La ligne bleue survolee - No 22 - 1990

Magazine Overview

Title: LA LIGNE BLEUE SURVOLEE
Issue: 22
Date: 1990
Publisher: CERCLE VOSGIEN LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT
Country: France
Language: French
ISSN: 0293-2032

This issue of the bulletin "La Ligne Bleue Survolée?" from the Cercle Vosgien Lumières Dans La Nuit (CVLDLN) focuses on the phenomenon of crop circles, particularly in England during 1990. The cover features a stylized title and a map-like graphic filled with text, posing the question "LA LIGNE BLEUE SURVOLEE ?".

Editorial Stance and Content Overview

The editorial, written by Gilles MUNSCH, sets a tone of cautious inquiry, emphasizing the importance of information quality and the mindset of investigators. It acknowledges a shift towards more skeptical or 'reductionist' perspectives but defends the group's pursuit of answers driven by intellectual curiosity rather than blind belief. The editorial highlights the increasing complexity of crop circle formations and the need for serious argumentation to refute emerging hypotheses.

Key Articles and Reports

"Corn Circles" and the English Expedition:

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the "Corn Circles" phenomenon, detailing a week-long expedition to England in July 1990 by a team of eight ufologists. The team aimed to resolve the "mystery" and gather information. The article notes the historical context, mentioning a 1678 case and developments since 1914, but pinpoints 1980 as the amplification point for the phenomenon. The formations have become more complex, evolving from simple circles to those with multiple rings and intricate designs.

Hypotheses on Crop Circles:

The magazine explores various hypotheses, including less common ones like ozone holes, underground bombs, and animal activity, as well as more supported theories. The "OVNI" (UFO) hypothesis suggests communication from an intelligence. The "Archaeological Traces" theory notes similarities but differences with ancient sites, emphasizing that crop circles do not repeat exactly.

Terence MEADEN's "Meteorological Hypothesis" proposes that electrically charged plasma vortices create the circles, explaining orange lights sometimes observed. However, this theory is challenged by the appearance of new, complex formations, such as rectangles and triangles, which a simple vortex would not create. Paul FULLER and Jenny RANDLES, authors of "Crop Circles, A Mystery Solved," are mentioned as disagreeing with MEADEN on the cause of newer formations, suggesting pranksters.

A "Canular" (hoax) theory is also discussed, noting that while it lacks declared "supporters," elements support it. The increasing complexity and scale of formations over ten years raise questions about motivation.

The 1990 Season in England:

The 1990 season is described as "délirante" (delirious) with unexpected formations in terms of shape and dimensions. The season began earlier, in May, with formations appearing in green crops. The complexity increased with "haltères" (dumbbells) and other intricate figures. The article questions how a meteorological vortex could create rectangles and triangles.

Media and Commercialization:

The expedition encountered significant media attention, with British and foreign television crews present. The phenomenon has become a weekend tourist attraction. Farmers have begun charging for access to fields, with some even selling merchandise like t-shirts. The report mentions an incident where a farmer, Mr. READ, charged visitors for access and even sold videos, claiming compensation for damages.

Operation Black Bird:

The magazine details "Operation Black Bird," a three-week surveillance operation in July 1990, supported by the government and army, using sophisticated equipment like infra-red cameras. Despite the high-tech setup, the operation was reportedly mystified by pranksters, with investigators finding electrical wire, a wooden cross, and a Ouija board in a newly formed circle.

Personal Reflections and Conclusions:

Isabelle DUMAS, the author of the English expedition report, concludes that the trip was "very interesting, very surprising, very tiring but ultimately very instructive and even amusing." She notes that while it's too early to share definitive conclusions, some elements are "quite troubling." The report ends with a lighthearted sign-off.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of unexplained phenomena, specifically crop circles, the critical analysis of evidence and hypotheses, the role of skepticism versus belief, and the impact of media and commercialization on such events. The editorial stance emphasizes a balanced, intellectual approach, valuing evidence-based reasoning and open debate over sensationalism or blind acceptance. The Cercle Vosgien Lumières Dans La Nuit positions itself as a facilitator of information exchange and constructive discussion within the ufology community.

This document appears to be a collection of investigative reports and letters concerning UFO/UAP sightings, primarily focusing on an incident in Balveurche, France, and the broader Belgian UFO wave of 1990. The title "MEPRISE A BALVEURCHE ?" (Mistake at Balveurche?) suggests a theme of potential misidentification.

