Approche - no 22 - 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: N° 22 Trimestriel
Date: Not explicitly stated, but content refers to events in late 1979 and predictions for 1980 and 1983.
Publisher: APPROCHE
Country: France
Language: French

This issue of OVNI magazine focuses heavily on the "Affaire de Cergy-Pontoise," a controversial UFO case that gained significant media attention. The magazine takes a critical stance on how the case was handled by the press and some ufological groups, emphasizing the need for a more ethical and less commercial approach to investigations.

Editorial: Cergy et au-delà

Frantz CREBELY's editorial sets the tone for the issue, questioning the initial perception of the Cergy-Pontoise case as potentially unresolvable due to media sensationalism and commercial exploitation. He highlights that personal encounters with the witnesses—Franck Fontaine, Salomon N'Diyaye, and Jean-Pierre Prevost—revealed a sincerity that contradicted the prevailing narrative. CREBELY notes that the witnesses appeared intelligent and passionate but not fanatical, and that their public lectures attracted modest audiences, suggesting a lack of commercial drive.

The editorial contrasts the Cergy witnesses with previous 'contactee' cases, such as those involving Adamski and Vorilhon-Migueres, which were heavily commercialized. It suggests that the Cergy case might represent a turning point in ufology, marked by multiple contactees and potential corroborating evidence like soil resistivity changes and Franck's disappearance. CREBELY calls for a renewed sense of ethics and morality in ufological investigations, lamenting that the 'private ufology' is in danger of being overshadowed by commercial interests and deception.

The Cergy-Pontoise Affair: A Serious Case

This section details the events surrounding the Cergy-Pontoise case, focusing on the testimonies of Franck Fontaine (19), Jean-Pierre Prevost (25), and Salomon N'Diaye, who were selling jeans at markets. The incident reportedly occurred on November 26, 1979, between 4 and 4:30 AM, in the parking lot of "La Justice Mauve" in Cergy.

While preparing to load their car to go to the Gisors market, the three friends encountered a luminous object. Franck, who was driving, reported seeing a luminous trail descending at low speed, described as an opaque white object. After Franck's disappearance, the car reportedly moved on its own to the right side of the road. The witnesses observed a dense fog surrounding the vehicle and three to four small, intense light spheres. These spheres then disappeared into a "tube" that rapidly ascended.

The police and gendarmerie investigated the scene. A police dog reportedly reacted strongly to the area where Franck was last seen. Soil resistivity tests indicated a significantly higher reading (900 kilo-Ohms) at the site of the phenomenon compared to the surrounding area (480 kilo-Ohms). The article also mentions that traces of the event are now marked by a pile of sand and a hole, with no underground utilities present.

Franck Fontaine's return eight days later is described. He claimed to have experienced only a short period of missing time, while his friends and authorities noted his eight-day disappearance. Franck recounted seeing a small, tennis-ball-sized sphere approach his car and envelop it in fog. He then felt his eyes sting and fell asleep. The car reportedly moved sideways and ended up on the right side of the road.

The magazine also touches upon the GEPAN's (Groupe d'Études et de Recherches sur les Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non identifiés) involvement, including a blood test taken from Franck. A review cited by the magazine concluded the case was likely a hoax, a conclusion the authors of the article dispute.

Communication with HAURRIO

Jean-Pierre Prevost recounts an encounter with an entity named HAURRIO in Manosque in January 1980. During a walk, he experienced a brief period of complete darkness, after which he felt a presence. He conversed with this presence, which he later identified as HAURRIO, an entity described as being about 1.80 meters tall with a kind face and loving eyes. HAURRIO reportedly communicated that extraterrestrials have been trying to contact humanity for thousands of years and that many people are already in contact, but this is often suppressed or misunderstood.

HAURRIO's message emphasizes that humanity is on a path of self-destruction due to its economic systems, leading to wars, famine, and pollution. It warns that 1983 will be an irreversible turning point, marking the beginning of humanity's self-destruction and the end of its current civilization. HAURRIO offers a way out through a positive embrace of universal love and the science brought by extraterrestrial 'brothers'.

