CERPI - no 10 - fevrier 1977

Magazine Overview

This is issue number 10 of CERPI, a French magazine dedicated to the study of unexplained phenomena. The cover prominently features the organization's name and a quote from Blaise Pascal. The central illustration depicts a cosmic scene with UFOs and humanoid figures, reflecting the magazine's core themes of ufology, parapsychology, archeology, and mysteries.

Editorial: The New Year

The editorial, dated for the new year (likely 1977 given the context), states that CERPI will prioritize ufological activity in 1977, having placed it in the background during 1976. To achieve this, the newly formed bureau, established after the General Assembly on January 9, 1977, has made several resolutions. These include:

• Organization of a detection network: Acquiring detectors to enhance the tracking of phenomena.
• Systematization and organization of investigations: Developing a comprehensive set of tools for investigators, such as compasses, Polaroid cameras, and Geiger counters.
• Creation and training of a volunteer investigator corps: A training session is planned, followed by a seminar for those interested. Participants will be required to conduct two supervised investigations before receiving an investigator's card. A participation fee of 40 to 50 Francs is expected.

The editorial also mentions that the responsibility for the ideas and opinions expressed in the articles lies solely with the authors. Submissions should be typed on white paper (210/297 format), and political, religious, or advertising content will be refused. The editorial team will examine all submissions intended for publication.

Key Persons Mentioned

The editorial lists the members of the new bureau: Michel SOURIS (President), Claude and Robert SOURIS (Vice-Presidents), Patrice DEMARLE (Secretary), Guy WASCOWISKI (Treasurer), Bernard MARSIN (Deputy Treasurer), Jean-Pierre DELAROCHE (Deputy Secretary), and a Seventh Member. The magazine also mentions Dominique BRUINEAUD as a correspondent from Southampton, England.

Articles and Features

"Nouvelles d'Angleterre" (News from England)

Dominique BRUINEAUD reports on two incidents:

• Broad Haven School Incident: The director of a primary school in West Wales reported that 17 of his students claimed to have seen a large, silver flying object in a field near Broad Haven. One student, Michael Webb (10 years old), described it as not being a helicopter. Randall Jones Pugh, a coordinator for the UFO Association in South Wales, found the accounts intriguing and credible, stating the children could not have fabricated such a story. Ralph Llewhellin, son of the director, also expressed belief in the children's account after examining their writings and drawings.
• Stonehenge Visit: Dominique BRUINEAUD also had the opportunity to visit Stonehenge, finding the experience "sensational."

"Cosmographie" (Cosmography)

This section delves into astronomical concepts, with a detailed explanation of how to measure the declination of a star using celestial sphere diagrams. It introduces concepts like the meridian, horizon, equator, pole, and zenith, and provides formulas for calculating declination based on the star's height and zenith distance. The article concludes with a rule for determining declination.

"La Voie Lactée" (The Milky Way)

This article defines a galaxy as a group of stars, with our Sun belonging to the Milky Way. It explains that galaxies are similar systems outside our own. Galileo was the first to show that the Milky Way is composed of countless stars. The constitution of our galaxy is described as being made of stars (isolated or in clusters), interstellar gas (primarily hydrogen), interstellar dust, and high-energy particles like cosmic rays. The article distinguishes between young stars (10^6 years old) and old stars (10^9 years old). It further describes our galaxy as a spiral disk approximately 45,000 light-years in radius and 16,000 light-years thick, with our Sun located about 30,000 light-years from the center. It mentions that the galaxy contains about 150 billion stars and that stars are in motion around the galactic center. The article also discusses other galaxies, their grouping into clusters, and the concept of galactic recession, noting that the farther a galaxy is, the faster it recedes. It mentions the "Local Group" which includes the Milky Way, the Magellanic Clouds, and the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Virgo Cluster as the nearest large cluster.

"Galilée Galiléi" (Galileo Galilei)

This section recounts the trial of Galileo Galilei in Rome on June 22, 1633. It describes how Galileo, at 70 years old, had come to understand that the Earth moves in space after observing Jupiter's satellites with his telescope. The article reproduces Galileo's abjuration, in which he renounces his belief in the heliocentric model and affirms his adherence to the teachings of the Catholic Church. The text highlights that challenging biblical narratives was considered condemnable by the powerful Catholic religion of the time. It also briefly mentions the fate of Giordano Bruno, who was burned at the stake in 1600 for his ideas about an infinite universe and universal evolution.

"Les Contactés" (The Contactees) - "Le Contact de Luciano Galli" (The Contact of Luciano Galli)

This article, part of a series on "Contactés" and drawing from the book "Le Mystère des O.V.N.I." by R. Jack Perrin, details an alleged encounter of Luciano Galli, an Italian engineer. Reporter Renate Albanese interviewed Galli, who recounted an experience from July 7, 1957 (or 1959). Galli described being picked up by two men in a black Fiat and driven to a location called "il bucco del Prete Santo" near Croara, where a hovering silver craft awaited. He entered the craft, which had a spacious, circular cockpit with numerous instruments. Inside, he was photographed by two lights. Galli described seeing the Earth recede through a viewport, appearing first like from an airplane, then resembling the Moon, and later Venus or Mars. He also reported seeing a massive dirigible-like object, approximately 600 meters long, emitting a phosphorescent light.

