51 - BUFOI Magazine - No 51 - dec 1978-janv1979

Magazine Overview

This is issue number 51 of the magazine BUFOI, published in December-January 1979. The magazine is dedicated to George Adamski and operates within the framework of the International Get Acquainted Program (IGAP), which aims to foster contact and understanding with extraterrestrial civilizations. BUFOI is described as non-political, non-religious, non-sectarian, and non-profit.

Editorial

The editorial section details recent activities of the editors, including a trip to Vista, California, for personal contact with the George Adamski Foundation and other IGAP collaborators. They also mention a conference held by BUFOI in Antwerp, featuring slides on historical observations, depictions of extraterrestrials, and evidence of activities on the Moon, which drew significant public interest. The editorial also notes a successful conference in Tokyo attended by 7,000 people, organized by the IGAP Japan group, and mentions plans to invite other IGAP members to share their experiences with George Adamski.

Key Articles and Sections

Somebody Else is on the Moon

This section discusses a book by George H. Leonard titled "Somebody Else is on the Moon," which reportedly faced opposition and was banned in its country of origin, the United States. The article suggests that this opposition aims to prevent the public from receiving information about the plurality of inhabited worlds. It is mentioned that the book is a valuable work resulting from an in-depth study of Apollo photos of the Moon and has been published in French under the title "Ils n'étaient pas seuls sur la Lune" (They Were Not Alone on the Moon).

BUFOI Neerlandais

This brief note indicates positive reactions from Dutch-speaking readers to the publication in their language and mentions upcoming Dutch activities.

Telepathie (Chapter 3: Sensitivity: Principal Sense)

This extensive section, attributed to George Adamski, delves into the nature of human senses and telepathy. Adamski posits that beyond the commonly accepted five senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch), there exists a primary sense of sensitivity, which is the Force of Life. He argues that telepathy, clairvoyance, and premonition are normal functions of this sensitive element, working through the brain and mind. The text contrasts this with the limitations of the physical senses, which can be contradictory and lead to flawed judgments. Adamski uses analogies, such as the violin needing its strings to be harmonized, to explain the need for the senses to work in unity to achieve a higher understanding and connection to the Cosmic Cause. He poses hypothetical scenarios to illustrate the potential of highly developed senses operating in a 'fourth dimension.'

Colonies dans l'Espace

This section, though not detailed in the provided text, is listed in the table of contents, suggesting a discussion on space colonies.

Informations Françaises and Informations d'Espagne

These sections, also listed in the table of contents, likely provide news and updates related to UFO phenomena from France and Spain, respectively.

Observations

This section, indicated in the table of contents, is expected to contain reports of UFO sightings or related phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the belief in extraterrestrial visitation, the importance of contact and communication with non-human intelligences, and the exploration of consciousness and psychic abilities like telepathy. The editorial stance is one of promoting awareness and openness to these subjects, challenging conventional scientific and societal skepticism, and advocating for the dissemination of information that expands public understanding of the universe and humanity's place within it. The dedication to George Adamski underscores the magazine's alignment with his philosophy and work in ufology and extraterrestrial contact.

This issue of Bulletin Cosmique, dated June 1978, delves into themes of space colonization, extraterrestrial contact, and the state of UFO research, particularly in France. The magazine presents a blend of futuristic speculation, scientific projections, and critical analysis of official organizations.

The Potential for Space Colonization

The issue revisits the ideas of George Adamski, noting how many of his seemingly fantastic predictions from the 1950s and 60s are becoming increasingly plausible. It references engineer T.A. Heppenheimer and his book "Colonies dans l'Espace," which, with the assent of NASA, outlines a near-future vision of space colonization by the USA. These concepts include the construction of large cylindrical space habitats, some measuring 20 miles in length and 4 miles in diameter, designed to rotate and provide artificial gravity. These structures would contain artificial environments with mountains, fields, rivers, and even an atmosphere capable of supporting clouds and wildlife, functioning as miniature planets.

Heppenheimer's work suggests that 90% of the materials for such constructions could be sourced from the Moon, thus preserving Earth's resources. The article also touches upon the potential for intensive agriculture within these space habitats, with 100 ares (40.5 hectares) of high-yield crops being sufficient to feed a population of 10,000 people and provide breathable air.

