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Magazine Overview

Title: Nos enquêtes

Issue Date: December 20, 1967

Country of Publication: Belgium

Original Language: French

Cover Headline: Foudres en boule ou OVNI ? (Ball lightning or UFO?)

This issue of 'Nos enquêtes' delves into unexplained aerial phenomena, primarily focusing on a specific UFO sighting and exploring broader theories related to atmospheric electrical phenomena, advanced physics, and potential extraterrestrial communication.

The Perwez Incident: A Luminous Sphere

The main investigative report details an incident that occurred in Perwez, a village in Walloon Brabant, Belgium. The event, which took place in the week following Easter 1974 (between April 16th and 23rd), involved a group of five young boys playing football near a disused railway line. Their game was interrupted when one of them spotted a strange light emerging from a small wood known locally as the 'Bois du décanteur'.

According to the witnesses, the phenomenon was a sphere of cherry-red, rose, or orange color, estimated to be about 50 cm in diameter. It moved silently at approximately 1 meter above the ground, progressing in a straight line along the railway track without any apparent rotation. The light was described as bright but not dazzling, and it did not illuminate the surrounding landscape. The sphere's contours were sharp and well-defined, with no sparks, smoke, or halo observed.

The object moved directly towards the children, causing them to panic and retreat. As it crossed a small bridge, it made a sudden S-shaped movement, then continued in a straight line towards the witnesses. After moving a few more meters, it changed direction again and entered the field where the boys had been playing. There, it disappeared with a silent flash.

Excited by the event, the children noticed other small lights moving between the 'Bois du décanteur' and a quarry behind the 'Ferme d'Al Vau', where fixed lights were seen blinking among the trees. The boys, convinced they had witnessed extraordinary manifestations, recounted the event enthusiastically to their parents that same evening.

Investigation and Counter-Investigation

The incident was initially reported by M. P. Solia, who recorded the testimony on magnetic tape. The magazine's team conducted a counter-investigation on-site in April 1975. They found that the children's accounts remained consistent, though their estimations of size and distance were imprecise. The investigators concluded that the children were describing an unusual phenomenon they had genuinely witnessed, and that none of them could be considered UFO 'fanatics'.

During the investigation, the children were asked about any other strange occurrences. They recalled seeing a 'bullet train' guarded by soldiers, but nothing else out of the ordinary along the railway line. They also mentioned an abandoned house known as the 'maison de l'homme mort' and described the woods as 'mysterious'.

Plasma and Plasmoids: Potential Explanations?

The article then explores the possibility of explaining the Perwez OVNI as a plasma phenomenon, specifically a 'plasmoid' or 'ball lightning'. It references an article by M. Bougard that discusses the unstable nature of plasmas, making them difficult to contain and thus unlikely as a consistent explanation for most UFOs. Plasmoids, which are macroscopically similar to plasma, are also discussed, with their formation remaining a mystery.

Several theories are presented for ball lightning, including explanations involving charged dust particles, optical illusions, or the explosion of anti-matter meteorites. The article cites examples of ball lightning phenomena, such as a luminous blue-violet ball entering a Moscow apartment during a storm and a fireball entering a room in Ararat, Armenia.

These atmospheric electrical phenomena are described as rare and not well understood, occurring in stormy or low-pressure, humid conditions. The article concludes that these electrical phenomena are distinct from UFOs.

UFO Communication and Interstellar Travel

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the theoretical aspects of UFOs, particularly their potential modes of communication and the challenges of interstellar travel.

Communication: The article questions how extraterrestrial intelligences might communicate with each other and their bases. While radio waves are the most obvious method from a human perspective, the authors note the lack of any intercepted radio emissions that clearly correspond to extraterrestrial communication. They consider the possibility that such communications might be heavily coded to avoid detection by less advanced civilizations. The limitations of radio waves for interstellar distances are highlighted, as signals would take years to travel between stars.

Interstellar Travel: The challenges of interstellar travel are discussed in the context of Einstein's theory of relativity. The 'twin paradox' is mentioned, along with the idea of 'hyper-space' or higher dimensions as a potential means of bypassing the limitations of speed and energy required for such journeys. The concept of 'shortcuts' through space-time is proposed as a way for UFOs to travel vast distances.

Paranormal Communication: The article explores the possibility of communication methods faster than electromagnetic waves. It considers telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition as phenomena that transcend classical space-time. The neutrino particle is also discussed as a potential carrier of paranormal transmission, though its limitations for interstellar communication are noted.

The authors suggest that advanced extraterrestrial beings might have a superior understanding and control of these parapsychological phenomena, potentially using telepathic transmission as a primary mode of communication between interstellar vessels and their bases.

International UFO News: Lindley, New York

The magazine also includes reports on UFO activity in Lindley, New York, USA.

