LDLN - No 223-224

Magazine Overview

Title: LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT
Issue: N° 223-224
Date: January-February 1983
Volume: 26th Year, 15th Issue
Publisher: GROUPEMENT INTERNATIONAL LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT
Country: France
Language: French

This issue of "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" is dedicated to the analysis of responses to its 25th-anniversary questionnaire, a significant undertaking that received an "incontestable success" with over 1700 responses. The magazine, a bi-monthly publication of 48 pages, aims to shed light on the truth through the discoveries of those who passionately research the unknown.

Questionnaire Analysis: A 25th Anniversary Retrospective

The core of this issue is the detailed breakdown of the 25th-anniversary questionnaire, which garnered an impressive 1700+ responses by September 1982. The magazine highlights this as a record-breaking achievement in ufological surveys, surpassing previous efforts. The editorial team expresses gratitude to all participants for their time and thoughtful responses, emphasizing the international scope of the survey, with responses received from 10 European countries and 12 other nations worldwide.

The Questionnaire Development

The development of the questionnaire was a lengthy process, spanning over a year from late 1980 to early 1982. It involved extensive correspondence and collaboration among the editorial team, with input from a professional sociologist. The initial draft was significantly expanded and refined to cover various aspects of the UFO phenomenon and related topics.

The Challenge of Data Analysis

Analyzing such a large volume of data presented a significant challenge, especially without access to computer resources. The task of manually processing and analyzing the responses was undertaken by one individual, a teacher, who dedicated considerable time to this effort. The sheer scale of the data is illustrated by its physical dimensions: 39 cm high and weighing 15.2 kg for the folded bulletins alone. The listings generated from the responses cover a surface area of 8.82 meters by 0.87 meters, containing approximately 85,000 individual marks.

Participant Demographics and Geographic Distribution

The analysis reveals key insights into the participants. Of the 1700 respondents, 303 provided their contact information, indicating a high level of trust in the magazine. The survey also noted the materials used for responses, with a majority using central pages of the magazine and a significant number using photocopies. The geographic distribution of responses within France is mapped, showing a concentration in major urban areas, particularly Paris, which received the highest number of responses (94). Other departments with significant response rates include Yvelines (90) and Hauts de Seine (79).

Internationally, 75 participants originated from foreign countries, with Belgium leading the count (24), followed by Switzerland (11) and Italy (4). The analysis also touches upon the complexity of determining the true origin of responses, especially for those sent from abroad, due to potential travel or relocation of participants.

Response Patterns and Timing

The timing of the responses is analyzed through weekly and daily graphs, indicating a staggered submission pattern. The initial mailing of the magazine in March-April influenced the early response rate. The survey period extended for several months, with a notable sustained interest, even during the summer vacation period. The data suggests that participants may have taken their questionnaires with them during travels to fill them out.

Key Case Studies and Themes

Beyond the survey data, the issue features several articles:

• "L'Airship, cet ovni qui annonça la soucoupe volante" by Jean Sider, examines the 1897 wave of "phantom airship" sightings in the United States, analyzing 129 precise incidents from over 1200 observations. Sider critiques modern ufological theories, arguing they often overlook historical cases and rely on socio-psychological explanations without fully engaging with the evidence.
• "Rencontre Taxi - Phénomène lumineux avec perturbations physiques à Vervins (Aisne)" details a specific UFO sighting involving luminous phenomena and physical disturbances.
• "Rencontre du 3me type à St-Just-de-Claix (Isère)" reports on a close encounter.
• "La vague italienne de 1978 phénomène du 1er type (9)" discusses a wave of sightings in Italy.

Participant Characteristics

The analysis delves into participant characteristics, noting that while men form the majority of respondents (1256), women's participation (437) is significant, challenging the notion that ufology is exclusively a male domain. The average age of participants is calculated at 38.5 years, with a balanced representation across different age groups, from a 12-year-old to an 87-year-old. The issue also touches upon the potential for relationships between participants, with some couples submitting questionnaires together.

Editorial Stance and Future Outlook

"LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" reiterates its commitment to open-minded research and constructive debate, encouraging the confrontation of ideas rather than personal attacks. The magazine acknowledges the challenges of maintaining its activities in the current economic climate and appeals for reader support through donations of old books, magazines, and other materials. The editorial team emphasizes that those interested in ufology are not marginal individuals but citizens fully integrated into society, deserving of serious consideration.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the rigorous analysis of UFO-related data, historical case studies, and the demographic profile of ufology enthusiasts. The magazine's editorial stance is one of passionate pursuit of truth, encouraging open dialogue, critical analysis, and a rejection of simplistic explanations. It champions the idea that UFO researchers are grounded individuals, not detached from reality, and advocates for a serious and unbiased approach to the phenomenon. The publication also highlights the importance of historical research in understanding contemporary UFO reports, suggesting that the phenomenon has deep roots that predate modern explanations.

