Inforespace - No 82

Magazine Overview

Title: inforespace
Issue: n° 82
Volume: 20e année
Date: December 1991
Publisher: SOBEPS
Language: French

This issue of *inforespace*, a bi-annual review of ufology and spatial phenomena, presents a comprehensive collection of UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings, primarily focusing on reports from the 1980s. The magazine aims to document and analyze these events, encouraging collaboration among witnesses and researchers.

RESEAU VIDEOVNI: A Call for Collaboration

The editorial section introduces the concept of RESEAU VIDEOVNI, a proposed network designed to leverage the growing availability of video cameras (camcorders) among the public. The initiative, spearheaded by SOBEPS, seeks to enlist individuals who can be quickly alerted to significant UAP observations in their vicinity. The goal is to systematically collect video evidence, which can then be analyzed to gain deeper insights into the phenomena. Contacts have been established with the Belgian Air Force, Gendarmerie, and various university scientists to facilitate this effort. Participants will be part of a network, with their contact details and availability shared. A map indicating their locations will also be provided. The network aims to multiply observational actions, believing that comparing two video documents of the same phenomenon from different viewpoints can be extremely instructive. Readers interested in joining this 'stand-by' network are encouraged to confirm their participation.

REMETTRE: Press and Projects

This section, possibly an editorial or a letter, touches upon the press's role in UAP phenomena, suggesting that the press sometimes fails to acknowledge significant events. It mentions that journalists today owe much to previous extensive reporting, particularly concerning the 'Belgian wave' of sightings. The author expresses a desire to counter the press's tendency to dismiss or downplay such events and to promote their projects and legitimate questions. The text acknowledges sincere individuals who have contributed to the field, emphasizing objectivity. It also notes that while the press played a role in diffusing information during the 'wave,' it also contributed to a certain level of expectation and perhaps even diffusion of misinformation.

LES TRIANGLES D'AVANT LES TRIANGLES (2e partie)

This extensive section details numerous UAP sightings, primarily focusing on objects described as triangular or similar geometric shapes. The reports are presented chronologically, with specific dates, locations, and witness accounts.

