CERPI - no 04 - mai 1976

Magazine Overview

This issue of CERPI, a French magazine focused on unexplained phenomena, is identified as volume 14, issue numbers 16/17, with a raw date of June-July 1975. The title 'CERPI' is prominently displayed, along with its full name: 'Centre d'études et de recherches des phénomènes inexpliqués' (Center for Studies and Research of Unexplained Phenomena). The magazine is based in Saintes, France, at 51 rue St Pallais. A quote from Blaise Pascal, 'The last step of reason is to recognize that there are an infinity of things that surpass it,' sets a philosophical tone. The cover also features a circular emblem incorporating 'UFOLOGIE', 'SPIRITISME', 'ARCHEOLOGIE', 'MYSTERIEUSE', and 'ENIGMES', with an illustration depicting a UFO and figures.

Editorial

The editorial section discusses the various attitudes towards unexplained phenomena, ranging from indifference to dismissal ('dénégation') and finally to interest, which implies modesty, openness, and intellectual freedom. It highlights the formation and first anniversary of CERPI in Charente-Maritime, established in March 1975 as an association under the 1901 law. The organization's objectives are to inform, be informed, exchange, and experiment. CERPI has 38 active members and 8 sympathizers, with a headquarters and a public meeting space open on Saturdays. They offer a library and observation equipment to members. Their activities in the first year included 15 investigations into typical UFO landing and passage cases. Research groups are being formed on themes such as occultism, archaeology, parapsychology, UFOs, and related sciences like astronomy. Meetings are held on the last Saturday of each month, and the CERPI journal has been published since January 1976. The editorial invites interested individuals to join.

Astronomy Section

The astronomy section delves into celestial navigation and observation. It explains 'Le Carré de Pégase' (The Square of Pegasus), a quadrilateral asterism that, despite its name, is not a perfect square. It describes how this asterism, along with stars like Andromeda and Mirfak, can help locate the celestial pole. The text details how two sides of the Pegasus square converge towards the North Pole and how other stars like Algenib and Sirrah relate to the celestial meridian. It also mentions the Andromeda Nebula as the only spiral nebula visible to the naked eye. The section further explains 'Ascension Droite' (Right Ascension), defining it as a measure of an angle related to an object's position in the sky. It also touches upon observations from the North and South Poles, noting that at the poles, observers see stars that neither rise nor set, maintaining a constant altitude. A celestial map is included, showing constellations and their positions throughout the year, with magnitudes indicated.

Another part of the astronomy section, titled 'B. COORDONNEES HORIZONTALES' (Horizontal Coordinates), explains the use of a theodolite to measure the horizontal coordinates of celestial bodies. It describes the instrument's components and how to use it to determine Azimuth (the angle of rotation from a reference direction) and Altitude (the angle above the horizon). The section 'C. MOUVEMENT DIURNE' (Diurnal Movement) explains the fundamental law of celestial motion: the apparent rotation of the celestial sphere around an axis passing through the celestial poles. This movement is uniform and causes stars to trace circular paths. The 'Pôle Boréal' (North Celestial Pole) is noted to coincide with the star Alpha of the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Dipper), also known as the Pole Star.

Investigations and Cases

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to investigations, particularly an 'Enquête C.E.R.P.I.' (CERPI Investigation) concerning an alleged landing in Nieul les Saintes in 1975. The report details two sightings by a resident, Mr. Roger Clément, in June and July 1975. During the first sighting, an intense orange-red light illuminated the village, followed by a sphere rising vertically and disappearing at the zenith. The second sighting, two weeks later, involved a similar light and a sphere that stopped at twice the height of a house before extinguishing, with a sound described as similar to a high-altitude airplane. The investigation team collected data, including the exact rectangular coordinates of the observation site and the azimuth of the apparition, to define a search corridor. The report notes that this location fits into a theory of regular flight corridors ('orthoténie') across France, referencing the book 'Face aux extra-terrestres' by Charles Garreau and Raymond Lavior. The CERPI team is seeking further witnesses for this case.

Other Content

'Petites annonces' (Small Ads) section provides rates for classified advertisements, with free listings for name and address for up to 30 letters per line, and a reduced rate for CERPI members. The 'SOMMAIRE' (Table of Contents) lists articles such as 'Editorial', 'Le carré de Pégase' (Astronomy), 'Coordonnées horizontales' and 'Cosmographie' (Astronomy), 'Atterrissage à Nieul les Stes' (Investigation), 'Atterrissages en charente' (Cases), 'Petit écho de chez nous' (News), 'Bibliothèque' (Library), 'Terreur dans le Gers' (Case), and 'Enigmes' (Puzzles/Mysteries).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ufology, astronomy, and the investigation of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance is one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging members to share observations and research. The magazine appears to be a platform for reporting on UFO sightings, astronomical concepts, and other mysterious events, with a clear focus on factual reporting and investigation, while explicitly refusing texts of a political, religious, or purely advertising nature.

This issue of 'Enquete C.E.R.P.I.' (Suite), identified as Volume II and likely from 1975, focuses on UFO landing cases, specifically four incidents that occurred in the Charente-Maritime region of France between 1947 and 1975. The cover features a map illustrating a probable landing corridor and a map of France showing such corridors, with the main headline highlighting 'PLAN DU COULOIR PROBABLE D'ATTERRISSAGE' and detailing '4 Cas d'atterrissage en Charente-Maritime'. The document type is a magazine issue.

