Approche - no 14 - 1977

Magazine Overview

This issue of "APPROCHE" magazine, identified as Trimestriel N 14, focuses on unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs) and their investigation. The cover highlights "AIX-EN-PROVENCE : DES TRACES" (Aix-en-Provence: Traces), suggesting a focus on physical evidence or sightings in that region. It also features articles on "Yves Lignon et la parapsychologie" (Yves Lignon and parapsychology) and "Vague d'OVNI dans l'Est" (UFO Wave in the East).

Editorial: Scientists Facing UFOs

The editorial addresses the common question of why scientists do not engage more openly with UFO phenomena. It argues that scientists do indeed investigate, but often discreetly, prioritizing verifiable facts and quantitative results. The editorial criticizes the public's perception of French researchers as being too narrowly focused and suggests that associations need to work on informing the public and correcting this image. It also touches upon the constraints of scientific research, including the need for prudence, the difficulty of applying classical experimental methods to phenomena that are not reproducible at will, and the risk of sensationalism distorting scientific findings. The editorial emphasizes that this reserve is not about occultation but about a desire for rigor and clarity.

Flashs: San José de Valderas Case

This section revisits the San José de Valderas case from 1967 in Spain, which was previously presented as mysterious with dubious witnesses and strange photos. New information from "International U.F.O. Reporter" and analyses by "Ground Saucer Watch" in Arizona, led by William Spaulding, suggest that the photos were likely of a hoax, depicting a model less than 8 inches (approx. 20 cm) long, supported by a string. While the photos are explained, the case itself and the numerous testimonies still require further investigation.

Jean-Claude Bourret: Upcoming Book

Jean-Claude Bourret is mentioned in relation to his upcoming book, which will open with a short story about the social impact of contact with an advanced intelligence, an intelligence he believes is behind UFO phenomena.

Belleville-sur-Saône: Gendarme Witnesses

This article details a series of observations in Belleville-sur-Saône, France, involving luminous points observed by the public and, significantly, by the local gendarmerie. On March 18, 1977, witness M. A. reported a bright, projector-shaped luminous object. The phenomenon recurred on March 19, with variations in intensity and color. On March 20, gendarmes directly observed a similar phenomenon, described as a light that grew and diminished, moving slowly. Further observations were made by gendarmes and other witnesses, including a taxi driver, M. Daniel Quirin, who reported seeing two orange "fireballs" near Moncel-les-Lunéville. The article notes that attempts to get information from radar stations and meteorological centers were unsuccessful.

UFO Wave in the East

This section reports on a "UFO wave" observed in Eastern France during the summer of 1976, compiled by the "Groupe Privé Ufologique Nancéien" (GPUN). The report details several sightings, including a pilot's observation of a red vertical tube near Art-sur-Meurthe, a disk seen by many people in Orzy, and a phenomenon observed by Jean-Claude Belkacemi in Vandoeuvre. Belkacemi described an object descending from the clouds, hovering, and then moving away. The article includes diagrams illustrating the observations and the plan of the observation site.

Further Testimonies and Analysis

More testimonies are presented, including those of M. Batt and M. Belkacemi regarding an observation on July 28. A taxi driver, M. Bernard GOUT, reported seeing two dark, disc-shaped objects with orange lights and a red light in the middle, hovering at an altitude of 10 to 30 meters. He also reported seeing a similar phenomenon ten minutes after his initial observation. The article discusses the dimensions of these objects (approximately 10m in diameter) and the atmospheric conditions. It also mentions a report of two orange "fireballs" observed by M. Daniel Quirin and others near Moncel-les-Lunéville.

Complementary Information and Remarks

This section provides additional details and remarks on the reported phenomena. It includes a note about a book review concerning Jader U. Pereira's classification of humanoids and Henry Durrant's work. It also introduces "New Research on PSI Phenomena" by Sheila Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder, which aims to explore parapsychology through personal experimentation. Finally, it briefly mentions a critique of the book "Les O.V.N.I. de l'Apocalypse" by Dalila and Gerard Lemaine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, witness testimonies, and the scientific investigation of these phenomena. The magazine advocates for a rational and rigorous approach to UFO research, distinguishing between genuine evidence and misinterpretations or hoaxes. It highlights the challenges faced by scientists in this field, including public perception and the nature of the phenomena themselves. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry combined with a strong emphasis on scientific methodology and the need for clear, verifiable data, while also acknowledging the importance of public reporting and the potential for parapsychological connections.

This issue of "Science-Fiction" magazine delves into various aspects of the paranormal and speculative fiction. It features a detailed report on a UFO sighting in Eyragues, France, alongside scientific research into parapsychology, and reviews of several science fiction books.

