Approche - no 15 - 1977

Magazine Overview

Title: APPROCHE
Issue: Trimestriel N. 15
Publisher: SOCIETE VAROISE D'ETUDE DES PHENOMENES SPATIAUX
Date: Not explicitly stated, but implied to be around 1977 based on content.
Country: France
Language: French
ISSN: 0395 339 X
Price: 3 F (single issue), 10 F (annual subscription in France), 16 F (foreign subscription).

This issue of APPROCHE, a quarterly publication from the Société Varoise d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux, delves into various aspects of the unexplained, with a strong emphasis on UFO phenomena and parapsychology.

Cover Story: Les Traces d'Aix, Nouvelles Photos

The main headline highlights "The Traces of Aix, New Photos," suggesting a focus on physical evidence or patterns attributed to UFOs. The cover features an aerial photograph, likely related to this story, and smaller headlines tease articles on "OVNI aux Canaries" (UFOs in the Canaries) and "Yves Lignon: Parapsychologie."

Editorial: L'ufologie et son public...

The editorial section, under the "GROUPE THEORIES ET METHODES," discusses the role of conferences in understanding the public's concerns and questions regarding ufology. The author notes that the public is often saturated with sensationalized information and seeks clearer, more methodical explanations. The editorial also touches upon the distinction between facts and hypotheses in ufological research, cautioning against the conflation of the two, which can stem from either genuine confusion or deliberate exploitation of public interest. It highlights the difficulty in definitively explaining UFO phenomena, whether through extraterrestrial or psychological hypotheses, and acknowledges the passion this inherent mystery evokes.

"Aux Frontières de l'Étrange": A Search for Mysterious News

This section introduces a group called "Aux Frontières de l'Étrange" (At the Frontiers of the Strange), which aims to investigate mysterious events and phenomena. The group seeks to provide a platform for dialogue and information sharing on topics such as telepathy, acupuncture, Filipino healers, UFOs, sophrology, dreams, and supernatural powers. They emphasize the need to explore truths beyond rational scientific understanding and to better comprehend the parallel and supernatural worlds. The group invites individuals interested in these mysteries to share their experiences and join their efforts.

Article: L'affaire des Canaries: un dossier officiel

This significant article details an official UFO case from the Canary Islands, Spain. It presents a dossier of 78 pages provided to journalist Juan José Benitez by a Lieutenant General from the Spanish Air Ministry. The dossier contains documentation from various Air Ministry organizations concerning twelve UFO cases, primarily reported by military personnel. It includes photographs and films from fighter planes, as well as radar detection reports. The article specifically focuses on an observation made on March 20, 1964, in the province of Seville, and more extensively on an event on June 22, 1976, in the islands of Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. The characteristics of the phenomenon, the credibility of the witnesses, and the official provenance of the data place this incident among the most notable in Spanish UFO case files.

The Night of June 22 in the Canaries

This section provides a detailed account of the June 22, 1976, sighting. The object was first observed by the Spanish Navy Corvette ATREVIDA off the coast of Fuerteventura. The report describes a luminous object moving from East to West, which stabilized and emitted a bright light. Later, around 9:30 PM, Dr. Francisco Julian Pedron Leon and two companions witnessed a giant, electric blue sphere hovering about fifty meters above the ground near Las Rosas. The doctor described the sphere as crystalline and transparent, with two enormous beings inside wearing black helmets and red suits. The beings appeared to be manipulating controls. The vehicle's occupants experienced a chilling sensation, and the car radio went silent. The object then ascended and disappeared. The report estimates the object's speed in covering the distance between Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria at approximately 3060 km/h. The article includes diagrams illustrating the phases of the observation and a drawing of the beings observed by Dr. Pedron.

Further Observations and Official Reaction

The article continues to discuss the Canaries case, mentioning that the object was later observed by other witnesses. It notes that the news of the photos taken in the Canaries quickly reached the Guardia Civil, who, under direct order from the Ministry of Air, investigated the matter. The 36 color photos were subjected to a rigorous authenticity check, ruling out any possibility of a hoax. These photos reportedly show a large, luminous sphere hovering over local houses. General Castro Cavero, commander of the Canary Islands Air Region, was interviewed by Benitez, expressing his belief in UFOs and noting the difficulty for official bodies to confirm their existence, similar to how the Church confirms miracles.

