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Magazine Overview

This issue of Inforespace, dated September 1978, focuses on the topic of UFOs, with a prominent cover story detailing Jacques Vallée's address to the United Nations.

L'ufologie devant l'ONU (Ufology Before the UN)

This section features the full text of Jacques Vallée's speech delivered to the UN Special Political Committee on November 27, 1978. Vallée, a renowned ufologist and computer scientist, was invited to speak by the Prime Minister of Grenada, Sir Eric Gairy. Vallée outlines three key aspects of the UFO phenomenon:

1. Physical Manifestation: He asserts that UFOs represent a real physical phenomenon that can and should be studied using existing scientific equipment. He references the work of Claude Poher and the access granted by the Spanish armed forces to their UFO case files as examples of progress in this area.
2. Psycho-physiological Aspect: Vallée describes the symptoms experienced by witnesses, including disorientation, time distortion, partial paralysis, hallucinations, and long-term psychological effects.
3. Belief Systems: This is presented as the third and most significant aspect, concerning the system of beliefs generated by the expectation of extraterrestrial visitors. Vallée argues that this belief system is emotionally driven and has created new religious, cultural, and political concepts that science has not yet fully grasped. He notes that the public's perception of UFOs as 'real' is now independent of their physical reality, driven by a growing gap between the public and scientific institutions.

Vallée concludes that the expectation of contact with space visitors supports the concept of global unification and expresses a desire for international cooperation among scientists to study the phenomenon.

Nouvelles internationales (International News)

This section covers several international UFO-related news items:

• OVNI et avion en Italie (UFO and airplane in Italy): This report details an encounter on March 9, 1978, by the crew of flight IH 662 between Bologna and Vicenza. Pilot Luciano Ascione and his crew observed a large, bright green object that approached rapidly, changed direction, and disappeared. The object was also sighted by multiple other aircraft, including military planes.
• Le dossier photo d'inforespace: Kempsey, Australie, 21 juillet 1975 (The photo file of Inforespace: Kempsey, Australia, July 21, 1975): This article describes an observation by Glen Waters and his wife of a large, bright object over Kempsey. The object hovered for about ten minutes, changed colors, and then ascended vertically. Photographs were taken of the phenomenon.
• Grande première en philatélie (First in philately): The issue highlights a unique philatelic event where the island nation of Grenada issued a series of three postage stamps and a special block-feuillet to promote UFO research, an initiative linked to Prime Minister Sir Eric Gairy's efforts at the UN.

Chronique des OVNI (UFO Chronicle)

This ongoing series explores historical UFO accounts:

• 1883: une vague de faits insolites (1883: a wave of unusual facts): This installment revisits the year 1883, presenting several documented sightings:
• E. Walter Maunder's Observation (November 1882): The astronomer recounts seeing a strange celestial visitor, a bright, defined light resembling a 'torpedo' or 'spindle' that moved rapidly across the sky, possibly related to a magnetic storm and aurora.
• Arvika, Sweden (February 1883): A witness observed a meteor-like object that changed direction abruptly, emitted flashes of light, and had a distinct tail.
• English Channel (March 31, 1883): The steamship Aquila was violently shaken by an unusual sea event, described as a phenomenon not typical of natural weather.
• Sussex, UK (August 28, 1883): A witness reported a bright, defined light, similar to Maunder's observation.
• Liverpool, UK (August 29, 1883): A similar observation of a bright cone of light was made.
• Mexico (August 1883): Astronomer Bonilla observed hundreds of dark objects in front of the Sun.
• Rochester, New York (September 11, 1883): Professor Swift reported a phenomenon similar to the 'torpedo' light.
• Yeovil, Somerset (September 21, 1883): Mme Harbin made a similar observation.
• Karingon, Sweden (September 24, 1883): A violent cyclone was followed by a bright meteor-like object that changed colors and disappeared.

