Inforespace - No 41 - 1978

Magazine Overview

Title: Inforespace
Issue: N° 41
Volume: 7th year
Date: September 1978
Publisher: SOBEPS asbl (Société Belge d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux)
Type: Bi-monthly review

Content Summary

This issue of Inforespace, a Belgian publication dedicated to the study of spatial phenomena, delves into the complex relationship between UFO sightings and intelligence agencies, primarily focusing on the CIA. The cover prominently features the title "ufologie phénomènes spatiaux" (Ufology, Spatial Phenomena).

Article: OVNI et CIA (1)

The main article, "OVNI et CIA (1)" (UFOs and the CIA), explores the extent to which secret services of major powers, specifically the NASA, CIA, and FBI, are interested in UFOs. The article suggests that the US government's explanations for these interventions often cite national security concerns, potentially revealing information about detection sites, defense apparatus, or classified materials. It references numerous sources and authors who have implicated these agencies in UFO-related matters.

A key anecdote involves journalist Warren Smith, who recounts an incident where he was confronted by individuals claiming to be CIA agents demanding a piece of metal he had obtained from a farmer who had witnessed a UFO. Smith describes being intimidated and pressured to hand over the sample, which he eventually did. This encounter led him to investigate further, allegedly obtaining a "Top Secret" report from the CIA detailing their long-standing involvement in UFO investigations since 1947, triggered by the Maury Island incident. The report purportedly concluded that UFOs are extraterrestrial machines and warned of future invasions.

The article critically examines Warren Smith's work, labeling him as a "sensation-seeking" author whose credibility is questioned by some. However, it acknowledges that his accounts, if true, align with a broader pattern of alleged government suppression and manipulation of UFO information.

Historical Context and Alleged Cover-up

The issue delves into the history of UFO investigations, referencing the 1953 Robertson Panel, where the CIA was reportedly involved. It cites Dr. J. Allen Hynek's observations on the panel's conclusions, which suggested that UFO reports posed a threat to public institutions by potentially causing communication overload, desensitizing authorities to real threats, and fostering a morbid national psychology that could be exploited by enemies. The article presents data from Project Blue Book and Cufos showing a significant reduction in unidentified cases over the years, implying a deliberate effort to minimize the number of unexplained sightings.

It also touches upon the alleged use of media, such as Walt Disney productions, to ridicule UFO phenomena and mix it with science fiction, thereby diverting public attention. The article mentions the installation of advanced radar systems at White Sands Proving Grounds in 1953, ostensibly for tracking satellites, but speculates on their potential use in detecting and analyzing UFOs.

International Cases and Agency Involvement

Beyond the CIA, the article briefly mentions other alleged instances of government or military involvement, including the FBI's extensive investigation from 1947 to 1964 and the alleged monitoring of private UFO research organizations by the FBI.

It also references a Belgian newspaper report about a CIA program initiated in 1953 to study human behavior control, involving drugs, hypnosis, and even magicians, drawing parallels to the alleged suppression of ufological research.

Other Sections

Cotisations (Subscriptions): This section details subscription rates for Inforespace in Belgium, France, and other countries for various years, as well as options for purchasing complete collections of past issues.

Les Anciens Numeros d'Inforespace (Past Issues of Inforespace): This section promotes the availability of back issues, highlighting the content covered in the first six years of publication, including historical UFO cases, photo dossiers, and research articles on topics like the Tunguska event, UFO propulsion, and the 19th-century UFO phenomenon.

Sommaire (Table of Contents): Lists the articles featured in this issue, including "OVNI et CIA (1)", "Le cas Antônio Villas Boas (4)", "Nouvelles internationales", "Le dossier photo d'inforespace", "Et si Michel Monnerie n'avait pas tout à fait tort ? (3)", and "Les aspects physiques des manifestations du phénomène OVNI (2)".

Concours d'affiche (Poster Contest): Announces the winners of a poster contest organized by SOBEPS.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around government secrecy, alleged cover-ups of UFO phenomena, and the potential extraterrestrial origin of sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, aiming to uncover and present information that challenges official narratives and explores the more controversial aspects of ufology. The publication emphasizes a rational and objective approach to studying spatial phenomena, while acknowledging the challenges posed by disinformation and the sensationalist nature of some UFO reporting. The magazine actively solicits contributions and information from its readers, underscoring its commitment to collaborative research.

This issue of "Les grands cas mondiaux" focuses on significant UFO (OVNI) cases and related scientific investigations, particularly the Antônio Villas Boas encounter and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI).

