LDLN - No 203

Magazine Overview

Title: LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT
Issue: 203
Volume: 24
Date: March 1981
Publisher: GROUPEMENT INTERNATIONAL LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT
Country: France
Price: 7.50 F

This issue of 'Lumières dans la Nuit' is dedicated to the ongoing investigation of UFO phenomena, featuring a mix of scientific analysis, historical accounts, and recent witness testimonies. The magazine aims to shed light on the mysteries of celestial objects and related issues, encouraging passionate research worldwide.

Article 1: A Succinct Review of Thirty Years of Official and Scientific UFO Research (Part 2 - Conclusion)

This article critically examines the "Condon Report" from 1969, which concluded that most UFO phenomena were natural or known artificial objects, with a small number of unexplained cases deemed uninteresting for science. The author points out that the report's own findings, when read thoroughly, seemed to lend credence to the idea of manufactured objects of unknown origin. The article highlights the critique by Dr. James Mc Donald, who argued that the report selectively analyzed only 90 cases, ignored "strong cases," and presented scientific arguments with extreme weakness and incomplete testimony. Dr. Mc Donald believed the report was a source of embarrassment for the scientific community and hindered progress in understanding UFOs.

Dr. Robert M.L. BAKER Jr. is also cited, criticizing the report for burying interesting observations within extensive discussions of explained cases and for limiting explanations to only the few unexplained cases, which he found contrary to scientific ethics. He questioned the report's assertion that extraterrestrial intelligent life visiting Earth within the next 10,000 years was impossible and doubted the sincerity of the report's authors.

The article touches upon international interest in UFO research, mentioning a brief period in 1969 when Czechoslovakia was thought to have an official UFO research organization, though it turned out to be a small private association. The US, after the end of official projects, saw the rise of private associations. In France, pioneers like Aimé Michel, Marc Thiroin, and René Hardy paved the way for researchers like Pierre Guérin, Jacques Vallée, Jean-Pierre Petit, and Claude Poher. The creation of GEPAN (Groupe d'Études des Phénomènes Aéro-spatiaux non identifiés) in 1976 is noted as a significant step, despite its limited resources and the skepticism it faced from both traditional science and private research circles. GEPAN's 1978 activity report is mentioned, with a quote suggesting that many observations resembled "flying machines, whose origin, mode of sustentation and/or propulsion are totally foreign to our knowledge."

Other scientists, like Jacques Vallée, are mentioned for their work on the manipulation of phenomena by unknown intelligence. A survey by an American magazine indicated significant interest among professionals in scientific and technical fields regarding UFOs.

The article concludes by presenting survey results showing that 8% of scientists had seen a UFO, 10% might have, 69% believed in their reality, and 59% thought they were of extraterrestrial origin. The author emphasizes that younger generations of scientists are less bound by rigid Cartesianism. In France, polls showed a more divided public opinion, with about 20-25% in favor, a similar percentage against, and over 50% undecided.

The issue of Grenada's attempt to bring UFO research to the UN is briefly mentioned, highlighting how political changes thwarted the initiative. The author concludes that the extensive and prolonged interest from military and official bodies in UFOs suggests the phenomenon is real. He argues that the methods used by US commissions aimed to minimize incidents and conceal the reality of UFOs. The analysis of "unidentified" or "unknown" reports by these commissions and scientists suggests the phenomenon is not attributable to rare meteorological or astronomical events, conventional aircraft, misinterpretations, hallucinations, or hoaxes. Instead, it often relates to a material object not obeying known physical laws of gravity or aerodynamics.

Based on this analysis, the author states his conclusion: the UFO phenomenon is undeniably real, its manipulators are alien to our civilization, and there is likely a governmental pact to conceal the truth. He asserts that the prolonged and widespread interest is abnormal and motivated by real facts, with a majority of scientists and indirectly the US military acknowledging its existence.

The article also critiques attempts to explain UFOs through known phenomena, citing Dr. H. Menzel's discredited theories and Philip Klass's plasmoid or ball lightning hypothesis, both of which were refuted by Dr. James Mc Donald. A significant point is the US Air Force's JANAP-146 regulation, which made divulging UFO information punishable by 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, effectively treating UFO information as a state secret. The author recalls Dr. Edward U. Condon's harsh reaction to Dr. Allen J. Hynek's criticism of the Condon Report, suggesting a pattern of suppression.

Article 2: Aerial Luminous Phenomena in the Work of Grégoire de Tours

This article by A. Dumerchat examines the mentions of aerial luminous phenomena in the historical writings of Grégoire de Tours (538-594 AD), Bishop of Tours. Grégoire's work, including his "History of the Franks" and "Books of Miracles," provides valuable insights into his era. The phenomena are categorized into two groups: those linked to relics and their cult, and those that are aerial, including natural phenomena like meteors and comets.

