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Magazine Overview

Title: Nouvelles internationales
Issue: 14
Volume: 10
Date: May 17, 1978
Publisher: Union Internationale des Télécommunications
Country: Switzerland
Language: French

This issue of 'Nouvelles internationales' focuses on the burgeoning field of extraterrestrial intelligence detection and related phenomena. It delves into the scientific efforts, technological challenges, and theoretical considerations surrounding the search for life beyond Earth, alongside an examination of UFO light characteristics.

Union Internationale des Télécommunications: Détection de la vie extraterrestre

The lead article details the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) involvement in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). In 1976, the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR), a body within the ITU, adopted 'Question 17/2' concerning the radio communications necessary for SETI systems. The article notes that many scientists believe life is widespread in our galaxy and could evolve to develop similar technical capabilities, potentially communicating via radio waves across vast distances.

The historical context of SETI is traced back to 1959, with early proposals by Cocconi and Morrison, followed by independent efforts from Drake and others to detect signals from nearby star systems. More recent attempts, like those by Sagan and Drake in 1975, are also mentioned. A significant event was the first 'directed' signal sent into space from the Arecibo Observatory in November 1974.

Several ongoing SETI programs are highlighted:

• Bridle and Feldman (Algonquin Radio Observatory, Canada): Studying nearby stars at 22.2 GHz, near the water vapor line.
• Dixon and Cole (Ohio State University Radio Observatory): Surveying the entire sky near the hydrogen line (1.4 GHz) for three years.
• Drake and Sagan (Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico): Observing nearby galaxies at 1420, 1653, and 2380 MHz.
• Soviet Union SETI Program: Active in the USSR.
• Kardachev (Eurasian network, USSR): Searching for pulsed signals.
• Troitsky (Eurasian network): Searching for pulsed signals across the sky at 1.9, 1.0, and 0.6 GHz.
• Zuckerman and Palmer (NRAO Greenbank): Studying nearby stars of types F, G, and K near 1420 MHz.
• NASA: Conducting research near 1.5 GHz.

Distance moyenne entre civilisations dans l'espace

The average distance between civilizations is inversely proportional to the cubic root of their spatial density, which is linked to their average lifespan. For a civilized extraterrestrial life form within 100 light-years to have a high probability of communication, its average lifespan must be at least 107 years. The article suggests that civilizations capable of such communication would likely be significantly more advanced than ours, possibly having formed a community communicating via radio waves.

Civilisations autres que la nôtre

Based on the reasoning that a civilization capable of interstellar radio communication would be at least 30 years more advanced than us (given our current capabilities), it's argued that it's improbable for such a civilization to be only slightly more advanced. The average lifespan of communicative civilizations is estimated to be around 107 years, implying that other civilizations would likely be far more evolved.

Conséquences d'un succès éventuel

While first contact remains hypothetical, a successful contact could have profound practical implications, potentially leading to significant advancements in our knowledge. The article notes that the possibility of receiving signals from other civilizations is a subject of ongoing scientific inquiry.

Types de systèmes stellaires à explorer

Stars similar to our Sun, with temperatures between 4500-6500 K and luminosities 0.3-3 times that of the Sun, are considered prime candidates for hosting planets with life similar to Earth's. These are typically main-sequence stars of spectral classes F, G, and K.

Messages radioélectriques envoyés par d'autres civilisations

Speculation about the nature of messages from extraterrestrial civilizations suggests they could be extremely long, taking years to reach us. The article acknowledges the limitations of our current understanding, emphasizing that our perspective is 'terrocentric.' It highlights the hope of capturing artificial signals from deep space, referencing the 1965 declaration by Soviet scientists about observing fluctuations from CTA 102, which some interpreted as deliberate modulation by a highly evolved race.

Radioastronomy and SETI Efforts

The article discusses the challenges faced by radio astronomers, including the infinite number of frequencies and natural cosmic noise. A specific 'cosmic window' is identified in the spectrum, relatively free from interference. The 1963 administrative conference in Geneva allocated the 1420 MHz frequency (21 cm wavelength) for radio astronomy, corresponding to the natural emission of hydrogen atoms, believed to be a universal marker.

However, the abundance of hydrogen creates significant noise on this frequency. Astronomers now focus on a preferred band of frequencies near 1.5 GHz, as well as the formaldehyde line at 4830 MHz, and other bands used by radio astronomy.

