LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Lumières dans la Nuit" (Lights in the Night), dated January 1972, is the 5th issue of its 15th year, 4th series. It is published by R. Veillith and priced at 2 French Francs. The cover prominently features the title "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" and the headline "MYSTÉRIEUX OBJETS CÉLESTES" (Mysterious Celestial Objects), accompanied by a dramatic illustration of a city at night with a celestial phenomenon. The issue includes a section for reader contact and announces its contents, which include a study of Iberian landings, investigations, a youth tribune, unusual reports, recent observations, and drawings.

Study of One Hundred Iberian Landings (Suite et fin)

This extensive article, authored by Vicente Ballester-Olmos and Jacques Vallée, translated by A. Berlot, delves into UFO landing phenomena observed in Spain and Portugal. It examines the "Law of Time" (La loi des temps), which describes a particular temporal distribution of these events. The study, based on the Magonia catalog, found that Iberian landings followed a consistent pattern, with activity peaking between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, and a secondary peak around 3:00 AM, with minimal activity during the day. The authors compare these findings to non-Iberian landings and note a strong correlation, suggesting a constant operational type for UFO phenomena.

The article also discusses "The Occupants" (Les occupants), detailing 26 cases with occupants, some where the object was not seen, and others where beings were observed with or near an object on the ground. It notes that thirteen of these cases occurred during a specific wave of activity from August 1968 to March 1969. Detailed descriptions of humanoids are available in the catalog, but the authors refrain from drawing immediate conclusions.

Regarding "The Witnesses" (Les témoins), the study challenges the common scientific opinion that UFO landing observers are solely unbalanced individuals. An analysis of the witnesses' number, age, background, probity, and behavior revealed a radical refutation of the 'dishonest testimony' hypothesis. The data shows a wide range of witnesses, including engineers, economists, industrialists, military officers, students, bankers, academics, and even entire families. The article highlights specific cases, such as a family of four, a doctor's family, and a group of three ladies from high society.

It also mentions a case in Candanchu where three hundred people reportedly saw an object on the snow. Several observations are noted to have religious connotations, and one case from Ordenes in 1954, reported in foreign newspapers, is presented as an example of evaluating the honesty of such reports.

Investigations (Les Enquêtes)

The magazine features several investigative reports on UFO sightings:

• AISNE (HIRSON): In September 1961, around midnight, witnesses saw a red-orange, flat, rotating disc-like object that stopped abruptly and then disappeared at high speed.
• DOUBS (DASLE près MONTBELIARD): On September 18, 1969, around 9:00 PM, a bright, round object, described as an "extra large star," moved horizontally near the ground, appearing and disappearing before vanishing.
• JURA (Coyron): Between 1954-1956, a farmer observed a grey, elongated, elliptical object on the ground that then lifted off and flew away silently.
• JURA (near Le Jointout): In the summer of 1953, around 10:00 PM, a luminous orange globe was seen moving slowly, stopping, and then vanishing.
• ISERE (GRENOBLE): On June 24, 1971, at 9:01 PM, a bright red-orange point, three times the size of Jupiter, was observed and described as a classic UFO shape.
• ARDECHE (RUOMS): On July 13, 1971, at 9:30 PM, two points were seen together, appearing elongated, then moving rapidly and disappearing.
• YVELINES (ACHERES): On September 8, 1971, around 10:00 PM, two luminous spheres, like magnesium flares, were seen moving at high altitude, followed by a third, forming a triangle before the first two disappeared.
• AISNE (BELLENGLISE): Around September or October 1960-1961, between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM, a "mysterious ball" emitting a whistling sound and sparks was observed.
• CALVADOS (CAEN): On September 3, 1968, at 6:00 PM, an egg-shaped object with luminous lights was reported.
• YVELINES (ACHERES): On September 8, 1971, around 10:00 PM, a luminous point, sometimes white, sometimes yellow-orange, moved slowly in a straight line.
• PARIS: Multiple observations are reported, including a bright, slow-moving, red object with a dark center on June 11, 1971, and a white, transparent object with dark ends on June 12, 1971.

Lu dans la Presse (Read in the Press)

This section compiles UFO reports from various newspapers:

• Freyming-Merlebach: Two inhabitants observed an object for nearly five minutes.
• Zadar, Yugoslavia: A commander observed a large, incandescent object, estimated at 50m x 30m, at an altitude of 25km.
• Yugoslavia: Unidentified flying objects were observed almost every evening, possibly spy planes.
• Auch (Gers): A luminous cone accompanied by sparks was observed moving horizontally at high speed.
• Foix: A large, incandescent object was seen moving slowly, ending in a cone emitting sparks.
• Guingamp (Côtes-du-Nord): A bright, golden ball was observed flying at high speed.

The Unusual (L'Insolite)

This section presents peculiar incidents:

• GENES: A woman claims to be receiving scientific dictations from the beyond.
• BIG-BEAR-LAKE, CALIFORNIA: Stones have been falling from the sky for months, affecting a small town.
• NUREMBERG: An alligator was caught in a lake by a fisherman.

Extra-Terrestrials and ABHN

This article by J.-P. Schirch discusses the possibility of Abominable Snowmen (ABHN) and similar beings existing globally, not just in snowy regions but also in unexplored forests. It draws parallels between reported sightings of small, hairy creatures, giants with one eye, and beings described as "Bigfoot" or "Sasquatch" in North America, suggesting a connection to UFO phenomena or a separate category of unexplained entities.

Reader Contributions (De Nos Lecteurs)

• DAX (1954-10-02): The Laussucq couple observed five vertical cylinders moving horizontally without sound.
• PARIS (1971-06-11 & 12): Observations of a bright red object and a white, transparent object with dark ends.
• PARIS (1971-07-24 & 25): Reports of a bright orange object and a black, lenticular shape.
• YVELINES (ACHERES): A luminous point, white or yellow-orange, moved slowly.
• CALVADOS (CAEN): An egg-shaped object with luminous lights was seen.
• SEINE-SAINT-DENIS (LE BOURGET): P. Valmy observed a slow-moving, luminous object with an unusual oscillation.
• LANDES (HOSSEGOR): An object appeared triangular, with changing colors, and later a pale star descended.
• ISERE (ST-MARTIN-D'HERES): An oval-shaped object, white-blue, moved in a straight line.
• SAVOIE (LE BOURGET-DU-LAC): A white cylinder was seen moving over mountains, later appearing as an elongated, white dirigible-like object.
• CHATEL-GUYON: Several observations are detailed, including a luminous cotton-ball shape, a bright orange "star," and a slow-moving, luminous object resembling an autorail.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly landings, and the investigation of these phenomena. The magazine adopts a stance of serious inquiry, presenting detailed reports, witness testimonies, and scientific analysis, while also acknowledging the mysterious and sometimes inexplicable nature of the events. The editorial team encourages reader participation and aims to provide a platform for those seeking the truth about unexplained aerial phenomena. There is a clear effort to differentiate between UFOs and other unexplained phenomena like ABHN, while also exploring potential connections.