**Key Incidents Detailed:

• September 24, 1982; Hessdalen, Norway: A woodsman observed a Christmas tree-shaped object, radiating a bright white light and dancing up and down, hovering over a cabin.
• November 19, 1982, 5 PM; Neuss, West Germany: A couple observed a bright, metallic silver, oval-to-triangle shaped object, about 8-10 meters wide, hovering silently 100 meters above a field, emitting pulsating lights and then following their car.
• November 27, 1982, 5 PM; Derbyshire, UK: An automobilist saw a stationary grey, square-shaped object with a pointed front, emitting bright headlights, hovering at 150-200 meters, and then moving away at about 40 km/h.
• December 10, 1982, 7:20 PM; North Lancashire, UK: Several witnesses, including police officers, observed three diamond-shaped objects moving slowly in the sky at an altitude of about 500 meters, emitting a light humming sound.
• 1983-1986; Hudson Valley, USA: An estimated 5,000 people reported seeing large, generally triangular or boomerang-shaped objects, hovering or moving at high speeds. Police attributed these to small aircraft or ULMs, but most witnesses disagreed.
• January 18, 1983; Cardiff, Wales, UK: Approximately 200 people reported seeing two triangular objects with flashing lights moving slowly and silently, described as a cluster of lights resembling a Zeppelin followed by a triangular group.
• April 21, 1983 (?); Near Winnipeg, Canada: Two young women observed a metallic, diamond-shaped object with bright red lights and smaller red lights around its perimeter, which descended rapidly and hovered in front of their vehicle before disappearing.
• January 1986; Atafona, Brazil: A couple saw a huge V-shaped light, covering half the sky, pass overhead slowly and silently.
• January 6, 1986, 7:45 PM; Between Wilmington and Hampstead, North Carolina, USA: A couple saw a boomerang-shaped object, as large as two football fields, hovering at about 120 meters, emitting a green-yellow light and causing fear.
• March 13, 1986, 9 PM; Sussex, UK: An automobilist reported his engine sputtering as a triangular object with strange lights at 8-meter intervals hovered 300 meters above his car.
• March 17, 1986; Bridgend, Wales, UK: An automobilist saw three bright lights followed by an inverted triangle moving at about 3,000 meters altitude, accompanied by another very bright object.
• April 20, 1986, night; Colorado, USA: Police received calls about stationary lights, which an officer observed over Green Mountain Reservoir. Through a telescope, the object appeared triangular with lights at its extremities, hovering for two hours.
• May 5, 1986, 6:10 PM; Lancefield, Australia: A woman and her daughter saw a brilliant, circular light near the road which transformed into a flashing yellow-green arrow-shaped object moving rapidly and silently.
• June 10, 1986; Enosburg Falls, Vermont, USA: A delta-shaped object was observed by at least nine witnesses.
• August 1986; Westboro, Massachusetts, USA: Police received a report of a triangular object hovering over a house, accompanied by a loud noise that ceased when the object moved away.
• November-December 1986, 11 PM; Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA: A 29-year-old motorist observed a large, black, triangular object hovering silently about 60 meters above the ground, with red and white flashing lights.
• January 15, 1987, 8:30 PM - 4 AM; Belleville, Wisconsin, USA: Police observed red, white, and blue lights from an unidentified object, which was also detected by radar 160 km away.
• January 23, 1987, night; Slickville, Pennsylvania, USA: Residents observed a large, triangular object with numerous lights maneuvering, followed by three military aircraft.
• January 30, 1987, 3 AM; Orange, New South Wales, Australia: A witness reported seeing three large green boomerang-shaped objects with smaller white lights on the sides, moving rapidly.
• March 9, 1987, 6:30 PM - 11 PM; Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA: Several residents, including police officers, observed a multicolored, diamond-shaped object hovering.
• March 11, 1987, 10:45 PM; Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA: A woman observed a triangular object with red and white lights hovering less than 1,500 meters away, which then disappeared.
• April 17, 1987, 10:20 PM; Hutchinson, Kansas, USA: A couple observed a triangular object, described as boomerang-shaped with rearward-pointing tips, moving silently and without lights.
• April or May 1987; Fulham, UK: A luminous white triangle with a blue base was seen hovering immobile over Wimbledon Common.
• May 1987, night; Opwood, Pennsylvania, USA: A boomerang-shaped object with "25 to 100 lights" was observed, moving silently.
• Late May 1987, 2:30 AM; Near Corydon, Indiana, USA: A sheriff observed a huge, diamond-shaped object hovering, which then disappeared and reappeared.
• July 7, 1987, 1:30 PM; Bay City, Texas, USA: An inhabitant saw a huge oval object, the size of a football stadium, hovering with flashing lights and a green-lemon interior glow.
• July 14, 1987; St-Joseph region, Michigan, USA: Two adolescents and an adult observed boomerang-shaped objects and a possible jet aircraft.
• Summer 1987; Riverside, Pennsylvania, USA: A woman reported a huge black boomerang-shaped object passing over her house, releasing silver balls or discs.
• Summer 1987, night; Matlock, Yorkshire, UK: A couple saw a large triangular object with small lights moving slowly and silently.
• September 1987; Stafford, UK: A man and his father saw a triangle-shaped object moving slowly and silently, with lights on its underside.
• October 1987, 9 PM; Worthing, UK: Two people observed a brilliant object in the sky that changed shape and eventually became a red point before disappearing.
• October 1987, 9:27 PM; Saltville, Virginia, USA: An employee saw two large objects, one arrow-shaped and the other smaller, moving sporadically.
• October 24, 1987, evening; Amelia County, Virginia, USA: A young woman and her friends observed a large boomerang-shaped object with red and white lights, emitting a low hum.
• October 26, 1988, night; USA: Hundreds of people reported seeing circular objects, described as yellow-orange, moving slowly.
• October 31, 1988, 9:45 PM - 2:45 AM; Canvey, UK: A triangular object was observed hovering over Canvey.
• November 11, 1988, night; Leigh, UK: A triangular object with red, green, and blue lights was reported, with two such objects seen moving towards each other before separating.
• November 9, 1988, 5:30 PM; Raleigh, S-E Essex, UK: An adolescent reported seeing a triangular object with a white light and a long red light, moving silently.
• November 25, 1988, 7:15 PM; Barnstapple, UK: An antique dealer saw a triangular object bathed in orange light.
• December 28, 1988, 7:45 PM; Porto Rico: Numerous residents reported seeing fighter jets pursuing a small OVNI, and later a large, dimensionally appended object with numerous lights.
• January 1989, early morning; Monongahela, Pennsylvania, USA: A brilliant white, triangular light remained stationary in the morning sky before moving south, leaving a luminous trail.
• January 28-31, 1989; West Essex, UK: Over 70 reports of mostly rectangular objects were received, with some described as brilliant white and others as dull white.
• January 30, 1989, before dawn; Long Island, New York, USA: A fishing boat captain observed a strange light on the water, seemingly from an even stranger object in the sky, described as a brilliant beam of light.
• July 1988; Auckland, New Zealand: A businessman and his son observed a yellow-orange, diamond-shaped object with a large light underneath, which was visible for 15 minutes. Photos taken were not successfully developed.
• July 24, 1988, between midnight and 12:30 AM; Eagle, Colorado, USA: A couple saw a white V-shaped object near a mountain, followed by a red-orange glow.
• August 17, 1988, 12:30 PM; Belvedere, Wisconsin, USA: A woman saw a strange, immobile object in the sky, described as a triangle with flashing red and white lights, moving slowly.
• September 9, 1988, 10:15 PM; Laindon, UK: Four friends observed a black, diamond-shaped object with lights, hovering at low altitude and moving silently.

