Anomalies - No 05 - March 1999

Magazine Overview

This issue of Anomalies magazine, number 5, dated March 1999, is dedicated to the theme "OVNIS: LA SCIENCE S'ENCANAILLE" (UFOs: Science Goes Wild). It features a special dossier on the topic, exploring the complex relationship between UFO phenomena and scientific investigation. The magazine offers a subscription promotion with gifts based on the subscription level, including posters and books.

Key Articles and Features

Interview with Milo Manara

Italian illustrator Milo Manara discusses the Yeti myth, extraterrestrial phenomena, and his view that women are the most mysterious beings in the universe. He explains his interpretation of the Yeti as a symbol of humanity's darker aspects, absorbing our flaws and sins. Manara also touches upon his influences, including Jorge Luis Borges, and his artistic approach to depicting the unknown.

"The Day After Roswell" Dossier

Karl Pflock provides a critical analysis of Philip Corso's best-selling book, "The Day After Roswell." Pflock labels the book a "double scam, literary and scientific," highlighting numerous factual errors and questionable claims made by Corso. The article traces the history of UFO crash narratives, referencing earlier hoaxes like Frank Scully's "Behind the Flying Saucers," and scrutinizes Corso's assertions about his role in disseminating extraterrestrial technology.

Retro: H.G. Wells and Orson Welles

This section commemorates the 100th anniversary of H.G. Wells' novel "The War of the Worlds." It details the novel's themes of Martian invasion, technology, and evolution, and its scientific context, including the controversy surrounding Martian canals. The article also recounts the infamous 1938 radio broadcast of "The War of the Worlds" by Orson Welles, which caused widespread panic among listeners who mistook it for a real news report.

"The Spiritism and Science" Reprint

A reprint of an article by Gustave Le Bon from December 1910 discusses the debate surrounding spiritualism and science. Le Bon argues that while science struggles to explain complex phenomena, the allure of the unknown fuels spiritualism and occultism. He critiques the claims of mediums and the scientific commissions investigating them, suggesting that many phenomena are the result of fraud or collective hallucinations.

Other Features

• Vision: The Yeti of the Creuse was indeed a mannequin! This short piece debunks a local Yeti claim, revealing it to be a taxidermy sculpture.
• Brèves: Short news items including a piece about the "Wow!" signal from SETI, the death of Maria Reiche (a researcher of the Nazca lines), and a prank involving fake paranormal phenomena in a French village.
• Cryptozoology: The return of the coelacanth by Benoît Grison.
• Space Archaeology: They saw menhirs on the Moon! An investigation by Robert Dehon and Michel Granger.
• Memory: Disappearance of François Couten by Francine Fouéré.
• Impressions: Books of the quarter.
• Interplanetary Mail: The best letters from the best readers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the fringes of science, paranormal phenomena, and unexplained mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting controversial topics and then offering skeptical analysis or debunking claims, as seen in the articles on the Yeti and "The Day After Roswell." There is a clear interest in historical cases and their re-examination through a modern lens. The magazine aims to reconcile scientific investigation with phenomena that challenge conventional understanding, often highlighting the subjective nature of belief and the potential for fraud or misinterpretation.

This issue of Anomalies magazine, issue number 5, focuses on a variety of unexplained phenomena, with a prominent cover story on the coelacanth, alongside articles on UFOs, scientific investigations, and lunar anomalies. The magazine is published in France and written in French.

The Return of the Coelacanth

The lead article details the exciting rediscovery of the coelacanth, a 'living fossil' fish believed to have been extinct for millions of years. The first coelacanth was caught in 1938 off the coast of South Africa, and its habitat was later located near Madagascar. The article highlights the recent capture of a new coelacanth off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia, in September 1998. Ichthyologist Mark Erdmann and his biologist wife were instrumental in identifying the fish in the Manado fish market. This discovery generated significant excitement in the scientific community, as reported by the English weekly Nature. The Indonesian coelacanth, known locally as 'raja laut' (king of the sea), is believed to be a distinct species from the Comorian coelacanth.

UFOs: Science Gets Involved

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the scientific study of UFOs. The issue discusses the Sturrock committee, a group of scientists who examined physical evidence related to UFO sightings. The committee, led by Professor Peter Sturrock, concluded that there was no credible evidence of extraterrestrial visitation but suggested that UFO reports could yield information on unknown phenomena. The article notes the committee's cautious approach, akin to 'skepticism in the true sense of the word,' aiming to improve data collection and evaluation rather than dismissing the subject outright.

