Extraterrestres, Les - Series 1 - No 17 - oct 197

Magazine Overview

Title: LES EXTRATERRESTRES
Issue: N° 17 (1ère et 2ème quinzaines)
Date: OCTOBRE 1971
Type: REVUE INTERNATIONALE BIMENSUEL
Publisher: LES EXTRATERRESTRES
Country: France
Language: French
Price: 3 F Francais

A PROPOS DE LA POLEMIQUE SUR LES UFOS DE 1897 by Kenneth LARSON

This article by Kenneth Larson investigates the UFO wave of 1896-1897, suggesting it was the result of an intelligent plan by an unidentified flying object. The analysis is based on original newspaper reports. Early reports came from San Francisco and Oakland, California, where witnesses on a ferry on November 24, 1896, described an egg-shaped object moving rapidly across the sky. The object reportedly followed the ferry and hovered over the Alameda-Oakland docks before disappearing at high speed. A witness in San Francisco noted the absence of wings or propellers.

On the same evening, a telegram from Red Bluff announced that numerous residents had seen an egg-shaped object moving at high speed over the city. The distance between Red Bluff and San Francisco is about 162 miles, and Larson suggests the object may have followed the Sacramento River bay. Witnesses in both cities described the same object with an interval of about 10 minutes, leading to an estimated speed of 1,000 miles per hour, significantly faster than the Wright brothers' first aircraft in 1903.

Further reports detail an incident on April 19, 1897, in Sistersville, West Virginia, where residents reported a tube-shaped object with red and green lights hovering over the town, emitting a bright projector beam. The object was observed around 5:00 AM. On the same day, a similar object was sighted over Yates Center, Kansas, by multiple witnesses. The distance between Sistersville and Yates Center is approximately 800 miles.

Larson refutes the theory that these objects were human-made dirigibles. He calculates that a dirigible traveling at a maximum speed of 40 miles per hour would take about 20 hours to cover the 800 miles. If the object left Sistersville at 5:00 AM on April 19th, it could not have reached Yates Center before April 20th, thus contradicting the reports of it being seen in both locations on the same day. He concludes that the object was an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO).

The article criticizes the dirigible theory, noting that many inventors claimed paternity of unidentified flying objects during that era. Larson emphasizes the importance of studying original reports and seeking logical conclusions. He reiterates that the UFOs of 1896-1897 must have possessed immense speed, comparable to Kenneth Arnold's 1947 estimate of 1,700 miles per hour (later revised to 1,300 mph).

Another case mentioned is from April 23, 1897, where farmer Daniel Gray in Flint, Michigan, reported an UFO over his farm. A newspaper from Toronto, dated October 5, 1896, fell to the ground, with an interval of exactly 200 days between the two dates.

Analysis of Pennington's Movements and the Yates Center Incident

This section discusses the movements of an individual named Pennington and an incident in Yates Center, Kansas. Dr. Doel's article is cited, which speculates on Pennington's movements after April 19, 1897. It's suggested that Pennington might have traveled at night or south, possibly returning to Racine. The incident at Yates Center involved a young heifer entangled in a mooring rope.

Bernard O'Connor's reference to Frank Edwards' book 'Flying Saucers - Serious Business' is mentioned, specifically the case of farmer Alexander Hamilton of Le Roy, Kansas, whose cow was allegedly abducted by occupants of a flying object. Hamilton reported the abduction on Monday, April 19, 1897, with the object disappearing northwest. The heifer's remains were found about 4 miles west of Le Roy.

O'Connor's analysis suggests that Pennington traveled southwest from Mont Carroll towards Yates Center, passing Le Roy. The journey to Yates Center took about a week (April 10-19). Le Roy is 15 miles northeast of Yates Center. The distance to Texarkana is 400 miles. O'Connor speculates that after abducting the heifer from Hamilton, Pennington killed it, disposed of its carcass, and then proceeded towards Yates Center.

Dr. Doel comments on Larson's article, agreeing that the egg-shaped object sighted in San Francisco in November 1896, with no visible propulsion and a speed exceeding 1,000 mph, is a recognizable type of UFO. He contrasts this with the description of a flying apparatus, suggesting that experienced ufologists would recognize the UFO type. Examples of similar sightings in Valensole, France (1965), and Socorro, New Mexico (1964) are provided.

Further Analysis of Pennington's Journey and the Sistersville Observation

Larson's report from Sistersville aligns with Pennington's movements and helps clarify his 'journey' after April 10, 1897. The sighting in Sistersville at 5:00 AM on April 19, 1897, suggests Pennington could have reached Le Roy by 10:30 PM the same day, covering 800 miles at 47 mph with a favorable wind. This information helps define Pennington's route.

M. Bernard O'Connor's account of the heifer's remains being found near Le Roy is also discussed. M. Link Thomas found the remains, initially thinking a hunter had shot a cow. O'Connor suggests the heifer was voluntarily taken and not a victim of an accident.

Pennington himself reportedly admitted to building and flying his own apparatus, though he was known for making extravagant claims. Researchers continue to find reports about 1897 flying objects, including one from the Daily Kennebec Journal on April 12, 1897. This report describes a cigar-shaped object about 35 feet long, 10-12 feet wide, with a car-like gondola underneath, seen by M. Butler near Sioux City, Iowa. The object ascended at a 40-45 degree angle and disappeared south. Local opinion suggested Butler had been drinking.

News Reviews

Falatoff Journal: A new fanzine featuring fantastic comic strips, with 18 pages in 21x29.7 format. Contact: Falatoff, 3 chemin des carrières, 95 Soissy-sous-Montmorency.

Les Cahiers du réalisme fantastique: A publication for those interested in Atlantis and UFOs, published four times a year. Price: 4.50 F. Contact: J.M. Piquemal, M.J.C. Nice Magnant, 31 rue Louis de Coppel, 06 Nice.