This issue of Flying Saucer Review, Volume 23, Number 1, dated 1977, focuses heavily on historical aerial phenomena, with a significant portion dedicated to the "Italian Wave of 1978" and a deep dive into the "1897 Airship Wave." The magazine also includes reports on anomalous events in Côte d'Ivoire and a peculiar encounter near Vervins, Aisne, in 1980.

The 1897 Airship Wave

The core of this issue is an extensive analysis of the 1897 airship sightings. The article meticulously categorizes witness reports based on "schemas" or patterns, including weather conditions, geometric shapes, lights, projectors, progression, and sounds. It presents numerous dated and located sightings from various US states like Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Texas. The reports detail objects described as cigar-shaped, conical, flat, funnel-shaped, and even resembling whales or balloons. Witnesses reported brilliant lights that changed color, moving at high speeds, performing erratic maneuvers like zig-zags and undulations, and sometimes emitting sounds ranging from humming to loud explosions. The use of powerful projectors is frequently mentioned. The article emphasizes that these historical accounts predate modern UFO literature, suggesting that the phenomenon is not new. It also critiques theories that attribute these events to psychological factors, arguing for a more scientific approach.

Schemas of Observation

• Weather Conditions: Many sightings occurred under overcast skies, with rain or fog, making celestial explanations difficult.
• Geometric Shapes: Objects were described as cigar-shaped (the most common), conical, flat, funnel-shaped, whale-shaped, disc-shaped, egg-shaped, and spherical.
• Lights: Reports detail brilliant lights that changed color (red, blue, green, yellow, white), sometimes appearing as moving beams or flashes from projectors.
• Progression: The movement patterns included high-speed travel, zig-zagging, undulating paths, hovering, stopping, and rapid ascents or descents.
• Sounds: While many objects were silent, some reports mentioned humming, buzzing, or even loud explosions.
• Projectors: Numerous accounts describe powerful beams of light emitted from the objects, used for illumination or scanning.

The Italian Wave of 1978

This section delves into specific cases from Italy:

• Case nº 60: Gallio, Vicenza (November 24, 1978): Two entities, one 60 cm and the other 80 cm tall, were observed near the ground. They were described with unusual physical characteristics, including yellowish skin, large heads, pointed ears, and tight-fitting suits.
• Case nº 82: Licodia Eubea, Catania (December 15, 1978): An object resembling an ice cream cone landed, and two human-like entities emerged. The object was described as having a dark dome and a clear light cone, and the entities wore dark, tight-fitting suits.

Rencontre Taxi - Phénomène lumineux avec perturbations physiques à Vervins (Aisne) - February 26, 1980

This report details an encounter involving a taxi driver (J.M.), a passenger (Mme M.), and her son. While driving near Vervins, the taxi's engine, lights, and radio suddenly stopped, plunging the vehicle into complete darkness. During this time, they observed a large, orange sphere with sparks hovering nearby. The systems then inexplicably reactivated, and the sphere ascended and disappeared. Mme M. reported experiencing physical sensations of numbness and tingling during the event. The investigation included interviews with the witnesses, the taxi driver, and local authorities, and an examination of the site.

De l'insolite en Côte d'Ivoire

This article reports on a bizarre phenomenon in N'Gattakro, Ivory Coast, where villagers experienced rains of stones, snails, bottles, and iron for three months. The population was distressed, and local authorities and researchers were investigating the cause, which defied conventional explanations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO and anomalous phenomena as subjects worthy of serious investigation, moving beyond simple explanations like misidentification or psychological factors. The editorial stance favors detailed, evidence-based reporting, often drawing parallels between historical and contemporary accounts. The recurring theme is the persistent nature of these unexplained events across different eras and locations, suggesting a genuine, albeit poorly understood, phenomenon. The publication encourages readers to consider these events objectively and critically, rather than dismissing them outright. The detailed cataloging of sightings and the critique of simplistic explanations underscore a commitment to exploring the unexplained with a degree of scientific rigor.

This issue of OVNI magazine, identified as issue n°12 and published in 1976, heavily features reports and investigations into unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), with a significant focus on a wave of sightings in the Isère region of France during January 1976. The magazine also includes a report from Normandy and a review of a book on chrononautics.

Isère Aerial Phenomena Wave (January 1976)

The issue details a series of sightings in Isère, beginning with a general mention of a "vague de phénomènes aériens non identifiés" (wave of unidentified aerial phenomena). Specific incidents are listed with dates, locations, and witness testimonies:

