00 - BUFOI Magazine - No 00 (annee 0) - 1954

Magazine Overview

This document is an article from a publication titled "Projet \"Blue Book\"", dated April 1954, with the issue identifier N: 0. The main headline, in French, asks "Pourquoi les astronomes ne veulent pas parler de la Lune" (Why astronomers do not want to talk about the Moon). The article is marked as "TOP SECRET". The publisher is identified as "Les Editeurs". The original language is French.

The Moon: A World of Mysteries

The article, written by Joseph Millard, a well-known historical and scientific writer, challenges the conventional view of the Moon as a dead, airless, and cold celestial body. Millard argues that recent observations by scientists reveal phenomena that contradict established knowledge, suggesting the Moon is far more dynamic and potentially inhabited than previously believed.

Challenging Established Facts

Millard begins by recounting the basic "facts" taught about the Moon: impossibility of life due to lack of air, its coldness, and its surface being covered with extinct volcanoes and dead rock. However, he asserts that these "facts" are no longer tenable. He presents a list of observations that suggest otherwise:

1. Activity and Structures: Lights are seen moving, mountains shift, and structures resembling buildings, pyramids, cathedrals, enclosures, and tunnels are reportedly being constructed.
2. Atmospheric Phenomena: If the Moon lacks air, it possesses a highly effective substitute that supports clouds, refracts light, moves mountains, and carries incandescent meteors.
3. Temperature Variations: While generally perceived as cold, parts of the Moon are observed to be hot.
4. Crater Origins: Scientific understanding now suggests that the immense lunar craters may not be extinct volcanoes, with some showing signs of eruption.
5. Lunar Composition: The Moon may not be a simple sphere, and if it is made of rock, it is of a strange kind.

Dynamic and Changing Surface

Contrary to the idea of a dead world, the Moon exhibits changes that appear to be influenced by seasons. The article claims these lunar activities have a tangible effect on Earth, disrupting radio signals and timing signals, and even seemingly shortening the distance between New York and London.

Historical Hoaxes and Modern Discoveries

The article references the 1835 "New York Sun" hoax by Richard Adams Locke, who fabricated a story about winged monkeys on the Moon based on a report attributed to astronomer Sir John Herschel. This historical anecdote serves as a backdrop to the more recent, and seemingly more credible, discoveries.

Millard highlights that numerous astonishing discoveries about the Moon have been made, accumulating evidence that, while not yet definitive proof of intelligent civilization, is causing sleepless nights for proponents of the "no life" theory. Strange formations, described as crossed lines and squares resembling aerial photographs of city blocks, have been observed. Astronomer Gruithuisen identified such a formation over 130 years ago, sparking a scientific debate that continues. Initially ridiculed, Gruithuisen's discovery of a "city" on the Moon has since been corroborated by similar formations in craters like Platon and Gassendi, with new blocks and streets appearing over time.

Unusual Events and Observations

Several specific incidents are detailed:

• Aristarohus Crater (December 1915): A new, previously unremarked black enclosure appeared.
• Archimedes Crater (1922): Three long, artificial-looking ramparts were discovered, forming a triangle connected by low earthworks.
• Birt Crater: A long, phantom-like object resembling a sword or cathedral has been observed.
• Littrow Crater: A formation resembling the Greek letter Gamma appeared.
• Plinius and other Craters: Formations resembling the letter X have been seen.
• Lunar Mountains: Features like the Alps and Apennines are described as incredibly wild and rugged, with peaks reaching five to six miles high, some shining as if covered in ice.
• Liebnitz Chain: Located at the south pole, this chain is so high that its peaks are illuminated by the sun even when the rest of the Moon is dark, earning it the name "Mountains of Eternal Light".

The Mystery of Lunar Craters

The origin of lunar craters, numbering over 300,000 and varying greatly in size, has been a subject of debate for decades. While initially thought to be extinct volcanoes, questions arise about how volcanoes of such immense size (up to 180 miles in diameter) could erupt, and why the crater floors are not uniformly flat if they were formed by solidified lava. Some craters even have mountainous peaks in their centers.