Balveurche Incident (February 10, 1989)

The first section, a summary by Elisabeth Antoine and Francine Juncosa, details an event on February 10, 1989, around 11 PM near Balveurche, France. A witness, identified only as Monsieur V, observed a strong orange light in the west, situated in the trees on a hill. He called his wife and other guests to witness it. The light was described as fixed, silent, and disappeared slowly over three to four minutes. A note indicates that accompanying astronomical calculations suggested the moon as a possible explanation for the phenomenon.

Belgian UFO Wave and F-117 Hypothesis (March 30-31, 1990)

A significant portion of the document, presented as an open letter by Eric Maillot, addresses the "grave question" of whether UFOs are actually stealth aircraft like the F-117. The author acknowledges that information on the Belgian UFO wave is fragmented but sufficient to examine key facts.

The Night of March 30-31, 1990

Maillot recounts the events of this night, starting with a gendarme reporting a UFO, which alerted the Beauchevain air base. Radar at Glons detected an unidentified echo at 23:15. Despite public knowledge of UFOs over Belgium since November 1989, air bases were reportedly not on alert, except for Beauchevain. The author questions the delayed response of other bases and the lack of immediate scramble of aircraft.

Witness Accounts and Military Statements

Witnesses described objects as large as stars, with variations in color and brightness, quasi-immobile, and moving slowly westward. They ruled out known stars. Radar at Glons and Zemmerzacke eventually picked up faint echoes. The military's initial statement that F16 pilots detected nothing was later contradicted. The document notes the strange reporting of multiple airliners or AWACS aircraft during the observation period, while the army initially dismissed the possibility of UFOs.

F-117 as a Possible Explanation?

Maillot questions the military's statements and the timing of events, particularly the F16s' flight duration and the reported UFO sighting over Brussels around 02:15. He discusses a report released by the air force in June, which he found vague and inconclusive regarding whether one or multiple UFOs were involved. The report mentioned minimum speeds of 46 km/h and maximums of 1800 km/h without sonic booms, which Maillot argues cannot be attributed to a UFO but also questions if it's an F-117, as it's stated not to be an aircraft for low-altitude penetration or capable of radar jamming.

Radar Video Analysis

Maillot highlights that the F16 radar video shows speeds consistent with a subsonic jet before target lock. He notes that the aberrant minimum and maximum speeds correspond to phases after radar lock, suggesting a possible jamming attempt by the UFO to escape. The military report mentions "jamming" during a second interception but provides no details. Maillot calls for a professional analysis of the radar video, noting a white radar image and a brief disappearance of the target. He also questions the meaning of 'OSOR' announced by Paris-Match, suggesting it might be a variometer-type counter rather than an IFF code.

Acrobatic Maneuvers and Conclusions

The report states that once the UFO was "hooked" by F16 radars, it performed "drastic" acrobatic maneuvers, implying accelerations of up to 40 G. Maillot concludes that no known human-made craft could perform such feats, officially qualifying the object as an intelligent, non-belligerent, and possibly extraterrestrial UFO.

International Sightings and F-117 Presence

Maillot notes that most observations were in Belgium, with some in Northern France. He recalls a statement from April 21, 1990, by the commander of a squadron of fifty-nine F117s, confirming their presence in Europe for night missions, sometimes flown by RAF pilots. He links this to reports from Oulianovsk, USSR, about a mini-wave of radar and visual observations near an autoroute, suggesting this might be related to the F-117 activity.

Characteristics of Observed Objects

For the majority of testimonies and video evidence from the Belgian wave, the UFOs are described as having a dark, triangular wing shape with three white-yellow lights in a triangle, and a central red-orange flashing light. Maillot laments the lack of detailed analysis of these videos, such as precise timing of light pulsations, presence of other lights, comparison with American/English aircraft signals, sound emissions, or celestial bodies.

Sound and F-117 Comparison

When sounds are reported, they are generally described as whistling, humming, or chuintant. Witnesses often think of an airplane, and Maillot acknowledges that the description resembles the F-117A but states it cannot be that aircraft for several reasons.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document strongly leans towards the possibility of misidentification, particularly concerning the F-117 stealth aircraft, as an explanation for some UFO sightings. It highlights discrepancies in official reports and military statements, suggesting a potential cover-up or lack of transparency. The tone is investigative and critical, encouraging further expert analysis of the available evidence, especially radar data. The underlying theme is the challenge of distinguishing advanced military technology from genuine unexplained phenomena.