Case N 1 (July 23, 1977): Two women, Monica (26) and her niece Janine (13), reported seeing a dozen stars arranged like the Big Dipper, a luminous light on a hill, and small silhouettes with pulsating lights in the valley. They also witnessed a luminous sphere and claimed a tombstone was levitated. The event caused headaches and distorted time perception for the witnesses.

Case N 2 (July 25-26, 1977): A witness reported seeing a 4-foot tall humanoid near his house, which then disappeared. This case is noted as being geographically close to Case N 1.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of 'Nos enquêtes' adopts a critical yet open-minded approach to UFO phenomena. While acknowledging the existence of unusual sightings and phenomena, the magazine actively seeks rational explanations, such as atmospheric electrical events (ball lightning, plasma) and psychological factors. However, it does not dismiss the possibility of extraterrestrial origins or advanced forms of communication and travel. The editorial stance appears to be one of thorough investigation, presenting evidence, and exploring various hypotheses, from the scientific to the more speculative, while maintaining a degree of skepticism and demanding rigorous proof.

The recurring themes include the investigation of specific UFO sightings, the scientific analysis of potential explanations, and the theoretical exploration of advanced physics and extraterrestrial intelligence. The magazine encourages readers to consider multiple perspectives and to distinguish between well-documented cases and mere speculation.

This issue of OVNI magazine, identified as issue number 30, focuses on reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) and humanoid encounters. The primary content details witness testimonies from August 1977, alongside a discussion on the scientific community's engagement with UAP research.

Witness Accounts

Case n° 3: August 1, 1977

Three witnesses, Janine, Monica, and her father Clifford (53, a welder), reported an encounter on August 1, 1977, between 2:00 and 2:30 AM. Janine described seeing 6 or 7 humanoids, some with luminous green belts and others with greyish belts. She also observed two humanoids that appeared white-silver. The father, Clifford, did not see the humanoids but observed blue-grey lights that were larger than fireflies. He also heard sounds like chiseling on hard rock and a sort of chirping, which the young women interpreted as "communication." Clifford stated that what he saw "did not resemble anything he had seen before" and that he was slightly dazed.

Donald and his wife's experience

Another account describes Donald and his wife who experienced cramps after an OVNI sighting. Donald saw a luminous ray from the OVNI that hit him. He also reported hearing footsteps on the roof and the beings "chattering." He experienced severe headaches and his body felt numb, with ringing in his ears.

Physical Traces

Physical traces were reported, including footprints on the grass that disappeared rapidly. A ventilation cover on the roof was also found partially lifted. Ted Phillips, specializing in physical traces, provided instructions for handling the metal cover, and an FBI fingerprint expert was to examine it via mail, but the investigation was hampered by the witnesses leaving the region.

Other Sightings

• July 28, 1977: Janine's father, a mill installer, observed a bomb-shaped orange disk for about 1 minute. The object moved slowly from the South and disappeared near a neighboring property.
• August 17, 1977: Janine observed a white light that approached and descended at an estimated elevation of 40°. Two green balls of light, about 3 to 4 inches in diameter, approached within 2 or 3 feet of her. She recoiled into the house.

Witness Descriptions

Humanoids were described as wearing green suits with a glowing green belt. One witness saw no details on the head, unsure if a helmet was worn, while another thought she saw "human" features. The beings were seen with their backs facing the witnesses most of the time. They were observed to have a "hopping, floating motion."

Scientific Perspectives on UAP

Survey of AAS Members

A questionnaire sent to members of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) revealed that 80% believe UAP warrant scientific study, and approximately 40% are in favor of such research. Out of 2611 members surveyed, 1356 responded. Notably, 62 astronomers claimed to have seen a UAP.

Objections and Criticisms

Some members expressed strong objections, with one stating, "I object to being made fun of with this obvious nonsense." Another criticized colleagues, suggesting that UAP reports often lack structure and come from "observers who are not very reliable."

Professor Peter Sturrock's Stance

Professor Peter Sturrock, an astrophysicist at Stanford University, is a proponent of new UAP studies. He criticized the 1969 Condon Report, which dismissed the UAP phenomenon and led to the closure of the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book. Sturrock believes it is essential for scientists to exchange information on this topic to help resolve the UAP problem.

He suggests that for 2 of the reported observations, a non-ufological explanation might be found. The report mentions that 5 observations were made via telescope, 3 with binoculars, and 7 included photographs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to be dedicated to presenting UAP and related phenomena, giving voice to witnesses and investigators. The editorial stance seems to encourage further investigation and scientific engagement with the subject, as highlighted by the discussion on the AAS survey and Professor Sturrock's views. The recurring theme is the persistent nature of UAP reports and the need for serious scientific inquiry, despite skepticism and past dismissals.