infosp40001

Magazine Overview

This issue of Inforespace, dated July 1979, focuses on the potential connection between Unidentified Flying Objects (OVNI) and parasolar phenomena. The cover headline boldly asks, "OVNI: un phénomène parasolaire ?" (UFO: a parasolar phenomenon?). The publication aims to investigate potential periodicities in UFO sightings and their correlation with solar activity.

Introduction

The article's objective is to determine if there are periodicities in UFO observations over time, building on a previous observation in Inforespace n° 46 that suggested a higher probability of sightings every 11 years. This pattern seemed to hold true as far back as the 17th century, leading to the hypothesis of solar or parasolar influence. The current work seeks to identify shorter periodicities and clarify the potential link between UFOs and the Sun, with the ultimate goal of developing a predictive model based on measurable phenomena.

1. Global World File

By 1976, the global UFO file contained 4954 cases. A summary of these cases, including those counted multiple times, is presented in Table I. The monthly totals reveal a remarkable consistency in the number of sightings during December, January, February, March, April, and May, with totals ranging from 239 to 315. Similarly, July, August, and September show high numbers, reaching 515, 533, and 550 respectively. The article notes a shift in the peak observation months starting around 1966, moving from November to October and then September in subsequent years, suggesting a potential 'drift' that will be further investigated.

2. Analysis by Geographical Zone

This section delves into the geographical distribution of UFO sightings, comparing data from the Hynek file (primarily American cases) with the SOBEPS file (more European cases). The analysis considers eight zones based on longitude (A-H) and six zones based on latitude (I-N), as detailed in Table II and illustrated in Figure 3. The study aims to identify patterns related to geographical location.

2.1. Visual Analysis

Table III presents the number of UFO cases analyzed by longitude and latitude, excluding duplicates. The analysis reveals that the 1952 sighting wave is observable in zones B and F, the 1954 wave in zones B to F, and the 1957 wave is most prominent in zones B, D, and F. A significant global wave occurred in 1966-1967-1968. Zones B-C and E-F are highlighted for their distinct patterns.

3. Monthly Analysis

3.1. Effect of Longitude

Figure 4 visualizes the monthly distribution of UFO sightings for zones B through H. Each graph shows the number of cases per month, with the total number of cases for each zone indicated. The article notes a general agreement with the "head and shoulders" pattern often seen in UFO statistics, with peaks in July-August and secondary peaks in April-October. The results align with Blue Book statistics and studies by Persinger and Lafrenière, who also observed peaks in April and July-August.

3.2. Effect of Latitude

Figure 6 illustrates the monthly distribution of UFO cases for zones I through N, comparing SOBEPS data with independent national files. For Sweden (zone I), the data aligns well with SOBEPS. Spanish cases (zone K) confirm peaks in April and July but lack the November peak. Brazilian cases (zone M) match the SOBEPS profile, and Argentinian cases (zone N) also confirm the SOBEPS statistics. The analysis suggests that northern latitudes have three peaks, while the southern hemisphere shows a preference for June-July (winter). The article concludes that UFO observations are directly linked to the sun's position relative to the observation point.

4. Hourly Observation

4.1. Effect of Longitude

Figure 7 displays the hourly distribution of UFO sightings based on longitude. The data shows a tendency for peak observations between 20:00 and 22:00, with a minimum around midnight. The article notes that these patterns are influenced by the time of sunset and sunrise, with observations often occurring shortly after sunset and before sunrise.

4.2. Effect of Latitude

Figure 8 presents the hourly distribution by latitude. It indicates a minimum at midnight and a symmetry around 24:00, which is more pronounced in the southern hemisphere. Higher frequencies of sightings are observed in the north compared to the south. The interval between peak hours lengthens when moving from the northern to the southern hemisphere.

4.3. The European Zone

An analysis of hourly observations for European zones E and F is presented in Table V. The data suggests a correlation between UFO sightings and sunset/sunrise times, with observations occurring approximately 1-2 hours after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise. A notable finding is the bimodal peak in February and October, with morning sightings occurring around 7:00 and 6:00 respectively. The article highlights that specific waves (1954, 1966-1974) follow this pattern.