HAURRIO states that contact is possible on August 15th of the current year (presumably 1980, given the context of the article's publication) if humanity sincerely requests it, not for the aliens' pleasure, but because humans recognize their errors and the limitations of their control over the processes they have created.

If contact is not established on August 15th, the entity suggests that by August 16th, everyone will be forced to believe, implying a significant event. HAURRIO also states that "the truth does not take refuge in silence" and urges all contactees to come forward to share their knowledge, which could help avert global crises. The entity also mentions that the visual evidence of their presence will be undeniable on August 15th.

Other Sections and Themes

Critique of Ufological Practices: The magazine strongly criticizes the commercialization and sensationalism surrounding UFO cases, particularly the Cergy affair. It laments the actions of individuals and groups who exploit witnesses for financial gain, leading to a distortion of the facts and a loss of credibility for serious research.

The Role of Official vs. Private Investigations: The article contrasts the actions of official bodies like GEPAN with those of independent researchers and the media. It suggests that official investigations can be clumsy and that private efforts are often hampered by commercial interests.

The Cergy Witnesses' Perspective: The witnesses are portrayed as sincere individuals who felt compelled to share a message. Their interactions with various groups, including the press, police, and ufological associations, are depicted as complex and often problematic.

Lettre ouverte à Messieurs les Chefs d'Etats (Open Letter to Heads of State): This section, signed by Roger-Luc MARY, addresses world leaders. It argues that the denial of extraterrestrial phenomena is a pretext to avoid confronting humanity's self-destructive path, characterized by wars, famine, and corruption. The letter calls for transparency regarding UFOs and for the acceptance of a universal love and advanced science from extraterrestrial civilizations to help humanity overcome its crises.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance:

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of ufological practices, the importance of ethical investigation, the potential for genuine extraterrestrial contact, and the critique of societal self-destruction. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards commercial exploitation within ufology, a belief in the sincerity of some witnesses, and an openness to the possibility of extraterrestrial communication, while advocating for a more responsible and ethical approach to the subject. The magazine positions itself as an independent voice seeking to present a more nuanced and critical perspective on UFO phenomena and their societal implications.

This issue of "Approche" magazine, dated December 1979, focuses heavily on UFO phenomena, particularly a significant wave of sightings in Italy during January 1979. The cover prominently features the headline "LA VAGUE DE JANVIER 79 EN ITALIE" (The January 79 Wave in Italy), indicating the primary theme. The issue also delves into the potential connection between Mars oppositions and UFO activity, and includes an interview with ufologist Dominique CAUDRON.

The January 1979 UFO Wave in Italy

The core of the magazine is dedicated to cataloging the numerous UFO sightings that occurred in Italy during January 1979. The article "LA VAGUE DE JANVIER 79 EN ITALIE" (Part 2) presents a detailed list of over 70 cases, organized chronologically by date and location. Each entry provides specific details about the sighting, including:

• Date and Time: Precise dates and times of observation.
• Location: Specific towns and regions within Italy.
• Witnesses: Names and sometimes professions or roles of the observers (e.g., ouvrier, agriculteur, enseignante, universitaire, policiers).
• Object Description: Details about the shape (globe, disc, sphere, marguerite, toupie, cigare, torpille, roue de charrette, chapeau de prêtre), color (blue, white, red, orange, yellow, green, rose), size, and luminosity of the observed objects.
• Behavior: How the objects moved (traversing rapidly, hovering, ascending vertically, disappearing, emitting light, leaving trails, etc.).
• Speed: Estimates of the objects' speed, often described as very fast or rapid.
• Altitude: General indications of altitude, such as high or high altitude.
• Effects: Any reported effects on witnesses or the environment, such as blinding light, eye burns, or temporary radio interference.

