacuum cleaners, or crackling wood.
14. When perceived at a distance, UFOs are usually silent, but when they produce sound, it is often described as "furious," like a detonation, thunder, or jet engine.
15. It is rare for UFOs to produce a "Bang" sound, but "celestial tremors" have been noted without the presence of supersonic aircraft or unusual atmospheric conditions.

Examination of Illustrations:

The table presents common UFO appearances, categorized taxonomically based on their apparent sequence and structural specialization. The superficial characteristics like lights, portholes, and antennae are omitted. The categories are:

• Category A: Lenticular disc, described as the quintessential "flying saucer."
• Category B: Lenticular disc with a horizontal base, appearing as a "half-moon," "mushroom," or "WWI helmet."
• Category C: Conical disc, described as a "Chinese hat" or "flattened cone."
• Category D: Coin-shaped disc, resembling a thin cylinder, sometimes appearing "pyramidal" due to stacked discs.
• Category E: Ovalized sphere, termed "crushed balloon" or "flattened sphere," sometimes with a central "hole" or "ring."
• Category F: Sphere with a circular form, appearing metallic or as a "ball of fire."
• Category G: Elongated sphere, described as a "rugby ball" or "egg."
• Category H: Triangular "water drop" shape, rare and distinct.
• Category K: Polymorphic type, capable of changing aspect like an "atmospheric amoeba." This category includes observations of "anomalous clouds" that emit unusual sounds, move against the wind, release organic or inorganic matter, or appear/disappear suddenly.
• Category L: Cylindrical or "cigar-shaped" objects, referred to as "mother ships" due to their behavior and resemblance to refueling aircraft, though often of prodigious size.
• Category M: "Undulating lights," common nocturnal UFO forms, which can represent other types at a distance or appear as distinct small, circular anomalies. This category also includes phenomena resembling non-localized star lights at high altitudes, sometimes called "Damned Lights."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the detailed analysis and classification of UFO phenomena, drawing from witness reports and scientific inquiry. The magazine emphasizes the importance of documenting and understanding these sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation into UFOs, acknowledging the public fascination fueled by popular culture (like Spielberg's films) while also grounding the discussion in reported observations and scientific principles, particularly in the realm of astronomy and radio astronomy. There is a clear effort to categorize and systematize the vast amount of information related to UFO sightings.

This issue of 'SERVICE DE PRESSE' is a compilation of UFO observations from January to March 1978, sourced from various publications and eyewitness accounts. It also includes a list of ufological bulletins and publications, and announcements from the Société d'Études Psychiques et Parapsychologiques de Marseille regarding upcoming events.

UFO Observations - January 1978

The issue details several sightings from January 1978:

• January 1: A quasi-stationary, oval object was observed moving North-South for 15-20 seconds before disappearing towards the Luberon (GREPO, 17/02/1978).
• January 1: In Hure (Gironde), a very bright, red-orange, cylindrical object, resembling a pen held at arm's length, appeared silently and moved towards the Landes (Journal du Sud Ouest, 07/01/1978).
• January 3: In Orange (Vaucluse), a strong white-yellow glow was seen ascending vertically for 10 minutes, becoming a small point before disappearing. The air base confirmed no launches (Le Provencal, 08/01/1978).
• January 3: Three luminous points (green, orange, and red), absolutely silent and immobile at about 60 meters altitude, were observed by three cars near Maubourget and Plaisance du Gers. The objects made a U-turn, turned orange, and disappeared towards Tarbes (Journal du Sud Ouest, 05/01/1978).
• January 4: Two brilliant white UFOs were seen hovering one above the other over Bonnieux (Vaucluse) for a few moments before separating and disappearing behind the Luberon, heading towards the Bouches du Rhone (Le Provencal, 05/01/1978).
• January 5: Similar objects were sighted over Meyrargues (Bouches du Rhone). These objects, composed of three parts each, were approximately 4 meters long, luminous but not illuminating, and performed an aerial ballet before disappearing northwest towards the Durance river (Le Provencal, 13/01/1978; Le Meridional).
• January 6: A light, described as similar to arc welding, was observed for two minutes over Mazan near Barroux (Vaucluse) at the height of a restaurant. The UFO disappeared in the direction of Avignon (Le Provencal, 6/01/1978).
• January 20: Manuel Roberto (11 years old) from Rondonopolis, Brazil, claims he was abducted by eight small beings in a 'luminous locomotive' craft. He reported being found far from home and his cousin disappearing. The report notes associated power outages in the neighboring town, though a denial was published (Le Soir, 25/01/1978).
• January 29: An intense flash of light illuminated the sky over the Gulf of Mexico for 5 seconds, causing widespread concern and alerts to police and the press. A pilot described the intensity as similar to the sun at sunrise (Le Soir, 30/01/1978).

