LDLN - No 196

Magazine Overview

Title: LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT
Issue: No. 196
Volume: 23rd Year
Date: June-July 1980
Price: 6.50 F
Publisher: GROUPEMENT INTERNATIONAL DE RECHERCHES

Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of "Lumières dans la Nuit" is to publish diverse documents and perspectives, even if they are not fully endorsed, with the aim of pursuing truth. The magazine emphasizes that the insertion of any document does not necessarily mean approval of its content, but rather that it is considered worthy of interest and potentially leading towards the truth. The publication aims to foster constructive debate and avoid personal attacks, focusing on the clash of ideas.

Articles and Content

Apparition de la Vie (The Appearance of Life)

This article, authored by F. Lagarde, explores the scientific and philosophical questions surrounding the origin of life. It discusses the historical curiosity about life's beginnings, referencing various cosmogonies and the biblical account. The text highlights the advancements in science that have provided a more accurate understanding, particularly through photochemical synthesis theories involving primitive atmospheric gases like hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. The experiments of Stanley Miller, who simulated early Earth conditions with electrical discharges to produce amino acids, are detailed. The article also touches upon the work of scientists like J.B. Lamark, E. Wôller, D. Berthelot, and Gaudchou in chemical synthesis. It acknowledges critiques, such as those from C.L. Kervran, questioning the assumptions made about the composition of Earth's early atmosphere and the process of inferring past conditions from present ones. The article then draws parallels with Venus, noting its similar mass to Earth but higher solar radiation and a supercritical water atmosphere, suggesting it might represent an earlier stage of Earth's atmospheric development before water condensation. The role of bacteria, their complexity, reproduction, and diverse environments (including extreme conditions like deep-sea hydrothermal vents and radioactive environments) are discussed. The concept of 'protoplasm' and the mystery of its origin are explored, with the suggestion that it may have arisen from a 'bubbling matter' under specific temperature, pressure, and salinity conditions. The article delves into the structure of cells, chromosomes, DNA, RNA, ribosomes, and mitochondria, explaining their roles in life processes. It mentions the rapid reproduction rate of bacteria and the discovery of ancient bacteria in salt mines. The text also touches upon the potential for low-energy transmutation of elements by plants and the revolutionary impact bacteria might have in the future. The concept of biological immortality in unicellular organisms is raised, contrasting it with the limited lifespan of human cells. The article concludes by questioning whether life is merely a complex arrangement of matter or if there is an inherent 'psychic' element or volition involved, suggesting that even inanimate matter might possess a rudimentary choice-making ability through this psychic influence.

Mutilations d'animaux dans le monde : les OVNI en accusation (Animal Mutilations Worldwide: UFOs Accused)

Authored by Jean Sider, this article is the second part of an exposé on animal mutilations, focusing on cases in the United States and other parts of the world. Sider revises his previous estimate of 800 victims to a more conservative figure of 10,000 for the USA alone, emphasizing that this is a minimum. He notes that both large herds and small groups of animals are affected, and that the mutilations are often discovered quickly, sometimes in isolated areas, but also in populated regions, suggesting a deliberate display. A significant point raised is the widespread ignorance of these cases outside of their occurrence, with regional newspapers being the primary source of information, while national media largely ignore them. Authorities are accused of systematically blaming ritualistic cults, thereby trivializing the incidents. Sider highlights that despite extensive investigations over five years, no suspects have been arrested, and no conventional traces have been found. The article also points to the numerous sightings of helicopters, some unidentified, in the vicinity of mutilation sites, often flying at low altitudes and in darkness. Sider expresses conviction that the bloody and gruesome nature of these incidents has led prominent ufologists, like Professor A.J. Hynek, to deny any link to UFOs, possibly to avoid public panic. The article details several specific cases:

• 1956, September 7: Near Twin Falls, Idaho, a UFO estimated at 60 meters in diameter hovered over a bull that was never found.
• 1967: The case of the Snippy horse, found mutilated, which reportedly caused concern among US authorities and led to a de facto 'cover-up'.
• 1968: In Canada, a farmer observed a UFO shaped like a colonial hat hovering over his cattle.
• 1970: Several cases of unusual animal disappearances in Brazil were investigated, but the region's tendency for imaginative stories makes definitive conclusions difficult.
• 1971: Cattle mutilations were reported in Oklahoma but not in sufficient numbers to attract significant attention.
• 1973, December 4-5: In Camargue, France, 65 bulls drowned in a canal, with no hoof prints on the banks. A theory suggested they were lifted by a UFO's magnetism and then dropped.

Sider discusses the 'waves' of mutilations, starting in Kansas in 1973, with thousands of reports. He notes contradictions among officials, with the Ministry of Agriculture emphasizing natural causes while sheriffs and veterinarians pointed to anomalies like the absence of blood and tracks. The article mentions the offer of a $500 reward by The Kansas Farm Bureau for the arrest of perpetrators.

Initial hypotheses focused on predators, hippies, or medical students, but by 1975, ritualistic cults and Satanic churches were blamed. However, Sider argues that the sheer scale and lack of evidence for human perpetrators suggest otherwise. He cites the case of a cow in Texas where a fetus was removed, and the lack of blood and precise cuts are highlighted. The article also notes that sometimes animals appear to have been moved, and that carcasses are often left untouched by scavengers.