• Luminous Phenomena Linked to Relics:
• Grégoire describes lights and fires emanating from relics, interpreted as divine manifestations confirming the value and cult of the relics. These lights often appeared as globes, symbolizing divine perfection, and were associated with angelic apparitions and saints. Grégoire notes that these phenomena were typically witnessed by the righteous. Examples include:
• A light appearing in a monastery in Poitiers, revealing the location of an assassinated abbot.
• A globe of fire ascending from relics in the monastery of Menat.
• A globe of brilliant light descending upon the basilica of St. Julien in Brioude.
• A globe of fire emerging from the basilica of St. Hilaire of Poitiers during the Battle of Vouillé, seen by Clovis.
• A bright light observed near a church containing relics of the Virgin Mary, which dissipated upon entering the church.
• A terrifying light emanating from an oratory dedicated to St. Martin.
• An ascetic witnessing a "flame" rising from a monk's mouth, forming a large light.

The author notes that while Grégoire's accounts are presented as historical facts, they can be interpreted as collective or individual hallucinations with symbolic character, as defined by F. Favre. The influence of such phenomena in Christian history is highlighted, with a later example of Ste Gertrude of Nivelles witnessing a luminous globe.

Aerial Luminous Phenomena:
This category includes natural phenomena interpreted through the mindset of Grégoire's time, as well as more difficult-to-classify events. His treatise "On the Course of the Stars" discusses comets. Grégoire saw no barrier between nature and the supernatural, viewing signs and prodigies as divine messages.

• Examples of aerial phenomena mentioned include:
• In 575, a bright light in the sky preceded the death of a sovereign, similar to a previous event before Clotaire's death.
• In 576, celestial signs, including twenty rays from the north, announced the death of Mérovée.
• A comet preceded the death of Sigebert and a plague.
• In 570, lights around the sun ("suns") and a sky that seemed to ignite were observed before an epidemic.
• In 576, the night sky was illuminated as if it were day, with globes of fire frequently seen.
• In 581, unusual flowers, a rain of blood, and a comet were observed, followed by the sky appearing to ignite with two fires.
• An eclipse of the moon, fire in the sky, and an earthquake occurred in the same year.
• In 582, a globe of fire traversed the sky at dawn, accompanied by floods.
• In 584, fire traversed the sky, and a column of fire topped by a star was observed.
• In 584, during three consecutive nights, the author observed blood-colored clouds, rays from the north, and a splendid cloud with attached rays, resembling a tent.
• Three observations of luminous rays were mentioned in 584 and 586.

The author suggests that most of these phenomena can be reduced to known natural facts such as comets, meteors, solar halos, and atmospheric particularities, with the exception of the phenomenon described in point (h), which he considers more unusual.

Article 3: History and Ufology

This section critically analyzes two recent books on UFOs in history: "Les OVNI du Passé" by C. Piens and "La Chronique des OVNI" by M. Bougard. The author expresses concerns about the research methodology, particularly the reliance on secondary sources and the lack of rigorous control and contextualization of historical accounts.

Critique of Sources and Methodology:
The author emphasizes the importance of using direct sources and avoiding the repetition of inaccuracies and "near misses." He argues that historical UFO cases should be subjected to the same rigor as contemporary investigations. The article highlights the issue of misinterpretation and fabrication, citing the example of the Alençon (Orne) case from 1790, where the original source was difficult to trace and the inspector's report was not found in the archives.

The Magonia Case:
The article delves into the "Magonia" case, where Bishop Agobard of Lyon (9th century) is cited by M. Bougard as evidence of aerial vessels. Bougard interprets Agobard's writings as proof of real aerial vessels from Magonia. However, the author clarifies that Agobard's treatise "Liber contra insulam vulgi opinionem" (Against the Erroneous Opinion of the People about Hail and Thunder) was written to refute the popular belief that hail and thunder were caused by "tempestarii" (sorcerers). Agobard reported that people believed calamities were caused by these individuals and that three men and a woman, supposedly fallen from "aerial vessels," were lynched. The author states that Agobard's text does not indicate he believed in these vessels himself; rather, he was documenting and refuting a popular belief. The article suggests that the Magonia story might stem from the belief in humanoids descending from aerial vessels, but it does not confirm the existence of such vessels or their occupants.

The author concludes that historical-ufological literature often isolates cases from their cultural, social, and historical context, focusing solely on the technological or supernatural aspects and neglecting the human element. This approach, he argues, adds contemporary myth to older ones and distorts history.

Article 4: UFO Sightings Reports

This section presents several detailed UFO sighting reports:

1. Près de Boulogne sur Mer (Pas de Calais) on January 24, 1979:
Mme Marie-Thérèse Salucci and her family observed an elongated, orange-red object moving slowly and silently. The object then became stationary for about twenty minutes. During this time, a conventional aircraft passed beneath it. The object later moved away rapidly towards the North-North-East.