This issue of L'Impartial, dated Tuesday, April 24, 1990, focuses heavily on the phenomenon of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), particularly in the context of a recent wave of sightings in Belgium and related reports in Switzerland and France. The magazine explores various explanations, from extraterrestrial origins to the potential misidentification of advanced military aircraft, and touches upon the role of media and politics in shaping public perception.

Articles and Content

"OVNI soit qui mal y pense" (UFOs, Whoever Thinks Badly of Them)

This article, likely a lead piece, discusses the ongoing UFO sightings in Belgium, Switzerland (specifically Locle), the Doubs region of France, and Rome. It introduces the concept of an extraterrestrial visitor who has taken the form of a human artist-painter and writer named Viviane Poli. Poli claims to be in telepathic communication with an inter-galactic fleet preparing for humanity's evacuation to an artificial planet. She predicts various catastrophes and increased extraterrestrial contacts by the year 2000. The article contrasts these recent events with past UFO wave behaviors, noting a perceived shift towards less provocative interactions.

Analysis of UFO Characteristics and Theories

Several points are raised regarding the nature of these alleged UFOs:

• Speed and Maneuverability: A maximum speed of 1800 km/h is mentioned, with a question posed about whether this is limited by budget or galactic speed limits. The craft are described as having "imperfect" radar invisibility, with F-16s having intercepted them.
• Mimicry: Some ufologists suggest that UFOs might mimic known terrestrial phenomena to create confusion. The article questions why an F-117A would be chosen for mimicry over something more common like an Airbus A320 or the moon.
• Behavioral Changes: The author notes that 'they' (ETs) used to engage in more provocative behaviors, like flying close to aircraft or interfering with instruments. The current lack of such actions leads to speculation about whether they are aging or becoming more passive.
• Focus on Belgium: There's a suggestion that Belgium is a current area of interest for these entities.
• F-117A as a Possible Explanation: The article strongly suggests that stealth aircraft like the F-117A, based in England and conducting night missions over Germany guided by Belgian highways, could be responsible for some sightings. The triangular shape and infrared lights of the F-117A are highlighted as matching descriptions of some UFOs.
• Lack of 'RR' Events: The author notes the absence of 'RR' (Reconnaissance Rapide) events, such as engine stoppages or pilot paralysis, which were common in previous UFO waves. This absence is seen as a significant shift in ufological patterns.
• Universal Second: A 'universal second' is mentioned as a unit of measurement used to time flashing lights.
• Military Defense: The article posits that these craft pose no threat to Belgian or French military defenses, suggesting a possible collusion between states and ETs.
• Photo Interference: It's mentioned that UFOs allegedly interfere with photographs using an infrared beam, similar to the F-117A's illuminator, though video recordings were not successfully blurred.

"L'invisible a volé" (The Invisible Flew)

This section reports on the first flight of the American Northrop B-2 'Invisible' bomber, which took place in the Mojave Desert, California. The B-2 is described as an 'flying wing' aircraft designed to penetrate Soviet radar defenses. Its high cost (over half a billion dollars per unit) is noted, along with potential threats to its funding.

"Un OVNI dans le ciel loclois" (A UFO in the Locle Sky)

This article details a specific sighting by a resident of La Mère-Commune near Locle, Switzerland. The witness described a large, silent, luminous machine with an irregular semi-circular shape. The object moved slowly and was observed between L'Argillat and the Communal, heading west. The witness immediately thought of the UFOs reported in Belgium. The article links this to the broader Belgian UFO wave and mentions that the Belgian army had deployed fighter jets (F-16s) in response. It also notes that similar UFOs were reported in France and that a Belgian military twin-engine aircraft failed to intercept one.

"Un radar français détecte l'avion US 'furtif'" (A French Radar Detects the US 'Stealth' Plane)

This news brief reports that a French-made Saudi Arabian Shahine surface-to-air missile system successfully detected the US F-117A stealth aircraft. This information, reported by the French weekly "L'Express", suggests that the F-117A's stealth capabilities are not absolute. The article implies that this detection led the US Air Force to move F-117A bombers to a base in southwestern Saudi Arabia, near Yemen, for protection.

