La ligne bleue survolee - No 05 - 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: LA LIGNE BLEUE SURVOLEE

Issue: No. 5

Publisher: CERCLE VOSGIEN LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT

Country: France

Language: French

Date: Undetermined, but references to 1978, 1979, and 1981 suggest the issue is from the early 1980s.

Cover Headline: LA LIGNE BLEUE SURVOLEE

Cover Description: A blue cover with a stylized graphic depicting rays of light emanating from a central area, with text overlayed in a gradient effect. The main headline reads 'LA LIGNE BLEUE SURVOLEE'.

Table of Contents (Sommaire)

This issue features several articles and sections:

• CONNAISSEZ MIEUX LES RESPONSABLES: An introduction to the key people involved in the Cercle.
• LE MOT DU PRESIDENT: A message from the president, François Diolez.
• ENQUETE N° F/98/88810200 (01): A detailed report on a specific UFO investigation.
• UN PETIT MOT SUR LE CNEGU: Information about the Comité Nord-Est des Groupements ufologiques.
• SYNTHESE DES CATALOGUES NORD-EST 1978 ET 79: A synthesis of UFO observation catalogs from 1978 and 1979.
• BIBLIOTHEQUE - DOCUMENTATION: Information about the group's library and documentation resources.

Editorial and Organizational Information

The bulletin is published twice a year and exchanged with other groups. The new address for the Cercle is 1, rue Côte Champion, 88000 EPINAL. Stickers for the Cercle are available for 5.00 F. The articles published represent the views of their authors, and reproduction is prohibited without written consent from CVLDLN.

Key Personnel

The issue introduces the responsible members of the Cercle:

• François DIOLEZ: President (responsible for revue and library)
• René FAUDRIN: Vice President (external liaisons)
• Jacques NICOT: Treasurer
• Joëlle ERBY: Secretary (press and revue liaisons)
• Gilles MUNSCH: Assistant Secretary (responsible for investigations and astronomy)
• Sylviane COLCZEWSKI: Assistant Secretary (observation evenings and astronomy)
• Robert COLCSEWSKI: Technical Support
• Jean Marc PARMENTELAT: Assistant for investigations and photography
• Eric BITTERLY: Archives

President's Message (Le Mot du Président)

François Diolez, the president, notes that this is the 5th issue of the revue, marking two and a half years of the Cercle's existence. He expresses satisfaction with the group's growing regional recognition and the progress of their work. Investigations are highlighted as a primary goal, but they require time and more investigators. Diolez emphasizes that the analysis of collected data is crucial for understanding the UFO phenomenon. Preliminary analyses of cases from the Northeast are presented in this issue. He also mentions the development of a simple detector and encourages the network to expand in the Vosges region. Observation evenings have been successful and will continue. The message summarizes the Cercle's activities, including CNEGU meetings and monthly gatherings, and stresses the importance of investigator training and technical sheets for improving results. He urges members to remain vigilant and ensure all known observations are thoroughly studied. Diolez concludes by stating that the path to truth requires careful work and avoiding pitfalls.

UFO Case Report: F/98/88810200 (01)

This section details a UFO sighting reported by a 17-year-old witness, Jean-Claude, on the evening of February 19 (or 26), 1981, around 7:30 PM. While leaving a building in Bains-les-Bains (88), the witness and a friend were drawn to a white light, described as resembling a large, lit projector, about ten meters to their left and 40-50 meters above the ground. The object, estimated to be 40-50 cm in diameter, moved slowly (maximum 10 km/h) from the Northeast (Epinal) towards the Southwest (Haute-Saône). After about a minute, the object began to blink for about twenty seconds, disappeared momentarily, reappeared further away, blinked again, and then disappeared permanently after another thirty seconds. The total observation time was two to three minutes. The witness noted faint "stripes" below the illuminated object. No sound or other effects were observed. The night was clear and starry with little wind, possibly a light mist above the phenomenon. Three other friends who exited the building shortly after also witnessed the event but paid less attention.

Notes on the report:

• (1) The witness may have overestimated the apparent size of the moon during the encounter, but the phenomenon itself was perceived as smaller.
• (2) The estimated duration of the phases is imprecise, but the total observation time of 2-3 minutes is considered reliable.

Visuals: The report includes drawings by the witness: a top view of the object showing a white luminous beam and a central area with stripes, and a side view illustrating the object with a luminous white beam, a mist above it, and an estimated altitude of 40-50 meters. A map of the "Groupe Scolaire Le Chesnois" in Bains-les-Bains is also provided, indicating the position of the phenomenon, the blinking and reappearance of the object, the location of the main witnesses, and the direction of movement.