2. Maubeuge (Nord) on January 24, 1979:
Two witnesses, H. Jean-Pascal and H. Eliane, reported seeing a red, luminous star-like object moving erratically, performing zig-zags and rotations, and changing color from red to white. They observed it for about five minutes before it moved away. They also noted that their car's engine faltered when the object was nearby.

3. Longwy Haut (Meurthe et Moselle) on September 6, 1980:
Madame Marie-Thérèse Salucci and her family observed an elongated, orange object moving slowly and silently. It became stationary for twenty minutes, during which a conventional aircraft passed beneath it. The object then moved away rapidly.

4. Brix (Manche) on February 20, 1980:
A woman named Madame X reported seeing a blue light that she initially mistook for car headlights. The light appeared as a continuous flash and was reflected in a mirror. She described the object as cigar-shaped, about 1.50 to 2.00 meters long, and moving vertically. She also noted a humming sound synchronized with the lights.

5. Nantes (Loire Atlantique) on December 15, 1979:
Madame B. observed a bright, cigar-shaped object with yellow-orange lights and vertical movements. She described its length as four times its width and estimated its altitude to be significant. The object was visible for about ten minutes and disappeared rapidly.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently critiques official UFO investigations, particularly the Condon Report, highlighting perceived biases and cover-ups. It emphasizes the importance of rigorous scientific methodology and the contextualization of historical accounts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging researchers to pursue the truth about UFO phenomena while acknowledging the complexities and potential for misinterpretation. There is a strong undercurrent of belief in the reality of the UFO phenomenon and the possibility of intelligent, non-human origins, coupled with suspicion towards governmental transparency on the subject. The magazine also features detailed witness accounts and technical analyses of sightings, aiming to provide a platform for ufological research and discussion.

This issue of "Lumières dans la Nuit" (Lights in the Night) focuses on UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) investigations, featuring detailed accounts of sightings and related research. The primary articles cover a luminous phenomenon observed in Saint-Raphaël, France, and a case from El Ramblon, Argentina, alongside discussions on UFO cataloging and related research efforts.

Phénomènes lumineux à Saint-Raphaël (Var)

This section details a significant UAP sighting that occurred on the night of Saturday, October 27, 1979, near Saint-Raphaël in the Var region of France. The event was witnessed by twelve young people, aged 18 to 23, who were in the area overlooking the locality known as "la Veissière." Three of these witnesses, Jean-Yves Saliou, Jean-Pierre Ona, and Jean-Pierre Mauvin, have agreed to have their names cited.

The observation began around 11 PM. Jean-Yves Saliou first noticed a vertical white bar of light above the horizon, followed by a second one. His attention drawn, he then saw three luminous lights in the distance, which he initially mistook for car headlights. He soon realized these lights were above the hills.

Over several minutes, the lights converged and changed color, shifting from pale yellow to a deep red, tinged with orange, before returning to yellow. Two of the lights then became stationary, while the third moved independently, describing a large circle before rejoining the other two. The lights then descended parallel to the ground. One of the lights, described as more elongated vertically, moved independently, describing a large circle of several kilometers radius, coming within 500 meters of the witness. This light was intensely bright, "as if the light came from the inside," and its glare was unbearable, preventing direct viewing for more than a few seconds. It moved silently and with extraordinary speed.

Frightened, Saliou drove to Saint-Raphaël to meet friends, recounting his experience. A group of them, initially joking, decided to investigate. They drove to the location, arriving around 11:30 PM. At this point, only one light was visible, exhibiting yellow and red zones that appeared to "twist" or "stretch like elastic."

Later, a second observation is described, involving a witness identified as "Mme B." This account, likely from a different date or a continuation, describes a luminous object with a grid-like pattern, exhibiting rapid vertical movement. The object's contour became clearer over time. Mme B. noted its apparent maximal angle of 4 degrees, corresponding to eight lunar diameters, at an azimuth of 200 degrees (south). The object then moved horizontally southwest, with a decrease in apparent size. It moved silently, leading Mme B. to believe it was intelligently controlled.

The object then appeared to move downwards to the right, and as only the upper third of its cigar shape was visible, it abruptly extinguished. Mme B. then thought, "My God, a UFO!" and began to tremble. The point of disappearance was estimated to be behind a bank, at an azimuth of 213 degrees. The entire observation lasted about a minute. Mme B. subsequently reported her sighting to the gendarmerie.

The investigator notes several curious details about Mme B.'s account, including the fact that her shutters were open despite bad weather, which she couldn't explain. She also reported receiving an intense light projection directly into her left eye, even though her right eye had recently undergone surgery. The investigator confirms Mme B.'s good eyesight, noting she wears glasses and is 69 years old.