Other notable reports include:

• November 19, 1987, evening; Wolverhampton, UK: Witnesses saw 2 or 3 V-shaped craft flying silently in formation, one of which directed a bright light towards the ground.
• January 1988; West Bend, Wisconsin, USA: Three women and children saw a boomerang-shaped object hovering with numerous lights, not moving.
• February 2, 1988, 6 PM; Sheffield, UK: Numerous people, including police, reported seeing a V-shaped object with colored lights, flying at low altitude.
• May 16, 1988, 10 PM; Stafford, UK: Two triangular objects were seen moving slowly and silently side-by-side. One witness, with a RAF background, stated they defied aeronautical laws if they were aircraft.
• Same evening; Stafford, UK: Two brothers saw two triangular shapes hovering above trees, described as illuminated but not appearing to be material objects.
• May 23, 1988, night; Stafford, UK: A housewife reported seeing two brightly lit triangular objects, too low and silent to be conventional aircraft.
• May 31, 1988; Westleigh, UK: Two women were reportedly seriously shaken when a huge orange triangular object descended and then disappeared.

Porto Rico Incident (December 28, 1988):

This detailed account describes multiple residents observing fighter jets pursuing a large, dimensionally appended OVNI with numerous lights. The OVNI appeared to absorb one of the jets. The incident involved a large, grey, metallic object with a yellow central light and red and green lights.

Puerto Rico Government Response:

Following the Porto Rico incident, government agencies denied any knowledge, and the area was reportedly leased by the US government for a radio station, suggesting a cover-up.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of triangular and geometric UAP shapes, the silent and often slow or hovering movements of these objects, and the presence of various colored lights. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UAP phenomena, encouraging public participation and collaboration with official bodies, while also acknowledging potential government secrecy or downplaying of incidents. The detailed listing of sightings suggests a belief in the reality and significance of these observations.

This document is a collection of UFO (OVNI) sighting reports primarily from 1989, with some earlier references. It details numerous encounters across various locations, focusing on the shape, lights, behavior, and sound (or lack thereof) of the observed phenomena. The reports are presented chronologically and geographically, offering a catalog of unexplained aerial events.