The Antônio Villas Boas Case

The issue continues its exploration of the Antônio Villas Boas case, noting that while unique, it serves as a reference point. It then introduces other cases that indirectly confirm similar experiences. One such case is that of Gilberto Grégorio Coccioli in Buenos Aires on October 4, 1972, who reported being taken into a "laboratory" by UFO occupants and having blood and semen extracted using a "grease pencil-like instrument" without pain. Another account, dated November 28, 1973, describes an encounter with "three extraterrestrials, two men and a woman" whose faces were similar to humans but with "bridged eyes like the Japanese, but more prominent." The witness reported being forced to stand and having an apparatus applied to his index finger, resulting in two drops of blood. The issue also briefly mentions the Hill case, where the witnesses underwent physical examinations, including genital ones.

The Liberato Anibal Quintero Case

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the case of Liberato Anibal Quintero, a farmhand from Colombia, as reported in the Flying Saucer Review. The account details an incident where Quintero, after returning from work, felt a strange sensation and was compelled to leave his house. He encountered a luminous "egg-shaped" craft that landed near the stables. He described the occupants as short beings (under 1.50 meters) with white skin, lacking prominent facial features, thick eyebrows, and possibly no eyelashes or eyebrows. Three women with long hair also emerged. Quintero reported being physically restrained, experiencing a burning sensations, and losing consciousness. Upon regaining awareness, he found himself in a room with "extraordinary lights" and experienced pain in his right arm, suspecting a blood extraction. He also described being massaged by three women who seemed "provocative" and engaged in sexual activity with one of them. He was given a "yellowish liquid" that restored his vigor. His wife, Brunhilda Aguirre, corroborated his changed behavior and mentioned seeing a similar strange machine in the vicinity. The farm owner, lawyer Miguel Antonio Pina Vega, and Dr. Manuel Villanueva Amaris, the local doctor, confirmed Quintero's normal state and the plausibility of his account, dismissing hallucinations.

Scientific Investigations: SETI

The issue then shifts to scientific efforts related to extraterrestrial life, focusing on the International Telecommunication Union's (UIT) work through the CCIR (Consultative Committee on International Radio) on Question 17/2, concerning radiocommunications for detecting extraterrestrial life (SETI).

It highlights the belief among many scientists that life is widespread in the galaxy and could communicate via radio waves over vast distances. Early proposals for detecting extraterrestrial signals date back to Cocconi and Morrison in 1959, followed by Drake and others. The Arecibo Observatory's "directed" signal in 1974 is mentioned. Several ongoing SETI programs are listed, including those at Algonquin Radio Observatory, Ohio State University Radio Observatory, Arecibo Observatory, Soviet programs, and research by Kardachev, Troitsky, Zuckerman, Palmer, and NASA.

The article discusses the concept of average distances between civilizations, suggesting that for communication to be probable within 100 light-years, a civilization's average longevity must be at least 107 years. It explores the possibility of other civilizations having reached a more advanced stage of development than ours.

Challenges and Possibilities of Interstellar Communication

The text touches upon the speculative nature of messages from other civilizations, noting they could be extremely long. It acknowledges the "terrocentric" bias in current scientific understanding, limited by our perspective on Earth. Despite no confirmed signals received, the hope for detecting artificial signals from deep space persists. The observation of periodic radiation from the star CTA 102 by Soviet scientists in 1963 is discussed, with its variations suggesting a deliberate modulation, though some scientists attributed it to a quasar. The immense distances involved remain the primary obstacle to direct contact.

Radio astronomers use large radio telescopes to listen for signals, but the infinite number of frequencies and potential interference from natural sources pose challenges. The issue highlights the allocation of the 1420 MHz frequency (the hydrogen line) for radio astronomy, but notes that the abundance of hydrogen creates significant noise. Preferred frequencies are now considered to be around 1.5 GHz.

Research by a team at the University of Washington suggests that nearby star systems could detect Earth's television signals if they possess sufficient technical knowledge. They calculated that powerful radar signals could be detected up to 250 light-years away. The article also mentions the difficulty for extraterrestrials in distinguishing specific signals from Earth's numerous transmissions.

The Zacatecas Photo Document

A significant historical event is presented: the observation by astronomer José A. Y Bonilla at the Zacatecas Observatory in Mexico on August 12, 1883. He documented and photographed a multitude of unknown objects passing in front of the sun. The detailed account describes the objects as appearing as dark, circular shadows against the solar disk, with some appearing perfectly round and others more elongated. This event is presented as an early photographic document related to UFO phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue emphasizes the importance of investigating UFO phenomena thoroughly, even those involving sexual encounters, arguing against an "ostrich policy." It suggests that such cases, like those of Villas Boas and Quintero, are distinct from fairy tales due to their numerous details. The magazine promotes an open-minded yet scientifically rigorous approach to UFO research, acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge while maintaining hope for future discoveries. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for the serious study of UFO phenomena and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, encouraging open discussion and investigation.

