LDLN - No 166

Magazine Overview

This issue of "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" (Lights in the Night), volume 20, issue number 166, dated June-July 1977, is dedicated to exploring mysterious celestial objects and related problems. The cover prominently features the headline "SAN JOSE DE VALDERAS (Espagne) ET L'AFFAIRE 'UMMO'" (San Jose de Valderas (Spain) and the 'UMMO' Affair), accompanied by a photograph of a UFO. The magazine's stated mission is to guide humanity towards truth through the discoveries of those who passionately seek it.

The UMMO Affair and San Jose de Valderas Sightings: A Major Hoax

Claude POHER, from the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales in Toulouse, presents a detailed technical study of the observations in Aluche and San Jose de Valderas, and the UMMO affair, concluding it was a "major hoax." POHER's analysis, conducted between 1970 and 1972 with the help of official services and scientists, suggests that approximately 50% of the information in the UMMO documents is accurate, while the rest is false. He notes that the scientific knowledge required to create these documents suggests a level of understanding equivalent to the first years of a science degree. POHER believes it's unlikely a single person created the entire affair, and that the documents were typed on a Spanish typewriter by individuals with Spanish cultural backgrounds. The scale of the alleged staging suggests resources beyond a private group. He also questions the motivations behind such a large-scale deception without apparent personal gain.

POHER's detailed study of the photographic negatives from San Jose de Valderas, conducted in 1976, leads him to conclude that the photos are a fabrication using a small plastic model. He argues that the lighting on the objects and landscape is consistent with a single photographic event, not superposition or successive exposures. The time elapsed between shots is compatible with the alleged observation duration. POHER's photogrammetric analysis of the images indicates that the object was likely a translucent plastic model, with the symbol drawn on it using ink. He was able to replicate the photographic effects using a simple model constructed from two camping plates and a cup bottom, costing only 7.60 F.

He points out several arguments supporting the hoax theory: the object's off-center placement in the photos, inconsistent with a spontaneous sighting; the photographic apparatus's stability and unusual aiming angles; and the precise alignment of landscape features across different shots, suggesting a controlled setup. POHER concludes that the UMMO affair, being linked to these sightings, also collapses. He questions whether the same individual who fabricated the San Jose de Valderas photos could also have orchestrated the larger UMMO scenario.

Evolution in UFO Observations Over Time

Vincent MALTESE presents a statistical study on the evolution of UFO observations from 1968 to 1975, based on 1105 cases with precise geographical locations, proximity to the witness (within 1000m), and dated observations. He categorizes observations into four main attitudes:

• ATTITUDE 1: The phenomenon appears, travels a short distance, and disappears suddenly.
• ATTITUDE 2: The phenomenon is observed stationary at low or high altitude (up to 1000m).
• ATTITUDE 3: The observer witnesses an actual landing.
• ATTITUDE 4: The observer encounters one or more humanoids near a landed craft.

MALTESE's analysis reveals that Attitude 1 accounts for 55.4% of cases, Attitude 2 for 37.4%, Attitude 3 for 6.5%, and Attitude 4 for 0.7%. He highlights a significant symmetry between Attitudes 1 and 2, noting a variability in their population over time. This suggests that UFOs are not static phenomena but rather dynamic and evolving, possibly influenced by natural cycles rather than human schedules.

MALTESE advocates for a dynamic or evolutionary method of analysis, which considers the temporal aspect of observations, as opposed to static methods that aggregate data over long periods. He argues that this approach is crucial for understanding the true nature of UFOs and their potential correlations with other phenomena.

Statistical Analysis of UFO Data

Gérard MARCHAIS contributes an article discussing the challenges of drawing definitive conclusions from UFO data due to the limited number of reported cases. He proposes a probabilistic approach to assess whether observed patterns are due to chance or represent genuine constants within the phenomenon. MARCHAIS calculates the probability of certain constants appearing by chance in small samples of known cases, demonstrating that with a low percentage of known cases, the probability of chance occurrences becomes very low.

He illustrates this with calculations for cases where 10%, 5%, 3%, and 2% of the total phenomenon are known. For instance, in the case of 2% known cases, there is only a 1 in 50 chance that a constant observed in 50% of those cases is purely coincidental. MARCHAIS concludes that while his calculations provide an order of magnitude, they underscore the critical need for a robust organization capable of collecting a maximum number of cases to confirm or refute these findings.

