Lettre d'Information Ufologique - Vol 2 No 2 - dec 1990

Magazine Overview

Title: LIUFO
Issue: V.2, N.2
Date: December 1990
Publisher: SOBEPS
Country: Canada
Language: French

This issue of LIUFO, a ufological information letter, focuses on the applications and statistical analysis of the CASUFO database. The CASUFO file, organized by the author, contains over 2,200 UFO observation reports from Quebec.

CASUFO Database and Applications

The first section details the structure of a CASUFO report fiche, outlining the various fields available for data entry and retrieval. These fields include:

• DATE: Date of observation
• MOI: Month of observation
• ANNEE: Year of observation
• SAISON: Season of observation
• HYNEK: Hynek classification
• WEBB: Webb classification
• MUSGRAVE: Musgrave classification
• ZURCHER: Zurcher classification
• VALLEE1966: Vallée classification (1966)
• VALLEESVP: Vallée SVP classification
• VALLEE 1990: Vallée classification (1990)
• LEDUC: Leduc classification
• CREDIBILITE: Credibility rating
• ETRANGETE: Strangeness rating
• COTE: Overall rating (A, B, C, D, E)
• REFERENCES: References
• HEURE HNE: Hour (Normal Eastern Time)
• HEURE HAE: Hour (Advanced Eastern Time)
• DUREE: Duration
• SAISON: Season (repeated)
• DATE: Date (repeated)
• MOI: Month (repeated)
• ANNEE: Year (repeated)
• JOUR: Day
• COORDONNEES: Coordinates
• LIEU: Location
• SITE: Site
• OBSERVATEURS: Observers
• NOMBRE OBS: Number of observers
• GENRE: Genre
• AGE: Age
• NOMBRE OBJ: Number of objects
• NOMBRE HUM: Number of humans
• FORME: Shape
• EFFET: Effect
• MOUVEMENT: Movement
• MATERIEL: Material
• BRUIT: Sound
• PROXIMITE: Proximity
• MANOEUVRE: Maneuver
• COINCIDENCE: Coincidence
• HYPOTHESE: Hypothesis
• STRUCTURE: Structure
• PROBABILITE: Probability
• DOCUMENTATION: Documentation
• DESCRIPTION: Description

The database allows for searching and extracting information based on any field. It can provide details about the observation, the source of the report, and its correspondence with established classifications.

Typologies and Classification Systems

The issue highlights the utility of typologies in comparing CASUFO data with international files, citing Vallée and Hynek. The author explains how Hynek's strangeness and credibility indices are synthesized into a system of five ratings (A, B, C, D, E). Vallée's SVP (Strangeness, Validity, Probability) index, presented in CONFRONTATION, is also used to assess information quality. These indices are combined to form specific samples for analysis.

Several sample categories are defined:

• CASUFO, ABCDE: UFO reports from Quebec, excluding those from other provinces.
• CASUFO, AB...: Reports with strangeness and credibility indices of 3 or more.
• CASUFO, C...: Reports with strangeness indices of 0, 1, or 2, and credibility of 3 or more.
• CASUFO, AB-222: Reports A and B with SVP indices of 2 or more.
• CASUFO, AB-333: Reports A and B with SVP indices of 3 or more.
• CASUFO, A-333: Reports A with SVP indices of 3 or more.
• CASUFO, CIG...: Reports concerning vertical cigars.

Statistical Analysis and Graphical Representations

The core of the issue is the statistical analysis of the CASUFO data, presented through tables and graphs. The analysis compares different categories of reports, particularly the contrast between 'C' reports (low strangeness) and 'AB' reports (high strangeness and credibility, specifically AB-333).

Key findings from the statistical analysis include:

• Yearly Distribution: The analysis of reports from 1966 to 1981 shows that 'C' reports peaked in 1978, while 'A' and 'SVP' reports (333) peaked around 1973. However, when considering the 'AB-333' sample (most strange and reliable), the peaks become less pronounced, questioning the nature of UFO waves.
• Seasonal and Daily Patterns: Correlations are observed between report frequencies and seasons (summer/winter), months, days (weekends), and hours (late evening/early morning). These patterns are noted to be similar to global UFO statistics, suggesting a characteristic of the phenomenon itself.
• Hourly Distribution: Graphs illustrate the distribution of reports by hour (Normal Eastern Time and Advanced Eastern Time) for different classification categories (A,B (2,2,2), A,B (3,3,3) compared to C). The analysis suggests that the timing of reports is not random.
• Comparison of Samples: The issue emphasizes the comparison between 'AB' samples (representing high strangeness, potentially unknown phenomena) and 'C' samples (representing low strangeness, possibly misidentifications). The statistics for these contrasting samples show a high correlation in their frequency distributions across seasons, months, days, and hours, reinforcing the idea that these patterns are intrinsic to the UFO phenomenon.

Mysterious Circles

A section titled 'LES MYSTERIEUX CERCLES' (The Mysterious Circles) presents recent press clippings from various sources (The GAZETTE, La PRESSE, Le Journal de Montréal, SUN, PROVINCE, SUSSEX EXPRESS) concerning mysterious circles reported in Saskatchewan, Argentina, and England. The author, Jean-Pierre Plouffe, raises questions about the comparability of these formations in terms of netteté and disposition, and whether they have been reported in France or the USA.

Subscription Information

The final page provides subscription details for LIUFO. The newsletter is published quarterly and contains at least eight pages per issue. The subscription fee is $5, covering production and postage. Subscriptions can be made via check or money order payable to Marc Leduc, with contact information provided (P.O. Box 955, 12 Chemin de la Butte, Lac Beauport, Quebec, Canada GOA 2CO, Phone: 1 418 849 1446).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the rigorous statistical analysis of UFO data, the development and application of classification systems, and the exploration of patterns within UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of methodical investigation, using quantitative methods to understand the UFO phenomenon. The author emphasizes the importance of comparing different datasets and classifications to draw meaningful conclusions, while also acknowledging the ongoing mystery surrounding high-strangeness reports.
The issue also touches upon the broader context of UFOlogy by including reports on crop circles, suggesting an interest in various unexplained phenomena.