"Bibliothèque" (Library)

This section contains a review of books, including "Le Mystère des O.V.N.I." by R. Jack Perrin and "Dialogue" by Galileo Galilei.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of CERPI are ufology, astronomy, and historical mysteries. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, presenting witness accounts and scientific discussions. The editorial emphasizes the organization's commitment to investigating UFOs and related subjects, while also maintaining a critical approach by requiring typed submissions and refusing certain types of content. The inclusion of historical figures like Galileo and Bruno suggests an interest in the historical context of challenging established beliefs, particularly in relation to scientific and cosmological ideas.

This issue of MYSTERE DES OVNI, identified as number 16/17 and volume 32, was published in January 1974 by C.E.R.P.I. in France. The cover headline focuses on "MOISE et L'ARCHE D'ALLIANCE" (Moses and the Ark of the Covenant), suggesting a blend of ufology with biblical and historical interpretations.

Key Articles and Reports

The Galli Encounter

The issue begins with a detailed account from a witness named Galli, who claims to have had an extraordinary encounter with an extraterrestrial spacecraft. Galli describes seeing a large, cut-off object with six visible openings from which small discs were entering and exiting. He reported seeing approximately 400-500 people in shiny or silky suits around these openings, which he understood to be hangars capable of housing at least 50 discs. When Galli inquired about the origin of these beings, he was told they were from Venus. Galli was then allowed to visit the interior of the craft, including a grand hall, a library, and what he believed to be the commander's quarters. He was offered no refreshments but was accompanied by a man with a mustache who had an angelic face. His journey, which began on July 7th at 2:30 PM, concluded the same day around 5:40 PM, lasting a total of 3 hours and 10 minutes. Galli emphatically stated he had never been hypnotized and that his experience was real, not a trance.

The Schirmer Case: Contact with a Police Officer

This section details the case of police officer Herbert Schirmer in Asland, Nebraska, USA, who encountered a UFO on December 3rd, 1967. Schirmer described an unusual circular object on the road, initially mistaking its flashing lights for a broken-down van. As he approached, his car's engine stopped, and the lights went out. He was then taken aboard the craft. The report highlights that Schirmer's life was significantly impacted, leading him to leave his police post, divorce, and move away from Nebraska. Two years later, he was interrogated under hypnosis by Dr. Léo Sprinkle, a psychiatrist from the University of Colorado, as part of the Condon Committee's study on UFOs. Under hypnosis and truth serum, Schirmer revealed details of his encounter, including being hit by a mysterious ray from a luminous pistol that caused temporary paralysis. The "beings" used an "electromagnetic" force field to disable his vehicle. He was invited aboard and received information about the craft's origin, navigation, propulsion, and equipment. The beings then used hypnotic suggestion to ensure he would only file a simple observation report. Schirmer's car was found to have a twenty-minute gap in its operation, and he reported experiencing a headache and a buzzing sound in his head. He also noted a red mark on his ear. The occupants were described as 1.35 to 1.45 meters tall, with prominent chests, a muscular and rough appearance, walking rigidly, and having narrow, long heads with thin eyebrows and cat-like eyes. Their faces were described as Oriental with thin, bridged lips.

The Courtois Family Sightings

Two separate incidents involving the Courtois family in Chaillonnais, France, are documented. The first, on January 19, 1974, at 6:30 AM, involved Mrs. Courtois observing a luminous red object resembling a disc with red points around it, which then ascended and moved horizontally without noise for less than five minutes. Her husband, a retired air force mechanic familiar with aerial phenomena, initially thought it might be a balloon but dismissed the idea due to the overcast weather. He estimated the object's speed at 90-100 km/h at an altitude of about 300 meters. He described the object as neon white with a rosy red halo. The second sighting, on April 16, 1974, at 7:50 PM, involved Mr. Courtois observing a star-like object in the northwest. He called his son, and together they watched it for about 1.74 minutes. The object moved, disappeared, and reappeared, describing a circle. Mrs. Courtois also observed it. The object then moved north, described a large loop towards the zenith, and then moved east at high speed. Mr. Courtois' son felt the object was being pulled by its light, with a dark mass behind it. During this sighting, a jet fighter from Mont-de-Marsan or Bordeaux was heard, which took off in pursuit of the object.

Moses and the Ark of the Covenant

This section, authored by D. Martinez, reinterprets the biblical description of the Ark of the Covenant from Exodus 37 as a sophisticated technological device, specifically a capacitor. Bezaleel's construction of the Ark, described as being made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, with cherubim on the lid, is analyzed in terms of electrical principles. The wood is seen as the dielectric, and the gold parts as the armature. The author suggests that Moses understood how to use this capacitor to maintain order and possibly charge it using atmospheric electricity. The use of points (the golden crown on the Ark) is theorized to have been for drawing atmospheric electricity from clouds, explaining the shocks experienced by those who touched it and the luminous aigrettes. The author concludes that Moses possessed knowledge far beyond his time, suggesting a superior understanding that led to doubts about his origins.