Key Sightings and Incidents

January - March 1989

• January 31, 1989 (Valliant, Oklahoma, USA): Over a dozen people reported seeing six objects, two large diamond/triangle-shaped ones with red, blue, and white lights, accompanied by smaller bright objects in formation. A woman described the objects' movements as unlike conventional aircraft, appearing and disappearing instantly.
• February 6, 1989 (Rochefort, GB): A 43-year-old man observed a V-shaped object rotating silently. A red light detached and returned, after which the object vanished. Its lights shifted from blue to white, then red and orange-red.
• February 10, 1989 (Fyffe, Alabama, USA): A woman and her sister reported a strange illuminated object above trees. A police officer and agent responded, observing the object directly overhead. It was described as basketball-sized, about 1500 meters away, moving at a constant speed with lights, triangular with rounded corners, and silent. This was the first in a series of sightings in the Fyffe region.
• March 24, 1989 (Eagle Creek, Oregon, USA): An automobilist and five passengers saw two immobile, brightly lit objects above a rural store. Each had six white lights in a triangular pattern. The objects performed identical maneuvers silently.

April - August 1989

• April 5, 1989 (Easton and Trumbull, Connecticut, USA): An Easton resident saw a flying wing-shaped object with colored lights. In Trumbull, a woman reported a V-shaped object as large as a football field, with a soft, muffled noise and lights.
• May 8, 1989 (Colchester, GB): A 30-meter wingspan triangular object was seen moving northwest, slowly and silently.
• May 20, 1989 (Long Eddy, Pennsylvania, USA): Game wardens observed three immobile red-orange lights in a triangle formation at high altitude, later joined by two fixed red lights. The object made no noise until it moved away, emitting a low hum.
• June 17, 1989 (Hadleigh, GB): Four people reported a diamond-shaped UFO, 30 meters long and 9 meters high, at an altitude of about 50 meters.
• July 3, 1989 (Anza, California, USA): A large craft, shaped like a sergeant's chevron (deep V), with a pole and light at the front, and blinking golden lights, was observed.
• July 6, 1989 (Ishikawa, Japan): A 23-year-old employee filmed a minute of a diamond-shaped, platinum-colored object. It was stationary, surrounded by a white and orange halo. Analysis suggested it was unlike known craft and similar to a 1975 Hawaii sighting.
• August 1989 (Stafford, GB): A couple saw two brightly lit, triangular objects hovering above trees. They disappeared and reappeared repeatedly, described as silent and not appearing material.

September - December 1989

• September 1989 (Campbell sport, Wisconsin, USA): A 58-year-old man claimed to have seen hundreds of lights and at least 40 close encounters. One night, he and others observed an orange light that grew, moved west at high speed, turned golden, became diamond-shaped, then rotated 90 degrees and headed south.
• September 28, 1989 (Waterton and Torrington, Connecticut, USA): Two young people reported seeing a formation of lights resembling a diamond with two rows of lights, described by police as ULM flying in formation.
• September 29, 1989 (Southend, GB): Two pensioners saw a large, diamond-shaped object with two brightly lit windows. Nearby, a man observed a triangular object hovering, and a couple saw a similar object with red, green, and white lights.
• October 2, 1989 (South Benfleet, GB): A girl and her parents saw a large triangular object with red, white, green, and blue lights, which moved away rapidly after 20 minutes.
• October 4, 1989 (Ipava, Illinois, USA): An investigator saw a red, trembling diamond-shaped object and a slender, boomerang-shaped object rotating.
• October 14, 1989 (Canvey, GB): A couple saw a huge object shaped like a ray, with red, green, and white lights, which moved away rapidly after 10 minutes.
• October 9, 1989 (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada): An amateur astronomer reported four unidentified objects: a large boomerang-shaped object, three ball-shaped objects, and another boomerang object. These were described as not being planes or satellites, having no lights, and being strictly illuminated with precise outlines.
• October 14, 1989 (San Marcos, California, USA): A couple saw red lights arranged in an oval, described as a massive, silent boomerang.
• November 12, 1989 (Heywood, GB): A couple observed a large white light that became a triangle with two white lights and one red light. It moved slowly and silently.
• December 14, 1989 (Dixon, New Mexico, USA): A woman, her mother, and daughter reported seeing nine triangular lights. Several people in the region also reported strange lights.
• December 23, 1989 (Warren County, Pennsylvania, USA): Several triangular objects were sighted in flight near a power plant.