• January 5, 1976: Military patrols at Col de Portes observed a white luminous arc-shaped object. In Grenoble-Chamrousse, a family observed a color-changing luminous object.
• January 4, 1976: In Pont-en-Royans, three bright red lights were observed. In La Côte St-André, a luminous ball that changed from red to green, with metallic reflections, was seen at low altitude.
• January 5, 1976: In Grenoble, a newspaper standardist and her husband observed a luminous phenomenon evolving vertically above St-Martin d'Uriage. A photographer from the newspaper took several shots, suggesting a possible Venus sighting.
• January 5, 1976: In Domène, "Les Mortes," a "third type encounter" was reported by Jean Claude Silvente.
• January 6, 1976: In Domène, Cité "Bellevue," two witnesses observed an egg-shaped luminous object hovering 1.50m above the ground.
• January 6, 1976: Observations of luminous objects emitting beams towards the ground were reported in the Vaud canton (Switzerland) and in Laissaud (Savoie).
• January 6, 1976: In Domène, "Les Mortes," the same witness from January 5th observed a humanoid figure, and his parents saw a red ball descending.
• January 8, 1976: In Venon, a political science student observed a large, bright light hovering near the ground.
• January 8, 1976: In Domène, "Bellevue," a red luminous point descended, followed by a luminous form approximately twenty meters in diameter, emitting a slight whistling sound.
• January 9, 1976: In Grenoble, a photographer documented a luminous object moving erratically. In Veurey, a family observed a multi-colored luminous UFO gliding towards Chamrousse.
• January 10, 1976: In Claix, the mayor observed the evolutions of a red light.
• January 12, 1976: In St-Pierre de Chandieu, a white and green luminous ball was observed.
• January 13, 1976: Sightings were reported in Ste-Croix and Vallée des Ayes.
• January 13, 1976: In Murianette, a witness observed four luminous circles arranged in a square, with a spotlight-like light rotating around them, hovering above a hillside.
• January 15, 1976: On Route N.86 near La Voulte and Le Pouzin, a dark, rounded mass was observed on the ground with blue light emanating from two "portholes."
• January 15, 1976: In Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, multiple luminous balls were observed.
• January 15, 1976: In Domène, two witnesses observed a luminous grey object.
• January 15, 1976: In Beaurepaire, a cigar-shaped object, estimated at 20-25 meters long, was observed hovering 10-15 meters above a house, emitting truncated rays.
• January 17, 1976: In Le Sonnant d'Uriage, a diffuse light with four projector-like lights was observed at low altitude.
• January 16, 1976: In Echirolles, two luminous balls, larger than stars, were observed, one pale yellow and the other less distinct and grey-brown.
• January 21, 1976: In Uriage, a large trapezoidal object was observed on the ground, equipped with red lights and an oblique horn. Two gendarmes also witnessed its disappearance.

The issue notes that approximately thirty other reports were received in January 1976 from various departments.

Bernay (Eure) Encounter (November 8, 1979)

This section details an observation by two train conductors, Mr. Hanzard and Mr. Tillard, on November 8, 1979, near Bernay. While driving a freight train, they observed a luminous red, ball-shaped object descending vertically at an estimated speed of 40-60 km/h. The object was surrounded by a reddish halo and appeared to be about 1000 meters high. As it descended to about 100 meters, it progressively dimmed and then transformed into a bright white point, the size of a ping-pong ball. The witnesses requested discretion. Investigations with the local gendarmerie and EDF (Électricité de France) yielded no corroborating reports of anomalies.

Book Review: "Le Futur Nous Observe ! L'Ere de la Chrononautique" by Luc Mary

The magazine reviews "Le Futur Nous Observe ! L'Ere de la Chrononautique" by Luc Mary, published in 1980. The reviewer finds the book sympathetic in its intentions but ultimately disappointing and lacking in rigor. The author, an amateur astronomer, explores theories of chrononautics (time navigation) and their potential connection to UFO phenomena. The reviewer criticizes Mary's use of questionable evidence, such as the Baghdad "atomic pile" and ancient artifacts, to support his claims about UFOs being piloted by "extra-temporals" or beings from the future. The reviewer suggests that while the concept of time and its mastery might be central to the UFO problem, it requires extensive knowledge and critical thinking, which they believe the author lacks.

LDLN Surveillance Network

This section reports on the activities of the "Réseau de Surveillance LDLN" (LDLN Surveillance Network). It details surveillance nights and investigations conducted by various regional groups. Notably, a surveillance night on October 16, 1982, yielded no observations. However, on October 14th, two members of the Menton Ufological Group observed a small white ball that rapidly quintupled in size and disappeared. On October 15th, four members of the same group observed a red object, the size of a 100-watt bulb, followed by five smaller "objects" (40-watt bulb size), engaging in erratic movements. The network encourages reader participation and the submission of reports and research findings.

Rouen (Seine Maritime) Exhibition

An exhibition organized by LDLN in Rouen on September 18-19, 1982, is mentioned. The exhibition featured panels on UFO history, LDLN investigations, newspaper articles, recent news, official research, UFO specialists, LDLN activities, and famous contactees. It attracted 107 visitors, many of whom stayed for over an hour and provided contact information for future observations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of witness testimony and detailed reporting of UAP sightings. It promotes active participation in research networks like LDLN, encouraging readers to share their observations and findings. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, advocating for rigorous investigation and constructive dialogue, while cautioning against unsubstantiated claims and superficial analysis, as seen in the book review. The magazine also highlights the potential connection between UAP and concepts of time and advanced technology.