17 - UFO Contact BUFOI - No 17 - 1968

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Contact
Issue: 17
Publisher: BUFOI (Belgian UFO Study Group)
Language: French
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of UFO Contact, a Belgian magazine dedicated to the study of flying saucers, presents a diverse range of articles and reports. It includes critical analyses of official UFO investigations, accounts of recent sightings, and scientific discussions on extraterrestrial life and space.

Editorial

The editorial section critically examines the UFO project at the University of Colorado, led by Dr. Edward U. Condon. It highlights concerns raised by Robert Low, the project's coordinator, and the subsequent resignations of researchers like Dr. David Saunders and Dr. Norman Levine. The editorial suggests that the project's focus on skepticism and psychological aspects of witnesses, rather than objective investigation of UFO phenomena, was a deliberate strategy. It questions the official conclusions and the role of agencies like the U.S. Air Force and CIA in shaping the narrative.

The Colorado Project Controversy

Further details emerge regarding the internal conflicts within the Colorado Project. The article recounts a meeting between Condon, Low, and Saunders where Saunders expressed concerns about the project's negative approach. It details the fallout from a memo sent by Dr. James E. McDonald, which led to confrontations and the eventual departure of key personnel. Mrs. Mary Louise Amstrong, a former assistant to Robert Low, provides an account of the team's lack of confidence in the project's direction and Low's alleged attempts to minimize findings.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The magazine features several reports of recent UFO sightings. A significant event described is the widespread phenomenon observed across Europe on November 20, 1968, with various interpretations offered by experts, including meteorites and falling satellites. Specific sightings include luminous objects in Norwich and Lowestoft, UK, and a lenticular object in Fleury d'Aude, France. The issue also reports on mysterious landing tracks discovered in the Andes Mountains, described as regular blocks of stone, which an expert identified as potential UFO landing sites.

Scientific Discussions

Venus and the Possibility of Life:
An article by Evert Clark, based on statements by Dr. Willard F. Libby, a Nobel laureate in chemistry, proposes that Venus might have ice caps and potentially support life. Libby's theory suggests that despite Venus's high equatorial temperatures, conditions near the ice caps could allow for small oceans and lakes, possibly harboring life forms. This theory challenges previous assumptions about Venus being too hot for life.

The Moon and Space Exploration:
In a Q&A format, Georges Adamski addresses questions about space exploration. He discusses why extraterrestrials might not reveal themselves openly, citing humanity's lack of preparedness and potential for panic. Adamski also touches upon the Moon, suggesting the existence of a sufficient atmosphere and even human-built structures, implying a more advanced understanding of space than publicly acknowledged.

Historical Accounts of Aerial Phenomena

Ancient Civilizations and UFOs:
Andrew Tomas contributes an article exploring ancient texts from India, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata, which describe aerial vehicles or 'vimanas'. These accounts suggest advanced technology capable of flight and combat. The article also references Chinese historical texts mentioning early aviators and flying machines, as well as myths about beings from space and celestial travelers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO Contact maintains its critical stance towards official UFO investigations, emphasizing the need for independent research and transparency. The magazine consistently questions the motives and methods of government agencies and scientific bodies involved in studying UFOs. A recurring theme is the belief in extraterrestrial visitation and the potential for advanced civilizations to influence or interact with humanity. The publication advocates for an open mind and a willingness to accept unconventional explanations for aerial phenomena, often drawing upon historical accounts and philosophical perspectives to support its views.

This issue of BUFOI, dated August 1968, is primarily dedicated to exploring the potential of infrasound as a method for detecting Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The cover headline boldly states 'NEW RESEARCH BASES FOR THE DETECTION OF UFOs: INFRASOUNDS.' The magazine delves into the scientific aspects of infrasound, its detection via barometers, and its correlation with atmospheric phenomena and potential UFO activity.

Research into Infrasound for UFO Detection

The lead article, 'NOUVELLES BASES DE RECHERCHES POUR LA DETECTION DES O.V.N.I. : LES INFRASONS,' posits that just as solar magnetic storms cause perturbations in the Earth's magnetic field, miniature artificial suns (UFOs) could similarly affect it. It highlights research by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) which discovered that magnetic storms are not only electrical but also acoustic phenomena, creating periodic movements in the atmosphere, specifically infrasound. The article credits a researcher named Chrzanowski with understanding that these 'unknowns' could propagate over vast distances and that barometers are ideal instruments for their registration. By analyzing barometric recordings worldwide, Chrzanowski found correlations between volcanic eruptions emitting infrasound and barometric depressions, similar to those recorded by Torricelli's apparatus. This was further supported by an analysis of the Tunguska meteorite explosion in 1908.

The magazine suggests that infrasonic detection devices, like those built by Fred. B. Daniels, could be strategically placed to determine the speed and propagation of these phenomena. The conclusion drawn is that studying thousands of barometric recordings related to UFO appearances could reveal important characteristics of these 'Mysterious Celestial Objects.' The article also reminds readers that animals are sensitive to infrasound, which may explain their reactions to certain phenomena.