A team from the University of Washington concluded that the 300 nearest star systems could potentially detect our television signals if they possess similar technical knowledge. They calculated that the most intense terrestrial radio emissions originate from the USA and USSR. Radar signals could be detected up to 250 light-years away by an observer at our current stage of evolution with advanced antenna systems like the proposed Cyclops project.

The article mentions the difficulty of detecting signals due to the limited number of powerful radars and their frequency changes. It also notes that while 15,000 television transmitters exist on Earth, detecting their combined signals would be challenging for extraterrestrials. A more efficient approach for them would be to scan the spectrum with a narrow bandwidth (0.1 Hz) rather than a broad one.

It is pointed out that our radio emissions are only about 50 years old, and our intelligence-based signals are only 17 years old, which are infinitesimal durations on a galactic scale. Civilizations capable of interstellar communication are likely far more advanced.

Many astronomers view an exchange of scientific and technical information as invaluable. The article recalls the 1974 directed message from Arecibo. The search for extraterrestrial intelligence is framed as a scientific endeavor to understand the question of life in the universe.

Regarding the implications of contact, the article raises questions about whether such a discovery should be shared with the public and suggests that it could foster international unity. It also ponders whether a superior civilization would be hostile, drawing an analogy to human reactions to ants.

Etude et Recherche: Les aspects physiques des manifestations du phénomène OVNI (2)

This section, authored by Jan Heering and translated by F. Boitte, continues an examination of UFO phenomena, focusing on 'non-reflective light.'

2. Cas de « lumière non-réfléchissante » (Non-Reflective Light Cases):

Witnesses consistently describe this light as dazzling but not illuminating the environment, unlike car headlights. The ground is not visible beneath the object, and the light does not cause glare. This intense light is often observed at close range.

Heering proposes two explanations for this phenomenon:

1. Environmental Modification: The UFO somehow alters the environment, causing it to cease being reflective. This could be related to electromagnetic (E-M) effects observed in some cases, where witnesses experienced paralysis or multiple effects while near the UFO.
2. Inherent Property of the Light: The light itself is inherently non-reflective, similar to classical light but with this unique characteristic. This differs from the first hypothesis, where the non-reflectivity is a secondary effect of an unknown force.

Heering suggests testing the first hypothesis by looking for an 'effect of a dark zone' (effet de zone sombre) around the UFO, where objects would not reflect light from any source. This effect would be most noticeable during daytime observations and independent of whether the UFO emits light itself. A dark, uniformly somber zone surrounding the UFO, contrasting with the normal surrounding space, would be indicative.

Night observations would make this dark zone harder to detect unless the force causing the light suppression is limited in range. In such cases, the dark zone might become visible where the suppression effect ends.

The second hypothesis does not involve such an effect.

Heering notes that he found only one case (Shuttlewood, 215) mentioning an 'effect of a dark zone,' where the UFO was surrounded by a zone of invisibility. The witness reported no paralyzing effects but felt his hair stand on end when the UFO changed color.

Comparison with 'Solid Light':

There appears to be a relationship between 'non-reflective light' and 'solid light' (discussed in the first part of the article). Case (201) is cited as an example where a beam of 'solid light' penetrated a room, projecting onto the opposite wall with uniform brightness but not illuminating the room. UFOs emitting 'non-reflective light' are often described as 'foo-fighters,' a type of craft that will be discussed further.

Conclusion on Non-Reflective Light:

Heering concludes that it is too early to draw definitive conclusions about 'non-reflective light' and that further study is needed. He notes that while many other cases exist where this effect is not mentioned, the circumstances of observation were favorable.

Les portes sont grandes ouvertes...

This section is an invitation to visit the SOBEPS (Société Belge d'Étude des Phénomènes Spatiaux) premises every Saturday between 2 PM and 6 PM for those interested in UFO research. It highlights the opportunity to explore their library and discuss with collaborators.

Service Librairie

This section lists books available for purchase through the publication, including titles on UFO phenomena, chronologies, and extraterrestrial encounters, with prices indicated in Belgian Francs (FB).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly emphasizes the scientific pursuit of extraterrestrial intelligence and the exploration of related phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various scientific theories, ongoing research projects, and witness accounts of UFOs. There is a clear effort to ground discussions in scientific methodology, even when dealing with speculative topics like interstellar communication and the nature of UFO manifestations. The inclusion of detailed bibliographies and references underscores a commitment to rigorous research. The magazine also promotes engagement with the subject through events and literature, suggesting a dedicated readership interested in these complex and often mysterious topics.