Dossier Célèbre: Landing Cases in Charente-Maritime

The issue delves into four specific landing cases:

1) Taupignac (Charente-Maritime), October 11, 1954, 7:30 PM

Three motorists from Bordeaux witnessed an intense reddish glow in the sky. Upon stopping, they observed a circular object, approximately 6 meters in diameter, topped with a red-orange dome, hovering about 300 meters away at an altitude of 20 meters. The object was silent. It then moved laterally, flew over a small wood, and disappeared from sight, though the glow persisted. Two of the witnesses followed the light and found the object again. Near it, they observed four small beings, about 1 meter tall, engaged in a mysterious task. The beings noticed the witnesses, circled the craft, and disappeared. Immediately after, the craft was enveloped in blue, orange, and red lights and took off at a frightening speed. A note indicates this landing occurred at the crossroads of four corridors.

2) Soubran (Charente-Maritime), October 9, 1954

This case is described with very brief details. Several inhabitants of the area saw a luminous spherical object land in a meadow about ten kilometers from a defined corridor.

3) Pons (Charente-Maritime), October 24, 1954

This report is also concise. An object shaped like an egg, approximately 5 to 6 meters in diameter, landed near the road. Two 'dwarfs', about 1.25 meters tall, emerged from the craft and then re-entered it. The craft then ascended, leaving a trail behind.

4) RN 150, between Royan and Saintes, October 18, 1954, 9:00 PM

Two motorists, Mr. and Mrs. Labussière, reported seeing a luminous object, shaped like a 'balance', wobbling in the sky at a relatively low altitude, possibly a few hundred meters. The object consisted of two 'discs', one orange and one red, joined by a luminous green bar. The objects then immobilized above the countryside and landed in a nearby field, emitting a vague luminosity. A small being emerged from each craft, they crossed paths without stopping, and then returned to their respective craft. After this exchange, the two spheres ascended into the sky with incredible acceleration and disappeared. The report notes that a few hours earlier, in Saint-Cirgues (Haute-Loire), farmers had observed a similar 'luminous balance' at high altitude. This landing was located 7 kilometers from a corridor and 4.3 kilometers from the Soubran landing site. This is noted as the only observation of a 'pilot exchange' of saucers.

Petit Echo de Chez Nous

This section provides updates on the activities of the C.E.R.P.I. group. They welcomed new members, increasing their total to approximately forty, with new members residing in areas where the group was not previously represented. The group's premises are being renovated, and new ideas are abundant, though manpower is lacking. The library is growing under the responsibility of Madame RESTAU, and Monsieur WASCOWISKY is available to demonstrate the use of the astronomical telescope available to members.

A recent monthly meeting was held in a borrowed room, thanks to the Mayor and Secretary of Neul-les-Saintes. During this meeting, the Secretary reported a new UFO sighting over Saintes, prompting a new investigation. The meeting on March 28th was well-attended, with observations made using the astronomical telescope under a clear sky. Members were able to view Saturn and its rings. More experienced members guided others in observing celestial bodies. Discussions also covered parapsychology, with the C.E.R.P.I. group open to all ideas and acknowledging potential strong connections between subjects. A slide show was presented, leading to discussions where individuals shared their viewpoints. The next monthly meeting was scheduled for April 24, 1976, in Cherves de Cognac, hosted by Monsieur Robert Souris.

The newsletter also mentions that the monthly bulletin is experiencing typewriter issues and seeks suggestions from members to resolve this problem, noting that purchasing a new typewriter is a significant expense for the non-profit organization.

Bibliothèque

This section lists books available through the Maison de La Presse library, categorized into general interest and UFO-specific titles. Books listed include 'Alerte aux OVNIS', 'Les étrangers de l'espace', 'Secrets et mystères de la Rose-Croix', 'Histcire et message de l'au-delà', 'Cosmogonie des Rose-Croix', and 'L'occulte "Les pouvoirs latents de l'homme"'.

A more extensive list focuses on books related to UFOs, such as 'Soucoupes volantes Affaire sérieuse', 'Les soucoupes volantes, Problème mondial', 'Le dossier des civilisations extra-terrestres', 'A identifier et le cas Adamski', 'Ceux venus d'ailleurs', 'Les clés de la cinquième dimension', 'OVNI Mythe ou réalité', 'La propulsion des soucoupes volantes', and 'Le volumineux dossier des soucoupes volantes'. Prices in French Francs (F.) are provided for each book.

Enigmes: LE GERS - Lieu de Terreur

This article, signed by Michel SOURIS, discusses unusual events in the Gers region. It begins with an incident in Roquelaure on August 29, 1971, where a herd of 15 cows panicked and attempted to cross the river, with three becoming trapped. The author links this to a 'bête' (beast) that appeared in Terraube in late 1974, causing the death of 200 animals. The article speculates on the nature of this 'bête' and connects it to local legends and phenomena, including 'Hadetos' (little elves) and 'Assouries' (ghosts or spirits) associated with old walls. The author concludes by suggesting that by observing the 'dentition' of such a creature, one might identify its origin, offering advice to 'make it smile' and detail its 'dentition' during future encounters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO landings and sightings, with a particular focus on cases in the Charente-Maritime region of France. The magazine presents detailed witness accounts and attempts to correlate these events with defined 'corridors'. The C.E.R.P.I. group's activities, including member engagement, library updates, and ongoing investigations, are also a prominent feature. The 'Enigmes' section touches upon local legends and unexplained animal behavior, suggesting a broader interest in mysterious phenomena beyond conventional UFO reports. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging and exploring local folklore and unexplained events.