Article: Porto Alegre

This section reports on UFO observations in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in January 1977. Several witnesses, including reporters from the press group "Caldas Junior," reported seeing a luminous flying object. Two reporters, Damiao Ribas and Alfonso Abraham, drove to the location and observed the object, described as having a very strong white luminosity and an oval shape, appearing the size of a basketball. The object was seen hovering and moving at high speed. Photographs were taken, though one reporter noted the difficulty of improvising a stable tripod. The article mentions that the object's luminosity varied, and some witnesses reported a buzzing sound. The object eventually moved towards Guiba and was no longer observed. The duration of the observation was about 20 minutes. Another pair of witnesses, Waldomiro Costa Soares and a colleague, also observed a luminous object, initially mistaking it for aircraft landing lights. They described it as round and silver, with a projector-like light on its underside, hovering at an estimated altitude of 300 meters. The object's apparent size was larger than the full moon. The observation lasted about five minutes, and the witnesses regretted not being able to photograph it.

Article: Yves Lignon: Vers une Recherche Universitaire

This two-part article (this being the second part) focuses on the work of Yves Lignon in parapsychology. It discusses the development of apparatus for studying Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP) and psychokinesis. The article mentions an earlier experimental procedure that was abandoned due to lack of subject motivation and the development of a new, less cumbersome apparatus. It also highlights research conducted by a team in Reims using a similar device. The core of Lignon's work discussed here is psychokinesis, specifically using a custom-built "electronic die" generator. This apparatus produces random numbers, and subjects are tasked with influencing the outcome to favor a chosen number. The test involves 50 number appearances, and preliminary results, though limited, are described as encouraging. The article notes that Lignon's research extends to other phenomena, including hauntings, phantoms, and mediums.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores phenomena that lie beyond conventional scientific understanding, particularly UFOs and parapsychology. There is a clear editorial stance favoring methodical research, a distinction between facts and hypotheses, and a desire to uncover deeper truths about the universe. The publication aims to inform and engage a public seeking answers to mysterious events, while also promoting rigorous investigation. The emphasis on "official dossiers" and scientific apparatus suggests an attempt to lend credibility and structure to the study of these often-elusive subjects.

This issue of "OVNI dans les blés ?" (UFO in the Wheat Fields?) delves into the realm of unexplained phenomena, blending astronomical discoveries with reports of alleged UFO sightings and related investigations. The magazine presents a scientific yet curious approach to parapsychology and UFOlogy, featuring detailed accounts, witness testimonies, and attempts at rigorous analysis.

Parapsychology and Scientific Inquiry

The issue opens with a discussion on parapsychology, featuring the group of Yves Lignon. Lignon emphasizes that parapsychology is a scientific discipline distinct from occultism, involving researchers with a scientific spirit and interest in various fields like psychiatry, neurology, biology, and psychology. The group aims to conduct psychological interviews with individuals claiming paranormal experiences and is planning a public image survey of the paranormal.

Technical notes (6-10) detail experimental setups for parapsychology, including the use of random generators and statistical analysis of results. The concept of "psychokinesis" is defined, and the statistical analysis of number distributions in experiments is discussed, suggesting promising results that warrant further investigation despite limitations in sample size.

Astronomical Discovery: The Rings of Uranus

An article by Jean Rabuel reports on a significant astronomical discovery in 1977: the identification of rings around the planet Uranus. This discovery was made on March 10th during an occultation of an anonymous star by Uranus. An international team, using a telescope on a NASA C-141 aircraft, observed a series of brief occultations. Ground-based astronomers in Perth, Kavalur, Mauritius, Cape Town, and Salisbury also made similar observations. The analysis revealed that Uranus possesses a system of five concentric rings, with the outermost being the widest. This finding suggests that ring systems might be more common around planets than previously thought, and scientists anticipate further details from the Voyager probe in about seven years.

UFO Sightings and Crop Circles in France

The cover story, "OVNI dans les blés ?", investigates a crop circle phenomenon near AIX-EN-PROVENCE. The article presents aerial photographs of three main traces in a wheat field discovered on May 20th. The largest trace, approximately 120 meters long and 10 meters wide, followed the line of trees bordering the field. The wheat was laid down in swirling patterns. The owner reported no unusual sightings prior to the discovery. An analysis of plant samples was inconclusive due to the delay in investigation. The article also notes that the flattened wheat could not be harvested, representing a significant loss for the farmer. The possibility of a hoax is downplayed due to the circumstances. The owner also reported hearing a "humming" sound the night before.

