Hypotheses Extraterrestres - No 14 - avril 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: Hypothèses EXTRATERRESTRES
Issue Date: Avril 1980 (No. 14)
Publisher: Hypothèses EXTRATERRESTRES
Country: France
Language: French
Cover Headline: Objets Volants Non Identifiés (Unidentified Flying Objects)

This issue of Hypothèses EXTRATERRESTRES delves into the enigmatic "Affaire de Cergy-Pontoise," a case that captivated the French public and media in late 1979 and early 1980. The magazine provides an in-depth investigation into the events surrounding the disappearance and reappearance of Franck Fontaine, a young man who allegedly vanished after witnessing a UFO.

The Cergy-Pontoise Affair: An In-Depth Investigation

The magazine's investigation into the Cergy-Pontoise case begins with an account of the initial report to the gendarmerie on November 26, 1979. The two main witnesses, Jean-Pierre Prevost and Salomon N'Diaye, reported seeing a luminous, elongated object descending from the sky, followed by the disappearance of their friend, Franck Fontaine. The gendarmerie, represented by Commandant Courcoux, found the witnesses to be sincere but could not definitively explain the events.

Initial investigations by the gendarmerie included radioactivity tests, which yielded negative results. The witnesses also attempted to test for compass deviations, but no significant findings were reported. The case was eventually transferred to the gendarmerie due to the local police's lack of expertise.

The article details the witnesses' account of the event: a red Ford Taunus car, used by the three friends, was parked near an apartment building. Franck Fontaine was reportedly in the process of loading items when a luminous, elongated object appeared. The object was described as a dense, luminous fog that surrounded the car, and then ascended into a luminous tube before disappearing.

Franck Fontaine remained missing for eight days. His reappearance on December 3, 1979, is recounted in the second part of the investigation. Upon his return, Franck had no memory of the intervening period, only recalling waking up where he had disappeared. He found his car missing. The witnesses recounted the events to Franck, who was initially unaware of the extensive search and media attention his disappearance had generated.

The investigation also touches upon the involvement of the GEPAN (Groupe d'Études et de Recherches des Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non identifiés), a French official UFO research group. However, the witnesses reportedly refused in-depth scientific examinations, including hypnosis, which was attempted by Daniel Huguet.

The magazine expresses skepticism regarding the case, noting the lack of concrete evidence and the possibility of a hoax or misinterpretation. The article highlights that the Cergy-Pontoise affair, despite its sensational nature, may not be suitable for serious scientific study due to its ambiguous nature and the witnesses' reluctance to cooperate fully with scientific investigations.

Complement to the Affair

Roland Varin, a mechanic from Menuccourt, reported hearing a strange, unusual noise for about ten minutes on the same morning as the Cergy incident. He described it as a sort of reactor resonance or a muffled sound, originating from the direction of Pontoise. Varin was not initially aware of the Cergy-Pontoise events but later came forward after learning about them.

Other UFO Sightings and Investigations

Beyond the Cergy case, the magazine features several other UFO observations:

• Observation in Bretagne: Bertrand Quillay, a 19-year-old, reported seeing a cylindrical object with yellow light and a violet contour on August 20, 1977, near Locoal-Mendon.
• Above Romans (Drôme): Monsieur Rivera observed a luminous, rotating, multicolored disc-like object for about an hour on the night of December 12-13, 1979.
• Angle (Gard): Two individuals reported seeing three luminous balls in a triangle formation on December 12, 1979.
• Mareau-aux-Bois: A witness named Lefort described seeing a disc-shaped object with a dome and flashing lights moving erratically.
• Derval (Loire Atlantique): A mason reported observing an orange ball that surrounded and made a vehicle disappear, then reappeared.
• Marseille: Two postal workers claimed to have seen a stationary, brilliant silver ball that disappeared at high speed.

Legal Actions Against CIA and USAF

The magazine also reports on legal actions being taken in the United States. Two non-profit associations, GSW (Ground Saucer Watch) and CAUS (Citizen Against UFOsecrecy), are using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to sue the CIA and USAF for public documents related to UFOs. The CIA reportedly acknowledged holding thousands of pages of UFO-related information, some of which were allegedly censored.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of specific UFO sightings, the challenges of gathering credible evidence, the role of the media in sensationalizing events, and the potential for government secrecy regarding UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting witness accounts and official reports while also expressing skepticism and highlighting the need for verifiable proof. The magazine encourages reader collaboration and aims to advance the field of ufology through serious, documented research.