Some notable examples from the extensive list include:

• Cas n.45 (January 3, Bergame): A blue, luminous object moving directly towards Dalmine.
• Cas n.46 (January 3, Milan): Orlando Liuzzi was blinded by a bright white light from a hovering ball, leading to hospitalization for eye burns.
• Cas n.47 (January 4, Cosenza): A woman saw a "daisy"-shaped object with a central core and branches that moved away and diminished.
• Cas n.48 (January 4, Corzano): A farmer observed a globe emitting blinding light moving rapidly westward.
• Cas n.49 (January 4, Verone): A formation of 30-50 pulsating orange luminous bodies was seen crossing the sky at high speed.
• Cas n.50 (January 4, Mestre): A dark red luminous globe with violet light and a smoky trail was observed.
• Cas n.51 (January 4, Lido): A teacher witnessed a white luminous globe with a luminous tail disappear rapidly.
• Cas n.52 (January 5, Padoue): A luminous object remained stationary in the sky, prompting police intervention before it moved away.
• Cas n.53 (January 5, Verone): A disc-shaped object with white light and green lights was observed ascending vertically.
• Cas n.54 (January 5, Torre del Lago): An incandescent, top-shaped object was seen moving from the mountain towards the sea.

The article also includes a photograph from September 1978 in Perugia, Italy, related to a UFO wave in that period.

Connection Between Mars Oppositions and UFOs

Another significant section of the magazine explores the hypothesis linking UFO activity to planetary oppositions, specifically Earth-Mars oppositions. The article "MARS N'EST PAS UN HASARD" (Mars is Not a Coincidence) by Antonio RIBERA (Part 2) analyzes historical data, referencing the work of Jacques Vallée. It presents a table detailing "GENERAL TABLE OF OBSERVATIONS IN OPPOSITION PERIODS" from 1877 to 1977-8, correlating reported UFO waves and cases with specific dates of Mars oppositions. The author argues that the periods of Mars opposition are not coincidental and suggests a connection, challenging Vallée's more conservative stance on this correlation. The article highlights specific historical cases, such as the Lethbridge sighting in 1909, and discusses events from the "dead period" (1914-1946), including a large meteor event in 1933 and a unique radio experiment in 1924 that coincided with a Mars opposition.

Interview with Dominique CAUDRON

The magazine features an interview with Dominique CAUDRON, who discusses his approach to ufology. He emphasizes the importance of identifying "identified objects" rather than focusing solely on unidentified ones. CAUDRON explains his fundamental idea of eliminating the alterations caused by the transformation of visual information into verbal accounts. He has developed a system to optically reconstitute UFO phenomena using parameters similar to those of the actual object. The interview details the process, which involves witness verification and the use of modified light sources, caches, filters, and lenses to create a visual representation. He also touches upon his more ambitious ideas, including building an analog simulator to understand information circulation systems and the potential for chronospectroscopic analysis of UFOs to detect pulsations in light across different wavelengths.

Other Sections

• Editorial/Notes: The editorial section discusses the financial challenges of publishing the magazine and the acceptance of help from Patrice SERAY and his friends, while asserting editorial independence. It also mentions a note about Jean-Pierre PREVOST claiming to have been threatened by someone identifying as a member of the D.S.T.
• Book Review: A section titled "CONTACTS OVNI - CERGY-PONTOISE" reviews a book by Jimmy GUIEU, Franck FONTAINE, Jean-Pierre PREVOST, and Salomon N'DIAYE, which recounts the Cergy-Pontoise UFO incident. The review notes that the book is based on witness testimonies and aims to accurately transcribe the events and the message from the witnesses, while also distinguishing between the factual account and potential personal embellishments or publicity seeking by GUIEU.
• Comics and UFOs: A section titled "B.D. ET OVNI" (Comics and UFOs) explores the rich universe of comic strips as a medium for studying the development of the UFO myth. It highlights various French and Belgian comic series that have incorporated UFO themes, extraterrestrial encounters, and related concepts, such as "Blondin et Cirage," "Tintin," "Dan Cooper," "Spirou," and "Khèna et le Scrameustache."
• Sources: A list of newspapers and magazines (Corriere della Sera, Il Giornale Nuova, La Notte, Aho Adige, L'Adige, Il Secolo XIX, Il Piccolo) and a UFO newsletter (NOTIZIARO UFO) are cited as sources for the information presented.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed documentation of UFO sightings, the exploration of potential scientific correlations (like Mars oppositions), and the critical examination of ufological methodology. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous investigation, seeking to move beyond sensationalism and establish a more scientific understanding of UFO phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on precision, data collection, and the re-evaluation of existing concepts within ufology, as exemplified by Dominique CAUDRON's interview and the analytical approach to historical waves and planetary alignments. The magazine also acknowledges the financial realities of independent publishing and the importance of maintaining editorial integrity.