January - March 1990

• January 11, 1990 (Colchester, GB): A man saw an object with three searchlights arranged in a triangle, at an altitude of about 600 meters, making no noise and with non-blinking lights.
• January 16, 1990 (Plainstow, GB): A couple observed three white lights in a triangle formation, appearing the size of a golf ball. A similar object then appeared, and both vanished.
• February 8, 1990 (Essex and East London, GB): Three lights forming a triangle were seen by residents.
• March 4, 1990 (New Albany, Indiana, USA): Two automobilists saw a ray-shaped object, described as a "wedge" or "flying wing," much larger than a 747, with a short tail. It had amber, blue, and rose-orange lights and emitted an oscillating noise.

Other Notable Reports

• August 16, 1987 (Shelton Lock, Derby, GB): A retired woman and her husband observed a spherical, brightly lit object moving slowly at low altitude. It had green lights as large as footballs and two headlights at the front. It moved slowly, then turned right and disappeared.
• August 16, 1987 (Breadsall Hilltop, Derby, GB): M. and Mme Boon observed the same object described by the Hislops. Mme Boon described it as massive, with brilliant lights and a red glow underneath. It had circular lights and appeared to be a large, illuminated cabin-like structure.
• August 17, 1987 (Crakemarsh, Uttoxeter, GB): M. and Mme Richard Roberts observed a brilliant object described as a rotating ring of white lights with two colored lights inside. It was shaped like a pie and had a searchlight-like beam. It moved silently and was visible for several minutes.
• September 29, 1987 (Bromley Wood, Staffordshire, GB): Tony and Josie Goodwin, with their son and a friend, encountered a large, triangular object with approximately thirty brilliantly colored, blinking lights in sequence. It hovered silently about thirty meters above them.
• January 5, 1988 (Barnsley, South Yorkshire, GB): Martin Morgan reported seeing a brilliant object that appeared as a star, then transformed into a triangular craft. It moved silently and disappeared rapidly.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of reports are the diverse shapes of the objects (triangular, V-shaped, boomerang, diamond, spherical), the presence of bright, often colored lights, and the frequent description of silent operation. Many accounts highlight unusual maneuverability, rapid acceleration, and the ability to hover. The reports suggest a persistent and widespread phenomenon, with similar sightings occurring across different countries and over several years. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these unexplained events, presenting witness testimonies and investigative details without offering definitive explanations, but implying the need for further study of these phenomena.

This issue of UFO Review, dated February 1988, focuses on a series of unexplained aerial phenomena observed in the South Yorkshire region of the United Kingdom. The cover headline highlights "SUPPOSED UFO OR LOW-ALTITUDE AIRCRAFT OBSERVATIONS - FEBRUARY 2, 1988 ROTHERHAM AND SHEFFIELD, SOUTH YORKSHIRE," indicating the primary subject matter. The magazine delves into witness testimonies, official responses, and potential explanations for these sightings.

January Sightings

The issue begins by recounting an observation by M. Morgan, who described an object that was neither a conventional aircraft nor a helicopter. His account, along with others from the Barnsley region, is presented. A significant narrative involves two witnesses in Rotherham who observed a large, cross-shaped object flying silently at low altitude. Similar reports from Eastwood, Rotherham, on January 6, 1988, described a "large flying cross of about 20 m in diameter" with a yellow-orange light, from which twelve photographs were taken. Another report from the same night described a black, cross-shaped object making no noise. The article notes the coincidence of these cross-shaped object sightings in South Yorkshire on January 5 and 6, 1988. A separate incident on January 5 involved a witness on a bus who saw a dark, cross-shaped object flying over Sheffield, which he speculated could be a meteorological phenomenon.

February 2nd Incident: Rotherham and Sheffield

The main focus of this issue is the event of February 2, 1988, between 7:15 PM and 8:00 PM, when at least 30 to 40 witnesses in the Rotherham and Sheffield districts observed an unusual flying object. The object's trajectory is detailed, starting east of Rotherham and moving consistently westward. It passed between Wentworth and Kimberworth, turned south over the Don Valley and Blackburn Meadows, crossed the M1 motorway, and continued north of Sheffield. It was then seen heading towards Ecclesfield, where police officers and witnesses observed it. The object's path continued southwest towards Grenoside, crossing the A61, and then seemingly veering south near Wharncliff Wood around 8:00 PM. It was observed at very low altitude over Hillsborough and then disappeared towards Oughtibridge. Weather conditions for that evening included winter showers, rain, sleet, and snow, with strong south-westerly winds. The sky was relatively clear, and the moon was bright, reportedly illuminating the object.

