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Magazine Overview

This issue of inforespace, a bimonthly review, published in 1973 as its 7th issue and 2nd year, focuses on "Cosmology, Spatial Phenomena, Prehistory." The cover prominently displays the magazine's title in large, vertical lettering.

Historical Overview of Unidentified Flying Objects

The main article, "Historique des Objets Volants Non Identifiés," provides a chronological account of significant UFO sightings and investigations, primarily from the early to mid-1950s.

Key Incidents and Cases:

• November 22, 1952 (Oubangui-Chari, Africa): A merchant, M. Lasimone, and his employees witnessed a "large disc" that appeared briefly, followed by four silver discs forming a square. One object illuminated with a "bright red clarity" and approached the witnesses before stopping and then rapidly ascending.
• December 4, 1952 (Anseremme, Belgium): Five men working on a dam observed a "ball of orange hue" moving at the same speed as an airplane. They noted it turned dark (steel color), stopped in the sky, and then climbed "vertiginously" before disappearing. A similar phenomenon had occurred two weeks prior in Dinant.
• December 6, 1952 (Texas, USA): A B-29 bomber, commanded by Captain John Harter, detected unknown "traits" on its radar. Objects approached at an estimated speed of 8,690 km/h. The objects then reduced speed to match the bomber's, moved in an oblique direction, and merged with a larger "vessel" before disappearing.
• December 17, 1952 (between Malmoe and Stockholm, Sweden): A DC 3 aircraft piloted by Captain Ulf Christianson encountered a "circular object, metallic white," moving at approximately 6,000 km/h. The object approached and passed beneath the aircraft at about 1,250 meters without leaving a trail.
• December 29, 1952 (North of Japan): A radar base detected a message from a B-26 crew reporting a "group of luminous red, white, and green spots." Radar also detected an unidentified object (OVNI).
• January 9, 1953 (California, USA): A B-29 bomber was followed by "triangular UFOs" that approached at high speed, then slowed down and disappeared into the sky.
• January 10, 1953 (near Elba, Italy): A BOAC Comet aircraft exploded. Witnesses saw a "silver object" emerge from the clouds and plunge into the sea.

Investigations and Official Stances:

• The Robertson Panel (January 1953): A commission of experts, including Dr. H.P. Robertson, Professor Luis W. Alvarez, and others, convened at the Pentagon. Their findings, presented to the public, suggested that most UFO reports could be explained by known objects or natural phenomena, and that further investigation was unnecessary. However, the article implies that the CIA influenced the panel's recommendations towards a "systematic depreciation" of the flying saucer phenomenon to reduce public interest, especially after the 1952 wave had strained the U.S. Air Force's resources.
• Official Statements: A communiqué signed by President Truman, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson, and the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission stated that unexplained aerial phenomena were "neither secret weapons, nor rockets, nor experimental aircraft prototypes from the USA."
• Albert Chop's Letter (January 26, 1953): A letter from Albert Chop, head of the Air Force Press Service, to Donald Keyhoe's publisher, is presented as a significant admission by the Air Force that UFOs were indeed "vehicles from elsewhere."

The Current State of Ufology:

André Boudin and Lucien Clerebaut's article "Le point actuel de l'Ufologie" discusses the current state of UFO research. They highlight:

• The Problem: Acknowledging the existence of the "Flying Saucer" phenomenon, but noting that few people have truly studied it.
• Attitudes Towards UFOs: 1. Believers: Those who accept the reality of the phenomenon, including witnesses and researchers who recognize it as original and worthy of study without necessarily claiming extraterrestrial origin. 2. "True Believers": Individuals who "believe" in flying saucers in a near-religious sense, often forming clubs focused on mystical or occult studies, sometimes referred to as "cultists." 3. Fabricators/Scammers: Those who create false testimonies or science-fiction narratives.
• Research Needs: The authors propose several steps for advancing ufology: 1. Public Education: Creating a program to educate the public about astronomy, meteorology, and atmospheric physics to demystify UFOs and encourage more serious reports. 2. Electromagnetic Effects: Studying the electromagnetic effects of UFOs, such as engine stalls and radio interference. 3. Historical Studies: Investigating historical accounts of similar phenomena. 4. Psychological Studies: Examining the relationship between paranormal phenomena and UFO sightings. 5. Occupant Studies: Investigating reports of "occupants." 6. Data Analysis: Utilizing computer programs to analyze the vast collection of UFO reports to identify invariants. 7. Radar Programs: Programming military radars to record UFO trajectories.
• Cooperation: The authors emphasize the need for official funding and cooperation between ufological groups and official scientific bodies.

International News:

• The 1950 Wave in Spain: Researchers Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos and Carlos Orlando de Soto, in collaboration with Jacques Vallée, studied 102 UFO cases from Spain in 1950. This wave, previously overlooked, was noted for its lack of "pollution" (later phenomena). The study involved analyzing press reports and conducting counter-enquiries.

Classification of UFO Encounters (based on Hynek's work):

• Type 1: Observations of unexplained aerial objects.
• Type 2: Close encounters where the observation leaves visible and detectable traces (e.g., burnt vegetation, physiological effects on humans, magnetic field deviations, power outages).
• Type 3: Encounters involving "occupants" (ufonauts) and often visible or detectable traces.

