Inforespace - No 76 - 1989

Magazine Overview

Title: Inforespace
Issue: N° 76
Date: April 1989
Volume: 18th year
Publisher: SOBEPS (Société Belge d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux)
Country: Belgium
Language: French

This issue of Inforespace, a bi-annual review of ufology, focuses on spatial phenomena and presents a range of articles and case studies. The editorial board, led by Michel Bougard and with Patrick Vidal taking over editorial direction, emphasizes the need for renewal and quality in ufological research. The magazine aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the field, including recent sightings and theoretical discussions.

Editorial: The Renewal of Ufology

Michel Bougard, in his editorial, reflects on the nearly twenty years of Inforespace and the evolution of ufology. He notes the generational shifts within the field and the persistent fundamental question: "What is a UFO?". Bougard highlights the diverse and often opposing viewpoints within ufology, comparing it to debates in politics, philosophy, and science. He stresses the necessity of renewal in personnel and ideas to prevent ufological research from becoming stagnant. The editorial also touches upon the financial challenges of producing the magazine, with a low rate of renewals, and appeals for member collaboration and potential technical assistance for improving the publication's quality, specifically mentioning the use of Macintosh technology.

Project W.A.U.R.L.D.

Patrick Vidal introduces the W.A.U.R.L.D. (World Annual UFO Reports Listing Device) project. This initiative aims to create a comprehensive listing of UFO reports from around the world, without prejudging their authenticity or interpretation. The project, managed by SOBEPS, is intended to help fund the magazine. The listing for 1987 is currently in preparation and will be available soon.

Article: The Zoo Hypothesis

This section presents a translated article by John A. Ball, a radio-astronomist, originally published in ICARUS. Ball proposes the 'Zoo Hypothesis' as an explanation for the apparent absence of extraterrestrial contact. The hypothesis is based on three premises: life will evolve wherever conditions permit, habitable planets are numerous, and we are not aware of their existence. Ball suggests that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations might be deliberately isolating Earth as a form of cosmic zoo, preventing interaction to allow for natural evolution. He acknowledges the psychological discomfort of this idea but argues that scientific history has shown unpleasant hypotheses can be correct. The article includes a detailed discussion of the premises and references to relevant scientific literature.

Article: Gulf Breeze - Latest News

This article delves into the controversial Gulf Breeze UFO case. It acknowledges the skepticism surrounding the case, often attributed to hoaxes, but asserts its place in ufological history. The report details events from late 1987 onwards, including numerous sightings of aerial phenomena, a circular trace discovered in a field, and alleged encounters involving witness 'ED', including an abduction and the removal of an implant. The article mentions investigations by TV crews, the press, and MUFON, and highlights the support provided to witnesses by a team of 'ravis', investigators, and psychologists. It includes a letter from 'ED' describing his initial encounter and subsequent experiences, as well as details about photographic evidence authenticated by Dr. Maccabee. The article also addresses the controversy and criticism faced by witnesses and investigators, including attempts to discredit the case through alleged 'debunkers'.

Article: Abduction in Italy

A case from Calalzo di Cadore, Italy, is presented, involving a couple who reported a close encounter with a disc-shaped object. The witnesses experienced a memory gap between the time the object landed and when it disappeared, leaving behind a circular trace. The article notes that the investigation was brief and regrets the lack of a complete published dossier, particularly regarding hypnosis sessions.

Article: The Hunted Hunter

This section discusses the reluctance of some ufologists to address sensational cases, opting for more cautious discussions. It introduces the case of the Bois de Prannes, investigated by Eric Zurcher. Despite the lack of scientific evidence such as photos or physical traces, the case is presented as part of modern UFO folklore, prompting reflection on the nature of such accounts.