Despite the large number of witnesses and the unusual nature of the sightings, the article expresses surprise at the minimal media interest. Only one article in the Sheffield Star, reporting on the observations by police officers, was picked up by national media, overshadowing other, potentially more significant, observations.

Official Responses and Lack of Interest

The article highlights the unhelpful responses from official bodies. A letter from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) dated March 15, 1988, informed Andy Roberts of IUN that the RAF was unaware of any defense-related activity in the South Yorkshire region on February 2, 1988. However, the MoD also stated they lacked the means to conduct a complete investigation into all aerial activities. This response is contrasted with the RAF's earlier suggestion that they might have tracked the object on radar. The MoD clarified that the police are not under the Ministry of Defence but the Home Office. Further inquiries to the RAF's public relations officer yielded no concrete information, with a letter dated April 22, 1988, stating that UFO reports were considered low priority.

The RAF at Binbrook, Lincolnshire, stated in a letter dated February 29 that it was unlikely their aircraft caused the reported observations. Similarly, the RAF at Church Fenton, North Yorkshire, confirmed that their aircraft were flying that night but landed before the sightings occurred and were unlikely to have been in the Sheffield region.

Potential Explanations and Object Characteristics

The article discusses the possibility that the objects were military aircraft flying at low altitude, possibly secret prototypes. The description of the object's lights, initially described by the RAF as standard flashing navigation lights, is contradicted by witness accounts of fixed red lights forming a 'V' shape. The object's shape is described as triangular or delta-wing, which is unusual for conventional aircraft in Britain. The article notes that recent UFO reports often describe similar V-shaped or triangular objects with rows of red or orange-white lights.

It is suggested that the unusual appearance of the lights could be due to atmospheric conditions, such as reflections on the aircraft's fuselage during poor weather. The article also mentions the possibility of misidentification of bright stars or planets, as suggested for observations in Doncaster.

Stealth Technology Hypothesis

The article explores the hypothesis that the observed objects could be prototypes of secret military aircraft, such as the Lockheed F-19 or the B-2 Stealth bomber. It notes that the B-2's first flight was in July 1989, making its presence in Britain in early 1988 unlikely. The RF-19, described as a reconnaissance aircraft derived from the XST, had its first flight in 1982 and was operational by 1986, with some believed to be based in Britain. The RF-19 is described as a compact, single-seat aircraft with a delta-wing configuration, but not strictly triangular. The article includes sketches of the RF-19 and various UFO shapes reported by witnesses.

February 5th and Subsequent Sightings

The issue also touches upon sightings on February 5, 1988, in the Rotherham/North Sheffield area. While reports from this night are less consistent regarding flight paths, they add to the overall pattern of unusual activity. A specific report from J.W. Hewer of Risca, Gwent, describes a V-shaped object flying at high speed and altitude with flashing lights, observed on February 5 at 5:10 PM. Hewer stated he had never seen anything like it, but the article suggests it was likely a military training aircraft from a RAF base in South Wales.

Conclusion and Recurring Themes

The article concludes that, as is often the case with such incidents, the mystery remains unsolved. It expresses frustration with the lack of cooperation from authorities and the apparent lack of concern regarding unidentified objects flying at low altitudes over populated areas. The recurring themes throughout the issue are the consistent witness descriptions of unusual aerial objects, the silent and low-altitude flight characteristics, the potential involvement of secret military technology, and the unhelpful or evasive responses from official bodies. The magazine implies a possible cover-up or a deliberate downplaying of these events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of unexplained aerial phenomena in the South Yorkshire region, the consistency of witness descriptions despite variations in detail, and the perceived reluctance of authorities (MoD, RAF) to provide clear explanations or engage in thorough investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards official denials and a strong belief that these sightings warrant serious attention, possibly pointing towards advanced, secret aircraft testing. The magazine advocates for further investigation and transparency from government and military bodies regarding UFO reports.