The article highlights that Type 2 encounters are strong cases because they involve physical evidence beyond witness testimony.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO phenomena as a serious subject worthy of scientific investigation, while acknowledging the skepticism and resistance from official channels. The editorial stance appears to advocate for a more open and rigorous scientific approach to understanding UFOs, encouraging data collection, analysis, and public education to demystify the subject. There is a clear emphasis on historical cases and the need for international cooperation in research.

This issue of L'ÉCHO DES MYSTÈRES, dated October 1972, focuses on UFO phenomena, presenting a comprehensive analysis of sightings and historical accounts. The cover features a striking illustration of a flying saucer and the bold headline, "La vérité sur les OVNIS" (The truth about UFOs).

Statistical Analysis of UFO Sightings

The magazine begins with a detailed statistical breakdown of 86 analyzed UFO cases. The observations are examined based on several criteria:

1. Distribution by Day of the Week: A significant pattern emerges, with Wednesday showing the highest number of sightings (23%), followed by Tuesday (18%), Saturday (16%), Friday (14%), Thursday (12%), Monday (10%), and Sunday (7%). This confirms a previously noted "Wednesday phenomenon."
2. Temporal Distribution by Hour: The peak observation times are between 08:00 and 12:00 (12 observations), contradicting some previous findings. Another notable cluster occurs between 16:00 and 20:00. The sample size is acknowledged as small.
3. Monthly Distribution: The wave of sightings shows a clear peak from March to the end of May, with a sharp drop on April 1st. This period coincides with the closest approach of Mars to Earth in 1950.
4. Geographical Distribution: Certain provinces in Spain are more frequently visited, with 12 cases in Barcelona province, 6 in Tarragona, and 4 each in Seville and Madrid. The general pattern suggests penetration routes oriented along two arcs, roughly southeast-northwest, and a predilection for coastal regions.
5. Number of Witnesses: The studied observations involve 562 witnesses in total, with 73 cases having fewer than 4 witnesses. One case involved over 300 witnesses.
6. Witness Intellectual Level: For 32 cases where age was known, the highest number of witnesses (8) were in the 30-40 age group, followed by 0-10 year olds (7).
7. Witness Intellectual Classification: Based on a chosen classification (not necessarily aptitude, but common sociological criteria like education level), a higher proportion of witnesses came from groups such as guards and military personnel, sailors and fishermen, and industrial workers. The "law of sophistication" suggests that more intellectually evolved witnesses are less likely to report events due to social pressure.
8. Witness Activity: The majority of witnesses (35 out of 86) were driving a vehicle at the time of observation.
9. Witness Associations: Cases involving pairs or triplets of witnesses showed a majority where males were accompanied by colleagues. Couples accompanied by children were the next most frequent.
10. Object Forms and Colors: Discoidal or ellipsoidal shapes were reported in 42 cases, circular or spherical in 17, and cylindrical in 3. Colors described as "bright, luminous" were noted in 16 cases, "metallic, grey, opaque, aluminum" in 11, and various red-orange colors in 9.

Conclusions from an Investigation

The magazine presents conclusions from an investigation, stating that out of 86 cases, only 13 provided complete and detailed information on the characteristics and behavior of the "craft." The authors attempted to categorize reported facts against various hypotheses for UFO origins (natural phenomena, artificial craft, psychological factors), concluding that no particular psychological or sociological conditions could be attributed to the witnesses' reports.

The Strange Phenomenon of Montauroux

A detailed account is given of an incident in Montauroux, Var, France, on September 10, 1972. René Merle, a winegrower, discovered a pine forest strangely ravaged within a 10-meter radius. A stump was uprooted, a brick wall was broken, and trees were bent and twisted. The damage suggested a powerful upward suction. Despite investigations by local authorities and a mineralogist, no definitive explanation was found. The event occurred less than fifteen days after August 27th, when the area was seen intact.

Irresistible Ascent of a Brazilian Calf

Another case describes an event in Alegrete, Brazil, in late October 1970. Two farmers, Pedro T. Machado and his son Euripide, witnessed a calf being lifted into the air, moving parallel to the ground at about one meter's height. The calf then ascended vertically and disappeared at an altitude well below the clouds. The event was accompanied by unusual lights and sounds, and the calf ceased its bleating upon ascension. The report notes the witnesses' integrity and lack of tendency towards mystification.

Chronology of UFO Observations (Belgium)

The issue includes a lengthy catalog of UFO sightings reported in Belgium from February 1971 to November 1971. These entries detail the date, time, location, witness(es), and a description of the observed phenomenon, including shapes, colors, movements, and durations. Examples include luminous globes, spheres, discs, and unidentified flying objects exhibiting various behaviors and characteristics.

Boucliers Ardents et Nuées Lumineuses: UFOs in Antiquity?

A section explores whether ancient texts describe phenomena that could be interpreted as UFO sightings. It quotes Virgil's Aeneid, describing a "new light" and a "huge cloud" crossing the sky, and a "formidable voice" sounding in the air. Other passages from Virgil describe a "luminous flash" and the sound of "tyrrhenian trumpets" accompanied by the clash of arms in the sky. Plutarch's accounts of the battle of Marathon and the death of Romulus are also cited, mentioning strange aerial phenomena, eclipses, and tempests.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO phenomena as a subject worthy of serious investigation, employing statistical analysis and detailed case studies. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, seeking factual evidence and exploring various hypotheses, while also acknowledging the limitations of current understanding and the potential for misinterpretation. The inclusion of historical accounts suggests a belief that UFOs are not a purely modern phenomenon. The publication aims to inform its readers about ongoing research and reported incidents, encouraging them to engage with the subject matter critically and objectively.