Articles and Reports

Book Reviews

• "La Foudre Anti-D" by Jean Gaston Vandel: This is a reissue of a 1956 science fiction novel, noted for being an intelligent and affordable option for new fans. It's highlighted as part of the "Anticipation Fiction" series.
• "Carnacki et les Fantomes de W. Hope Hodgson": This review introduces W. Hope Hodgson, an author known for his supernatural detective Carnacki, who combats external abominations using esoteric means and electrical installations. His work is compared to H.P. Lovecraft.
• "Sogol - Daniel Piret": This review discusses a book about an extraordinary but amnesiac being named Sogol. The reviewer finds the plot well-executed but criticizes the naive use of reversed names for characters like "Eissem" (Messie) and "Sram/Sunev" (Mars/Venus).
• "En Attendant l'Annee Derniere" by Philip K. Dick: This book is described as revisiting the fantasies of one of the best science fiction writers of the 1960s.
• "Le Grand Cataclysme" by Albert Slosman: The book recounts the story of Aha-Men-Ptah and Atlantis, featuring numbers, a love story, adventure, and poetry. The reviewer suggests reading it as a novel without taking it too seriously.
• "L'Homme Total" by John Brunner: This review notes the book's more accessible format compared to Brunner's other works. It explores the theme of the "mutant" with intelligence and sensitivity, comparable to Philip K. Dick's explorations.
• "Les Coucous de Midwich" by John Wyndham: This reissue, dating from late 1976, is praised as a masterpiece that will appeal to science fiction and psychological novel enthusiasts. It's noted as the basis for the film "Village of the Damned."
• "Involition Interdite" by Jan de Fast: The reviewer is critical of this work, finding it increasingly simplistic and preachy, comparing the author's output unfavorably to that of Sheer and Dalton. The book is deemed "totally inept."

UFO Investigations and Research

• AIX - OVNI dans les blés ?: This section details an incident in the vicinity of Aix-en-Provence on May 19, 1977, where a crop circle was discovered. The owner reported hearing a humming sound the previous night. An engineer noted that the field was devastated even under a tree, ruling out atmospheric phenomena like mini-tornadoes or helicopters. The investigation is ongoing.

• EYRAGUES * Enquête * SOVEPS: This report details an incident on the night of February 1-2, 1977, at the Maison Familiale Rurale d'Education et d'Orientation in Eyragues. Six young girls witnessed a luminous object described as a white half-sphere with a disk-shaped part, rotating at high speed, emitting light and noise, and hovering before moving towards Saint-Rémy de Provence. The object's diameter was estimated at 60 cm. Gendarmerie investigations found the girls to be credible, but analysis of collected branches by CNES yielded negative results.

• Surveillance OVNI - des résultats, une ouverture: This article discusses the innovations introduced in national UFO surveillance nights organized by S.V.E.P.S. These include monthly periodicity and a standardized questionnaire for easier data centralization and analysis. The March 19th surveillance night is described as fruitful, with observations reported across France, including a luminous phenomenon photographed in Viviers-sur-Chiers and silent luminous balls seen in the Meuse region.

Parapsychology Research

• YVES LIGNON: vers une RECHERCHE UNIVERSITAIRE: This extensive article focuses on the parapsychological research conducted by Professor Yves Lignon at the University of Toulouse-Le Mirail. It explains the two main areas of study: Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP), which includes telepathy and clairvoyance, and PK (psychokinesis), the ability to move objects with the mind. The article details Lignon's "arc-en-ciel" test, a statistical method developed since 1973 to study ESP using colored cards. The methodology, statistical analysis, and preliminary results are discussed, indicating that in 6.8% of cases, responses were not due to chance, suggesting the presence of ESP.

• LE TRAITEMENT DE L'INFORMATION SUR LES UFO: This section, translated from Spanish, outlines a methodology for processing UFO information. It emphasizes the need to filter out erroneous interpretations and conventional phenomena (like satellites, weather balloons, meteors, planets, stars, airplanes, and helicopters) to focus on truly enigmatic cases. A classification system with criteria for identifying potential UFOs is presented.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of science fiction literature with real-world phenomena, particularly UFO sightings and parapsychological research. There's a clear interest in presenting detailed investigations and scientific approaches to these subjects, as seen in the Eyragues case and Yves Lignon's work. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging rigorous investigation while acknowledging the challenges of distinguishing genuine anomalies from misinterpretations or conventional explanations. The reviews of science fiction books reflect an appreciation for the genre's ability to explore complex themes and imaginative concepts.