Briefs

• This section provides updates on previous reports:
• Amsterdam (March 88): The initial report of luminous objects over Amsterdam is clarified. Astronomers suggest the sightings were likely a confusion with the planets Venus and Jupiter, amplified by helicopter lights and industrial signals.
• Gulf Breeze: Further details are provided regarding the Gulf Breeze case, including references to previous articles in Inforespace and the Sentinel newspaper. It notes the presence of a NASA vessel in the area and the deployment of mobile radars. The article also draws parallels between the Gulf Breeze case and Whitley Strieber's experiences, citing similarities in descriptions of humanoid figures, sensory perceptions, and the presence of swimming pools.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate about extraterrestrial intelligence and contact, the challenges of investigating and reporting UFO phenomena, and the importance of maintaining objectivity and thoroughness in research. The magazine's stance is to present a wide range of cases and theories, from the scientific 'Zoo Hypothesis' to detailed eyewitness accounts, while acknowledging the controversies and skepticism that often surround the subject. There is a clear emphasis on the need for continued research, collaboration among ufologists, and the professionalization of the field, as evidenced by the introduction of the W.A.U.R.L.D. project and the editorial's call for quality and renewal.

This issue of "International Ufo Reporter" (Vol. 4, No. 4, dated August 1976) features a detailed account of the "Affaire du Bois des Prannes" or "Le Chasseur Chasse" (The Hunter Hunted) incident, which occurred between Ampus and Chateaudouble in the Var region of France in early August 1976. The magazine also includes an article on a Soviet airliner's encounter with a UFO and an analysis of the territoriality of UFO/RR (Rencontres Rapprochées) phenomena in France.

The 'Bois des Prannes' Case: The Hunter Hunted

The main article recounts the experience of a witness, identified as Mr. X, a police officer in his early fifties known for his courage and lack of fear. On the night of August 7, 1976, while resting in his isolated cabin in the Bois des Prannes, Mr. X heard a terrifying, inhuman cry. Investigating, he saw three short, thin figures, approximately 1m to 1.20m tall, with large heads and unusually long arms, walking away from him. Despite the unusual nature of the encounter and being alone, Mr. X, driven by his 'hunter's instinct' and a desire for proof, decided to follow them.

He maintained a distance of about fifty meters, observing the figures as they moved through the woods. He noted their slightly waddling gait and the apparent difficulty of the middle figure, which was being supported by the other two, leading him to believe it was the one who had cried out and was injured. The figures carried small, curved sticks, about 40cm long. Mr. X followed them for over an hour, covering an estimated 3 to 4 km, through various terrains.

The pursuit led them to a clearing containing an abandoned farm and a 'rectangular object, dark (black), as if mounted on air cushions.' Mr. X estimated its size at 5-6m long and 2m high. He noted an anomaly on the left side, which he described as 'like an antenna.' The figures moved towards this object, and Mr. X, determined to obtain physical evidence, decided to attempt to capture one of the beings or their sticks.

As he moved to intercept them, a violent, greenish flash of light illuminated the entire clearing, causing Mr. X to fall to the ground, momentarily stunned. When he recovered, the clearing was empty; the figures and the object had vanished without a trace. He later found his way back to his cabin, realizing it was 3 AM. The next morning, he returned to the clearing but found no evidence that the object had landed.

Mr. X expressed regret at not having captured proof, but he was not traumatized by the experience. He continues to visit his cabin in the woods and has retained a curious interest in the event. The author, Eric Zurcher, vouches for Mr. X's credibility, noting his balanced personality and professional background, which tend to rule out a hoax.

Spectacle dans le ciel russe (Spectacle in the Russian Sky)

This section, written by Richard Hall, details an encounter reported by the crew of a Soviet Aeroflot airliner in 1984. The aircraft was reportedly followed for about 400 miles by a UFO that mimicked its course. Initially appearing as a cloud with yellow and green lights near Minsk, the object later transformed, emitting beams of light and displaying maneuvers that included copying the aircraft's shape. The crew described the object as a 'cloud-plane' with a dense core and luminous elements. The incident was also observed by other aircraft and radar controllers, though some initially reported nothing visible.

The UFO's behavior included emitting a green light beam that illuminated the ground and later directed towards the aircraft, creating a dazzling white light surrounded by colored circles. The object then appeared to 'ignite,' transforming into a green cloud. It later adopted a shape resembling an airplane with a truncated tail and no wings, accompanied by yellow and green lights. The object maintained a distance of approximately 10,000 meters and a speed of 800 km/h, escorting the airliner until it landed in Tallinn. The report notes similarities to other cases, such as the 1973 Ohio helicopter incident.