Project: Infrasound and UFOs

A 'PROJECT' section proposes a modern-day endeavor, similar to Chrzanowski's work, to establish a correlation between UFO overflights of specific locations and simultaneous barometric anomalies. By analyzing variations in atmospheric pressure in areas overflown by UFOs, it is suggested that a significant key to understanding the UFO problem might be found.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

The issue is rich with reports of UFO sightings from various parts of the world, particularly Argentina.

Argentina

Under the heading 'OBSERVATIONS,' the magazine details numerous incidents:

• Buenos Aires: Reports of mysterious flying objects have increased, prompting reactions from the Argentine Army. The navy is reportedly recording all serious testimonies. Five lights were seen in Antarctica moving in the same direction, reported by the Argentine army and Chilean and English bases.
• Salta: A teenager reported seeing a nearly two-meter-tall individual in luminous clothing hovering in the air. This sighting was confirmed by fifteen people, including three police officers.
• Olavarria and Rosario: Numerous testimonies were collected. A woman claimed to have been abducted by a flying saucer and returned miles from her home. In Rosario, workers reported seeing a flying disc, and nine new testimonies emerged. One worker was temporarily blinded by a brilliant light from space.
• June 5, 1968: Two pilots of Aerolineas Argentinas, on a flight to Punta Arenas, reported seeing a luminous object of elongated shape moving above the horizon. The co-pilot described it as a bluish-grey disc with a prominent red-orange underside, hovering at an altitude of 1800-2000 meters and maneuvering at 90-degree angles. Other passengers also witnessed the object.
• June 24, 1968 (Rosario): A circular object, about 20 meters wide, was observed moving slowly, emitting a bright red light. Two witnesses heard a humming sound. This sighting occurred shortly after a previous one, and it was noted that UFO presence had previously caused electrical surges, blowing fuses in the transmission equipment.
• July 12, 1968 (Necochea): Captain Jorge Boveda of the ship 'Rio Grande' reported seeing a UFO emitting flashes of light, conical in shape, with colors oscillating from orange to violet. The object moved to within 800 meters of the ship before ascending and disappearing. Other witnesses confirmed this sighting.
• July 1968 (Mendoza): UFOs were tracked from the control tower of El Pluerillo airport. They exhibited greenish reflections from their upper structures and reddish light from their lower parts. A pilot on a flight from Mendoza to Santiago de Chili also reported seeing a UFO at 11,000 feet.

Bolivia

• June 27, 1968 (El Choro): Flying saucers were sighted three times near El Choro. A spherical, sparkling blue object was observed flying over the region and landing, emitting a strong, deleterious odor and carbonizing the surroundings.
• June 19, 1968 (Cabreria): A villager named Romulo Velasco reported seeing a luminous object land, from which a tall, slender entity descended. Velasco lost consciousness when he attempted to approach.

Spain

• August 1968 (Nord-East of Madrid): Spanish Air Force jets attempted to intercept a UFO. A pilot in an F-104 jet pursued an object at over 50,000 feet but had to abandon the chase due to fuel limitations. Thousands of people in Madrid witnessed a mysterious triangular object.

Sweden

• April 5, 1968 (Daily Mirror report): Villagers discovered a phantom hole in the ice of a Swedish lake, measuring 18 by 27 meters. Experts ruled out an airplane impact and considered a meteorite, but the size was deemed too large. The hole was described as having no traces around it, except for some ice blocks.

France

• August 1968 (Noirmoutier): Two young women and a young man reported seeing an oval-shaped craft with orange and red lights moving rapidly in the sky. The sighting lasted about five minutes.

Algeria

• August 1968 (Biskra): A bizarre object resembling an umbrella, trailing a green luminous trail, was seen for thirty seconds, hovering at cloud level and emitting a dazzling flash of light before disappearing.

Belgium

• August 6, 1968 (Bihain): A witness reported seeing several 'flying saucers' on Sunday, August 28th, and Tuesday, August 30th. The first object was described as a large star moving irregularly, stopping, then moving in zig-zags. Another object, larger than stars, also moved in zig-zags. The witness also noted observations of three airplanes and several shooting stars.

Other Sections

• FLASHS: This section contains brief news items, including a report about an alchemical hieroglyph on the right door of Notre-Dame de Paris resembling an 'Bird-Man' possibly linked to the Egyptian god Horus. It also includes an 'Alert! The "Ummosien" are arriving...' report about a colony of extraterrestrials from the planet Ummo in Spain, claimed by a priest.
• Organizations: Contact information is provided for various UFO research organizations and publishers, including BUFOI, Fraternity of Cosmic Sons and Daughters, and The George Adamski Foundation, along with subscription details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the scientific investigation of UFOs, particularly through the analysis of infrasound and atmospheric phenomena, and the extensive documentation of UFO sightings from around the globe. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, presenting scientific hypotheses alongside eyewitness accounts. There is a clear emphasis on gathering and analyzing data, with a call for further research and correlation of observations. The magazine aims to inform its readers about the latest developments in ufology, both in terms of scientific research and reported encounters.