Scientific Reluctance and Amateur Contributions

The article criticizes the scientific establishment for imposing an "Argent Curtain" over these lunar enigmas. It notes that the "Monthly Notices" of the Royal Astronomical Society has not mentioned the Moon in its table of contents for years, and most specialized magazines have followed suit. The author suggests that professional astronomers are too preoccupied with theoretical physics, such as Einstein's universe, to focus on lunar studies, leaving such investigations to amateurs.

Amateur astronomers, using relatively small telescopes (six to ten inches), have made significant discoveries. The article points out that for a few hundred dollars, anyone can build a reflecting telescope and contribute to lunar observation. Discoveries of great importance have been made even with ordinary binoculars or the naked eye.

Anomalous Phenomena and Physical Laws

The article delves into several perplexing phenomena:

• Lunar Eclipse Anomalies: During a total lunar eclipse on March 19, 1848, the Moon turned red and then became three times brighter than its normal illumination, defying explanation.
• Shadow Discrepancies: On April 28, 1930, a solar eclipse was predicted to have a shadow half a mile wide, but the actual shadow measured five miles.
• Meteorite Impacts: Calculations suggest that 70,000 meteors per hour strike the Moon. A 10-pound meteorite impacting at 70 miles per second would cause an explosion large enough to be observed telescopically. Observations in 1941 confirmed such flashes.
• Lunar Rays: Mysterious rays, appearing as bright splashes emanating from craters like Kepler and Aristarchus, have been observed. The Tycho rays are 10 miles wide and 1000 miles long. These rays do not cast shadows and seem to traverse lunar terrain without deviation, baffling astronomers.
• Lunar Streams: Deep crevasses, some half a mile wide and extending for hundreds of miles, are described as empty "ribbons".
• Disappearing Craters: The crater Linne, once a prominent black crater in Mare Serenitatis, turned white and then disappeared entirely, only to reappear later. Similarly, the crater Alhazen vanished completely, and Hyginus N appeared, grew, and disappeared multiple times.
• Dust and Gravity: Radar analysis suggested lunar dust, but it behaved in ways that defied gravity, sticking to vertical rock surfaces.
• Atmospheric Impossibility: Despite observations of clouds and atmospheric effects, the Moon's gravity (one-sixth of Earth's) is considered too weak to retain an atmosphere.
• Radar Signal Anomalies: Astronomers have sent radar signals to the Moon, only to receive nothing back, suggesting the Moon absorbs or deflects them in an inexplicable manner.

The "Diable" of Lunar Science

Millard concludes that the Moon is a source of immense frustration for astronomers, who are unable to explain its behavior or composition. He poses questions about its origin: was it torn from a liquid Earth by centrifugal force, or did it wander from distant space and become trapped by Earth's gravity? The article suggests that the Moon offers equally plausible, yet contradictory, explanations for its existence.

Conclusion

The article paints a picture of the Moon as a dynamic and enigmatic celestial body, full of unexplained phenomena that challenge conventional scientific understanding. It highlights the contributions of amateur observers and criticizes the reticence of professional astronomers to address these mysteries, implying that a significant aspect of lunar reality remains hidden from public view.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this article are the unexplained anomalies on the Moon, the mysterious nature of its surface and phenomena, and the perceived reluctance of the scientific community, particularly professional astronomers, to investigate and discuss these anomalies openly. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards established lunar science and advocacy for further investigation into the unusual observations, suggesting that the Moon holds secrets that challenge our understanding of the universe. The article implicitly supports the idea that there might be more to the Moon than meets the eye, possibly even signs of non-human activity or advanced natural processes not yet understood.

This issue of UFO magazine, dated January 1955, delves into the mysteries of the Moon, presenting it as a potential frontier for UFO activity and unexplained phenomena. The content is primarily in French, with a focus on lunar anomalies, sightings, and the Moon's influence on Earth.

Lunar Anomalies and Sightings

The magazine begins by discussing observations of 'spots' on the Moon, with Walter Hess proposing they are points of radioactivity. During a lunar eclipse on August 26, 1942, observers noted changes in these spots, with some appearing warmer than the surrounding surface. The text questions whether these are geological or radioactive phenomena.