PRESTIGIOUS RUSSIAN AND AMERICAN SCIENTISTS SEEK TO COMMUNICATE WITH EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL BEINGS by Jean-Marie MANUS

This article reports on a meeting of leading Russian and American scientists at the astronomical observatory of Biourakan, USSR. The assembly, including astronomers Joseph Chklovsky and Victor Ambarfsoumian, American Carl Sagan, and Nobel laureate Dr. Francis Crick, aimed to develop a common program for listening to the cosmos. The goal is to search for evidence of inhabited worlds and to attempt contact.

Scientists from various fields, including biology, neuro-physiology, long-distance communication, electronics, and astrophysics, attended, highlighting the importance of the subject. The collaboration between the US and the USSR, despite their rivalry in space exploration, is noted as significant in addressing this ancient human enigma.

Other 'Earths', Other 'Suns'

Scientists believe there's a high probability of inhabited worlds within our universe, orbiting other stars. These worlds might have life, possibly intelligent beings, pondering the same question: 'Are we alone?' This hypothesis extends to understanding how life might appear on other planets. The necessary chemical elements for primitive life are already known to exist on other planets. Biologists refer to this as 'soup,' which eventually coalesces to form the first cell, initiating the evolution of life from single cells to complex organisms.

Dr. Francis Crick raised the question of whether the appearance of life on Earth was an isolated event or if it has occurred on other planets. The article ponders the evolutionary stage of potential extraterrestrial inhabitants.

DISCOVERING THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

A major obstacle to communication with extraterrestrials is discovering a 'universal language' that would be understood by both senders and receivers. The article posits that extraterrestrial civilizations must possess a language, as it was a crucial step in human evolution.

The most effective method for sending messages is through radio waves, using arithmetic signals like '2 + 3 = 5.' Other proposed methods include hydrogen bomb explosions in the upper atmosphere or using Jupiter's atmosphere as a reflector. However, the technical means for such transmissions are still lacking.

It's estimated that extraterrestrial civilizations might exist within a 1,000 light-year radius. Reaching such a civilization would take at least 500 years, with an equal waiting time for a response, requiring the relay of information across multiple generations of astronomers.

Listening for Signals

Russian and American radio astronomers have been monitoring for possible messages from space. They have detected mysterious pulsations resembling regular transmissions, often identified as 'radio-sources' – celestial bodies emitting radiation. Professor Chklovsky announced in April 1965 that he had detected a message from an extraterrestrial civilization, though he later retracted the statement amidst international attention.

American Carl Sagan has consistently supported serious scientific investigations into UFO phenomena, stating that it would be foolish to ignore any potential truth in these reports.

EXTRATERRESTRIAL MANEUVERS by Otto BINDER

This article explores the impact of UFOs on animals, arguing that animals, unlike humans, cannot lie or imagine, making their reactions to UFOs significant. Many reports indicate that animals, particularly dogs, alerted their human companions to the presence of UFOs before they were visible.

Several incidents are cited: cattle panicking in Bauquay, France (October 11, 1954); a herd of cattle stampeding in Boaria, Italy (October 15, 1954); and a horse becoming agitated and falling into a coma after an UFO appeared in Cier-de-Rivière, France (October 16, 1954).

The article suggests that animals might have a wider range of perception, allowing them to hear the 'humming' or 'whining' often associated with UFOs. They may also be more sensitive to electromagnetic forces that physically affect them. This sensitivity is contrasted with their lack of reaction to noisy terrestrial machines like trucks and farm equipment, while they are terrified by silent UFOs.

The author questions the cause of this animal panic, suggesting it's not terrestrial and is linked to UFOs and their 'strange EM effects.' He proposes that these might be deliberate experiments by 'ufonauts' to create widespread animal panic, potentially leading to societal disruption. Alternatively, the effects could be due to incomplete 'protection' of their magnetic fields, though the author believes UFO occupants are aware of the consequences.

The article lists other strange EM effects, including 'teenagers' experiencing sudden intellectual improvement after UFO radiation. Other reported effects include:

• A man's hair standing on end, as if 'magnetized' by a hovering UFO.
• A reduction in ambient sound intensity.
• Car headlights being drawn towards a UFO, causing a driver to nearly crash.
• An airplane's compass malfunctioning for 15 minutes after a nearby UFO sighting.
• Airport lights dimming or going out during a low-altitude UFO pass.
• Repeated power outages in Timaru, New Zealand, coinciding with UFO sightings.
• A radar system locking onto a UFO.
• Road signs becoming magnetized and emitting metallic noises after UFO observations.
• A small pond freezing over after a UFO passed overhead.
• A dead cow found on a farm after a UFO flyover, followed by the appearance of giant mushrooms.
• A car's paint changing color from gray to purple during a UFO sighting.
• Television screens displaying only static lines.
• An airplane engine accelerating uncontrollably.

Binder concludes that these phenomena suggest an invisible network of energies affecting machines, animals, and humans, raising the question of whether these are accidental or part of a test of 'spatial weapons.'

FLYING SAUCER IN MOSELLE

This brief report from France Soir (September 5-6, 1971) describes a flying object emitting reddish flashes observed by residents of Freyming and Merlebach (Moselle) on September 1st. The object moved silently from west to east, then turned northeast, evolving for 10-15 minutes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, historical sightings, and the potential for extraterrestrial contact. There's a strong emphasis on analyzing eyewitness accounts and scientific investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO subject, presenting evidence and theories without outright dismissal, while also acknowledging skepticism and the need for rigorous research. The publication seems to aim at informing its readers about global UFO activity and related scientific endeavors, particularly highlighting international collaboration in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.