Lunar and Asteroid Exploitation

Beyond space habitats, the magazine discusses the serious consideration of lunar mining operations. It references a book by Léonard G., "Someone Else Is on The Moon," which claims NASA is aware of mining operations on the Moon conducted by extraterrestrials, citing current NASA photos as evidence. Adamski's earlier claims from "Inside the Space Ships" (1955) about extraterrestrial mining activities near the Moon are also mentioned as being consistent with these new reports.

Furthermore, NASA's projects include capturing large asteroids and placing them in distant Earth orbits to exploit their mineral wealth. The idea is that once depleted, these asteroids could serve as relatively inexpensive space stations. The article speculates whether the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos, with their unusual shapes, might have been artificially placed in orbit for similar purposes.

Analysis of Martian Moons and Venus Exploration

The article presents a speculative analysis of Mars's two small moons, Phobos and Deimos. The author finds their crater shapes, described as 'bottle-neck' like, to be artificial. Given the low gravity of these moons, the author dismisses the possibility of meteorites of significant size creating such craters or volcanic activity being the cause. These observations, coupled with 'curious' phenomena reported by scientists, lead to the conviction that these moons are artificial.

Regarding Venus, the magazine notes that NASA's plan to send six new spacecraft suggests a potential shift in understanding the planet's conditions. The article implies that the initial assumption of a 900°C surface temperature, which made life seem impossible, might not be as definitively accepted by NASA as the public believes, questioning why further exploration would be necessary if the planet were truly lifeless and hostile.

Critique of GEPAN and French UFO Research

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a critical examination of GEPAN (Groupe d'Etude des Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non identifiés), a French UFO research organization. The article recounts a meeting where GEPAN representatives, including its director, J.F. Gille, and Claude Poher, presented their work. The author expresses disappointment with the approach, particularly the dismissive attitude towards 'private' UFO researchers, who were deemed unqualified compared to 'professional scientists.'

Key criticisms include GEPAN's reliance on gendarmerie reports as its sole source of information, suggesting that more significant cases might be handled by discreet, unacknowledged groups. The article points to the rapid intervention of 'unidentified services' in past cases like Quarouble (1954) and Valensole (1965) as examples of this discretion. The author likens GEPAN's role to that of a public relations office, designed to manage public perception and 'let off steam' rather than conduct rigorous scientific investigation.

The article notes that GEPAN's permanent team members dedicate only 10% of their work time to UFO studies, and that many of the invited 'private' association delegates were not professional scientists, but rather were given official recognition, seemingly for show. The author perceives the GEPAN's overall effort as one of discouragement and demobilization, suggesting that higher authorities are aware of the UFO phenomenon but are content to let GEPAN manage the public's interest.

Personal Observation

The issue concludes with a personal account by Fred Steckling, dated November 19, 1978, describing an observation made in October 1977 near Winchester, England. While driving at night, Steckling and a companion observed a luminous yellow-orange object moving in the sky. When asked if there was an airfield nearby, the companion replied negatively. The object then turned left and disappeared.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the potential for humanity's expansion into space, the ongoing mystery of UFOs, and a skepticism towards official scientific and governmental bodies that claim to handle these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, advocating for transparency and a more inclusive approach to UFO research, while also acknowledging the scientific and technological advancements that are making space colonization a tangible possibility. There is a clear undercurrent of distrust towards organizations like GEPAN, which are portrayed as bureaucratic and perhaps deliberately obstructive to genuine understanding.

This issue of OVNI magazine, primarily published by Nice-Matin in 1978, focuses on various unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings and incidents reported across different countries.

Reported Incidents

France

• Hammenille (Late February 1978): The magazine begins with a personal account of an object observed near Hammenille. The witness describes it as having a similar shape to one seen in England in 1977. The object was about half a kilometer from their route, appeared almost immobile, and moved slowly to the left. It was clearly distinguished by multiple witnesses. The driver of the vehicle reportedly looked too late as the object turned left, ascended, and disappeared.
• Mont-Blanc (September 27, 1978): A report from LE PARISIEN details an incident near the Mont-Blanc massif where two hunters in Chamonix observed a strange phenomenon in the sky. They later recounted their adventure to the Gendarmes.
• Col de la Terrasse, near Vallorcine (September 1978): Two men observed an object above the Aiguille Verte for approximately seven minutes. One end of the object was incandescent, and it emitted two gas beams at a 30-degree angle. These beams disappeared, and the object was then surrounded by a nebulous halo before moving north.
• Flayosc (November 29, 1978): Mme Georges Pons, returning home with her husband, observed an orange spherical object with a tail near Flayosc. She described it as a large, somewhat blurry sphere that turned orange as it accelerated. The object moved from east to west at a speed she described as 'stupendous.' She emphasized it could not have been an airplane, noting the clear, starry sky.
• Franco-Swiss Border (Early December 1978): The meteorological service at the Bâle-Mulhouse airport reported a UFO sighting. The object, described as a luminous white sphere about 100 meters in diameter, was approximately 25 km away. It was moving at very high speed from the direction of Belfort towards Bâle, leaving red trails. The meteorological observation unit in Belfort also observed the same phenomenon.