This issue of APPROCHE magazine, identified as issue number 19, focuses heavily on UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) reports and investigations. The cover prominently features the headline "mystère au chili" (Mystery in Chile), suggesting a significant portion of the content is dedicated to cases from that region. The magazine also includes sections on technical aspects of UFO observation, international conferences, and upcoming events.

Article: Mystery in Chile

The main feature details a series of curious events in Chile, drawing from Associated Press dispatches from May 1977. The report begins with an incident on April 25th near the Peruvian border, where six soldiers of a cavalry regiment witnessed two bright objects descending. The corporal, Armando Vaides, went to investigate and disappeared for fifteen minutes. Upon his return, his watch was set five days ahead, and he had a five-day beard. He also made cryptic remarks about the visitors' origins and their intention to return. This incident was followed by numerous other sightings across Chile, with witnesses describing saucers and other unidentified objects.

Further accounts from the Strait of Magellan region include a speaker, Oscar Bravo, who reported seeing two oval objects emitting bright, orange light that turned violet before separating at high speed. Another report mentions travelers on a bus observing a similar phenomenon. The article notes that the Chilean army acknowledged the press reports corresponded to military investigation findings but did not offer an official explanation. NASA and the University of Chile have a joint spatial tracking station near Santiago but have made no comment.

Article: Technical Aspects of Observation

This section provides practical advice for UFO observation, emphasizing systematic photography. Bernard DUPI, president of the P.A.L.M.O.S. group, suggests that consistent photographic recording during observation sessions can provide more reliable data, free from human psychological biases. Recommended equipment includes a Reflex camera with a 50mm lens, film with a speed of 27 or 30 DIN, a tripod, and a flexible shutter release. The article suggests that for objects that are mobile or dimly lit, a camera with more sensitive film might be necessary.

Article: Hors Les Frontières (Beyond Borders)

This section discusses French national surveillance efforts, noting that while results have been limited, the lack of widespread psychosis is a positive sign. Jacques SCORNAUX is quoted expressing a mix of discouragement and the belief that systematic effort is worthwhile. To improve observation capabilities, the article calls for an increase in the number of observers and an expansion of surveillance areas. It announces that starting June 11th, surveillance efforts will extend beyond France's borders through cooperation with Belgian and Luxembourg organizations, including GESAG-S.P.W., S.O.B.EP.S., and U.G.E.P.I-Bruxelles.

Article: The Acapulco Congress

The magazine reports on the first international congress on the UFO phenomenon held in Acapulco, Mexico, from April 17th to 24th. Organized by businessman Guillermo BRAVO and C.U.F.O.S., the congress featured prominent speakers such as Carl SAGAN, Allen HYNEK, and Jacques VALLEE. Despite the quality of the participants, the event was described as a "half-failure or half-success." A motion was passed to commend Sir Eric GLAIRY, Prime Minister of Grenada, for bringing the UFO issue before the UN. The congress also included excursions to Mayan sites like Palenque. The event was described as luxurious but expensive, with a cost of 2,500 francs for the week, excluding travel.

Article: Spielberg - Truffaut - RR3

This short piece discusses Steven Spielberg's film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," noting its connection to Allen Hynek's book and its inclusion of testimonies from military pilots. The article mentions that Spielberg is known for "Duel" and "Jaws." It expresses concern about the film's budget of 14 million dollars and its potential narrative, particularly a part set in India where the hero communicates with extraterrestrials, hoping that "ufology will recover from it."

Upcoming Issue

The "Dans Notre Prochain Numéro" (In Our Next Issue) section previews an exclusive report on an Italian congress in Toscolano Maderno (June 24-26), featuring interviews with Antonio RIBERA and Ion HOBANA. It also mentions a Type I observation in the Canary Islands on June 22, 1976, validated by official documents given to journalist J. J. Benitez, and a mini-wave of UFO sightings related to a reunion.

Editorial: L'Edition A Compte D'Auteur (Self-Publishing)

This section by J. TREMBLAY provides information for those interested in self-publishing, covering aspects such as publishers, printers, potential pitfalls, sales, publicity, subscriptions, and legal rights (including copyright law of 1957). It describes a brochure available for 15 francs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO and UAP phenomena, presenting a mix of eyewitness accounts, investigative reports, and analyses of international cases. There's an emphasis on the need for systematic observation and data collection, as well as international cooperation. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the subject, encouraging participation and information sharing, while also acknowledging the challenges and skepticism surrounding UFOs. The magazine also touches upon the cultural impact of UFOs, as seen in the mention of the Spielberg film. The inclusion of technical advice and reports from conferences indicates a desire to approach the subject with a degree of scientific rigor, despite the often speculative nature of the topic.