This issue of "L'Astronomie" features a detailed discussion on the interpretation of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), primarily focusing on the work of Michel Monnerie and critiquing his socio-psychological approach. The issue begins with an account of observations made by José A. y Bonilla in August 1883, detailing numerous bodies traversing the solar disk. These observations are presented as a potential starting point for understanding UFO phenomena.

Observations of Solar Disk Corpuscles

José A. y Bonilla reports on his observations of numerous small bodies passing across the face of the Sun on August 12 and 13, 1883. He describes these 'corpuscles' as appearing in varying numbers, sometimes singly, sometimes in groups, and traversing the solar disk in fractions of a second to a few seconds. He managed to fix the trajectory of several of these bodies on paper, using an equatorial telescope that followed the Sun's movement. He notes that while projected, these bodies appeared round or spherical, photographs revealed most to be of irregular shapes. Some bodies were surrounded by nebulosity and obscure trails, leading him to believe they might absorb or diminish the Sun's actinic light.

Bonilla also mentions that these phenomena were not observed in Mexico or Puebla, leading him to hypothesize that the bodies might have been closer to Earth, with their considerable parallax causing them to be projected outside the solar disk at those locations. The article includes a reproduction of a drawing (Figure 118) showing the paths of these corpuscles across the solar disk.

Krakatoa Eruption and Subsequent Sightings

The issue then connects these events to the Krakatoa volcanic eruption on August 27, 1883. Following the eruption, unusual atmospheric phenomena, including sunsets with curious hues, were observed globally due to dust and gases in the atmosphere. The article notes a series of OVNI sightings that occurred in the days and months following the eruption, starting with observations by Captain Noble and M.W.K. Bradgate on August 28, 1883, and continuing through September and November of that year in various locations including Rochester (New York), England, South America, and Texas.

Critique of Michel Monnerie's Thesis

The core of the issue is a critical examination of Michel Monnerie's book, "Et si les OVNI n'existaient pas?" (What if UFOs didn't exist?). The authors challenge Monnerie's central thesis that the extraterrestrial hypothesis (HET) is an "authorized" or "obligatory" myth. They argue that the HET is not widely accepted, even within ufology, and that many ufologists are exploring parapsychological explanations instead.

The authors contend that the idea of extraterrestrial visits is not considered plausible by the majority of humanity and is often met with skepticism or ridicule. They argue that Monnerie's reliance on the concept of the "unconscious" as an explanation for UFO phenomena is problematic. They describe the unconscious as a "black box" that offers pseudo-explanations without providing genuine insight or testable hypotheses. They criticize the "socio-psychological" approach, which they believe can explain contradictory phenomena and devalue arguments without refutation.

The "Waking Dream" Concept

Monnerie's concept of the "waking dream" or "transposition of reality" is also scrutinized. The authors argue that this concept is often used as a convenient label for inexplicable observations, similar to the approaches of Menzel, Klass, and Condon, which they characterize as ignoring or rejecting the inexplicable. They note that Monnerie fails to provide a clear definition of "waking dream" and that its application to UFO phenomena appears arbitrary.

Absence of Prior Studies and Socio-Psychological References

The authors express surprise at the lack of prior academic studies on UFOs from a socio-psychological perspective, given the phenomenon's potential significance. They question why specialists have not delved deeper into the causes and modalities of UFO observations if Monnerie's socio-psychological model were truly comprehensive.

Furthermore, the issue highlights the scarcity of references to socio-psychology in Monnerie's work, with only brief mentions of Freud's "The Science of Dreams" and Jung's "A Modern Myth." The authors find these references insufficient and point out that Freud's theories are dated and Jung's concepts are often contested.

Analysis of UFO Forms and Behavior

The article then delves into the specific forms and behaviors of UFOs, challenging the socio-psychological interpretations, particularly those that attribute sexual symbolism to their shapes (e.g., disk as a 'mandorla' or feminine symbol, cigar shape as phallic). The authors find these interpretations unconvincing and argue that they fail to explain the variety and strangeness of UFO appearances.

They also discuss the limitations of psychological explanations for the observed phenomena. While acknowledging that human imagination can be creative, they question whether it can consistently produce the specific, often absurd, forms and behaviors associated with UFOs. They cite examples of post-hypnotic suggestion experiments that induced subjects to "see" UFOs, but these "observations" were vague and lacked detailed structure, suggesting that the phenomena themselves are not simply products of human imagination.

Conclusion

The authors conclude that while Monnerie's work raises important questions, his reliance on socio-psychological explanations, particularly the concept of the unconscious and the "waking dream," is insufficient to fully account for the UFO phenomenon. They suggest that the persistent absurdity and strangeness of UFOs might indicate an origin external to human psychology, and that more rigorous, unbiased scientific investigation is needed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of UFO phenomena, the limitations of psychological and socio-psychological explanations, and the search for objective evidence. The editorial stance is critical of overly simplistic or speculative interpretations, advocating for a more rigorous and evidence-based approach to ufology. There is a clear skepticism towards explanations that rely heavily on the unconscious mind or symbolic interpretations without sufficient empirical support. The issue champions the importance of direct observation and empirical data, as exemplified by the solar disk observations, while also acknowledging the complexity and elusiveness of the UFO phenomenon.

