LDLN - No 202

Magazine Overview

This issue of "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" (Lights in the Night), dated February 1981, is the 202nd issue and marks the 24th year of publication. The magazine, published by the Groupement International de Recherches, focuses on celestial mysteries and related problems, with a particular emphasis on UFOs (Objets Volants Non Identifiés).

Main Cover Story: A Succinct Reminder of 30 Years of Official and Scientific Research on the UFO Phenomenon (Part 1)

This extensive article, authored by Jean Sider, provides a historical overview of official and scientific efforts to understand UFOs, spanning three decades. Sider emphasizes the need for objective study by qualified scientists, distinguishing between those who approach the subject with preconceived notions and those who seek genuine understanding.

The article begins by tracing the early days of UFO investigations in the United States, starting with the "foo-fighter" sightings during World War II and continuing with reports of "ghost rockets" and "fireballs" in the late 1940s. The US Air Force, initially suspecting secret enemy technology, established Project SIGN in December 1947, led by astronomer Allen J. Hynek. The initial findings of Project SIGN, suggesting UFOs might be interplanetary craft, were reportedly suppressed by General S. Hoyt Vandenburg, leading to the project's dissolution and a shift in focus towards preventing public panic.

Subsequent projects like GRUDGE (February 1949) and BLUE BOOK (October 1951) are discussed, highlighting a pattern of "debunking" efforts aimed at explaining away sightings as conventional phenomena. The article notes that despite these efforts, a significant percentage of cases remained unexplained. The role of the Robertson Panel in 1953, convened by the CIA, is also examined, revealing a strategy to control public perception and promote a "demystification" campaign.

Key figures like Dr. Lincoln Lapaz, who analyzed numerous sightings in New Mexico, and Dr. James Mc Donald, a vocal proponent of the extraterrestrial hypothesis, are mentioned. The article also touches upon the controversial Project Colorado, led by Dr. Edward U. Condon, which focused heavily on witness psychology rather than the phenomena themselves.

International perspectives are briefly introduced, with mentions of Soviet scientists like Félix Zigel advocating for open discussion and information exchange regarding UFOs. The article concludes the first part by noting the continued efforts of scientists to understand the phenomenon, even as official bodies often downplayed its significance.

Article: The Overcoming of the Speed of Light

Authored by Adrian Berry and translated by J. Bastide, this article explores the theoretical challenges and possibilities of interstellar travel. It begins by acknowledging the vast distances involved in space exploration and the limitations imposed by Einstein's Theory of Relativity, which posits that no object with mass can reach or exceed the speed of light.

The article discusses how, as an object approaches the speed of light, its mass increases infinitely, and time slows down. This presents a significant barrier to rapid interstellar journeys, making voyages that span centuries seem inevitable. However, the article introduces the concept of "super space" and "wormholes," as theorized by physicists like John Archibald Wheeler. These concepts, derived from the General Theory of Relativity, suggest that space-time itself might be curved and contain shortcuts, or "wormholes," that could allow for instantaneous travel between distant points.

Wheeler's "geometrodynamics" proposes that space-time is not empty but composed of theoretical particles called "geons," which contribute to its curvature. The idea of "super space" is presented as a higher dimension where space and time are abolished, allowing for simultaneous perception of all events. This theoretical framework offers a potential explanation for how faster-than-light travel might be achieved, not by breaking the speed of light, but by traversing these shortcuts.

The article also references observations of UFOs, suggesting that their seemingly impossible speeds and maneuvers could be explained by such advanced propulsion methods, possibly involving travel through these theoretical wormholes.

Case Study: Mysterious Ground Object Near Menton (Alpes-Maritimes)

This investigative report by J.C. Fumoux details an encounter by a witness, Mr. A.L., an acupuncturist and psychiatrist, in early January 1964, near Menton, France. Mr. A.L., a scientific-minded individual, observed a metallic, disc-shaped object on a hillside. The object was described as having a large, thin disc with a rounded upper section and a lower section that tapered towards the ground. Its estimated diameter was 15 meters, and its height was approximately 3.50 meters.

The object's surface was described as smooth and metallic, with the upper part being brilliant and the lower part a bluish-violet. The witness noted the absence of rivets, screws, or joints. He heard voices before seeing the object and later heard a humming sound as it took off vertically without any apparent exhaust or noise, moving at high speed.