International UFO Sightings

The magazine includes several reports of UFO sightings from around the world:

• Bahia Blanca, Argentina: An agricultural worker reported seeing a violent light that transformed into a 5-10m diameter disc with a small turret, moving slowly near the ground.
• Antofagasta, Chile: A couple reported being pursued by a UFO, described as a large, luminous fireball of orange color, approximately 30m behind their vehicle.
• Ipiabas, Brazil: A farmer observed a luminous object, about 10m in diameter, emitting a strong blue light, which hovered and then disappeared rapidly.
• El Rubio, Spain: An agronomist reported being thrown to the ground by an unknown discharge and seeing an object, described as two plates stuck edge to edge, about 5m in diameter, with an orange color.
• Brussels, Belgium: A witness reported seeing a lenticular object, 5-7m in diameter, with bright orange contours, hovering for a few seconds before disappearing.
• Bas Rhin, France: Two witnesses reported seeing a very luminous, round object, described as a large ball, with luminous antennae and points of light, which changed shape and color.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical analysis of UFO phenomena, particularly the UMMO affair, and the statistical study of UFO sightings. The editorial stance, as articulated by R. VEILLITH, emphasizes a commitment to truth-seeking without bias. The magazine aims to publish documents that are worthy of interest and can lead towards truth, acknowledging that not all published content is necessarily endorsed in its entirety. The emphasis is on rigorous investigation, statistical analysis, and the open presentation of evidence and hypotheses, encouraging readers to contribute to the collective effort of understanding the UFO mystery.

This issue of "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" (Lights in the Night), dated June-July 1976, is published by R. VEILLITH and focuses on UFO sightings and investigations. It features a collection of detailed witness accounts from various locations in France, alongside research group updates and international UFO news.

Investigations and Witness Accounts

Bouxwiller, France (July 23, 1976)

Two gendarmes on patrol observed a luminous object described as triangular, with pulsating lights. They attempted to photograph it, but the photos developed as completely black. The object's position was noted relative to the Big Dipper and a bright star, suggesting it was closer than a similar observation in Bouxwiller.

Girolles, France (June 20, 1976)

Léon Ketterling, a 45-year-old toolmaker, observed an object resembling two superimposed, elongated saucers, visible only through polarized sunglasses. The object remained stationary above the trees and did not exhibit parallax as the car moved. The observation lasted two minutes, and the estimated dimension was about 18 meters.

Condom, France (Night of July 23-24, 1976)

Mr. X, a 46-year-old farmer, reported a three-phase observation. Initially, he saw two conical beams of light. This was followed by a bright white light that illuminated the area around his tractor. Finally, he observed an "obus" (shell-shaped) object of light above a nearby stream. The object was described as a luminous cylinder with a semi-spherical end and a straight end, estimated to be 8 meters long and 0.80 meters in diameter. The witness experienced a sense of beauty and later, inexplicable distress and tearfulness.

Cugnaux, France (January 18, 1976)

Joseph Lucien's daughter and granddaughter observed a luminous ball, the size of an orange, moving erratically and blinking above a chimney. The object was described as having a metallic white color, very dazzling, and moving slowly.

Auribeau-S-Siagne, France (October 15, 1976)

Brigadier Paul Gsegner and engineer M. Granoli observed a luminous, elongated object, similar to a neon tube, about 100 meters above the ground. It emitted a red light between two white columns and appeared to touch a church steeple before ascending and disappearing. The object was estimated to be about 8 meters long.

Barrème, France (November 25, 1976)

Madame Claude Pioche observed a luminous, metallic object described as a spinning top with multiple lights and colors, which then stabilized into a green-panache ball. The object moved diagonally, then stabilized near the ground before ascending and disappearing.

Le Sonnant d'Uriage, France (January 17, 1976)

Jean-Marc Luminais observed a bright white luminous ball with multiple lights, moving silently and low to the ground behind trees. The observation was brief, lasting only 3 to 5 seconds. The witness experienced fear and later had trouble sleeping.

Other Reports and News

The issue also includes brief reports from other locations such as Evrecy, Ste Marie (Réunion), St Yrieix Le Perche, Los Angeles (USA), Ballarta (Spain), Mulhouse, Stockholm, Ajaccio (Corsica), Poullaouen (Finistère), Cinarca (Corsica), and Cuttoli Corticchiato (Corsica). These reports detail various UFO sightings, including multiple saucers, luminous spheres, and triangular objects.

Research Group Activities

Groupement Technique de Recherche (G.T.R.)

The G.T.R. announces a reorganization into departments focusing on electronics, geography-geology, and detection networks. Interested individuals are invited to contact M. TOUGERON Paul.

FIDUFO (Fichier Informatique de Documentation sur les UFO)

FIDUFO is seeking participants for data processing, translation, and analysis to build a comprehensive UFO documentation database.

RESUFO (Réseau de photographes du ciel)

This section provides contact information for submitting developed film and necessary details for analysis by RESUFO.

National Detection Network

Information is provided regarding the National Detection Network, emphasizing the importance of including specific details in call reports for effective research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the diversity of UFO sightings, the consistency of certain phenomena (e.g., luminous objects, silent flight, unusual behaviors), and the challenges of interpreting these events. The magazine maintains a stance of serious investigation, presenting witness accounts and technical details while acknowledging the psychological and societal implications of UFO phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on collecting and analyzing data, encouraging reader participation in reporting observations and contributing to research efforts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, seeking to understand the nature of these unexplained aerial phenomena.