4.4. The Tasmanian Zone

This section examines UFO observations in Tasmania, located in the southern hemisphere. The data suggests that observations occur around 22:00 in January and December (summer) and around 20:00 from May to September (winter). A morning peak is observed in February around 3-4 AM. The article posits that UFO observations are directly tied to the sun's position, and that optimal observation times can shift significantly depending on the season, potentially leading to misinterpretations if not accounted for.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the statistical analysis of UFO sightings to uncover underlying patterns and potential causes. The publication strongly leans towards a scientific and data-driven approach, exploring correlations with astronomical phenomena like solar cycles and the sun's position. The editorial stance appears to be one of objective investigation, seeking to move beyond anecdotal evidence to find measurable relationships, with the ultimate goal of prediction. The emphasis on global data collection and detailed analysis across various geographical and temporal parameters underscores this scientific methodology.

This issue of 'Revue d'Ufologie' (Issue 13) delves into a detailed statistical analysis of UFO observations, primarily focusing on temporal and geographical patterns. The content is heavily reliant on charts, graphs, and tables, with a significant portion dedicated to presenting and interpreting these visual data representations. The magazine explores the distribution of UFO sightings across hours of the day and months of the year, comparing data from different regions and time periods.

Analysis of Observation Patterns

The magazine presents several key figures and analyses. Figure 12 illustrates the parallelism between UFO observation hours and sunset times in the southern hemisphere, based on Tasmanian data. Figures 13, 14, and 15 provide detailed hourly and semi-hourly distributions of UFO observations, distinguishing between different periods of the year (e.g., summer vs. winter months) and geographical locations (e.g., Danish observations).

Hourly Distributions

Figure 13 shows the hourly distribution of UFO observations in the northern hemisphere as a function of the months of the year. The analysis highlights specific patterns: in January, a right asymmetry of a peak appears, which seems to be duplicated. February shows a duplication of the peak and a significant peak at 7 AM. From March to September, a 'head and shoulders' representation is observed, with two secondary peaks around the main peak, particularly noticeable in March, April, June, July, August, and September. In October, similar to February, a duplication of the main peak and a peak around 6 AM are noted. November and December also show this duplication.

Figures 14 and 15, based on Danish data from SUFOI, further refine these observations. Figure 14, showing 30-minute intervals, highlights a peak duplication (7 PM and 10 PM) for certain months and a mean around 8 PM. Figure 15, with 15-minute intervals, reveals a maximum around 10-11 PM for summer months (May-August). The text notes that P. Andersen suggests the decrease in observations between 7 PM and 8 PM might be due to Danes watching television, a hypothesis the author disputes.

Monthly and Seasonal Patterns

Tableau VI presents the monthly distribution of UFO cases for Belgium, showing a potential 11-month periodicity that also appears every 4 to 5 months. Tables VII and VIII, using Canadian data from UFO QUEBEC (1973-1977), support the hypothesis of a 'drift' in the annual observation maximum, indicating a periodicity close to 11 months. The data suggests that in summer, waves appear later in the evening, while in winter, they appear earlier. A further hypothesis is proposed: if a wave occurs in month 'x' of one year, it will appear in month 'x-1' the following year.

Potential Witness Influence

Figures 16a and 16b, along with associated tables, discuss the percentage of potential witnesses present during different hours. The 'Poher-Vallée' modulation is introduced, which aims to correct hourly observation numbers by accounting for the potential presence of witnesses. This correction can lead to a different distribution, with a maximum of cases appearing around 3 AM when applied to the integral number of cases per year.

International Collaboration and Future Research

Section 5.3 discusses the idea of creating an international committee to collect national UFO observation files from around the world. The article lists several groups and individuals from Germany, Australia, Spain, Finland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Tasmania that responded favorably to this call for collaboration. The goal is to gather a comprehensive dataset for further analysis.

Section 5.4, 'Results of Research,' begins by stating that when studying the variation in monthly UFO observations over time for a given country, certain peaks stand out. Figure 17 provides histograms of monthly distributions for different countries (Spain/Portugal, Canada, Finland, Norway, Argentina), showing average periods for these peaks.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the statistical analysis of UFO sightings, the search for patterns and periodicities (hourly, monthly, seasonal), and the geographical variations in these patterns. The magazine emphasizes the importance of detailed data collection and analysis, including the consideration of external factors like sunset times and potential witness presence. There is a clear editorial stance favoring rigorous, data-driven research and advocating for international cooperation in the field of ufology. The authors are critical of simplistic explanations and aim to uncover underlying mechanisms through statistical methods.