CNEGU (Comité Nord-Est des Groupements ufologiques)

This section provides information about the CNEGU, created several years ago. It currently includes the CLEU (Luxembourg), GPUN (Nancy), Groupe 5255 (Hte Marne/Meuse), CAU (Troyes), and CVLDLN. Sessions are held every four months, organized on a rotating basis. During these meetings, member groups share their work, establish technical sheets on various subjects, present their investigations, and discuss them. This collaborative approach allows groups to learn from each other's methods and draw conclusions. Joint observation evenings, public conferences, and film presentations have been organized. Annual statistical studies of observation catalogs help to better understand the UFO phenomenon in Northeastern France. The article concludes that this mutual sharing of knowledge helps ufology progress more effectively than waiting for UFOs in specific locations.

Synthesis of Nord-Est Catalogs 1978 and 1979

This section presents an analysis of UFO observations from 1978, based on publications from the CNEGU and CLEU. A total of 71 cases are cited.

The analysis involves reclassifying cases and identifying potential conventional explanations:

• Case F 98/88780314 (00): The investigator leans towards the high probability of an aircraft.
• Case F 06/52780829 (00) / F 06/54780829: This case, occurring in Tomblaine (54), was identified by GPUN as helicopter maneuvers, according to contacted services.
• Case F 98/88780818 (00): This case spans four consecutive days and is divided into sub-cases (F 98/88780818 to F 98/88780821). The report notes that phenomena repeating daily at the same time and location are often explainable by known physical phenomena. The hypothesis of solar effect at altitude on aircraft contrails is suggested for an August observation around 9 PM.
• Case F 15/54780913 (00): This was likely a meteor observed simultaneously from Belfort and Laxou.
• Case F 15/54780919 (00): High probability of a balloon.
• Case F 15/547810IO (00): This involved two military aircraft participating in a Franco-German air defense exercise in Eastern France and Germany. Similar observations in the Vosges region on the same day and time were dismissed by CV LDLN and excluded from the catalog.

The report emphasizes the importance of verifying similar repeating phenomena for probable explanations and clearly indicating any doubts in the condensed reports to avoid misclassification.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the systematic investigation of UFO phenomena, the importance of data collection and analysis, and the collaborative efforts of ufological groups in Northeastern France. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous, evidence-based research, aiming to identify conventional explanations where possible while remaining open to the study of unexplained cases. There is a clear emphasis on the need for more investigators and a structured approach to fieldwork and reporting. The CNEGU serves as a central platform for sharing knowledge and advancing the field of ufology through cooperation and mutual support.

This document is a detailed analysis of the "Catalogue Nord Est 1978," a compilation of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sightings from the Nord-Est region of France in 1978. The analysis, dated January 31, 1981, focuses on reclassifying cases, evaluating witness credibility, and presenting statistical distributions of the observed phenomena. It appears to be part of a larger publication or report concerning UAP investigations.

Reclassification and Cataloguing Errors

The document begins by addressing issues with the cataloguing system, particularly the use of codes like (OI) and (00). Several cases are identified as needing reclassification due to errors or misplacement. For instance, a series of ten cases (F 98/88781202) are noted as describing a single phenomenon, likely a satellite re-entering the atmosphere. Other cases are merged if they appear to describe the same event observed from different locations or at slightly different times. A significant error identified is the inclusion of a 1978 case (F 99/55780402 OI) within the 1979 catalogue's data.

Credibility of Testimonies

A key section introduces a simplified 'Credibility Index,' adapted from Claude Poher's work, to evaluate the reliability of witness accounts. This index ranges from 0 to 5 and is based on five essential criteria:

1. Date and Time: Precision and accuracy of the reported time.
2. Location: Precision and accuracy of the reported location.
3. Witness(es): Whether the witness is known (name, address, profession) or unknown (passing, unfamiliar with the area, or did not stop for detailed observation).
4. Number of Witnesses: Whether there was more than one witness.
5. Investigation: Whether an official investigation was conducted and documented, or if the case is known only through press or hearsay.

Each criterion is assigned a value of 1 if met with precision and 0 if imprecise or unknown. The document then presents the distribution of credibility scores for the 1978 catalogue (58 cases) and the 1979 catalogue (53 cases after exclusions). The 1978 catalogue shows:

• Credit 0: 1 case
• Credit 1: 6 cases (+1 specific case)
• Credit 2: 8 cases
• Credit 3: 21 cases
• Credit 4: 17 cases
• Credit 5: 5 cases

The 1979 catalogue, with a higher average credibility, shows:

• Credit 0: 0 cases
• Credit 1: 2 cases
• Credit 2: 6 cases
• Credit 3: 17 cases

• Credit 4: 19 cases
• Credit 5: 9 cases

Statistical Analysis of Cases

The document provides detailed statistical breakdowns of the 58 cases from the 1978 catalogue:

Monthly Distribution (Tableau n°2)

The analysis shows a peak in October, with the period from September to December accounting for 39 cases. This includes 4 ground sightings and 1 landing of a manufactured object, plus 1 case near the ground. Over the entire year, there were 5 ground sightings, including 2 landings and 3 observations of 'white figures' (representing 4 entities).