Despite the witness's attempts to report his observation to various authorities, he was reportedly dismissed or advised to see a doctor. He eventually filed a formal statement with the local police.

Case Study: Le Thoronet - La Brèche (Var)

This section presents two separate UFO observations from the Var region of France.

First Observation: Le Thoronet - Ubac Chain (Var)

Reported by an anonymous witness (Mr. C.R.), a 30-year-old farmer who does not believe in UFOs, this event occurred on January 30, 1977, around 2 AM. The witness observed an orange-red, ball-shaped object with flattened summits, moving from Northeast to Southeast. It was described as smaller than a 5-cent coin and left a comet-like trail. The observation lasted about 2 minutes, and the object's speed was noted as not fast, comparable to a helicopter.

Remarkably, the witness's neighbors, who run an animal refuge, reported that their animals were in a state of extreme agitation for six days following the sighting, with dogs howling and other animals becoming frenzied, particularly around 2 AM. This unusual animal behavior ceased after six days.

Second Observation: Le Thoronet - La Brèche (Var)

This observation was made by Marius Mullerke, a 49-year-old farmer, in August or September 1970, around 8:30 PM. He saw a large, orange-red ball emerge from behind a pine tree and fly low over the plain before ascending rapidly like a candle flame. It then changed color to a grey aluminum and cut across the path of a satellite, disappearing at high speed towards St. Tropez. Mullerke estimated its speed to be three times that of the satellite. This was his first UFO sighting, and it left a strong impression on him.

Editorial Stance

The magazine reiterates its commitment to publishing diverse viewpoints on UFO phenomena, emphasizing constructive debate based on well-supported arguments rather than personal attacks. The editorial highlights the importance of ideas confronting each other in a calm and rational manner.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

"LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" consistently explores the intersection of scientific inquiry and unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs. The magazine appears to favor a serious, research-oriented approach, presenting both official investigations and theoretical scientific concepts that might shed light on these mysteries. The editorial stance promotes open-mindedness and rational discussion, encouraging readers to form their own conclusions based on presented evidence and theories, while cautioning against extremism and polemics. The recurring theme is the pursuit of truth regarding anomalous aerial phenomena and their potential implications for our understanding of the universe and humanity's place within it.

This issue of the magazine, dated Février-Mars 1976, features a prominent cover story titled "Observation d'un phénomène lumineux dans l'Ardèche - Février-Mars 1976" by Guilhem Salavy of the Groupe Veronica. The magazine is primarily in French and focuses on UFO/UAP sightings and related investigations.

Main Article: Observation in Ardèche

The central piece details an observation by Jane Allaine, a 56-year-old woman from Gagnières, who reported a luminous phenomenon near Ruoms in the Ardèche region between February and March 1976, around 11:00-11:30 PM. She was walking near a disused railway bridge when she noticed a bright white light, similar to a short circuit. Initially fearing it was a car, she stopped and waited. After about two minutes, a dark violet ray descended to her left, then immediately ascended, and the white light extinguished. She described this ray as thick, similar to sunlight dancing with dust. This ray did not burn her, nor did she feel any discomfort, though it caused her eyes to sting slightly and gave her a headache for two days.

She then looked up and saw two superimposed white half-circles, described as being like very clear white porcelain, immobile. Opposite them was an indefinable yellow color forming an indistinct, thick, rectangular patch. There was no sound, smoke, or smell. She estimated the diameter of this formation to be about 50 cm.

A black veil then advanced from the yellow area towards the half-circles, resembling a sliding door closing. This veil was transparent, and surprisingly, the yellow color could not be seen through it. Before the veil fully closed, a bit of yellow light revealed a long, black flute-like object. The end of this flute was twisted and swollen, and from this extremity, small luminous balls of various colors emerged and dispersed into the sky, resembling a fireworks explosion. None of the balls fell to the ground. She compared them to Christmas tree ornaments and described the sight as very beautiful.

Curiously, these balls then gathered and aligned themselves into six neat rows, all of uniform color except white. They then moved in a straight line, not upwards, towards Grospierre. This entire display was silent. After it ended, she heard a soft rumble and small crackling sounds.