This issue of "Approche" (Issue 19) delves into the complex relationship between astronomical events, specifically Mars-Earth oppositions, and reported UFO (OVNI) phenomena. It also provides a practical guide to observing artificial satellites and reviews several books on parapsychology and ufology.

The Mars-Earth Opposition and UFO Waves

The central thesis of the article is the significant correlation between Mars-Earth oppositions and periods of heightened UFO activity, referred to as 'waves' or 'flaps'. The author, drawing heavily on the work of Ion Hobana and other researchers, presents a chronological list of historical UFO waves and their proximity to Mars oppositions. For instance, a Russian wave in 1958 and a mini-wave in Eastern Europe in 1967 are noted to have coincided with Mars oppositions. The 'acyclic wave' of 1968, studied in Spain by Ares and Lopez, was also recorded in Romania, coinciding with a Mars opposition. The article highlights the 'flap' espagnol of 1950, which mathematically coincided with a Mars opposition, and mentions other significant waves in 1954 (France), 1956, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1965, 1967 (Romania), 1971 (Yugoslavia), and 1973-74.

The author expresses a strong belief that these coincidences are too numerous to be attributed to chance, suggesting a "signal to noise ratio" that is becoming increasingly significant. The article also touches upon other cases that did not align with Mars oppositions, such as the 'foo-fighters' of 1944, the American flap of 1947, and the Antonio Villas Boas case, which occurred during periods of conjunction (when Mars is furthest from Earth).

Observing Artificial Satellites

Another section of the magazine provides a guide for observing artificial satellites. It explains that from the ground, satellites appear as points of light moving steadily across the night sky, similar in brightness to planets. Their visibility is affected by atmospheric absorption, which is inversely proportional to their angular height above the horizon. The article also details common observed anomalies, such as satellites appearing to zigzag (attributed to atmospheric turbulence) or emit blinking lights (due to rotation). It further explains how satellites can suddenly disappear or appear as they enter or exit Earth's shadow (eclipse).

Book Reviews

The issue includes several book reviews:

• "La Parapsychologie et Vous" by Paule Salomon and Charlie Cooper, illustrated by Moebius, is praised for its clarity, readability, and illustrations, though some scientists might find a lack of critical spirit regarding the reported experiences. The authors encourage interest in the development of inner consciousness.
• "La Psycho-Mutation et l'Expérience Extra-Terrestre" by Roger-Luc Mary, is described as a collection of speculations and affirmations that invites the reader to look beyond the immediate and the visible, encouraging curiosity and lucidity.
• "UFO in Italia" by Boncompagni, Conti, Lamperi, Ricci, and Sani, is recommended for those interested in serious Italian ufology, covering significant cases from the 20th century and offering historical context on Italian ufology.
• "Les Apparitions d'Humanoïdes" by Eric Zurcher, is lauded for its precise statistics and insightful analysis, comparing UFO phenomena to Marian apparitions, folklore, and psychological influences.

Editorial Stance and Financial Concerns

The editorial section addresses the financial difficulties faced by the publication, noting a general decline in serious ufology in 1980. The editors express gratitude to their printer, SNIP, for their support. They also mention that due to financial constraints, regular publication may be difficult and offer back issues to subscribers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the potential link between celestial mechanics (Mars oppositions) and unexplained aerial phenomena, the practical aspects of astronomical observation (satellites), and the broader exploration of the paranormal and ufological literature. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging critical yet curious investigation into these subjects, while also acknowledging the practical challenges of maintaining such a publication.