Analysis and Commentary

This section analyzes the 'Bois des Prannes' case and the Soviet airliner sighting. Regarding the 'Bois des Prannes' case, the author notes the witness's personality (courageous, curious, and experienced) and the unusual nature of the encounter, questioning whether it could be a dream or a hallucination. The author finds it improbable that the humanoids would not have noticed the witness following them for two hours in a dry forest. The behavior of the humanoids, particularly their apparent lack of caution, is also questioned.

The author suggests that the encounter might be interpreted as a staged event, possibly a military exercise, given the proximity of the Canjuers military camp. The humanoids' appearance, described as somewhat 'animal-like' due to the 'fur' aspect, is noted. The possibility of a 'waking dream' is also considered, attributing the scenario to the witness's personality and environment.

For the Soviet airliner case, the analysis dismisses conventional explanations such as astronomical phenomena, weather balloons, or other aircraft. The duration, altitude, and luminous energy of the object suggest a more unusual phenomenon. The author highlights the similarity to other reports of 'airborne platforms of luminous energy' (ALEP's) that defy conventional explanations. The possibility of a military missile test is also raised as a potential explanation for the Soviet sighting, though the exact date remains uncertain.

Territoriality and Frequency of Manifestation of the RR Phenomenon in France

This extensive section, based on the 'Ovni' catalogue by Michel Figuet, analyzes the geographical distribution of UFO/RR (Rencontres Rapprochées) cases in France. It divides France into eleven sectors and presents quantitative data on the number of cases in each sector.

The analysis reveals significant disparities, with the 'France Nord' region having the highest percentage of RR cases (18.60%), followed by 'France Sud-Est' (14.50%) and 'France Centre Est' (13.45%). Conversely, sectors like 'France Ouest' and 'France Centre Nord' have much lower percentages.

The author notes that the Nord department (59) is particularly affected, accounting for a large proportion of cases in its region and nationally. The analysis also examines departmental distribution, highlighting that some departments are much more 'visited' than others, suggesting a 'territoriality' of the phenomenon. This uneven distribution challenges purely socio-psychological explanations for UFO sightings.

The study also looks at the temporal distribution of RR cases, noting two major waves in France in 1954 and 1974. It observes that some departments followed these waves closely, while others seemed to 'boycott' them, further questioning simple socio-psychological models.

Four main 'poles of attraction' for RR phenomena are identified: Northern France, Southeast France, the Vendée/Charente region, and the Centre region. Two secondary poles are also noted: the Brittany coast and the Haute Garonne/Aude region. The author suggests that the existence of these 'poles' implies a deliberate choice of location by the phenomenon, though the criteria for this choice remain unclear.

RR Cases with Humanoids

A specific analysis is dedicated to cases involving humanoids, which constitute about 24% of all RR cases. The study notes that 51% of these humanoid cases occurred in 1954, a period heavily influenced by media coverage. The analysis of departmental distribution of humanoid encounters also shows significant inequalities, with some departments having a high percentage of such cases (e.g., Alpes Maritimes, Pyrénées Orientales) while others have none. The author questions whether socio-psychological differences between populations in different regions could explain these disparities.

Maritime Departments

The study concludes by examining RR cases in maritime departments, finding that 95% of these cases occurred inland, away from the coast. This observation, despite the large number of maritime departments, suggests a preference for inland locations for RR phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the unexplained nature of UFO/RR phenomena, presenting detailed witness testimonies and expert analyses. It leans towards the idea that these events are not easily explained by conventional means, including hoaxes or psychological factors alone. The articles emphasize the need for rigorous scientific study and acknowledge the complexity and mystery surrounding these encounters. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting evidence and hypotheses without definitive conclusions, while encouraging further research into the 'territoriality' and 'intelligence' aspects of the phenomenon.

Title: Nouvelles d'Urss
Issue: 38
Date: Undetermined (content refers to 1984, 1988, 1989, and 1987 for a translation date).
Publisher: Not specified.
Country: France (based on language and publisher addresses).
Language: French.
Document Type: Magazine Issue.

