GEPO No 16 - GEPO Informations - No 16 - avr-mai-juin 1979

Magazine Overview

Title: GEPO INFORMATIONS
Issue: N°16
Date: April - May - June 1979
Publisher: GEPO (Groupe d'Etude du Phénomène OVNI)
Country: France
Language: French

The Roanne Phenomenon of December 2, 1978

This issue of GEPO INFORMATIONS focuses on a significant luminous phenomenon observed in Roanne, France, on Saturday, December 2, 1978, between 17:10 and 18:10. The report details an investigation undertaken by GEPO, a private, non-profit group founded in 1976.

Witness Testimony from Roanne

The primary witness, Jean Luc Michault, a resident of Roanne, reported seeing a very bright, luminous white trail extending from west to east, originating behind the Monts de la Madeleine. This trail was described as being more concentrated and wider than those left by jet aircraft. It maintained its clarity and visibility for an extended period, from approximately 17:15 until 18:05. The trail was not straight but described zig-zagging, sometimes in a rounded, sometimes in an angular manner. At one point, an oval shape with brighter extremities appeared within the trail. The phenomenon culminated in a bright, round light source, appearing to be a luminous ball surrounded by a halo, with a diameter slightly less than the moon. As the trail receded eastward, it became thinner and brighter. Notably, the object itself did not appear to move, nor did the luminous points within the trail. Michault managed to film the phenomenon for about ten minutes.

Around 18:10, the luminous ball disappeared, replaced by a blue-sky-like hole of the same diameter. The trail remained white and clear. Shortly after, the more distant part of the trail vanished, and the remaining part transformed into a cloud with multiple contours, which was not very fast. This cloud remained visible for about 20 minutes, even in the darkness. Michault's father, residing in Changy (Loire), also observed the phenomenon.

Corroborating Sightings Across France

GEPO's investigation revealed numerous other sightings on the same day, indicating a widespread phenomenon:

• Roanne (17:10): A remarkable luminous object was filmed, appearing in the west, moving in a zig-zag, describing a circle, and then becoming stationary before disappearing, leaving an iridescent light. Many witnesses in Roanne and surrounding areas saw it.
• Clermont-Ferrand (17:15): Numerous people observed a luminous round object and took photographs.
• Montluçon (17:15): A similar scenario, with the phenomenon being photographed.
• Charnay (Saône-et-Loire) (17:15): A gendarme observed a curious celestial phenomenon, an object moving from south to northeast, leaving a white trail. Three beams of light suddenly emerged from the object, and it disappeared into the distance. Photographs were taken, showing strange interlaced patterns.
• Chèvremont (Territoire de Belfort) (approx. 17:15): Three witnesses saw a huge, iridescent fireball-like object, seemingly disintegrating, with two luminous zig-zag trails extending downwards.
• Bâle/Mulhouse Airport (Haut-Rhin) (17:16): A weather station official observed a cylindrical object, about 100 meters in diameter, of very bright white light, moving towards Bâle at high speed. This observation was confirmed by an Air Inter mechanic and numerous telephone calls from Alsace and Switzerland.
• Belfort (Territoire de) (17:40): A meteorology technician observed a significant luminous phenomenon in the sector S-50, 10° above the horizon, which slowly faded.
• Arc-et-Senans (Doubs): Five aeronauts observed a luminous ball leaving bright trails behind it, moving towards the ground.
• Contrexéville (Vosges): An inhabitant observed a luminous phenomenon that could not be an airplane, describing it as a powerful car headlight with sparks.

Analysis of the Film and Evidence

Mr. Michault's film, which lasted approximately 8 minutes, was analyzed. While excellent in quality, it raised further questions. The film showed birds flying across the screen, and later, an airplane passing in front of the phenomenon, its straight contrail contrasting with the object's complex trails. The film indicated the round object was moving slowly downwards, while an elongated, brighter form within a trail moved upwards. Michault also provided about 900 slides from his film and other photographs.