Further analysis suggests that while an agro-meteorological phenomenon, such as the effect of fertilizers combined with rain and wind, could be a cause, the localized and discontinuous nature of the traces raises questions. The article concludes that the phenomenon remains "unidentified" until all natural causes are ruled out.

UFO Reports from La Réunion

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to UFO sightings reported in La Réunion between January and March 1977. The article "OVNI or not OVNI?" compiles several testimonies:

• January 21, 1977 (Saint-Leu): Mme Mutel William observed an object resembling a white airplane descending rapidly towards the sea, disappearing without a trace. Despite investigations by the coast guard, no wreckage was found, and no aircraft disappearances were reported in the region.
• February 7, 1977 (Cap La Houssaye): An automobilist witnessed an intense white light directed skyward from a ravine. The light remained visible for several minutes and was not identifiable as car headlights.
• February 14, 1977 (Saint-Gilles to Saint-Paul): A witness reported a moving light over the sea that appeared to be searching the water.
• February 19, 1977 (Possession): An automobilist observed a bright light in the sky, significantly brighter than a star, with no apparent movement.
• February 19, 1977 (Gillot Airport): Photographer Daniel Ubertini captured anomalous images near a Boeing 747 during takeoff. The photos revealed white spots and a black object. The airline crew reported no unusual observations, and the airport's radar did not register any anomalies. Explanations ranged from solar reflection on cockpit windows to debris from a sounding rocket.
• February 21, 1977 (La Réunion): A passenger on a flight reported hearing two explosions and seeing a white object below the aircraft's wing. The crew offered no explanation, and the music volume in the cabin was increased.
• March 8, 1977 (Tampon): Witnesses observed a double parallel trail preceded by a white, ball-shaped object moving north-south. This was likely a Boeing 707.
• March 17, 1977 (Sainte-Marie): Observers reported a strange object in the sky for nearly three hours, described as a flat star with blinking lights, moving at an estimated altitude of 4000m. It was not identified as a commercial aircraft.

The article notes that La Réunion has a history of UFO reports, with notable incidents in 1968 and 1975. The magazine thanks the editor-in-chief of "Le Quotidien de La Réunion" for providing information.

UFOs in the Nancy Region

Two additional testimonies from the Nancy region are presented, occurring on August 1st. The first, between 10:30 PM and 11:00 PM, involved the Boileau family observing a large, bright orange-red ball stationary in the sky above Brabois. Two smaller white balls then emerged from the larger one, disappearing rapidly. The phenomenon evolved, with the initial ball transforming into a crescent shape surrounded by a reddish-orange mist before reappearing and then moving away at high speed.

Mme Boileau took nine photos of the event, but the film was largely overexposed and unusable. The second observation, lasting about 5 minutes, involved two witnesses who saw a similar phenomenon while driving. They described an elongated, vertical, luminous white object with blurred edges, about 1.50 meters high and 0.50 meters wide, located about 500 meters away. A dark cloud partially obscured the object. The witnesses noted that the UFO was silent and did not affect their car's functioning. They also observed people on the ground looking in the same direction, suggesting they might have also witnessed the event.

The article posits that these incidents might be part of a "wave" of UFO sightings in the Nancy region, with at least ten observations reported in July. However, it cautions against jumping to conclusions, citing a case where a luminous phenomenon was later identified as a rare natural event caused by sunlight refraction on clouds.

UFO Congress in Italy

The issue concludes with a report on the second congress of the C.U.N. (Centro Ufologico Nazionale) held in Toscolano-Maderno, Italy, on June 25th and 26th. The congress brought together numerous Italian ufological groups and featured prominent figures in the field, including Antonio Ribera, Ion Hobana, Raymond Drake, and Roberto Villamil. The event included discussions on UFO phenomena in general and the specific situation in Italy, with a lament about press hostility and the Italian authorities' delegation of UFO-related competencies to military authorities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine adopts a stance of scientific curiosity and rigorous investigation into paranormal phenomena, particularly UFOs. It emphasizes the importance of empirical data, witness reliability, and the application of scientific methods to analyze unexplained events. While presenting numerous witness accounts and photographic evidence, the publication also encourages caution and the systematic elimination of natural explanations before concluding a phenomenon is truly anomalous. The recurring theme is the ongoing effort to understand UFOs through a combination of scientific inquiry, detailed reporting, and critical analysis, acknowledging the challenges and complexities involved in such research.