This issue of "Planète" magazine, dated January 1980, focuses on UFO phenomena, theoretical space travel, and scientific analyses related to these topics. The cover prominently features the headline "CES ENGINS QUE L'ON APPELLE VOLANTES" (These crafts we call flying saucers) and an illustration of an alien.

UFO Sightings and Explanations

The magazine presents several reported UFO sightings from various locations:

• Crépy-en-Valois (Oise), France: An employee of Poclain reported seeing a luminous orange-maroon sphere emerge from a field, move at high speed, and then 'explode.' Gendarmes investigated but found no traces.
• Provins and Rubelles, France (Night of January 5th): An inhabitant of Voisenons reported a luminous ball in a field emitting a whistling sound. In Provins, a red and green luminous ball was seen moving at low altitude.
• Dammarie-les-Lys, France: Multiple reports of an immobile, bright object were made. The magazine's investigation concludes that this was likely the planet Venus, noting its brilliance during that period and how it could be misinterpreted.
• Saint-Nicolas-du-Pélem, France (December 8th, 1979): Gendarmerie investigated a phenomenon reported by a woman and her daughter, describing a red-orange, possibly cylindrical, luminous object. The magazine again suggests Venus as a probable explanation.
• Homecourt (Meurthe-et-Moselle), France (November 18th, 1979): A military man reported a luminous green ball with a fish-tail shape moving towards Thionville.
• Beaumont-du-Ventoux, France (December 6th, 1979): Mademoiselle Anne-Marie Paul observed a bright point, described as seven times larger than the moon, ascending and rotating, appearing to split in two. The local newspaper, LE PROVENCAL, reported this.
• Kuwait: The issue details observations from November 1978, including a 'flying saucer' seen near Umm El Eish and a large cylindrical object with a dome and red lights landing at a pumping station, causing telecommunication interruptions. Further reports from Al Sabriyan mention a UFO being photographed, also causing communication disruptions. Observations of a fluorescent object with an orange light were also reported in Abu Dhabi.
• United States (1952): Captain John Warner of Eastern Airlines reported seeing a yellow incandescent elliptical object that cut across his flight path and then rapidly ascended at high speed, confirmed by radar.

Theoretical Propulsion and Space Travel

Several articles explore the theoretical aspects of space travel and propulsion:

• Interplanetary Voyages: This section discusses the challenges of reaching nearby stars like Alpha Centauri, even at the speed of light. It highlights the immense time required for travel and the physiological constraints on astronauts due to acceleration and deceleration. The concept of 'time dilation' is explained, where time passes slower for a traveler at high speeds relative to a stationary observer.
• Hypotheses and Critiques on UFO Propulsion: Benjamin Lisan, an engineer, presents a detailed scientific attempt to formalize a 'Synergetic Theory' for UFO propulsion. This involves complex mathematical formulations based on electromagnetic waves, Maxwell's equations, and hypothetical medium properties. He attempts to demonstrate formulas related to energy density, momentum, and gravitational effects, referencing the work of René-Louis Vallée. The article critically examines existing theories and hypotheses, including those of Vallée, and points out potential errors or areas needing further verification.
• The 'Synergetic Theory' Formalization: Lisan's work involves defining axioms related to the universe's geometric framework, electromagnetic fields, and the properties of waves. He explores concepts like the density of momentum and energy, and the forces of diffusion within a medium. The article includes mathematical derivations for various formulas, aiming to explain phenomena like gravitational effects and particle behavior.

Other Content

• Documentation Service: A comprehensive catalog of UFO-related books available for purchase through the magazine's documentation service is provided, listing titles in French and English, along with their prices.
• New Telescope: The inauguration of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope on Mauna Kea is reported, highlighting its advanced capabilities for astronomical observation.
• UFOs in Diapositives: The magazine announces a new series of 12 color slides depicting UFOs, available for purchase.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently approaches UFO phenomena with a blend of reporting on sightings and critical, scientific analysis. While presenting witness accounts, there's a clear effort to provide rational explanations, often identifying celestial bodies like Venus as the source of misinterpretations. The inclusion of theoretical physics articles, particularly Benjamin Lisan's work on synergetics, indicates a stance that seeks to understand UFOs through scientific inquiry, even if it involves speculative theories about advanced propulsion and physics beyond current understanding. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, grounded in scientific principles and a desire to demystify the subject while acknowledging the possibility of unknown phenomena.