UFO Observations - February 1978

• February 14: Several witnesses reported an OVNI over the Bellevue plateau on the right bank of the Rhone. The object was strongly brilliant, surrounded by a reddish halo, and moved slowly North-South for 10 minutes (Le Provencal (Vaucluse), 16/02/1978).
• February 15: Numerous witnesses in Southern France, Switzerland, and Belgium observed an object resembling an airplane fuselage, very bright with a small blinking point at the rear. The object was the size of a tangerine held at arm's length, appeared at 6:55 AM, and had a slightly ascending, straight South-North trajectory for 2 minutes. It is suggested this may coincide with a satellite disintegration (Le Progrès de Lyon, 16/02/1978; Feuille d'avis de Neuchatel, 17/02/78; La montagne, 16/02/1978).
• February 21: A pilot from the Carcassonne training center reported seeing an orange ball with a green tail moving from Northwest to Southeast at 8:30 PM. The craft made a curve, plunged, and emitted a shower of red sparks (Feuille d'Avis de Neuchatel, 24/02/78; Le Dauphine Libere, 24/02/1978; L'Impartial "Chaux de fonds", 24/02/78). An automobilist near Carcassonne reported the same phenomenon. A supervisor at the Creusot-Loire factory also reported seeing an elongated, flat object emitting a bright blue light for 10-12 seconds, moving from East to West.
• February 24: A resident of Fleurier (Switzerland) saw a reddish ball in the sky shortly before 8 PM, with a diameter of about 50 cm, crossing the valley from South to North (Feuille d'avis de Neuchatel, 25/02/78).
• February 24: A witness observed a similar phenomenon North of Toulouse at 9:30 PM.

UFO Observations - March 1978

• March 11: Two Quebec residents claim to have photographed a UFO over the Varendrye Provincial Park lake, about 320 km northwest of Montreal. A brilliant object descended from the sky and hovered silently over the ice for 30 seconds (F.A.N.B., 15/03/1978).

Ufological Publications and Associations

The issue lists numerous ufological bulletins and publications, including:

• "Les "Chroniques de la C.L.E.U."
• "Approche" S.V.E.P.S.
• "UFO Informations" A.A.M.T.
• Ouranos
• "L.D.L.N."
• "G.E.R.S. INFO"
• "Recherches Ufologiques" bulletin du G.N.E.O.V.N.I.
• "Ufologie Contact" M. Raymond Bonnaventure
• GANYMEDE M.LAUS Christian
• "Phenomene OVNI" (C.S.E.R.U.)
• "L'Autre Monde"
• "Kruptos" (la revue du savoir cache)
• "OVNI 43" Revue du G.L.R.U.
• "Ufologie Bulletin" C.I.J.U.
• "Ufologia" C.F.R.U.

The A.E.S.V. (Association for the Study of Aerial Phenomena) is developing a file of all observations in France and abroad since January 1, 1978, to compile statistics. They are seeking contributions from associations, including witness details (kept confidential), article names, and publication dates.

Parapsychology and Psychic Studies

The Société d'Études Psychiques et Parapsychologiques de Marseille announces a series of events from April to June 1978, covering topics such as:

• "History and Contemporary Previsions"
• "Life After Life"
• "The Dream. Its Interpretation."
• "Parapsychology, Spiritology, Forces of the Mind"
• "Mysteries of Geomancy"
• "The Sense of Death"
• "Masters, Gurus, and Meditation"
• "The Soul's Survival"
• "Our Animal Ancestors"
• "Research on the Anteriorities"
• "History of Magic"
• "The Point on Parapsychology"

These meetings are held at 5:30 PM, with specific details provided for each event.

Other Content

The issue includes a bibliography of ufological books, a poem titled "...POEME..." by Perry Petrakis, and contact information for the Observatoire des Parasciences, including website links and important notes regarding copyright and authorized online publication.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are UFO sightings and parapsychological studies. The editorial stance appears to be one of information gathering and dissemination, encouraging reader participation in compiling UFO data and providing a platform for discussions on paranormal and psychic phenomena. The publication emphasizes the importance of reader contributions and maintains a neutral stance by attributing articles to their authors.