Several articles detail specific sightings of unusual lights and objects on the Moon. In October 1916, a reddish shadow was observed passing over Platon, and similar phenomena were noted over Hercule and Gassendi. Two British astronomers in New Zealand reported a large, dark shadow covering a significant portion of the Moon, described as being as dark as Earth's shadow during an eclipse.

More dramatic accounts include the observation of an intensely black object, estimated at 50 by 250 miles, seen by Dr. F. B. Harris on January 27, 1912. This object was described as resembling a perched crow. Professor John Heywood reportedly saw the dark side of the Moon glowing with a strange, nebulous light. Reverend Rankin and Professor Chevolier observed swirling lights and shadows.

Historical accounts are also presented, including Sir John Herschel's reports of numerous lights on the Moon over 200 years prior, which he attributed to volcanic activity, though he was intrigued by their position above the lunar surface.

Significant events include the 'Grand Spectacle' in the Platon crater, which began in 1869 and lasted nearly three years, during which 30 bright lights illuminated the crater floor, forming groups and disappearing in a symphony of light. The Société Royale formed a committee to observe this phenomenon, recording 1600 observations and creating 37 charts.

During eclipses, observers have frequently reported seeing squadrons of dark objects maneuvering in the lunar sky. A notable incident on November 16, 1910, involved a bright light and a projected ball of light from the Moon's surface.

C. Stanley Ogilvy of Trinity College admitted to observing lights around the Moon, though he suggested they might be small, uncatalogued asteroids. The article humorously suggests that if asteroids are maneuvering around the Moon, a deep underground shelter might be necessary.

Unusual illuminations have also been reported from specific lunar features, such as Mount Piton in Mare Imbrium, which reportedly lit up like a firefly and projected rays of light, possibly in preparation for a terrestrial rocket reception.

Lunar Influence on Earth

The magazine extends its investigation to the Moon's influence on Earth. It highlights the Moon's role in causing tides, noting that their timing is crucial for maritime activities. However, it suggests that when the Moon 'gets involved,' things become chaotic, citing an instance in Tampa, Florida, where tide tables were found to be completely erroneous.

The article explains that tidal attraction slows Earth's rotation, but the Earth's gravity has had a greater effect on the Moon, creating a bulge. It is suggested that the entire Earth's crust is attracted by lunar tides, which may explain how the Moon can disturb hourly signals between Greenwich and Washington. The prominence of the lunar tide is said to effectively bring the two cities closer by 63 feet.

Professor Harlan T. Stetson's research at MIT suggests a relationship between the Moon's position and earthquakes. He is also developing a theory that the Moon reflects invisible forces from the Sun, causing strange and inexplicable effects on Earth.

Furthermore, the Moon influences shortwave radio, with average decreases in bandwidth occurring around full and new moons. This effect is observed globally, with a notable decrease in Peru.

Astrology and Lunar Cycles

The magazine touches upon the controversial topic of astrology, noting that astronomers are vehemently opposed to the idea that celestial bodies influence human life. However, it points out the irony that the Moon, often associated with lunar cycles and perceived influences, is the subject of extensive scientific observation.

Lunar Effects on Living Organisms

The article presents evidence suggesting that the Moon's phases affect biological cycles. The iris 'Morea Iridoides' flowers during the first quarter and full moon. The marine worm 'Eunice Viridis,' the 'Palolo' of Hawaii, and the grunion of California all spawn during the full moon.

Professor Harold S. Burr's research at Yale indicates a significant increase in electrical force potential in living organisms during the full moon. Dr. Leonard J. Revits at Duke University conducted experiments showing changes in the vital force of students correlating with the Moon's phases, though the effects varied, with some showing increases and others decreases.

Conclusion and Editorial Stance

The magazine concludes by emphasizing that the Moon has always been blamed for human follies, and that its influence is undeniable, even if not fully understood. It suggests that the Moon's effects are not limited to its visible light but can occur even in complete darkness. The article ends with a cautionary note, urging readers not to dismiss anything related to the Moon, even if it seems strange, as extremely strange things are happening there.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained phenomena on the Moon, the potential for lunar-based extraterrestrial activity, and the Moon's profound, often overlooked, influence on Earth and its inhabitants. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these anomalies, challenging the skepticism of the mainstream scientific community and highlighting the need for further investigation into lunar mysteries.