Approche - no 07 - Ete-Automne 1975

Magazine Overview

Title: APPROCHE
Issue: Trimestriel N° 7 (Quarterly No. 7)
Date: Ete-Automne 75 (Summer-Autumn 1975)
Publisher: SOCIETE VAROISE D'ETUDE DES PHENOMENES SPATIAUX (Varoise Society for the Study of Spatial Phenomena)
Price: 3 F
Cover Headline: "Ces phénomènes inexpliqués sont la préfiguration de notre devenir." (These unexplained phenomena are the prefiguration of our future.) - R. HARDY

This issue of the French magazine 'APPROCHE' delves into UFO sightings and related phenomena, featuring detailed witness accounts, analysis of object characteristics, and discussions on the credibility of reports. It also touches upon the role of governments in UFO research and introduces concepts like psychotronics.

Editorial: La Doctrine de la SVEPS

The editorial, likely written by a representative of SVEPS, discusses the organization's philosophy and operational approach. It emphasizes the importance of both quantity (number of members for public impact) and quality (rigorous work for scientific advancement) in their studies. The editorial notes that ufology has often been the domain of amateurs and stresses the need for professional precision. It suggests creating structures to accommodate members with varying levels of commitment and expertise. The editorial also touches upon the attitude of states and governments towards UFOs, particularly referencing the US government's stance in the 1947-1954 period during the Cold War. It criticizes the government's tendency to downplay or conceal information about UFOs, possibly due to fears of public panic or perceived threats to national security. The editorial posits that governments are often too focused on immediate terrestrial concerns to engage with phenomena that transcend their current understanding.

Key Articles and Reports

"DERNIERE MINUTE" - Electronic Detection of UFOs

This section reports on information received from a regular correspondent, a physicist specializing in "Champs de Masse" (Mass Fields). The correspondent claims that in 1975, engineers were able to measure the wavelength emitted by a UFO, which was found to be around 3,000 megahertz. This information is presented as potentially significant for the electronic detection of UFOs.

"NOS ENQUETES" (Our Investigations)

This section details several specific UFO sighting investigations:

1. Alençon, La Roquebrussane, Giens - November 1974:

Following a radio broadcast about UFOs, SVEPS received numerous encouraging letters and testimonies. One particularly interesting case involved a witness, M. Brisset, a tax controller, whose testimony was deemed highly credible. The report describes an object observed moving obliquely at low altitude (50-100 meters) between Songe le Ganelon and Alençon. The object was cigar-shaped, dimly luminous, and phosphorescent, with rounded ends. It was approximately 5 meters long and 1.50-2 meters thick. Three distinct, large, dark red lights were visible at its extremities and middle. The witness reported no sound or vibration. The object appeared to curve towards the ground as it moved away, possibly due to perspective.

2. Observations of M. Tedenat - Saint-Raphaël (1958):

On December 30, 1958, M. Tedenat, while installing a TV antenna on a roof in Saint-Raphaël, observed an object over the sea. It resembled the fuselage of a Nord 2500 aircraft but lacked wings or tail. The object moved slowly, at a speed comparable to parachutists, at an estimated altitude of 300-400 meters and a distance of 1,500 meters. It was described as silver-colored, cigar-shaped, and had three distinct, closed doors visible. The object made no noise. The witness estimated its apparent size to be between 8 and 10 cm at arm's length, with proportions similar to the N 2500 fuselage. When the witness called someone inside, the object had disappeared. The naval air base at Fréjus reported no flights at that time. This sighting is compared to the Gesnes Le Gandelin case due to the mention of red lights (though not explicitly stated for Tedenat's sighting, it's implied by the comparison).

3. La Roquebrussane - between 1947 and 1949:

This testimony comes from M. Goetz, a Gendarmerie chief, who commanded the brigade in La Roquebrussane. He recounts an event from 1947, 1948, or 1949, around 1 PM on a sunny day. He heard a low, continuous droning sound from a large cumulus cloud. He then noticed a continuous white trail, like vapor or smoke, emerging from the cloud and moving north. He did not see the object itself but heard a humming sound unlike any aircraft engine. He inferred that the object had made a right-angle turn within the cloud. The trail moved towards the north, disappearing on the horizon after about 20-25 seconds. He noted the object moved faster than a contemporary airplane but slower than a bolide. He also mentions seeing a silent, luminous bolide in August 1936. M. Goetz expresses certainty that others in the region might have seen the trail. He notes that the object's trajectory was inferred, as he couldn't directly observe its movement within the cloud. The report includes a map sketch of the area.