This issue of APPROCHE magazine, dated 1977, focuses on the theme of international sky surveillance and the critical need for accurate information in the field of ufology. The cover prominently features the headline "surveillance internationale du ciel" (international sky surveillance), accompanied by an image of a radio station used by the SVEPS surveillance network.

International Sky Surveillance and SVEPS

The magazine details the efforts of the SVEPS (Service de Surveillance et d'Étude des Phénomènes Spatiaux) network in monitoring the sky. Eric COHEN, the responsible-surveillance member, proposed the "surveillances internationales du ciel" project in late 1976, taking over from René PASTORE. This initiative, with significant help from Lionel DENIS, has evolved into a European project known as "International Skywatch." The magazine highlights the concrete work of this network and its goal of fostering cooperation between ufological groups.

Combating Misinformation

A significant theme is the fight against inaccurate information in ufology. Ion HOBANA, speaking at a congress, stressed the importance of "domesticating information" to serve research and the public, criticizing those who "mock" the genuine search for truth. Antonio RIBERA presented documents from the Spanish Ministry of Air regarding UFO observations in the Canary Islands, which had previously been shown at a congress in Acapulco.

The magazine also addresses the issue of individuals misrepresenting themselves as affiliated with SVEPS or the APPROCHE magazine to gain credibility. It clarifies that only individuals officially accredited by the president or vice-president of SVEPS, or the director of publications for APPROCHE, are authorized to speak on behalf of these organizations. All correspondence should be directed to the SVEPS headquarters in Toulon.

Citizen Band Radio and UFO Observation

The "Citizen Band" (CB) radio phenomenon is explored as a valuable tool for ufological surveillance. With an estimated 5,000 users in France and 20 million in the United States, CB radio allows amateurs to communicate on the 27 MHz frequency. The article explains how to get started with CB radio, the equipment involved, and the legal aspects, including the option of obtaining an official authorization or operating "pirate" at one's own risk. The spontaneous reaction of CB radio users on the night of October 8-9, when an unidentified object was reported, is cited as an example of its effectiveness in creating a rapid communication network for UFO sightings.

Book Reviews

Several books are reviewed, offering insights into various related topics:

• "Les Pouvoirs de l'Hypnose" by Jean DALVEN: Praised as a comprehensive and accessible work on hypnosis, covering its history, dangers, medical, and sporting applications.
• "La Revue des Soucoupes Volantes": A new publication that presents diverse viewpoints on UFO phenomena, including extraterrestrial and psychological hypotheses. While varied and well-presented, the reviewer notes its high price and suggests it could benefit from more focus on the lived experiences of ufologists.
• "Chamanisme et Chamans" by Mario MERCIER: An interesting study of Siberian shamanism, exploring the lifestyle, roles, and initiation of shamans, with helpful indications on ceremonies and agreeable iconography.
• "Cosa si Muove Sulla Luna" by Bruno GALLI: An introductory work on Italian ufology, described as honest and unpretentious, which avoids using photographs as proof due to potential fakes.
• "Les Enigmes de l'Univers" (collection): A correction is made regarding the previously unmentioned collection and price of a book on PSI phenomena by Sheila OSTRANDER and Lynn SCHROEDER.
• "MICHEL CARAYON ET LA GUERISON PSI" by J.-L. VICTOR: This book is described as a spiritualist work that presents M. Carayon's thesis on healing through the materialization of harmful substances. It is seen as a generous and somewhat promotional book that integrates into a global medicine approach.
• "CES OVNI QUE ANNONCENT LE SURHOMME" by Pierre VIEROUDY: This book is characterized as original, irritating, and courageous, proposing that objective reality might not be permanent and could conform to the psychic needs of the observer, thus questioning the myth of extraterrestrials. Despite criticism from some ufologists, the reviewer suggests it contains curious intuitions and stimulates discussion.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the professionalization and organization of ufological research, the critical importance of accurate information dissemination, and the use of modern communication tools like Citizen Band radio. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rigorous research, combating misinformation, and fostering international cooperation among ufological groups. The magazine advocates for a structured approach to surveillance and information gathering, emphasizing the need for credibility and authorization in all communications related to SVEPS and APPROCHE.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the professionalization and organization of ufological research, the critical importance of accurate information dissemination, and the use of modern communication tools like Citizen Band radio. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rigorous research, combating misinformation, and fostering international cooperation among ufological groups. The magazine advocates for a structured approach to surveillance and information gathering, emphasizing the need for credibility and authorization in all communications related to SVEPS and APPROCHE.