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Magazine Overview

This issue of "Nos enquêtes" focuses on UFO phenomena, with the lead article, "L'OVNI et les trois jeunes filles" (The UFO and the Three Young Girls), detailing an investigation into a specific sighting. The magazine also includes a section for reader correspondence ("On nous écrit...") and a compilation of previous UFO observations in the region.

L'OVNI et les trois jeunes filles

The central article recounts an investigation into an incident that occurred on Sunday, July 6, 1981, at 02:20 AM. Three young women, two sisters and their cousin, identified as M., D., and R., were driving near Aiseau, Belgium, after attending a wedding. As they drove along a rural road (N22 towards Namur, then a secondary road towards Aiseau), they observed a luminous object.

Initially, D. pointed out a strange, red or orange object, described as a trapezoidal shape with sharp edges, at an elevation of about 30 degrees and an estimated distance of 2000 meters. M., the driver, initially dismissed it as the moon, but D. insisted it was moving and doing so rapidly. The object then appeared to change its trajectory, moving closer to the road.

As the car approached a darker, unlit stretch of road, the object moved behind pine trees, and later, according to the witnesses' letter, passed behind the branches of fir trees at a low altitude. The witnesses described it as an "engin" (craft) and later a "soucoupe volante" (flying saucer). The object then reportedly moved directly towards the car, prompting panic, before crossing the road in front of them and disappearing behind bushes. M. managed to make a sketch of the object.

The investigation, conducted by Jean-Luc Vertongen, delves into various hypotheses. The witnesses, described as sympathetic and attractive young women with lives far removed from ufology, were returning from a party. Their ages were 19, 25, and 27. Two worked in local industry, and the third worked for an international organization in Brussels. One aspired to be a writer.

Possible Explanations Explored:

• The Moon: The article extensively analyzes the possibility of misidentifying the moon. It considers the moon's position, phase (22 days old, 0.54 illuminated), and potential atmospheric conditions that could cause a red-orange hue. However, it notes discrepancies in the object's trajectory and apparent rapid movement compared to the moon's slow drift. The witnesses' conviction that it was not the moon is emphasized, with one famously stating, "No, Monsieur, it wasn't the moon; it was a cow."
• Aircraft: The possibility of an airplane, particularly with landing lights, is considered. However, the lack of engine noise and the object's unusual shape and behavior make this explanation less likely.
• Reflections on the Car Windows: This hypothesis is dismissed due to the object's persistence, clear shape, and consistent color, as well as the fact that D. lowered her window to observe it more closely.
• Meteorite: A case is presented where a similar sighting was later identified as a meteorite. However, the Aiseau incident lacked typical meteorite characteristics like trails or multiple colors, and the object's low altitude and apparent control were noted.
• "Ballon Éclairant" (Illuminating Balloon): An official from an organization (possibly IRM) suggested the object was an illuminating balloon used for hunting. This explanation is rejected due to the time of year (July, not hunting season), the time of night (well after sunset), and the non-existence of such balloons for this purpose.
• Canular (Hoax): The possibility of a deliberate hoax is considered, particularly given one witness's aspiration to become a writer. However, the article suggests this is unlikely due to the witnesses' religious convictions and the spontaneous nature of the report.

Socio-Psychological Context:

The article also examines the socio-psychological background of the witnesses. They come from a reputable Catholic family. M. is described as direct and intelligent, D. as shy and fearful, and R. as more reserved. Notably, their brother, Michel, is a comic book artist specializing in paranoid, delirious stories about extraterrestrials and flying saucers, though the sisters claim not to read his work. The witnesses had some prior, albeit vague, UFO experiences.

Previous Observations in the Region:

The magazine includes a section detailing earlier UFO sightings in the vicinity of Aiseau and Pont-de-Loup, dating back to 1954 and 1955. These include observations of luminous objects, some described as fast-moving and silent, and others as points of light with erratic trajectories.

Service Librairie: Du Neuf...

This section promotes a new book by Pierre Kohler, an astronomer and science popularizer, titled "Les gouffres du Cosmos" (The Abyss of the Cosmos). The book explores the concept of black holes, suggesting they might be gateways to parallel universes or tunnels for instantaneous travel through space and time, linking these ideas to ufology. The price is listed as 340 FB.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained aerial phenomena, presenting witness testimonies and attempting to provide rational explanations or highlight the mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, critically examining evidence and hypotheses, while acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge and the potential for misidentification. There is a clear interest in cases involving multiple witnesses and attempts to correlate sightings with known phenomena or scientific principles. The inclusion of reader letters and previous regional sightings suggests a commitment to building a comprehensive record of UFO activity.