4. Maubeuge - September 26, 1975:

On a Friday night, around 9:40 PM, a young man (referred to as M. X) and his friend witnessed a strange, luminous object described as a "fantomatic lighting" or an "unreal glow" near Maubeuge. It was not the moon. The object was described as a long cigar shape. They drove towards it, and about 500 meters away, their vehicle and about ten other cars inexplicably stalled. The witnesses exited their vehicles. One witness, an electronics officer, estimated the object's size to be a minimum of 325 meters, with a classic lenticular shape, convex, and orange in color. The upper part seemed to be encircled by pale blue, diffusing hublights, while the lower orange part exhibited a counter-clockwise rotation. The witness took photos, but the object's brightness was too great for the film (125 ASA Nikon film) to capture an image. A golden cone detached from the top of the object, rose several meters without noise, and moved towards Bersillies-Villers Sire-Nicole. After about ten minutes, the cone returned and re-entered the main object. The entire assembly then rose rapidly, becoming a point and vanishing into space. A faint glow remained at the apparent landing site for a few minutes. The vehicles' engines started again once the object disappeared. A dog was also reportedly distressed. Investigations for traces on the ground yielded no results. The report suggests that official services have imposed a "black-out" on this event.

"UN TEST - INSOLITE et CREDIBILITE" (A Test - Strangeness and Credibility)

This section, presented as the second part, details a methodology developed by Albert Adell Sabates, possibly in collaboration with Madame Hardy and Mademoiselle G. Scotto, based on an article by STENDER. It proposes a graphical system to evaluate the strangeness and credibility of UFO observations. The system uses two axes: "Étrangeté" (Strangeness) and "Crédibilité" (Credibility). The "Étrangeté" axis considers factors like secondary lights, atmospheric conditions, duration of observation, speed, shape, luminosity, and sound. The "Crédibilité" axis considers factors such as the witness's profession, objectivity, reputation, notoriety, reliability, number of witnesses, occupation, visual acuity, and culture. The graph is divided into zones (A, B, C, D) representing different levels of reliability. The authors suggest that with only 30% of positive values for strangeness, a high degree of certainty about the phenomenon's reality can be achieved.

"FLASHES"

This section contains brief news items and acknowledgments:

• Association of Amateurs of the Unusual: SVEPS recommends this association for its dynamism and open spirit.
• Thanks to Readers: The magazine thanks readers for sending press clippings about possible UFO observations.
• SVEPS Membership Dues: A deadline of March 30, 1976, is set for the payment of SVEPS membership dues for 1976.

"où en est-on?" (Where are we at?)

This section provides a brief update on UFO-related news:

• Giens (Var) - September 4, 1975: A journalist reported that numerous witnesses saw a trapezoidal object at high altitude moving in a zig-zag pattern over the Giens peninsula. However, an investigator from SVEPS confirmed it was a weather balloon with an illuminated platform, explaining the phenomenon as mysterious only to those who observe a single element without understanding the whole.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of 'APPROCHE' are UFO sightings, the analysis of their characteristics, the assessment of witness credibility, and the potential role of scientific research and government involvement. The magazine appears to advocate for a more rigorous, professional approach to ufology, moving beyond amateur observations. There is a critical stance towards government secrecy and a belief that independent research groups are crucial for advancing the understanding of these phenomena. The concept of psychotronics is also introduced, suggesting an interest in related fields of study. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, critical analysis, and a desire to uncover the truth behind unexplained aerial phenomena.

This issue of APPROCHE magazine, identified as N°7, covers a diverse range of topics including ufology, parapsychology, geology, and astronomy. The content is primarily in French, with a confidence score of 4, indicating good legibility.

Articles and Content

Evaluating UFO Witness Credibility

The first section discusses a method for evaluating the credibility of UFO witnesses. It proposes a system with four zones based on two axes: strangeness and credibility. A positive response rate of 50% is deemed necessary for a reliable witness profile, with a logical average of 40% considered reasonable for estimating case positivity. The zones are defined as:

• Zone A: 0-4 on both axes, considered "unacceptable" for low reliability.
• Zone B: 4-10 on both axes, acceptable with positive indices of strangeness-credibility.
• Zone C: High strangeness but low credibility, requiring severe study.
• Zone D: High credibility but low strangeness, suggesting a normal phenomenon observed with good judgment.

The article emphasizes that a positive response rate of 40% is a reasonable estimate for case positivity. It also touches upon the idea that a witness's response might be influenced by physical or psychological conditions that lend a "slight character of strangeness" to the event. The author advises against pressuring witnesses to amplify their accounts, suggesting that simple, clear diagrams can aid in analysis.

The PSI Research and the Scripto-Pendulum (Part 3)

This section, authored by R.J. Hardy, delves into the research on the PSI (Paranormal Sensory Integration) phenomenon, focusing on the use of the scripto-pendulum. It highlights the work of Jean Auscher, whose pendular writing method has yielded numerous confirmed experiments. The research aims to study the phenomenon of PSI, with statistical calculations revealing precognition through brief, repeated experiments. The article mentions improvements in experimental setups, including fully electronic apparatus and the incorporation of affective factors like 'pregnance'. It notes that extraverts tend to perform better than introverts in these experiments, and a decline is observed when the same subject undergoes a growing number of successive sessions.