Departmental and Monthly Distribution (Tableau n°3)

This table breaks down cases by department and month. The Haute Marne and Meuse, followed by Vosges and Meurthe et Moselle, reported the highest numbers. The authors suggest this might reflect better information gathering and compilation by local groups rather than necessarily more sightings in those areas. Notably, the Vosges department had fewer reported cases in October.

Hourly Distribution (Tableau n°4)

The majority of cases were observed after 6 PM (18:00). Some testimonies lacked precise timing, while others were categorized as evening, night, or late morning. One case had no time indication at all.

Observed Phenomena Characteristics

Forms of Phenomena

The document categorizes observed phenomena into several forms:

• Forme I (28 cases): Includes round objects (blue, yellow-orange), luminous balls (yellow-orange, white), white spherical shapes, bright incandescent balls, spongy spheres, and luminous spheres.
• Forme II (18 cases): Features plate-like objects with semi-spheres, oval vertical shapes with domes, saucers, discoidal shapes, conical vertical objects, inverted bowls, bananas, grey ovoid bodies, elliptical orange shapes, and objects composed of multiple semi-spheres.
• Forme III (8 cases): Describes cigar or cigarroïde shapes, elongated reddish objects, rugby ball shapes, and fusiform lights.
• Forme IV (15 cases + imprecise): Includes luminous objects, points of light, stars, red lights, vertical crescents, yellow triangular objects, and 'Ovni' (UFOs) with strange shapes.
• Personnages (4 cases): Observations of white figures or white vertical shapes.

Speed

Regarding speed, the observations are categorized as:

• Static (6 cases)
• Gliding (1 case)
• Very slow displacement (1 case)
• Slow (2 cases)
• Average speed (3 cases)
• Regular speed (2 cases)
• Fast passage (2 cases)
• Very fast passage (1 case)
• Great speed (1 case)
• Extraordinary speed (1 case)
• Foudroyante (1 case)
• Vertiginous speed (1 case)
• Evolutions (immobile then sudden acceleration, or back-and-forth movement, and spins) (13 cases)
• No indication of speed (20 cases)

For 'Personnages,' 2 were described as moving rapidly, and 1 as fleeing at very high speed.

Conclusion

The document concludes that the analysis of the 1978 catalogue, along with the introduction of the Credibility Index, provides a more rigorous approach to understanding UAP reports. The comparison with the 1979 catalogue suggests an improvement in the quality and reliability of reported data. The authors emphasize the importance of accurate cataloguing and consistent methodology for future investigations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are the meticulous cataloguing and statistical analysis of UAP sightings, the critical evaluation of witness credibility, and the identification of patterns in observed phenomena. The editorial stance is one of rigorous scientific inquiry, aiming to bring order and clarity to a complex and often confusing subject. There is a clear emphasis on methodology, data accuracy, and the need for consistency in reporting and analysis, as highlighted by the author's frustration with previous cataloguing errors and the call for greater rigor in the use of codes and data presentation.

This document, titled 'Catalogue Nord Est 1979', is a synthesis of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) observations from the Nord Est region of France during 1979. It presents statistical analyses of these sightings, including monthly and hourly distributions, as well as classifications of object shapes and behaviors. The publication appears to be a report or newsletter from an organization like CEPAN or GEPAN, focusing on UAP data compilation and analysis.

Summary of Findings

The report begins with a summary stating that out of 55 initial texts, 42 cases were selected for detailed synthesis. It emphasizes the importance of chronological order in presenting the data to avoid confusion for researchers.

Monthly Distribution (Tableau n°2)

Tableau n°2 illustrates the monthly distribution of the 42 cases. Notably, there were no months without observations. The intensity of sightings peaked in April and November. The last trimester of the year was particularly active, with 21 cases, including 11 in November, suggesting a mini-wave that continued into early 1980. Two cases were reported near the ground, and two were on the ground, with one December case being uncertain. No comparison with 1978 data was provided for this table.

Departmental Distribution (Tableau n°3)

Tableau n°3 breaks down the cases by department and month. The Haute Marne and the Vosges departments showed the highest number of observations, with a significant peak in the Vosges during November.