The magazine also reviews the history of scientific engagement with UFOs over 50 years, from early investigations by organizations like the US Air Force and the CIA to more recent efforts by groups like GEPAN (later SEPRA) in France and the SETI League. It highlights the challenges faced by researchers, including the need for more rigorous data collection and the reluctance of mainstream scientific journals to publish UFO-related research.

Several articles delve into specific aspects of UFO research:

• The Pocantico Conference: This section critically examines the Pocantico conference, where scientists discussed physical traces of UFOs. While acknowledging the report's contribution to bringing the topic to a more scientific discussion, the author points out potential weaknesses in the selection of cases and the lack of a perception psychologist among the independent experts.
• Peter Sturrock: The Anti-Condon: This profile of Peter Sturrock, an astrophysicist, reveals his personal journey into UFO research, sparked by Jacques Vallée's work. Sturrock founded the Society for Scientific Exploration to provide a platform for rigorous research on taboo subjects.
• Photographic Evidence: The issue discusses the analysis of UFO photographs, noting that while many are hoaxes or misidentifications, a small number remain intriguing. However, the conclusion is that detailed photographic analysis alone is unlikely to convince a neutral scientist of the reality of a new phenomenon without further corroborating evidence.
• Historical Timeline: A chronological overview traces the scientific community's fluctuating interest in UFOs from 1949 to 1995, detailing various reports, committees, and publications.

Lunar Anomalies

Another section explores alleged anomalies on the Moon, specifically 'spires,' 'columns,' and 'obelisks' photographed by the Lunar Orbiter 2 in 1966. Specialists Robert Dehon and Michel Granger debunk these as 'hallucinations,' attributing them to natural geological formations and shadows.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently advocates for a scientific approach to unexplained phenomena, emphasizing the need for rigorous data collection, analysis, and open-mindedness. While acknowledging the skepticism within the scientific community, it encourages further investigation and the establishment of systematic programs for reporting and studying UFOs, citing the French GEPAN/SEPRA program as a model. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious optimism, suggesting that while definitive answers are elusive, continued scientific inquiry is essential to understanding these phenomena. The magazine also highlights the challenges of bridging the gap between ufologists and mainstream scientists.

This issue of 'Anomalies' magazine, dated January 1999, focuses on an in-depth investigation into the 'lunar spires' phenomenon, a topic that generated significant interest in the 1960s. The magazine also includes reviews of books on parapsychology, UFOlogy, and urban legends, as well as obituaries for prominent figures in the ufology community.

The 'Lunar Spires' Investigation: A 25-Year Retrospective

The main article, titled 'Enquête: Les "spires" lunaires, une affaire classée?' (Investigation: The Lunar 'Spires', a Closed Case?), revisits the controversy surrounding alleged artificial structures on the Moon. The investigation, initiated 25 years after the initial reports, aimed to re-examine the evidence and interview the protagonists involved.

The Initial Controversy

The 'spires' first gained attention in the late 1960s, notably through a 1967 Los Angeles Times article quoting anthropologist William Blair, who suggested that these lunar features formed a regular, non-natural pattern, resembling geometric shapes like rectangles and equilateral triangles. This fueled speculation about extraterrestrial presence. Popular magazines like 'Fate' and 'Argosy' further popularized the idea, with authors like Ivan T. Sanderson discussing these 'monuments' in the context of lunar anomalies.

The Re-investigation

The authors embarked on a meticulous re-investigation in late 1990, aiming to locate the exact site of the protuberances, consult NASA for further verification, assess the artificiality of the features, investigate potential disinformation, and interview the original proponents.

#### Challenges and Setbacks

Their efforts faced numerous obstacles. Key figures from the 1960s, such as William Blair and Judi Anne Hatcher, were difficult to trace or no longer active in the field. Initial analysis of high-resolution images from Lunar Orbiter 2 (LO 2 HR59-66) proved inconclusive, with the 'spires' appearing as common, small domes rather than artificial structures. The authors suspected missing or incomplete photographic data from NASA.

#### The Role of Experts and NASA

James Green from NASA's Goddard Center was cooperative, providing the crucial JPL LO 67-H-758 slide and documentation from the Lunar Orbiter missions. However, the re-examination of these images, even with telephoto lenses, did not reveal the alleged spires. The investigation also involved Dr. Harold Hill, who had previously studied lunar topography, and Keith W. Abineri, a Lunar Orbiter specialist from the UK.

#### Photographic Analysis and Scientific Explanations

Keith Abineri's detailed analysis, based on high-resolution Lunar Orbiter images (HR 62/3 and HR 61/3), suggested that the 'spires' were not artificial structures but rather natural formations. Using trigonometric calculations, he estimated the height of the largest 'shadow' to be around 125 meters, but concluded that the protuberance itself was at most 24 meters high, describing it as a 'molehill, a blister, a large buried pebble.' He argued that the appearance of 'spires' could be created by tracing geometric figures from the numerous shadows cast by natural formations on the lunar surface.