Spéculations métaphysiques et soucoupes volantes (1) - Etude critique de l'ouvrage : Science-fiction et soucoupes volantes

This section begins a critical review of Bertrand Méheust's book, "Science-fiction et soucoupes volantes." The reviewer, Jacques Scornaux, acknowledges the book's originality and the author's talent but expresses reservations about its conclusions, particularly regarding the nature of UFO phenomena and the concept of 'hoaxes' or 'pans' of UFOs that are repaired before witnesses can react.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with scientific inquiry, historical records, and societal beliefs. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous scientific investigation while acknowledging the psychological and cultural impact of UFO sightings. There's a clear emphasis on distinguishing between physical phenomena and the beliefs they inspire, as highlighted in Jacques Vallée's UN address. The inclusion of historical cases suggests a belief in the long-standing nature of these unexplained aerial events. The review of Méheust's book indicates a critical approach to certain ufological theories, particularly those that lean towards elaborate hoaxes or metaphysical explanations without sufficient evidence.

This document is a scanned page from the magazine "UFO Investigator", published by NICAP, with a cover date of March-April 1978. The page focuses on historical UFO sightings, particularly from the year 1883. The primary article details a specific sighting in Newcomerstown, Ohio, on December 28, 1883, based on a newspaper clipping from the "Cleveland Herald". The page also includes a list of other books and publications related to UFOs.

The Newcomerstown Sighting (December 28, 1883)

The main focus of the page is the detailed account of a "mysterious visitor" observed in Newcomerstown, Ohio. According to a clipping from the "Cleveland Herald" dated December 29, 1883, a strange object appeared in the sky shortly after dark. It was described as a large, bright light, appearing as a square volume of white light, moving from east to north. The object's flight was remarkably slow, allowing numerous citizens to observe it for an extended period. It left a bright trail that illuminated the trees and bushes in its path. Several hypotheses were considered, including an aerolite, but the object's slow movement cast doubt on this explanation, leaving the superstitious troubled.

The article notes that this sighting was transmitted to UFO Investigator by Mrs. Wm. Hart.

Other 1883 UFO Phenomena

The author, Michel Bougard, provides a summary of other unusual events from 1883, suggesting it was an extraordinary year for unexplained aerial phenomena. These include:

• A "torpedo" with a dark central core observed over Sulphur Springs, Texas, on November 21, 1883.
• A UFO phenomenon observed in Porto Rico on November 2, 1883.
• A UFO phenomenon observed in Chile on November 5, 1883.
• A "slow meteor" over Sweden on February 5, 1883.
• A "slow meteor" over France on February 23, 1883.
• A "slow meteor" over France on April 15, 1883.
• An "swarm of unidentified objects" over Mexico on August 12, 13, and 27, 1883.
• A mysterious luminous beam over England on August 29, 1883.
• Sightings in the United States between September 11 and 13, 1883.
• A "light egg" crossing the sky over Sweden on September 24, 1883.

Author's Conclusion and Hypothesis

Michel Bougard concludes that 1883 was indeed an unusual year for strange phenomena. He proposes two possibilities: either the year was exceptionally rich in rare natural events, or it represented a reconnaissance mission by UFOs that would return thirteen years later (1896-97) for closer encounters. He acknowledges the audacity of this latter hypothesis but finds it supported by the facts presented.

Book and Publication Recommendations

The right side of the page features a list of recommended books and publications related to UFOs and unexplained phenomena, including:

• "Le Nouveau" (365 FB)
• "Mysteries de la Nuit" (edited by Aimé Michel)
• "Les Soucoupes Volantes" (recently reissued)
• "Le Livre des Dossiers" (analysis by a journalist)
• "Premières" (a panorama)
• "Soucoupes" (research series)
• "Face aux Soucoupes" (original angle)
• "Chroniques des Phénomènes Aériens" (345 FB)
• "Le Collectionneur d'OVNI"
• "Disparitions"
• "Le Dossier OVNI"
• "Les Objets Volants" (340 FB)
• "Les Soucoupes"
• "Les Étranges Phénomènes"
• "Le Procès des OVNI"
• "Les OVNI"
• "Aux Limites de la Réalité" (395 FB)
• "Le Livre de l'Espace"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance appears to be one of serious investigation into UFO phenomena, presenting historical accounts and encouraging further research. The editorial focus is on documenting sightings, exploring potential explanations, and connecting historical events to broader patterns of UFO activity. The inclusion of book recommendations suggests an effort to provide readers with resources for deeper study.