El Ramblon (province de San Juan) Argentine

This section details a case that occurred on the night of July 12, 1978, in El Ramblon, Argentina, a sparsely populated area near the border of San Juan and Mendoza provinces. The main witness was Monsieur José Lorenzo Correa, a 46-year-old farmer, and his family, along with other locals and an anonymous motorist.

Around 11 PM, while working at the El Ramblon train station, Monsieur Félipe Onofre Onozco (station master) observed an intense light approaching from the south, which he initially thought was a train. The light grew brighter and more intense, causing him fear. He rushed to his office as the object, emitting a powerful reddish light and a whistling sound, hovered directly above the station. Onozco reported being blinded by the light and smelling a strong odor of gas or sulfur. He was terrified. The object then moved away towards the mountains.

When the train arrived shortly after, the driver and assistant were surprised to find the signal not activated. They found Onozco in his office, disoriented and in a state of shock, with two dogs, a cat, and a rabbit also exhibiting signs of distress.

At the same time, Monsieur Correa and his family, watching television at their farm, experienced an interruption of their program, replaced by a dark red, mushroom-shaped light accompanied by a buzzing sound. The light illuminated the exterior of their farm. They went outside and saw a luminous object in the sky, estimated to be 5 to 10 km away. Correa felt a significant weakness in his legs. The television and radio disruptions were confirmed in a sector of several kilometers.

An anonymous motorist driving from Mendoza to San Juan was also momentarily blinded by a violent light. Other residents reported seeing the phenomenon, with some describing it as a red and yellow light moving rapidly, and others comparing it to a police car's rotating light.

The police investigation concluded that the event was an undeniable presence of a strange phenomenon, with no clear identification of its origin, form, or size. Radio and television broadcasts were disrupted, and no physical evidence of the object contacting the ground was found. The witnesses' psycho-physical state was deemed normal.

Professor Victorio Corradi, a UFO specialist, described the El Ramblon case as one of the most significant in the last 15 years, noting its occurrence in a desert region, aligning with the "Jacques Vallée law" that UAP appearances are inversely proportional to population density.

Ground Traces and Investigations

Following the Saint-Raphaël sighting, witnesses returned to the area to investigate. They discovered several unusual ground traces:

• Regular Holes: Three holes, spaced 80-82 cm apart, with a diameter of 20-23 cm and a depth of 15-20 cm, connected by a curved groove. The measurements were approximate due to heavy rains.
• Irregular Holes: Disposed irregularly, these holes were 30-40 cm in diameter and 25-30 cm deep, with no soil displaced around them. They had a regular bottom relative to gravity, even on a steep slope.
• Footprints: Near some holes, faint footprints were found, particularly one clearly marked near a bush. This footprint suggested a small shoe (size 12-14 cm) with a reinforced toe and a flat sole, possibly belonging to a child aged 8-10.

Local experts, including a game warden and forestry officials, could not identify the traces as belonging to animals or human activities. The unique characteristics, especially the absence of displaced soil, made them inexplicable.

Megalithic Sites Around the Phenomena

The article explores the proximity of the Saint-Raphaël sighting location to three notable megalithic sites: Ensemble de Veyssières, the standing stone of Ayre-Peyronne, and the alignment of Belle-Barbe. While these sites are geographically close, the investigators found no direct dynamic or geographic link between them and the UAP observation, suggesting the phenomena did not directly interact with these ancient structures.

UFOCAT: A Computerized Catalog

This section introduces UFOCAT, a computerized catalog system for UAP phenomena developed by Professor David R. Saunders. The system aims to include all unusual aerial phenomena, regardless of origin, and is designed to be comprehensive, with over 90,000 entries. The article explains the codification system, the types of reports, and the benefits of such a database for researchers. It encourages European UFO groups to contribute to the catalog.

Other Reports and Editorials

The issue also includes a section of "Recent News (Press Summary)" detailing several other UAP sightings from December 1980 and January 1981 across France, Spain, and Morocco. These reports describe various objects, including red circles, luminous balls, and cigar-shaped craft.

An editorial titled "Our Line of Conduct" emphasizes the magazine's commitment to publishing diverse viewpoints constructively and non-polemically. Another piece, "The Assassination of Ufology," criticizes the proliferation of irresponsible UFO groups and individuals who, in the author's opinion, sensationalize the topic and hinder serious research.

Finally, the issue features a section on "Our Selected Books," listing and describing numerous books related to UFOs, extraterrestrials, and related topics, available for purchase through the magazine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a serious, investigative approach to UAP phenomena, encouraging detailed reporting and scientific analysis. It highlights the importance of witness testimony, physical evidence, and systematic data collection, as exemplified by the UFOCAT system. The editorial stance is open to diverse perspectives but critical of sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, aiming to foster constructive dialogue within the ufology community. The publication also emphasizes the value of national research efforts and international collaboration.