LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT

Magazine Overview

This issue of LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT, Volume 12, Issue N° 103, dated the second quarter of 1970, is a French publication focused on the investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), referred to as M.O.C. (Moyens d'Observation du Ciel or Objets Volants Non Identifiés). The magazine features a collection of detailed witness testimonies, investigative reports, and theoretical discussions on the phenomenon.

Selected Books

The issue begins with a section titled "Nos livres sélectionnés" (Our selected books), listing various titles related to health, agriculture, and esoteric subjects, with their prices and ordering information from the LIBRAIRIE DES ARCHERS in Lyon.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

Observation Faite a Paris (19°)

J. Derache reports on an observation made by a witness in Paris on July 27 or 28, 1965. The witness and his son observed an unusual object in the sky, described as metallic grey and immobile. The witness managed to take two photographs before the object disappeared at incredible speed, leaving the impression of a 'streak'. The observation lasted 3 to 4 minutes. The object was described as rotating and tilting, with an 'éperon' (spur) visible in one of the photographs. The location was noted to be near a railway intersection and a gas factory.

Pleins Feux sur la Bretagne

This section, investigated by M. Guillo, details several sightings in the Bretagne region:

• De Mme Belanton: On the evening of April 11, 1969, Mme Belanton observed the sky 'barred' by three to four parallel white bands, each about a meter wide and spaced 1 to 2 meters apart. She described them as regular and sharp, like lines drawn with a ruler, with a luminosity similar to cloudy weather. These bands did not resemble aircraft contrails, and no engine noise was heard.
• De M. Jouet Daniel (17 ans 1/2): On the evening of April 11, 1969, M. Jouet observed a luminous ball, the size of an orange, with a yellow luminous tail, moving from east to west or southeast to northwest. His parents also saw the object but paid little attention.

Guillo's investigation in Bretagne is described as difficult due to the environment, but his neutrality and scrupulous reporting are commended.

A Plémet (22), c. de Châtelaudren

On April 9, 1969, at 9:55 PM, a witness in Plémet observed three luminous points moving in the sky from east to west, appearing to gain altitude. The first two points were reddish, and the third was more intensely red. They seemed to be connected, resembling lights from an aircraft or linked by a cable. The observation lasted 10 to 20 seconds, during which the points disappeared and reappeared twice. The witness used binoculars but the lights had vanished by then. The object was described as silent and its movement was not accompanied by any sound, ruling out an aircraft. The witness noted that Plémet seems to be frequently overflown by unidentified luminous objects.

La Prenessaye

On April 11, 1969, around 2:15 AM, Mme Moiziard, experiencing insomnia, observed three luminous balls identical to those seen on March 11 (reported in issue N° 102). She also noted a luminous patch to the left. These objects were in the same positions as before. Later, from outside, she observed 6 to 7 luminous points, the size of ordinary stars but resembling electric bulbs, grouped together and emitting a diffuse luminous atmosphere. This illuminated area had a subjective length of 70 cm. Her husband also observed the phenomenon. The objects were not noticed on the night of March 11, possibly because they were not visible from inside the house without leaning out.

Les M.O.C.: Un Problème Scientifique International

This section, by Dr. James E. Mac Donald, Professor of meteorology, critiques Philip J. Klass's theory that UFOs are atmospheric electricity phenomena (plasmas).

Mac Donald argues that Klass makes numerous scientific errors, misinterprets data, and fails to provide quantitative evidence for his claims. He criticizes Klass's assertion that many UFOs can be explained as atmospheric electricity phenomena, stating that Klass's own book contains errors regarding plasma physics. Mac Donald suggests that Klass's accusations against organizations like NICAP and APRO are unfounded and that Klass's book is filled with errors. He advocates for serious scientific research into UFOs, suggesting that independent programs outside the U.S. might be more successful due to less ingrained apathy.

Personal Accounts of UFO Encounters

Une Nuit en Compagnie des M.O.C.

This article by F. Lagarde recounts several personal experiences and observations related to UFOs:

• Wilmington, USA: A witness describes observing a bright, yellowish star that turned out to be a luminous sphere with blinking red lights on each side. Using 7x50 binoculars, they saw a large luminous sphere with five smaller spheres (two on each side, decreasing in size) orbiting it. This observation lasted an hour.
• Nord-Soudan: A witness observed a luminous point, the brightness of Venus, and using a theodolite, saw a metallic grey sphere with five smaller spheres orbiting it. This observation also lasted an hour.
• Wilmington, USA (second account): The same witness describes observing a large number of 'stars' with flashing red, white, and green lights, appearing to rotate around something, forming a large circle in the sky.
• Italie: A witness reported seeing a black triangle with a flashing red light, resembling a police car, ascending a valley.
• Evillers, France (March 22, 1968): Several witnesses observed an elliptical luminous object, red and yellow, accompanied by a smaller red satellite. The object appeared to be working, emitting a red flash that caused it to move position. It then ascended vertically with its companion, describing marked helices, and disappeared.
• West of Lake Geneva, Switzerland: A witness observed an unusual star-like object moving in a defined perimeter for about 25 minutes before disappearing.
• Evillers, France (December 20, 1967): A witness observed colored 'stars' moving relative to each other, and a large red ball nearby.
• Austria (July 28, 1963): Witnesses observed 40 to 50 luminous balls entering and exiting caves, and a large aerial object with openings that appeared to be collecting smaller aerial objects.

Lagarde concludes that the phenomenon of M.O.C. is a serious international scientific problem that requires urgent and objective study, suggesting that these objects may be extraterrestrial in origin and are observing Earth.

Technical Group for M.O.C. Research

René Ollier describes the formation of a technical research group dedicated to the scientific investigation of UFOs. The group aims to study M.O.C. as physical phenomena with detectable and measurable effects on the environment. They are seeking scientists, engineers, and technicians interested in contributing to this research, particularly in areas like electronics, optics, and electromagnetism. The primary focus is on detection and simultaneous recording of various physical effects associated with UFOs. The group is open to new ideas and encourages participation.

Calls for Detectors

This section lists several locations where detector calls were made, indicating attempts to monitor for UFO activity. These include Cours-les-Barres, Dijon, Fresnay-sur-Sarthe, Saint-Priest, Gy-les-Nonains, and Bron. In most cases, no objects were observed, often due to weather conditions or lack of visibility.

Selected Books (Repeat)

A section reiterating the list of selected books available for purchase, with authors and prices.

A Propos des "Fils de la Vierge"

This article by M. R. Eraud discusses a phenomenon described in a previous issue (LDLN N° 99). Eraud proposes a hypothesis to explain the criteria of a UFO sighting: a vertiginous allure, a whitish mass that seems to float, a loud detonation, and the shedding of fibrous packets. Eraud suggests that the 'fibers' might be related to the Earth's Van Allen belt and could be part of the propulsion system. The proposed process involves the pilot releasing the craft from its 'force field' (enveloped by the fibers), causing a shockwave (double bang) as it contacts the air, and then re-engaging the force field to continue its flight, leaving the dislocated mass behind.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery of UFOs and the growing need for serious scientific investigation. The magazine strongly advocates for the extraterrestrial hypothesis, viewing UFOs as a significant international problem that demands global attention and research. There is a critical stance towards dismissive attitudes and theories that attempt to explain away UFOs with conventional explanations, such as Philip J. Klass's plasma theory. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of witness testimony, the potential for advanced extraterrestrial technology, and the need for organized, scientific efforts to understand these phenomena. The magazine also highlights the personal accounts of encounters, framing them as evidence of a reality that transcends ordinary explanations and affects humanity directly.