Gendarmerie Inquiries

GEPO contacted various gendarmeries to inquire about any official reports or observations. Responses varied:

• Clermont-Ferrand: A duty gendarme saw the trail but paid little attention, stating many celestial phenomena are observed in the region.
• Vichy: Initial calls yielded no information, but a later call suggested the phenomenon might have been noticed.
• Thiers: A gendarme observed the phenomenon and noted two luminous trails, and other colleagues also reportedly saw it. This testimony helped pinpoint the phenomenon's location about 60 km from Roanne, between Thiers and Clermont.
• Macon: No reports were heard, except for a vague mention of a gendarme observing a phenomenon produced by kerosene.
• Roanne: The duty gendarme had not personally seen the phenomenon but had heard about it. He mentioned that after an article in 'La Tribune LE PROGRES', witnesses came forward to report their sightings to the gendarmerie. The dossier had already been sent to Paris.
• Montluçon: No reports were filed, contradicting a magazine's claim of photographs being taken.
• Digoin: Gendarmes concluded it was a kerosene-related incident (likely referring to an aircraft).
• Mulhouse: The duty gendarme was unaware, and the deputy commander of the National Gendarmerie stated no official report had been filed. A suggestion to call Baldernheim yielded no results.
• Belfort: The response was that authorities are not constantly observing the sky.

Possible Explanations and Remaining Questions

The report considers several hypotheses:

• Military Exercises: The GEPAN (CNES) in Toulouse suggested the phenomenon could be related to military tests, noting that such events can involve various effects like fragmentation, heating, and delayed re-ignition. They considered it unlikely that the observed event was anything other than military tests.
• Falling Debris: The possibility of debris from a controlled destruction of a rocket or satellite was considered, but questions arose about why it wouldn't crash and why the luminous ball didn't fade progressively.
• Meteorite: This was dismissed due to the object's trajectory (ascending zig-zag) and duration (nearly an hour), unlike a typical meteorite's descent.
• Aircraft: While possible, the object's movement (upwards) and the complex nature of the trails made this explanation less likely.
• Multiple Objects: The film suggested the possibility of several objects moving slowly, with a potential 'mother ship' and smaller craft. The connecting trails seemed to support this.

Discrepancies and Conclusions

Significant discrepancies were noted, particularly concerning the timing of sightings in different locations. For instance, an object seen near Belfort at 17:15 could not logically be the same object seen near Mulhouse at 17:10-17:15, given the distance. The report highlights that the object seen in Roanne was likely not the same as the one seen near Mulhouse.

GEPO expressed regret that competent authorities often hide behind military secrecy. They cited an example where the Montverdun center denied any aircraft presence, contradicting the film evidence.

The investigation concluded that the inquiry was incomplete, leaving the reader to form their own opinion. The primary goal of the GEPO study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon on December 2, 1978. The report ends with a rhetorical question, asking if this event might be a resurgence of the 'Sun of Austerlitz' (December 2, 1802).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of GEPO INFORMATIONS demonstrates a commitment to detailed, evidence-based investigation of UFO/UAP phenomena. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, encouraging witness participation and meticulous data collection. While acknowledging the possibility of conventional explanations, the magazine does not shy away from presenting unexplained aspects and discrepancies. There is a clear frustration with the lack of transparency from official sources, particularly the military. The publication aims to inform its readers and empower them to draw their own conclusions, emphasizing the importance of thorough documentation and cross-referencing of witness accounts and physical evidence.

This issue of "ARCHIVES REGIONALES" from 1978, published by CELOCPI, focuses on UFO (OVNI) phenomena, presenting a collection of regional observations, research, and related publications. The content is primarily in French and details numerous sightings and investigations that occurred throughout 1978, with a significant concentration in the Loire region of France.

UFO Sightings and Observations (1978)

The magazine meticulously documents a series of UFO sightings, providing dates, locations, and detailed descriptions of the observed phenomena. These accounts often include witness testimonies and the characteristics of the objects.