Mathematical Curiosities

The issue includes a section on "INITIATION A LA MAGIE DES NOMBRES" (Initiation to the Magic of Numbers). It discusses the Sator Square, an ancient magic square found in Pompeii, and its potential analogies with biblical writings. It then moves on to number squares and their surprising properties. A principle is explained where, by placing the number 5 at the center of a 9-case square and arranging numbers to sum to 15 in each line, column, and diagonal, a magic square can be created. The section also presents "Astonishing Multiplications," demonstrating patterns when multiplying 12345679 by multiples of 3 and 9, and "Other Bizarrenesses of Numbers," showing sequences that result in repeating eights. Finally, it touches upon "Cosmography" and the "Hourly Angle of a Star," explaining astronomical concepts related to star movement and observation.

Visitor Survey Results

An analysis of questionnaires from visitors to a C.E.R.P.I. exhibition held in Cognac on January 22-23, 1977, is presented. Out of 48 returned bulletins, the majority found the research groups useful (91.7%) and accorded importance to UFO phenomena (91.6%). Credibility for UFOs was mixed, with 25% giving total credibility and 64.6% awaiting proof. A significant portion (75%) believed they had seen a UFO, and 85.4% expressed interest in the phenomenon. The exhibition itself was rated as interesting by 77.1% of respondents. The parapsychology stand also garnered interest from 56.2%. The survey also noted that 52% of bulletins included names, while 48% were anonymous. Interestingly, only 29% of bulletins contained observations, with 71% being without them.

Birth Announcement

The issue concludes with a congratulatory note to Baptiste Souris on his birth on February 7, 1977, from the C.E.R.P.I.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs and alleged alien encounters, with historical, religious, and scientific interpretations. There's a clear interest in documenting witness accounts, often with a focus on detailed descriptions and the personal impact of these experiences. The inclusion of the Ark of the Covenant analysis suggests a willingness to apply modern scientific or technological frameworks to ancient texts, seeking rational explanations for seemingly miraculous events. The mathematical sections indicate an appreciation for patterns and order, perhaps as a counterpoint to the chaotic nature of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting evidence and theories without necessarily endorsing them as absolute truth, as evidenced by the survey results showing a significant portion of respondents awaiting proof. The publication aims to inform and engage readers interested in mysteries, the unexplained, and alternative interpretations of history and science.

This issue of "J'AI LU POUR VOUS" (I Read for You), dated February 1977, focuses on reviews of books related to the paranormal, occult, and mysteries. The primary review is of William Peter Blatty's "L'Exorciste," which is lauded for its thorough documentation of a real possession case and its in-depth exploration of psychiatric research, telekinesis, and psychokinesis. The reviewer, B. Marsin, highly recommends the book for study, distinguishing it from the more commercially oriented film adaptation.

Book Reviews

"L'Exorciste" by William Peter Blatty

B. Marsin provides an enthusiastic review of "L'Exorciste," describing it as a "hallucinatory" and "very good book." The reviewer highlights the book's foundation in a real case and its extensive documentation, which leads to the effective recognition of the possession. The review emphasizes that the book delves into psychiatric research and covers psychic phenomena often categorized as "parapsychical." Marsin strongly recommends the book for reading and even for study, suggesting it offers more than just a horror film narrative.

"Les Livres du Mois" (Books of the Month)

This section presents a curated list of notable books:

• "AU-DELA DU CHRISTIANISME" by Jacques D'Ares, published by J.P. Delarge (49.50 francs).
• "LA SCIENCE FACE A L'INCONNU" (Science Faces the Unknown) by F.L. Boschke, published by Laffont (25 francs).
• "LES SOCIETES SECRETES EN CHINE" (Secret Societies in China) by S. Hutin, published by Laffont (25 francs).
• "L'ENTREE OUVERTE AU PALAIS FERME DU ROI" (The Open Entrance to the King's Closed Palace) by Eyrenée Phlalethe, published by Rets (47 francs).
• "L'AIGUILLETTE NOUEE" (The Knotted Needle) - described as "Enchantment and magic today in our countryside" - by Pierre Pouzols, published by Desforges (22 francs).
• "LE NOUVEAU DOSSIER DU TRIANGLE DES BERMUDES" (The New Dossier of the Bermuda Triangle) by Richard Winer, published by Belfond (32 francs).

Featured Illustration

The second page of the issue features a drawing of the ancient Persian deity Ahura Mazda within a winged disk. The caption identifies it as "LE DIEU AHURA MAZDA DANS SON DISQUE AILE (IRAN, PERSEPOLIS)" (The God Ahura Mazda in His Winged Disk, Iran, Persepolis). The date "Février 1977" is visible, along with a legal deposit number.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on subjects beyond mainstream science and religion, delving into the paranormal, occult, and unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of intellectual curiosity and a desire to explore these topics in depth, as evidenced by the recommendation to "study" the reviewed book "L'Exorciste." The selection of books for the "Books of the Month" further reinforces this focus on mysteries, secret societies, and the supernatural.