Jane Allaine stated this was the first time she had seen such a phenomenon, despite being accustomed to being outdoors. She clarified it was not lightning, which is a fiery ball that moves constantly before falling. She also mentioned seeing a white circle around the moon at the beginning of the year, which was very close and distinct, unlike a halo, but she considered it possibly a natural phenomenon.

Observations by Investigators:

An airfield used by the Aéro Club de Ruoms is located 800 meters from the observation point. The investigator noted that no traces were found, and violent storms in September and October would have erased any evidence. The trajectory of the luminous balls passed over hills containing a dolmen, 12th-century castle ruins, and a chapel.

Other Reports and Sections

Informations recueillies en Haute-Saône et Tarn et Garonne:

• September 2, 1954, Autet (Haute-Saône): Mme Viennot observed an immobile, opaque, half-sphere-shaped object with four metallic feet, shining brightly.
• Summer 1965 or 1966, Le Fau (Tarn et Garonne): Witnesses observed a large, dark, dome-shaped mass, approximately 5m high and 4m wide, advancing silently with a bright white beam of light.

En Saône et Loire:

• June 26, 1980, Saône et Loire: Patrice Faillet observed a strange, dark-colored, silent ball rotating counter-clockwise, with a reddish-orange point. It moved at about 60 km/h and was observed for less than ten seconds.

Un curieux Phénomène (Lille, 1898):

This section reprints an observation from the July 17, 1898, issue of "COSMOS LES MONDES." On September 4, 1898, around 8:35 PM, M. Chustremant observed a red star resembling Mars, which through a telescope appeared as a disk and then a luminous rectangular part with violet and black bands.

Masse lumineuse en forêt d'Ecouves (Orne):

• July 1971, Fontenay les Louvets (Orne): A 26-year-old man, wishing to remain anonymous, reported seeing a brilliant object on the water, which then appeared in the sky as a tiny point. It moved at high speed, changing size, and was described as an "oval gelatinous" shape, like a drop of lead. Later, a red boule appeared, changing to white, red, green, and white again. The object was silent and its movement was described as a slow descent like a dead leaf.

Dans l'Eure:

• September 7-14, 1980, Gersey (Eure): Mr. Gaudin observed an ocher-colored light above the woods that moved, ascended, descended, and then illuminated by a powerful beam of light before disappearing. His wife was frightened by the phenomenon.

A Revin - cité d'Orzy (Ardennes):

• July 15, 1976, Revin (Ardennes): Three witnesses observed an object described as a neon tube, then a red, white, green, and white boule that changed colors. It moved silently and at high speed.

Objet lumineux à Vieille-Eglise (Pas-de-Calais):

• September 17, 1979, Vieille-Eglise (Pas-de-Calais): Madame H observed a luminous white oval object, compared to a plate, moving at high speed towards the Gravelines nuclear power plant. It was seen for 3-4 minutes.

Au Portugal:

• July 30, 1976: Antonio Carvalheira, a pilot, observed a large, white, non-scintillating light, similar to a planet but with unusual movement. Later, another object appeared, possibly its wake. The light was visible for nearly half an hour.

Le matériel à l'usage de l'enquêteur et du chercheur amateur:

This section provides guidance on equipment for UFO investigators, including tape recorders, color charts, maps, cameras, binoculars, and compasses for field investigations and observation sessions.

NOS ACTIVITES:

This section details the activities of the Groupe Veronica, including investigations, technical support for readers, and the provision of documentation. It also calls for subscribers to become investigators.

Nouvelles récentes (presse):

A compilation of recent UFO sightings reported in the press from August to December 1980, including locations in Peking (China), Port-Vendres (France), Badaillac (France), Ceret (France), Rotterdam (Holland), Valence (France), Limoges (France), Assais (France), and Peking again.

NOS LIVRES SELECTIONNES:

A list of books available for purchase related to UFOs, extraterrestrials, and related phenomena, with prices listed in French Francs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea that UFO phenomena are real and warrant serious investigation. It encourages readers to report sightings and participate in investigations. The editorial stance appears to be open to the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation and military/secret technology explanations, while also acknowledging the need for rigorous scientific inquiry. There is a strong emphasis on witness testimony and the collection of detailed reports. The magazine also highlights the importance of organized research networks like ARIANE and provides resources for investigators.