LES EXTRATERRESTRES

Magazine Overview

Title: LES EXTRATERRESTRES
Issue: N°19 (1st and 2nd fortnight)
Date: December 1971
Publisher: G. Lebat
Country: France
Price: 3F Francais

This issue of LES EXTRATERRESTRES, a French international review, delves into various unexplained phenomena, with a strong focus on UFOs, extraterrestrial hypotheses, and scientific curiosities like tektites. The magazine features investigative reports, theoretical articles, and reader contributions, aiming to explore the unknown with a blend of scientific inquiry and speculative thought.

The Car Fire of Arcis-sur-Aube: An Anomalous Event

The cover story investigates a mysterious incident in Arcis-sur-Aube, France, where a SIMCA 1000 car was found completely burned on June 7, 1971. The fire was so intense that the car's glass windows were completely liquefied, a phenomenon far exceeding the typical temperatures of a car fire. The victim, identified as Léon Eveillé, was found carbonized. The report, authored by Maurice Gremillet and Guy Capet, highlights the unusual nature of the fire, noting that the car's blue metallic color was only discernible on a small portion of the front. The investigation by Judge M. Poignard is ongoing. The article also references a similar incident in 1954 involving a forest exploiter named M. Réveillé, who witnessed a luminous object emitting intense heat.

A subsequent report on the burned corpse, signed by Guy Capet and Maurice Gremillet, attempts to dismiss a direct link to UFOs. While acknowledging that UFOs can cause temporary paralysis and sometimes burns, they argue that the presence of carbon particles in the victim's lungs suggests the respiratory cycle was complete, ruling out paralysis. They also suggest the fire might not have started inside the car and that the high temperatures could be explained by flammable liquids, potentially reaching 1000°C if polyester interior linings were involved, leading to the melting of the glass.

The Enigma of Tektites

Another significant section explores the mystery of "Tektites," small, dark, glassy stones found in various locations worldwide, including Australia, the USA, Czechoslovakia, Africa, China, and the Philippines. Dr. G.J. Mc Call, a geologist from Western Australia, described the origin of tektites as one of the current enigmas of natural science. The article notes that tektites are almost entirely made of glass and have shapes different from terrestrial materials. Theories about their origin range from terrestrial events like meteorite impacts to extraterrestrial sources. The article points out that tektites are only found in geological strata dating back the last 35 million years, despite the Earth being 3.5 billion years old, and that no fossil mollusks are found alongside them, suggesting a relatively recent phenomenon.

Hypothesis on Flying Saucers: Radial Symmetry

Jean Giraud presents a detailed hypothesis about flying saucers, arguing that they are vehicles with radial symmetry, piloted by extraterrestrials who also possess radial symmetry. This is contrasted with human beings and their creations, which exhibit bilateral symmetry. Giraud draws parallels between the movements of flying saucers and the locomotion of radially symmetrical organisms like starfish and jellyfish, which can move in any direction without needing to 'turn' or 'change direction' in the human sense. He posits that the 'aberration' of flying saucer movements—their ability to stop instantly, move in zig-zags, or change direction abruptly—is a direct consequence of their radial symmetry.

Giraud focuses on observations from 1954, citing Aimé Michel's book "Mysterious Celestial Objects" as a source of reliable testimonies. He categorizes flying saucers into two main types: classic disc shapes (sometimes with domes) and 'jellyfish-like' craft with dangling elements. He emphasizes that these objects consistently display radial symmetry, with any attached elements (antennas, domes) situated along the central axis. He dismisses the idea of 'cigars' or 'obus' shapes as contradictory, arguing that they too often maintain an axis of symmetry.

He addresses two common objections: the presence of 'little green men' entering and exiting saucers, and the existence of 'flying cigars.' Giraud suggests that the 'little green men' might be passengers, not pilots, and that a pilot with radial symmetry could remain within the craft. He also proposes that the 'flying cigar' phenomenon can be explained within the framework of radial symmetry, particularly in cases of separation or doubling of objects.

Giraud concludes that contact with these extraterrestrials, who are likely far more advanced intellectually, is improbable due to fundamental differences in their thought processes, which may not be based on binary logic (yes/no, true/false) but on a more complex, multi-directional system reflecting their radial symmetry. He speculates that their visits might be for observation, perhaps to study the bilateral symmetry of terrestrial life forms like ants.

Canadian Contributions and Planetarium News

The magazine includes a section dedicated to its Canadian friends, thanking collaborators like Claude Mac Duff and Henri Bordeleau for their contributions, including information sent via radio broadcasts. Henri Bordeleau is highlighted for recommending the French magazine "Les Extraterrestres" to listeners. The section also shares an interesting observation from Adrien Jean about his sister-in-law witnessing a large fireball and a flying saucer causing a television to malfunction.

Additionally, the issue announces that the Montréal Planetarium will be introducing a program dedicated to UFOs and their peculiarities, titled "Les Petits Hommes Verts" (The Little Green Men), scheduled for January/February 1972. This program is presented as a serious and scientific exploration of the phenomenon, with the planetarium planning to consult with researchers in the field.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unexplained, particularly UFOs and their potential origins and nature. The magazine adopts a stance of open inquiry, presenting hypotheses and scientific discussions without necessarily claiming definitive proof. There's a strong emphasis on theoretical exploration, drawing parallels between observed phenomena and biological or physical principles, such as symmetry. The editorial approach encourages reader participation and debate, inviting critiques and further discussion on the presented hypotheses. The magazine appears to be a platform for enthusiasts and researchers interested in pushing the boundaries of conventional understanding regarding extraterrestrial phenomena and related mysteries.