This issue of "Lumières dans la Nuit" (No. 170, April 1978) is primarily a critical analysis of Michel Monnerie's book "Les Phénomènes OVNI," focusing on his socio-psychological hypothesis that UFO sightings are manifestations of the human unconscious. The review, authored by Jacques Scornaux, systematically dissects Monnerie's arguments, presenting counter-arguments and questioning the sufficiency of his explanations.

Critique of Monnerie's Socio-Psychological Hypothesis

The review begins by challenging Monnerie's assertion that rare UFO characteristics should be more prevalent if they were products of the unconscious. The author argues that if the unconscious were to manifest through visions, one would expect a higher proportion of monstrous or nightmarish figures, drawing parallels to common phobias. The article notes that descriptions of extraterrestrials often lack common monstrous features and that even frequently cited elements like green skin or antennae are rare.

Monnerie's idea that unconscious reading material influences UFO observations is also questioned. The review points out that the expected presence of humorously drawn aliens is not commonly reported, and that typical alien features like antennae are seldom seen. Furthermore, the hypothesis suggests that religious imagery should appear in Christian cultures, with angelic or demonic figures, and that Hindu cultures should report multi-armed humanoids. The lack of such consistent cultural imprints in UFO reports is presented as evidence against the socio-psychological theory.

The article also addresses the sexual aspect of dreams, questioning why 'waking dreams' (observations of UFOs) are rarely reported as erotic, contrary to typical dream patterns. The rarity of cases involving sexually suggestive humanoids is highlighted.

Multiple Witnesses and Coincidence

Monnerie's explanation for multiple witnesses is that they know each other and can influence one another, or that they have time to coordinate their stories before an investigation. The review counters this by performing statistical calculations to demonstrate the extreme improbability of multiple independent witnesses experiencing the same UFO event by chance alone. The author concludes that such multiple-witness events are practically impossible if attributed solely to random coincidence.

UFO Characteristics and External Origin

The review argues that the characteristics and behavior of UFOs, including humanoid encounters, are often alien to human expectations, which would be strange if the source were purely human unconsciousness. The article suggests that the unusual nature of UFO phenomena points towards an external origin.

Specific Case Analyses

Ground Traces

The article critiques Monnerie's brief treatment of ground traces, suggesting he might be over-relying on coincidences. While acknowledging the possibility of unknown physical phenomena or psychokinesis, the review questions how Monnerie's hypothesis explains complex traces like those found in Valensole and Marliens, including fused quartz, abnormal calcium content, and soil sterility. It also cites examples of technologically advanced traces, such as those at Socorro suggesting a precise landing gear distribution, induction heating at West Palm Beach, radioactivity at Falcon Lake, and immense force exerted at Quarouble.

Animal Reactions

Monnerie suggests that animal reactions to unusual stimuli can influence human perceptions, leading to UFO sightings. The review finds this explanation lacking, particularly when Monnerie fails to provide references for his claims about animal psychology and the concept of 'collective animal-human hypnosis.' The author deems these extrapolations gratuitous without scientific backing.

Time Distribution and UFO Waves

Jan Heering's study on the temporal distribution of UFO sightings is presented, contrasting with Monnerie's explanations. Heering's analysis, based on the number of potential witnesses, suggests a peak in UFO observations around 3 AM, supporting the idea that UFOs manifest when humans are less active, implying an external origin. The article also discusses UFO waves, referencing Pierre Viéroudy's work on correlations between UFO waves and public anxiety. It critiques Monnerie's explanation for the 1954 wave, finding his reasoning about astronomical events and media influence convoluted.

'Non-Reflective' Light

This section, authored by Jan Heering, delves into a specific type of UFO light described as 'non-reflective.' Witnesses report intense light that does not illuminate the surroundings, unlike headlights. Heering proposes two possibilities: either the UFO's energy field renders the environment non-reflective, or the light itself is inherently non-reflective. He introduces the concept of a 'dark zone effect' surrounding the UFO as a potential indicator of the former. The article notes that such effects are rare and that this type of light shares some characteristics with normal light, being able to penetrate glass and be photographed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently critiques Monnerie's socio-psychological interpretation of UFO phenomena, emphasizing the need for explanations that account for the physical evidence, statistical improbabilities, and the external nature of the sightings. The editorial stance favors explanations that do not rely solely on human psychology or unconscious projections. The review highlights the limitations of Monnerie's work, suggesting it is an incomplete exploration of the subject, and calls for more rigorous and comprehensive research. The publication also promotes its own bookstore and library services, offering a wide range of UFO-related literature.