Key incidents detailed include:

• January 27, 1978: At Rive de Gier, a white object performed complex maneuvers at low altitude, including rapid back-and-forth movements, immobilizations, and changes in luminosity.
• February 22, 1978: In Rive de Gier, a white luminous object was observed moving from east to west before disappearing.
• February 26, 1978: Two small white points were seen following each other at a low distance in the sky from south to north near Rive de Gier.
• February 28, 1978: A small, very luminous orange ball was observed moving east towards the north near Saint-Etienne.
• March 9, 1978: A yellow-orange object stopped in the sky at Rive de Gier and suddenly vanished.
• March 11, 1978: In Saint-Etienne, an object composed of two large white globes connected by a dark yellow bar, with a powerful red light underneath, flew at low altitude over an automobilist. The UFO reportedly stopped eight times for one minute each before inclining and ascending vertically at high speed.
• March 18, 1978: An immobile light was observed in the sky to the west-northwest of Firminy. It slowly moved northwest and disappeared into a cloud.
• March 21, 1978: In Firminy, two objects were observed simultaneously. One was spherical, blue-green, emitting yellow flames, and moved north. The other was higher, white and green, with red and yellow flames, descending obliquely. A formation of luminous points was also seen at Saint Symphorien de Lay.
• August 2, 1978: A red ball-shaped object was observed resting on the ground at Panissières, which then turned off like a lamp after 15 minutes.
• September 3, 1978: The CELOCPI observation team in Saint-Victor-sur-Loire observed a luminous point, which appeared as a series of fixed white, yellow, and red points. Its trajectory was southeast to east, and a similar object was seen at Terrenoire.

Other reports include observations of luminous spheres, objects described as saucer-type, and phenomena involving lights and unusual movements.

UFO Catalog and Research

The issue features a "CATALOGUS MONDIAL D'OBSERVATIONS" with a "FICHIER OVNI GEPO PASQUALINI," listing numerous UFO observations from 1954. This catalog provides dates, locations, and classification codes for each sighting, indicating a long-standing interest in documenting such events.

Several organizations are highlighted for their involvement in UFO research:

• CELOCPI (Centre d'Etudes des Mystérieux Objets Célestes et des Phénomènes Insolites): This organization is presented as actively collecting data through investigations, photographs, statistics, and detection apparatus. Their address is provided for inquiries.
• GEOS (Groupement d'Etudes sur les Phénomènes Spatiaux): Founded in 1967, GEOS is a non-profit organization aiming to resolve the UFO enigma. They centralize information and disseminate it through their quarterly review, "Les Extra-Terrestres."
• GEPO: Mentioned in relation to the Pasqualini catalog and various information bulletins.

Publications and Events

The magazine also reviews several books and publications related to UFOs:

• "OVNI, L'ARMÉE PARLE" by Jean Claude Bourret: Described as a significant work compiling new documents, including secret reports from American intelligence services.
• "RENCONTRE AVEC LES EXTRA-TERRESTRES" by Rose C...: A personal account of contact with an extraterrestrial crew.
• "EXTRALUCIDE": A monthly publication featuring an article on UFOs with case examples.
• "TOPS X": A science fiction TV show that featured a segment on extraterrestrial civilizations.

An exhibition on UFOs organized by CEMOCPI in Saint-Etienne from June 12 to July 7 is also announced, featuring investigations, photographs, statistics, and detection equipment.

A conference on UFOs organized by GEOS ILE-de-FRANCE in Boulogne-Billancourt on March 9, 1979, is summarized. The conference included a film, historical context, audio-visual presentations, and a debate, covering ancient and modern UFO phenomena, including cases like Nice in 1608 and the Baian Kara Oula discs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the systematic documentation and investigation of UFO sightings, the cataloging of historical cases, and the promotion of research through various organizations and publications. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, presenting factual accounts and research findings without overt skepticism or sensationalism, while acknowledging the mysterious nature of the subject. The inclusion of book reviews and event announcements suggests an effort to keep readers informed about the broader UFO community and its activities.