#### The 'Missing Part' and Misinterpretation

A key finding was the potential for misinterpretation due to the limitations of the imaging technology and the lighting conditions. The authors discovered that the 'spires' might have been located in areas not fully covered by high-resolution images, or that the shadows cast by natural boulders on uneven terrain could be mistaken for artificial structures. The article suggests that the initial 'discovery' might have been a misinterpretation of natural features, possibly exacerbated by the geopolitical climate of the time and a desire for sensationalism.

#### Conclusion on the 'Spires'

The investigation concluded that the 'lunar spires' were likely not artificial structures but natural formations, with their perceived artificiality stemming from misinterpretation, photographic artifacts, and the effects of low-angle sunlight on the lunar landscape. The article implies that the initial claims were exaggerated and that the site II P-4 was not a suitable location for lunar landings due to its rugged terrain.

Book Reviews

'The UFO Encyclopedia' by Jerome Clark

Pierre Lagrange reviews Jerome Clark's 'The UFO Encyclopedia,' a comprehensive two-volume work covering over 7000 books and theses on UFOs since 1947. The review highlights Clark's meticulous research, detailed descriptions of famous cases, and extensive bibliography. While acknowledging the book's focus on Anglo-Saxon UFO cases, it praises its thoroughness and its contribution to understanding UFOlogy as a significant contemporary myth.

'Parapsychology: A Controversial Science' by Richard S. Broughton

This review discusses Broughton's book, which provides an overview of current research in parapsychology. The reviewer notes that parapsychology, despite its controversial nature, is a developing scientific discipline with rigorous protocols and effective analytical tools. The book is presented as evidence that parapsychologists are not mere charlatans but serious researchers, and that the field warrants serious scientific attention, particularly in contrast to the often superficial treatment of the subject in France.

Other Books Reviewed

Brief mentions are made of Mario Varvoglis's 'La Rationalité de l'irrationnel' and other books on parapsychology, as well as 'Légendes urbaines. Rumeurs d'aujourd'hui' by Véronique Campion-Vincent and Jean-Bruno Renard, which analyzes urban legends and rumors.

Other Sections

'Le Visage Vert' Magazine

A brief mention of 'Le Visage Vert,' a review dedicated to fantastic and science fiction literature, highlighting its quality and scholarly articles.

'La Mandragore' Review

'La Mandragore,' a review focusing on oral traditions, legends, and folklore, is also featured. The review notes its exploration of various themes, including etymology and comparative mythology.

'Scientifictions' and 'Fortean Studies'

Reviews of 'Scientifictions,' a journal on scientific imagination, and 'Fortean Studies,' which publishes research on various anomalous phenomena, are included. These reviews emphasize the critical and analytical approach taken by the journals in examining topics like UFOs, cryptids, and historical mysteries.

'Catalogue Martien n° 2'

An announcement for 'Catalogue Martien n° 2,' described as a 'Martian Library' offering a collection of rare and out-of-print books and magazines on paranormal and esoteric subjects.

'Le courrier interplanétaire'

This section includes a letter from John Green, a cryptozoologist, responding to criticism of the 'Bigfoot' film. Green defends the film's authenticity and questions the basis of the criticism, particularly regarding the interpretation of footprints. He also expresses admiration for the work of UFO author Jimmy Guieu, criticizing negative comments made about him in previous issues.

Another short piece discusses the recovery of a crashed F-100 aircraft from 1958, emphasizing the preservation of its engine and cockpit despite the passage of time.

Obituaries

This issue includes obituaries for two notable figures in the ufology community:

• François Couten: A pioneer French ufologist and editor of 'La Vie interplanétaire,' who passed away at 76. His contributions to the study of flying saucers and his association with groups like GEPA are highlighted.
• Colonel Colman von Keviczky: A Hungarian-American ufologist and founder of the ICUFON network, who died at 88. He was known for his belief in extraterrestrial visitation and his theories about the 'Star Wars' program.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores topics related to unexplained phenomena, UFOs, parapsychology, and fringe science. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting evidence and expert analyses while also acknowledging the historical and cultural significance of these subjects. The 'lunar spires' investigation exemplifies this approach, moving from sensational claims to a reasoned, evidence-based conclusion. The book reviews also reflect a commitment to serious scholarship in these fields, distinguishing between speculative popular accounts and more rigorous scientific or historical analyses. The inclusion of obituaries for key figures underscores the magazine's connection to the history and community of ufology.