Hourly Distribution (Tableau n°4)

Tableau n°4 details the hourly distribution of the cases. The majority of sightings occurred after 6 PM, specifically between 6 PM and midnight. However, 7 observations were reported during daylight hours (6 AM to 6 PM). Some cases lacked precise timing information, with 3 cases having no indication of the hour. Other cases were noted between 7:55 PM and 9:45 PM, and between 9 AM and 7 PM, with a query about the accuracy of the latter. One case from 9:8791020 (04) was consolidated with others, representing three distinct witness groups. A case at the end of the day was logged under F 15/90790402.

Forms and Number of Observed Phenomena

Based on the 42 cases, a total of 74 distinct phenomena were observed. This is an increase compared to 1978, which had 58 cases and 69 phenomena, highlighting the significance of 1979 for UAP activity in the Nord Est region. The report then details various forms observed:

• Forme I (27 total): Includes lenticular halos transforming into spheres, spheres of various colors and luminescence (red-orange, bright orange, yellow-gold, lemon yellow, blue electric, white incandescent, luminescent, clignotant orange mat, yellow-orange clignotant), round phenomena (three white flashing + one red-orange), slightly oval balls (7 red, 2 green), and objects with one red and four white balls.
• Forme II (II total): Features white, rose, and red disks emitting truncated white beams, yellow-white luminous domes, reddish-white luminous domes, and objects described as 'chapeau brillant nickel' (shiny nickel hat) with a matte base. It also includes oval objects in green and red-orange.
• Forme III (5 total): Describes cigar-shaped objects (greenish, red matte, luminous) and a large red-orange neon tube.
• Forme IV: Includes objects with reddish halos, white luminous circles with incandescent trails (embers), green-red-white luminous phenomena (with a doubt about an airplane), violent light, a strong white glow lasting an hour, a white flash, a jet of light, white luminous points, luminous points, luminous stars, a white glow (satellite size), a triangular formation of three reddish stars pointing upwards, and a large metallic rectangle emitting two forward beams and a powerful rear glow.

Speed

The report analyzes the reported speeds of observed phenomena:

• Immobile: 2 cases
• Very slowly: 1 case
• Advancing: 1 case
• Slowly: 1 case
• Satellite speed: 1 case
• Comparable to a tourism airplane: 1 case
• Rapid passage: 2 cases
• Comparable to a jet airplane: 1 case
• In evolution (initially immobile, then sudden accelerations and spins): 18 cases
• No indication: 13 cases

Disappearances

Four phenomena disappeared instantaneously without noise.

Conclusion

René Faudrin, the author of the conclusion, admits that the syntheses are not complete, partly due to the tedious nature of compiling information from disparate sources (1978 and 1979 catalogs). He notes that the data is a mix of verifiable and unverifiable, true and false, with a general lack of rigor. He clarifies that these are not investigative catalogs like Fernand Lagarde's 'Un combat dans la nuit,' which aimed for 'irreducible observations,' but rather a collection of testimonies, inquiries, and press information, thus an 'uncertain sample.' Despite the limitations, he asserts that these catalogs are a necessary starting point and that the error is understandable given the youth of the field. He highlights that these catalogs provide a good idea of the public's perception of the phenomenon and serve as a valuable regional file. He suggests that the data should be complemented with geographical distribution maps and used for demonstrations in conferences.

Documentation Section

François Diolez reviews recent books on UAP, finding little new in popular publications. He expresses disappointment with 'L'énigme de Roswell,' expecting more revelations about 'humanoids' recovered after a crash, but finds the accounts unclear and lacking official confirmation. He suggests that current literature may have nothing new to offer, questioning if commerce is the reason. More interesting are the technical notes from CEPAN, which include GEPAN investigation reports. He highlights an investigation into the Cergy Pontoise case, which denounced a mystification. He notes the value of understanding CEPAN's working methods through these reports. He concludes that these notes represent serious work that is valuable and recommended for procurement.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the systematic collection and analysis of UAP data, focusing on statistical distributions (monthly, hourly, departmental), object characteristics (shapes, colors, behaviors), and witness testimonies. The editorial stance, as expressed by René Faudrin, acknowledges the limitations of such data but emphasizes its importance as a starting point for understanding public perception and for further research. The 'Documentation' section suggests an interest in both historical cases (Roswell) and contemporary investigative methods (CEPAN/GEPAN), indicating a broad approach to the UAP phenomenon. There is a clear emphasis on rigorous data compilation and analysis, even while acknowledging the inherent difficulties and potential for error in witness accounts.