Extraterrestres, Les - Series 2 - No 06 - avril 1978

Magazine Overview

Title: Les EXTRATERRESTRES
Issue Date: April 1978
Issue Number: 6
Cover Headline: -Objets Volants Non Identifiés-

This issue of Les EXTRATERRESTRES, a French magazine dedicated to UFO phenomena, presents a comprehensive investigation into the 'Stanford Affair,' a significant case of alleged alien abduction. It also features articles on the preliminary study of animal reactions to UFOs, an unusual UFO encounter in Uruguay with secondary effects, a UFO landing in Brazil, and an analysis of a potentially significant UFO photograph taken in France.

Plaidoyer pour une nouvelle forme d'Investigation

This editorial argues for a shift in UFO research, moving beyond simply cataloging sightings and descriptions. The author suggests focusing on the fundamental question: 'WHY are UFOs interested in Earth?' The current approach, which has been ongoing for decades, is criticized for being driven by enthusiasm rather than a clear path to understanding. The proposed new method involves a detailed study of the specific sectors where UFO phenomena manifest, focusing on geography, geology, climate, flora, fauna, population, and vocation. This comprehensive environmental analysis would be followed by surveillance to identify changes, anomalies, disappearances, shortages, abundances, destructions, accidents, and catastrophes, suggesting that some of these events might not be natural or human-caused.

L'Affaire Stanford

This article details the significant UFO abduction case of January 6, 1976, in Stanford, Kentucky, USA, involving three women: Louise Smith, Mona Stafford, and Elaine Thomas. The investigation, led by Leonard H. Stringfield, highlights the importance of this case due to its multiple witnesses and the detailed accounts of the encounter. The women reported losing time, experiencing physical effects like burns and weight loss, and having their car's electronics affected. The article describes the initial encounter, the loss of control of the vehicle, the appearance of a large, metallic, disc-shaped object with a red ring and a yellow light, and a beam of light that struck the car. Subsequent hypnosis sessions revealed details about the occupants, described as humanoids with wrinkled heads and large eyes, and the traumatic experience of being examined inside the UFO. The case gained significant media attention and was investigated by various ufological organizations.

Etudes Préliminaires sur les Réactions des Animaux en Présence des OVNI

This study by Dr. Harold I. Heaton explores the physical characteristics of UFOs by examining their interaction with the bio-environment, focusing on animal reactions. The article notes that animals often exhibit extreme fear or unusual docility in the presence of UFOs. It suggests that animals could serve as an important alarm system, providing physical data on UFOs. Several theories are proposed to explain these reactions, including microwave energy, magnetic fields, electrostatic charges, and direct nerve stimulation. The study categorizes cases and analyzes data, noting that while dogs, horses, and cows are frequently reported to react, cats are rarely mentioned. The research aims to establish a more rigorous methodology for collecting and analyzing such data, potentially using computer databases like UFOCAT.

Notes and Communications

Photo Inédite d'un Phénomène Insolite: This section presents an unpublished photograph taken in France on September 6, 1975, by an observation team from GREPO. The image captures a luminous, bar-shaped object moving horizontally across the sky. Analysis of the photograph, particularly the 'trainée' (trail), suggests it could represent an unusual aerial phenomenon, possibly an UFO, with distinct parts (A, B, C, D) indicating acceleration and a potential change in the object's orientation.

OVNI avec Effet Secondaire en Uruguay: This report details a case from Salto, Uruguay, in March 1977, where an unknown object was observed over several days. The object, described as round, luminous, and changing color from orange to dark red, caused significant secondary effects. These included a herd of cows producing less milk, a barbed wire fence becoming calcined, and a dog dying shortly after the encounter. An autopsy of the dog revealed unusual physical characteristics, with the upper part of its body being abnormally hard and the lower part appearing 'cooked.' The case is considered potentially important if confirmed by further examination.

Atterrissage d'un OVNI au Brésil: This article recounts a UFO landing incident that occurred on February 25, 1966, near Garanhuns, Brazil. Three witnesses reported seeing a round object with large headlights and three small, child-sized beings, along with a taller figure. The beings appeared to communicate non-verbally. The event is compared to a similar case in France. The witnesses experienced fear and sought refuge, while one remained to observe the object, which later changed position and altitude.

OVNI Change de Position: This brief note follows the Brazil incident, mentioning that the UFO changed its position, moving closer to the ground and the road, possibly to avoid detection by a passing jeep. The jeep driver later confirmed seeing something unusual.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on detailed case studies, investigations, and preliminary research into UFO phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on witness testimony, photographic evidence, and the physical and psychological effects of UFO encounters. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging collaboration among researchers and presenting a wide range of reported incidents, from alleged abductions to unusual aerial sightings and their consequences. The magazine aims to advance the field of ufology by providing a platform for serious research and discussion, as evidenced by its call for reader contributions and its commitment to publishing detailed analyses of significant cases.

This issue of "Les Extraterrestres" magazine, dated August 1975, delves into the complex world of UFO phenomena, featuring a cover story interview with ufologist Michel Monnerie titled "ET SI LES OVNI NEXISTAIENT PAS !" (What If UFOs Didn't Exist?). The magazine also includes a collection of UFO sighting reports from around the world, an investigation into a specific case near Mulhouse, and a discussion on the analysis of photographic evidence.