The research is linked to brain activity, with the cortex being the central processing unit. The neurophysiological reflex circuit connecting the brain to the pendulum is described as complex. The article discusses experiments conducted in 1965 with a polygraph (lie detector) to study the link between brain activity and telepathic transmissions. Two subjects in separate rooms were connected to polygraphs to record their pulse and respiration. The synchronism of characteristic incidents in these recordings during telepathic transmissions was noted, suggesting a cerebral process.

"Les Failles" (The Faults) - Part 2

This geological article, by J.F. Lapeyre, continues the discussion on faults, focusing on transform faults, a concept defined by Canadian geologist J.T. Wilson in 1965. It revisits the theory of continental drift, initially proposed by Alfred Wegener, and explains how the theory of plate tectonics provides a logical explanation. The article describes how plates form at mid-ocean ridges, develop, and eventually subduct into the Earth's crust along oceanic trenches, often associated with surface volcanism. Transform faults are characterized by their perpendicular orientation to mid-ocean ridges and are described as a new type of fault where the two compartments move in opposite directions. The San Andreas fault in California is presented as a prime example of a transform fault. The article concludes by encouraging readers to study geological maps and explore these geological features.

Comets and Satellites

This section by Jean Rabuel discusses the observation of comets and artificial satellites. Artificial satellites are described as points of variable luminosity moving in a rectilinear trajectory, often appearing as yellow-orange or brilliant white. Their visibility is limited to a short period before or after sunrise or sunset, with high-altitude satellites being generally invisible. The article notes that satellites can change color, blink, or disappear suddenly when entering Earth's shadow. It also mentions that comets, though less numerous than satellites, are rare phenomena that offer spectacular views. Notable comets like Halley's (1910) and Kohoutek (1974) are mentioned, along with a recent NOVA observed in the constellation of Cygnus.

Paralysis and UFO Contacts

Authored by Richard Niemtzow and translated by Catherine Pappo Musard, this article examines the phenomenon of paralysis experienced by witnesses during UFO encounters from a medical perspective. It lists clinical symptoms associated with paralysis, including skin burns, temporary blindness, inflammation, dizziness, and the inability to speak. The article differentiates paralysis from immobility caused by fear and discusses common causes like strokes and brain injuries. It suggests that in UFO-related paralysis, certain nerve types (A, AB, A) appear to be involved, while others (pre- and post-ganglionic) seem unaffected, implying that the phenomenon is not immediately fatal.

Book Reviews

Several book reviews are included:

• "CE QUE LES GOUVERNEMENTS NOUS CACHENT SUR LES SOUS-COUPES VOLANTES" by S. Dello Strogolo: This book is criticized for mixing known facts with journalistic "canards" and is deemed insignificant, despite mentioning engineer René Hardy. The review notes Hardy's death in Cuers, not Toulon, and states his work will be published in the magazine.
• "SOUCOUPES VOLANTES : LA GUERRE DES MONDES AURA-T-ELLE LIEU?" by Jacques Pottier: Published in 1974, this book is found to offer no new information on UFOs and is criticized for compiling "discoveries" unrelated to the phenomenon as understood in 1975. It is deemed "without interest."
• "LA VIE SECRETE DES PLANTES" by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird: This book is described as fascinating, covering recent research on plant sensitivity and their relationship with humans. It reveals astonishing secrets and supports the idea of plants as living creatures with personality.
• "LE COLLEGE INVISIBLE" by Jacques Vallee: The book reviews religions and suggests a "foreign force" is influencing humanity, potentially explaining miracles like the apparition of the Virgin of Fatima. The review recommends the book despite some unconvincing points.

Necrology

The magazine notes the passing of Maître Anne-Marie Viel, an avocat from Toulon and member of the National Council of Soroptimist Clubs of France, who died on August 31, 1975, at the age of 55. She is remembered as a valuable advisor in legal matters.

Conferences

The S.V.E.P.S. team is available for invitations to give conferences on UFO studies throughout France and abroad, featuring slide projections. They have been active since early 1975, giving two conferences per month across Europe.

In Memoriam

René Ollier, head of the research group and a key figure in "Lumières dans la Nuit," has passed away. He was an electronics technician who worked on research and development for EDF and was instrumental in developing technical apparatus for UFO research. He is remembered for his dedication to the work and ideas of René Hardy.