Anomalies Diverses (Various Anomalies)

This section details numerous unusual occurrences associated with animal mutilations:

• Displacement of carcasses: Animals found in inaccessible locations like ravines or ditches, far from where they were last seen.
• Broken limbs: Suggesting animals were lifted and dropped from a height.
• Lack of tracks: Despite carcasses being found in soft ground.
• Carcasses untouched by scavengers: Flies and other animals often avoid the mutilated remains.
• Mutilations occurring near sensitive locations: Such as military bases.
• Mutilations of fetuses: Fetuses have been found removed from mutilated mothers.
• Absence of blood or unusual blood patterns: Often, there is no blood at the scene, or the blood is found in unusual quantities or locations.
• Carcasses remaining fresh for extended periods: Despite warm weather, some carcasses show no signs of decomposition.
• Sudden death of other animals in the herd: Following a mutilation, other animals in the same herd have died inexplicably.
• Animals refusing to approach mutilated carcasses: Dogs and even mothers have shown fear or aversion to the mutilated remains.

Specific cases mentioned include a bull in Colorado with a broken leg and twisted neck, cows found in different pastures than where they were kept, a cow with its bladder expelled, and a horse whose ears and rectal area were removed after dying of illness. The article also notes the phenomenon of hundreds of dead flies found around some carcasses, and the peculiar behavior of animals in the vicinity of mutilations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Lumières dans la Nuit" strongly leans towards the investigation of unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs and their potential connection to unexplained events like animal mutilations. The magazine adopts a critical stance towards official explanations, often highlighting contradictions and lack of evidence. There's a recurring theme of government secrecy or a 'cover-up' regarding these incidents. The publication seems to favor unconventional theories, including extraterrestrial involvement, when conventional explanations fail. The editorial stance, as stated, is to present diverse viewpoints and encourage the pursuit of truth, even if it means publishing controversial or unproven material. The magazine aims to be a platform for researchers and enthusiasts to share information that is not readily available through mainstream channels. The emphasis on 'mysterious celestial objects and related problems' on the cover clearly sets the tone for the publication's focus on ufology and the unexplained.

This issue of 'Objets Volants Non Identifiés' (OVNI), published by LDLN, focuses on various aspects of UFO phenomena, including detailed case studies, witness testimonies, and scientific discussions. The cover highlights a 'CE III' (Close Encounter of the Third Kind) with a 'gustatory sensation' reported by a witness in Spain.

Animal Mutilations

The issue begins by discussing the unusual characteristics of animal mutilations, noting the lack of rigor mortis and the abnormal decomposition rates of the carcasses. It cites cases from Colorado and Wyoming, where animals remained supple for extended periods. The article mentions the theory that mutilations might be perpetrated by farmers to claim insurance, a notion dismissed as worse than blaming predators. The lowa Bureau of Criminal Investigations and a veterinarian's autopsy are mentioned as failing to determine the exact cause of death in some cases. The high number of reported mutilations in states like Colorado and Iowa is highlighted, along with efforts to apprehend those responsible.

Astronomical Debates and Observations

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a debate regarding an observation in North Sudan, attributed to F. Lagarde. The article critically examines the witness's account, questioning the date of the observation and attempting to correlate it with astronomical phenomena, specifically the planet Saturn. The author argues that the witness's description does not match Saturn's appearance and criticizes the original article's interpretation and potential inaccuracies. This section involves detailed astronomical explanations of Saturn's orbit, rings, and visibility, contrasting them with the witness's reported observations.

Close Encounters and Witness Reports

Several close encounter reports are detailed:

• North Sudan Observation: The article analyzes an observation from Autumn 1967, where witnesses described a luminous point resembling Venus. The author disputes the interpretation, suggesting it might be an astronomical phenomenon.
• Haute-Vienne, France (Summer 1954): A witness, Mme M. Marie-Louise, reported seeing a flattened, lenticular object with dominant red, orange, and yellow colors, resting on a tripod. Two small beings were observed collecting something from the ground.
• Autoroute A6, Paris (October 1979): A truck driver, M. X, observed a yellow-clear ball that responded to his flashlight signals. He later photographed it, but the film yielded no results.
• Autoroute A6, Paris (Spring 1978): M. X described a gray, box-shaped object with a luminous dome containing yellow spheres, moving alongside the highway at car speed.
• Autoroute Paris-Bruxelles (July 1978): M. X reported being pursued by two luminous balls, one white and one red-orange, which increased in size and made a strange noise. This encounter led to a high-speed chase.
• Cassel, Nord, France (September 14, 1977): Mme X and her daughter observed two red luminous points that merged into a large red sphere, which followed their car at high speed, causing the speedometer to jump to 130/140 km/h.
• Jaraba, Spain (Mid-October 1978): A witness described an egg-shaped object with antennas, accompanied by two tall figures. The witness experienced unusual physical sensations, including heat, a metallic taste, and ground vibrations. The object left a small conical hole in the ground.

Scientific and Philosophical Discussions

The magazine includes a review of J.J. Walter's book 'Planètes Pensantes', which explores the possibility of life and consciousness on other planets and the potential for cosmic evolution. The reviewer notes the book's speculative nature, moving from hypothesis to assertion, but acknowledges its thought-provoking content regarding the universe's potential inhabitants.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the need for rigorous investigation and critical analysis of UFO phenomena, while also presenting witness testimonies without immediate dismissal. There's a clear effort to debunk misinterpretations, particularly those involving astronomical bodies, but also an openness to the possibility of genuine, unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, encouraging readers to contribute their observations and research. The recurring theme is the persistent mystery of UFOs and the challenges in obtaining definitive proof or explanations.

Activities and Publications

Information is provided about the magazine's activities, including how readers can become investigators and access documentation. A list of selected books on UFOs and related topics is also featured, along with contact information for ordering them. The issue also includes reader letters and a section for 'Recent News' summarizing UFO sightings from various locations in France.