Interview with Michel Monnerie

The interview with Michel Monnerie, conducted by Guy Capet, explores his fifteen years of research into UFOs. Monnerie, co-author of "Mystérieuses Soucoupes Volantes," presents a socio-psychological thesis suggesting that many UFO observations might stem from misinterpretation, collective myth, or psychological projection rather than actual extraterrestrial craft. He explains his initial interest in UFOs, sparked by a sky photograph in 1968, and his subsequent involvement in ufological groups. Monnerie emphasizes that 'OVNI' (Objet Volant Non Identifié - Unidentified Flying Object) has evolved in popular understanding to specifically mean 'flying saucer from another planet,' a semantic shift he finds significant. He discusses his approach to analyzing UFO cases, particularly focusing on photographic evidence, which he considers tangible clues, akin to evidence in a police investigation. He recounts a case where a photograph, initially believed to be of a UFO, was later explained as a misinterpretation of the planet Venus combined with atmospheric conditions and a nearby streetlamp.

Monnerie argues that the lack of progress and the incoherence in the phenomenon suggest a need to re-examine the fundamental assumptions of ufology. He posits that UFOs have become a modern myth, a 'credible and technical' refuge for explaining the unknown, similar to religious apparitions or spiritualism in the past. He believes that while genuine unidentified phenomena might exist, many reported sightings are a result of errors in identification, influenced by widespread information and collective unconscious beliefs.

Case Study: Object on the Ground Near Mulhouse

This section details an incident that reportedly occurred on August 28, 1977, in the Forêt de la Hart, near Mulhouse, France. Four witnesses, returning from a party, experienced their car suddenly stalling in a curve. After managing to restart and drive to the side of the road, they observed a large, red-orange, ball-shaped object emerge from between clouds. The object descended, moved in a Z-pattern, and then reportedly landed in a clearing. The witnesses described a low, humming sound. The object, estimated to be about fifty meters in diameter, landed in a clearing and appeared to take the shape of a rugby ball. It remained on the ground for about ten seconds before disappearing. Upon investigation, traces were found on the ground, and the air was noted to be warmer. The car, which had stalled, miraculously started again later. The witness Jean-Claude GESITS, initially skeptical of UFOs, changed his mind after this experience.

The investigator's commentary notes several recurring elements in UFO cases, such as traces, odors, sounds, vehicle malfunctions, and the effects of lights on witnesses. The size of the object is highlighted as particularly incredible.

Document Photo is a Fake!

This section debunks a UFO photograph that had gained attention in Canada and was reportedly being circulated in Europe. The "Project SUM UFO Research" in Ste Catarine, Ontario, Canada, provided evidence that the photograph was a fabrication. The witness admitted to having faked the photo, and a second witness denied being present. Investigations revealed the witness's tendency to play pranks, and photographic analysis indicated that the object's clarity was unnatural.

Perpignan Sighting, August 1975

This report details an observation made by Marshal of Logis Roland near Perpignan, France, in August 1975. At approximately 9:30 PM, while driving, he saw an intriguing object that stopped him. The object was described as large, melon-shaped, and gray, hovering about two hundred meters above the ground. It had a halo of changing colors (red, green, yellow, red). The object then disappeared rapidly, ascending in a manner described as "dead leaves." The observation lasted only a few seconds, and many other witnesses also stopped to observe the phenomenon. The sky was clear with few clouds.

Archives of Newspapers

This section proposes the creation of a centralized archive service to collect and organize newspaper clippings related to UFO sightings from across France. The aim is to avoid duplication of effort by ufologists and to create a comprehensive database of UFO reports published in various journals. Readers are encouraged to contribute by cutting out articles and sending them in.

Humanoids from Another Planet?

This article discusses the ongoing mystery of humanoids from other planets. It notes that current knowledge is limited, and the focus is on collecting and analyzing facts. The article critiques sensationalized descriptions of humanoids in the press, attributing them to journalistic imagination rather than reality. It mentions the work of Noël PAULIN, who is creating a series of 'robot portraits' of humanoids based on extensive documentation from GEOS, aiming to provide more tangible and serious descriptions.

UFO Reports from Around the World

This section provides a chronological list of UFO sightings reported between January and March 1977, from various locations including Canada, the USA, and France. Each entry includes the date, location, and a brief description of the sighting, witnesses, and the object observed. Examples include:

• January 5, 1977: Montréal, Canada - Landing on a building roof with two human-like occupants.
• January 5, 1977: Salmon Arm, Canada - A driver's encounter with a flying object causing temporary amnesia.
• January 15, 1977: Louisiana, USA - Fishermen overflown by a UFO that immobilized them.
• February 8, 1977: St-Bernard, USA - A UFO followed a car at low altitude.
• February 10, 1977: Canada - A car was pushed back by a UFO, causing memory loss.
• February 10, 1977: Tucson, Arizona, USA - A cylindrical object landed, and a humanoid figure was observed inside.
• March 6, 1977: Iowa, USA - A luminous ball followed a car home.
• March 8, 1977: West-Jacksonport, USA - A round UFO with a green light was observed.
• March 29, 1977: Missouri, USA - A couple witnessed a UFO landing and observed two occupants.

Documentation Service

This section lists books and publications available for purchase through the magazine's documentation service, covering a wide range of topics related to UFOs, extraterrestrials, and the paranormal. It also advertises a series of UFO slides and photo enlargements.

"Les Frontières de l'impossible" Collection

This advertisement promotes a collection of illustrated volumes on supernatural phenomena, including UFOs, Bermuda Triangle, occultism, and other mysteries. It offers a free trial of the first volume and a bonus amulet for prompt responses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO phenomena, the analysis of witness testimonies and photographic evidence, and the critical examination of the nature of UFOs. There's a strong undercurrent of skepticism, particularly in the interview with Michel Monnerie, who suggests that many UFO sightings might be misinterpretations or psychological phenomena rather than evidence of extraterrestrial visitation. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of open inquiry, presenting various cases and expert opinions while encouraging readers to form their own conclusions. The emphasis on detailed case studies and the proposed newspaper archive service highlight a commitment to rigorous research, even if the ultimate conclusion leans towards questioning the literal interpretation of many UFO reports.