Psychotronics and the 2nd Congress

This section discusses the 2nd World Congress of Psychotronics held in Monaco in July 1975, attended by over 450 communications on topics ranging from fundamental physics to psychology and biology. The term "psychotronics" is presented as a neutral term that can unite researchers with different conceptions of PSI phenomena. The article highlights the idea that the mind is a manifestation of matter and that matter contains psychic factors. It also touches upon bio-communication and psychokinesis (PK), the direct action of the mind on matter. The congress explored modifications to existing physical theories, particularly in quantum mechanics, and discussed concepts like distance perception (clairvoyance) and time perception (precognition), suggesting the existence of a supplementary dimension or a different space-time structure.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores phenomena that challenge conventional scientific understanding, particularly in the realms of ufology and parapsychology. There's a strong emphasis on scientific investigation, with articles detailing methodologies for data collection and analysis, such as the witness credibility system and the use of scientific instruments in parapsychological research. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the study of these phenomena while maintaining a critical perspective, as seen in the book reviews that dismiss certain works as lacking substance. The magazine also highlights the importance of public information and scientific collaboration through its conference announcements and the publication of research findings. The recurrent mention of René Hardy and the S.V.E.P.S. suggests a commitment to advancing the field of ufology through organized efforts and shared knowledge.

This issue, identified by the number 19, is titled "PLANS D'ACTION" and appears to be a French publication focused on ufology, parapsychology, and related scientific and investigative fields. The content is divided into several sections, detailing organizational plans, investigation methodologies, technological developments, and theoretical discussions on phenomena like paralysis potentially linked to UFO encounters.

Animation des Sections

This section, attributed to F. CREBELY and R. AUDEMARD, outlines the crucial role of section leaders within the SVEPS organization. It emphasizes the necessity for leaders to possess strong material and psychological presence, a deep understanding of their specialized field, and the capacity for adaptation and self-training. The leaders are responsible for informing and potentially training their collaborators. Furthermore, the section highlights the importance of 'animation' – engaging members by demonstrating the value of their work, optimizing time and individual potential, and encouraging participation. This involves fostering human connections and creating a sense of a cohesive, albeit demanding, family within SVEPS. Some organizational changes are noted, with Raymond AUDEMARD appointed as General Secretary and head of the Information section, Dr. Jean-François LANTREA taking charge of the Parapsychology section, and Jean-Pierre COMPAIN leading the Studies group. The section also mentions the upcoming 'Stage Enquêteurs' (Investigators' Training) to be held in Toulon, likely in the evenings.

Investigation Topics

• The issue lists a range of subjects to be covered in investigations, including:
• Ufology: Types of observed craft, their evolution, physical traces, investigation methods, and credibility assessment.
• Information Link: Analysis of cases and the creation of computerized files.
• Psychology, Space Medicine, Exobiology.
• Study Equipment Technology and Photography.
• Astronomy, Meteorology, Geology: Including terrain types, local geology, and fault lines.
• Botany, Aeronautics, and Investigation Reporting.
• This list is explicitly stated as non-exhaustive.

Detectors

SVEPS has developed a new detector with a novel design, patented under the direction of J.-P. COMPAIN. The company is preparing for its widespread distribution, with manufacturing contracts in progress.

Informatics

The Informatics Processing group (Delafosse, Bastien, Debroas, Pierre) has made significant progress but requires more collaborators for case filing and data processing. This section relies on constant communication with other groups, such as Investigations, Archives, and Surveillance. The Banque Populaire du Var is acknowledged for providing computer time.

Cover Description and Visuals

Page 1 features a table detailing different types of nerve fibers (Aα, β, γ, δ, B, Cτ.p., C) with their functions, diameters, transmission speeds, and refractory periods. Accompanying diagrams (Figure 2 and Figure 3) illustrate the human nervous system, distinguishing between the central nervous system, preganglionic and postganglionic fibers, and their roles in sensation, pain, temperature, and sympathetic/parasympathetic functions. A section on 'PARALYSIE' (Paralysis) is also present, relating to nerve fibers and potential UFO encounters.

OVTEC Product

Page 3 presents an advertisement for "OVTEC," described as a "modular UFO detector with induction coil" for home use. It highlights its sensitivity, modularity, and performance, offering it as an "individual laboratory at home." The advertisement mentions a subscription drive to gauge interest in manufacturing, with an estimated unit price of 150 to 200 francs.

Advertisements and Subscriptions

Page 4 contains advertisements for local businesses in Toulon, including "La Maison Electrique," "CARROSSERIE AUTOMOBILE CALLES - AUTO," and "Banque Populaire." It also includes information on how to join SVEPS and subscribe to the review "APPROCHE," specifying subscription rates for France and abroad.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around organized investigation, technological development within the SVEPS framework, and the exploration of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of proactive research, emphasizing structured approaches to data collection and analysis, and a willingness to explore unconventional explanations for events like paralysis linked to UFO sightings, suggesting a need to look beyond standard medical and scientific understanding. The publication promotes a sense of community and shared purpose among its members.