Italy

• Abruzzes region (Late November 1978): Several towns in the Abruzzes region reported sightings of UFOs. In Pescare, amateur photographers claimed to have seen four different craft, including luminous circles and flying domes emitting various colored lights. Two 'very luminous bodies' were seen moving towards Chieti. These individuals photographed one of the craft. Further south, near Terano, numerous witnesses reported seeing four very luminous UFOs that emitted a loud rumble as they flew overhead. A similar phenomenon was reported in Lanciano, where a very luminous object emitting colored rays and a low rumble was visible for six minutes.

Argentina

• Santiago del Estero (Date not specified, but implied to be late 1978): An Argentine animator, Perla Caron, was presenting a show in a brasserie in Santiago del Estero when an unidentified flying object appeared across the Rio Dulce. The object emitted white lights within a reddish halo. A powerful beam of light from the UFO illuminated the stage and the audience of two hundred spectators. This unexpected event reportedly disrupted Perla Caron's performance.

Bolivia

• El Taire mountain, Tarija (May 6, 1978): A detailed report, originating from an Argentine investigator, describes a UFO crash in a mountainous region of Bolivia near the Argentine border. The incident occurred at 4:30 PM local time. The object was described as intelligently controlled, moving at approximately 90 meters altitude and 350 km/h, emitting a piercing whistle. It headed towards the foothills of Mount El Taire and crashed violently onto the rocky surface. Hundreds of witnesses, including mine engineers and military personnel, observed the event. The impact created a massive luminous flash visible for 150 km, followed by a terrifying explosion and a localized earthquake felt up to 250 km away in Argentina. The impact site revealed a crater estimated at 1500 meters long, 500 meters wide, and 400 meters deep. Astonishingly, an estimated 300 million cubic meters of granite were reported to have disappeared from the crater area. Military authorities declared the zone a military control area. NASA scientists were reportedly involved in the investigation, aided by Bolivian armed forces. The metallic cylinder-shaped object, described as highly lustrous with red-orange glints, was later found on the ground, possibly deformed by the collision. It was reportedly airlifted by helicopters and transported to the United States via a USAF military plane.

Portugal

• Figueira Da Foz (November 23, 1978): According to the Lisbon newspaper 'Diario Popular,' all the watches in a building in Figueira Da Foz stopped simultaneously for about an hour around the time a UFO was reportedly sighted over the city. A tenant discovered his electronic watch had stopped at 11:23 PM, and upon checking, found all other watches in his apartment had also stopped at the same time. This phenomenon was confirmed by other residents. Some speculate it was caused by a magnetic phenomenon from a UFO.

South America (Other Sightings)

• Mendoza, Argentina (May 10, 1978): A flotilla of 30 unidentified objects was observed in a 'V' formation.
• Arica, Chile (May 15, 1978): Seven unknown objects were reported to be pursuing a passenger bus.
• Punta Arenas (May 17, 1978): An unidentified aerial object reportedly stopped the engine of a truck.
• Santiago, Chile (May 24, 1978): Several UFOs with flashing lights were observed flying in a 'V' formation.
• Rosario, Argentina (Date not specified): A group of 30 UFOs in formation was observed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO sightings as credible phenomena, often citing multiple witnesses, including professionals and authorities. The reports are generally factual and detailed, aiming to document these events. There is an underlying theme of unexplained aerial phenomena impacting various regions globally, with a particular focus on Europe and South America in this issue. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry and documentation of UFO reports, without overt skepticism, but rather presenting the accounts as they were reported and investigated.

This issue of the magazine features a prominent article titled "UNE NUIT TERRIBLE" (A Terrible Night), detailing two significant unidentified flying object (UFO) or unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) sightings in Spain. The content focuses on witness testimonies and the investigative efforts surrounding these events.