Main Article: The Soviet Airliner Encounter

The issue features a detailed account from G.I. Lasurin, the copilot of a Soviet airliner, describing an encounter with a UFO in September 1984. Lasurin clarifies that newspapers reported the event later, in January 1985, with some inaccuracies. He recounts how a bright beam of light emanated from a distinct object in the starry sky, followed by three simultaneous lights. The light beam, approximately 22-25 km in diameter at ground level, struck the aircraft at an angle of 25-30 degrees. The source of the light became visible as a white point surrounded by concentric circles, with colors ranging from white to dark violet. A striking characteristic was the sharp border between the light and shadow. After a flash, the object appeared to move away, leaving a luminous green cloud that grew into a large, regular circle. The light sources then diluted, and the concentric circles faded. As the green cloud descended, it formed a tornado-like tail, followed by a 'virgule' with a dark nucleus. From this nucleus, flashes and horizontal streaks of light emerged. The tail stabilized at about 5-8 degrees above the horizon, and the cloud took on a diamond shape. A light beam pointed towards the sky from the nucleus. This cloud accompanied the aircraft until its journey's end, reappearing as a cone above Estland. Lasurin notes that visibility was perfect during the event, and the object's radar signature was absent.

He also mentions that he created numerous drawings of the phenomenon during the flight, which he hopes will be published. The article is presented as an investigation by Thomas Mehner, translated from German by Gonnie and Patrick Vidal.

Flash: Recent Sightings in Liege, Belgium

Two brief reports detail recent UFO sightings in Liege, Belgium:

• September 16, 1988, 23:30: A woman observed a spherical object moving from southeast to northwest. The object made a U-turn and passed over her building, reappearing twice more. The description is of luminous, clear-contoured balls, with the observation lasting 5 minutes.
• January 21, 1989, 22:50: Another woman observed four luminous discs moving from southeast to south. They performed a loop and turned back before the witness, disappearing behind a building. The observation lasted only a few seconds, with descriptions of small, luminous discs with blurry contours.

The SOBEPS (Société Belge d'Étude des Phénomènes Spatiaux) is continuing its investigation into these two observations.

SOBEPS Bookstore and Services

The magazine includes a section promoting books available for purchase from SOBEPS. These include:

• *Des Soucoupes Volantes aux OVNI* by Michel Bougard (SOBEPS edition)
• *La Chronique des OVNI* by Michel Bougard (J.-P. Delarge edition)
• *Mystérieux Objets Célestes* by Aimé Michel (Seghers edition)
• *Actes du Premier Congrès Européen sur les Phénomènes Aériens Anormaux* (SOBEPS edition)
• *Les O.V.N.I.* by Michel Dorier and Jean-Pierre Troadec (Que sais-je ? series)
• *Mystérieuses Soucoupes Volantes* by Fernand Lagarde and the group 'Lumières dans la Nuit' (Albatros edition)
• *Les Soucoupes Volantes Viennent d'un Autre Monde* and *Black-Out sur les Soucoupes Volantes* by Jimmy Guieu (Ommiun Littéraire editions)
• *Et si les OVNI n'existaient pas?* by Michel Monnerie (Les Humanoïdes Associés edition)
• *Soucoupes Volantes, 20 Ans d'Enquêtes* by Charles Garreau (Manne edition)

Additionally, SOBEPS offers two guides:

• 'Le guide de l'enquêteur': A mnemonic tool with 200 questions for OVNI investigations, explaining altitude estimation, trace analysis, and report writing.
• 'Le guide de l'observateur': Covers essential astronomical data, potential confusions with celestial bodies, and basic astronomy for ufologists.

These guides can be purchased separately for 140 FB per copy (180 FB abroad). Orders should be sent to SOBEPS, with payment details provided for bank transfers and postal accounts.

Other Organizations Mentioned

The issue also features advertisements or mentions for:

• OVNI Présence: Based in Vevey, Switzerland, an association for the study of flying saucers.
• MUFON UFO JOURNAL: The official publication of MUFON (Mutual UFO Network), based in Seguin, Texas, USA.
• MAGONIA: Edited by John Rimmer, based in New Malden, Surrey, England.

SOBEPS encourages readers to contact local private radio stations to announce their existence and solicit testimonies of unusual aerial phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine focuses on UFO and OVNI (Objet Volant Non Identifié) phenomena, presenting firsthand accounts, investigative reports, and promoting ufological literature. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into these phenomena, as evidenced by the detailed case studies and the promotion of research guides and books. The inclusion of international organizations like MUFON and Magonia suggests a broad scope within the ufology community.