The Géréna Incident (August 1973)

The primary focus of the article is a sighting that occurred on a Saturday in mid-August 1973, around 3:30 AM, near Géréna in the province of Seville, Spain. Seven peasants who were irrigating a cotton field witnessed the appearance of a large, unidentified object. The object reportedly flew at very low altitude, repeatedly hovering over the field. The witnesses were forced to lie down in the mud as the object passed just centimeters above them, brushing against the cotton plants.

The UFO was described as having the classic shape of an upside-down saucer and was estimated by one witness to be about 35 meters in diameter. It emitted a blinding white light that illuminated the entire area. A sound, described as similar to that produced by jet aircraft but much less intense, was also heard. Each time the object ascended, a white mist enveloped the area, obscuring the stars, but this phenomenon dissipated quickly.

During the object's final pass, one witness believed the craft was going to crash into one of his companions who was further away, indicating how low it was flying. This incident took place approximately 3.5 kilometers east of Géréna.

The investigators for this case are listed as Joaquim Mateos Nogales, Manuel Filpo Cabana, Gloria Andreu de los Santos, and Antonio Moya Cerpa. Antonio Moya Cerpa is also credited with the report and drawings.

The Villaverde del Rio Incident (May 1978)

Another section of the magazine details observations made near Villaverde del Rio, Seville, on Saturday, May 13, 1978, around 1:00 AM. This report comes from a group of five individuals who describe themselves as skeptical researchers interested in the UFO mystery. They were in the countryside specifically to observe and potentially photograph any unusual aerial phenomena.

These investigators, familiar with nocturnal luminous phenomena, aimed to avoid confusion with conventional aircraft, satellites, or meteorites. They reported observing four unidentified objects. The first sighting involved a reddish "star" moving in a zig-zag pattern from the east. Upon closer observation with 10x50 binoculars, it was identified as a completely red circular object that disappeared in the west.

Minutes later, a second reddish object appeared, moving at high speed about 45 degrees above the horizon. This object also disappeared similarly to the first. About ten minutes after that, two elongated objects appeared side-by-side, moving west-to-east at an altitude of 75 degrees above the horizon.

The smaller of these two objects disappeared quickly. The larger one continued its course, and the observers focused their binoculars on it. They described its shape as cylindrical, with three domes on its surface. The lower dome was red with a matching halo, the central dome was white-yellow with a halo, and the top dome glowed blue with a green halo. The rest of the structure appeared metallic grey. On the underside of the UFO, they observed what appeared to be a turbine-like structure suggesting depth. The apparent length of this craft, measured at arm's length, was about 10 centimeters, and the total observation time was between 4 and 5 minutes.

After making a quarter-circle turn and approaching the witnesses' vertical position, the object headed south and disappeared. All five witnesses observed this phenomenon through binoculars, and infrared photos were taken.

While the commentary on this incident was ongoing, a new reddish point appeared from the west, traversing half the sky. Upon reaching the observers' vertical position, the object vanished instantaneously, seemingly volatilizing, and could not be located again.

Notably, during all four observations, the witnesses heard no sound from the objects themselves. However, they did hear an airplane pass in the distance shortly afterward, with all its navigation lights on.

Witnesses and Locations

The witnesses for the Villaverde del Rio incident are identified as: José Gomez Munos (30, mechanic), Francisco Moron Bejarano (23, auxiliary at the University Hospital of Seville), Francisco-José Jiménez Méndez (18, student), and Julio Centeno Moya (24, automobile brake specialist). All reside in Seville. The location was a path called "Chemin du Sanctuaire" (Sanctuary Path), halfway between Villaverde del Rio and Cantillana, approximately 24 km north of Seville.

Francisco Moron Bejarano had previously taken an infrared photograph near Matalascanas, Huelva province, without seeing anything with the naked eye. The group had already taken several infrared films with results that were not entirely negative.

Commentary and Conclusion

The article concludes with commentary emphasizing the difference between a casual witness and a group of five individuals who regularly study the sky. The authors suggest that this dedicated approach indicates a growing awareness of the UFO problem and a serious effort to investigate this complex mystery. The report and drawings are again attributed to Antonio Moya Cerpa.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to take a serious and investigative approach to UFO phenomena. The editorial stance is one of careful consideration of witness accounts and the efforts of dedicated researchers. The publication highlights the importance of systematic investigation and documentation, as evidenced by the detailed reports, witness lists, and the inclusion of photographic and drawn evidence. The recurring theme is the presentation of unexplained aerial phenomena as a genuine mystery worthy of study, with a focus on credible witness testimony and investigative rigor.