Technical Details of the F-117A and B-2A

Page 7 provides a technical breakdown of the F-117A and B-2A aircraft:

• Armament: The F-117A is equipped with laser or infrared guided weapons and anti-radar missiles.
• Avionics: Its sensors are likely passive or optronic, producing no emissions that could reveal its presence.
• Engines: The F-117A might use two General Electric F404-GE-400 turbofan engines, similar to those on the F/A-18 but without afterburners.
• Livery: It has a gray livery with minimal national markings.
• Wings: The F-117A's wings have a pronounced sweep.
• Control Surfaces: Its original configuration makes it unstable, requiring sophisticated electric flight controls.
• Nozzles: The exhaust nozzles are described as sophisticated, possibly with vector thrust, and have a low thermal signature.

"QUESTION DE FORME !!" (Question of Form!!)

This section, featuring articles by Gilles MUNSCH and a note about a video, discusses the challenges and nuances of ufological investigation. Munsch emphasizes the importance of caution when evaluating witness reports and avoiding hasty conclusions. He highlights that field investigations often uncover discoveries indirectly related to the primary subject. He also notes the difficulty in obtaining clear evidence, referencing a video of the CROSIA sighting in Italy and a subsequent observation near Belfort, France, where a fleeting object was captured on video during a night reconstruction.

"La Providence" (Providence)

This part of the "QUESTION DE FORME !!" section describes an incident near Belfort where a 'Triangle' sighting, similar to Belgian cases, prompted an investigation. During a night video recording, a peculiar object appeared, described as clearer than ever. The author questions whether this object is an artifact of the camcorder's optics, its electronics (CCD sensor), or a specific characteristic of the streetlights it was focused on.

"Monsieur Pieton" (Mr. Pedestrian) Cartoon

A cartoon by J.-Luc COUDRAY depicts a character identifying himself as an extraterrestrial, with another character recognizing the 'unknown' immediately.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the Belgian UFO wave, the potential identification of UFOs as advanced military aircraft (specifically the F-117A), and a critical examination of the ufology field itself. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism regarding sensationalized reports and a suggestion that political and military interests, along with media hype, may be manipulating the narrative surrounding UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, urging critical thinking and a rigorous approach to evidence, while acknowledging the persistent mystery of UFOs. The author, Eric Maillot, in his letter, explicitly calls for scrutiny of the events and attitudes surrounding the Belgian wave, hinting at a possible 'political, military, ufological, and media manipulation'. The magazine seems to lean towards explaining UFOs through known or emerging technologies rather than solely through extraterrestrial hypotheses, while not entirely dismissing the latter.

This document is an excerpt from a French-language publication titled "L'ÉCHO DES ÉTOILES", issue number 301, dated "Jany-Fav 90" (January-February 1990), with a raw publication date of "05 Aout 1990" (August 5, 1990). It focuses on a specific case study and experimental analysis related to potential optical illusions in UFO sightings.

Analysis of an Optical Illusion

The article begins by discussing an initial observation that reproduced an effect similar to a UFO sighting, initially attributed to streetlights. The author notes the difficulty in obtaining detailed technical documentation for such equipment, especially from Japanese origins. However, a closer examination of the camera's zoom lens, when directed at a diffuse light source, revealed an internal component (labeled as 'pièce (3)' in Figure 1) whose contours strangely resembled the observed UFO shape. This effect was only visible at maximum zoom, with the diaphragm at full aperture, and during automatic focusing, conditions that matched the original observation.

Conclusion and Experimental Replication

The author concludes that the optical illusion, initially observed at night, was successfully reproduced during daylight (in the evening) using the position lights of a helicopter in flight. This personal experiment, which the author might not have noticed if not for a prior interest in ufology, is presented as a potential explanation for the observed phenomenon. The author suggests that this illusion is a common one in photography, where the virtual image of the diaphragm (often hexagonal) appears on the photograph.

Comparison with Other Cases

The article then addresses similar observations from Belgium and Italy. While not definitively stating they are the same phenomenon, the author suggests that investigators should meticulously examine these cases at the level of optical illusion. The proposed method for verification involves observing a sufficiently punctual and distant light source through the camera's objective, either directly or by filming it (with or without recording), in darkness or low light conditions. This would help determine if the same illusion is at play.

Unexplained Elements and Future Research

A significant point raised is the absence of a dark central spot, which was reported in the Belgian and Italian cases, in the author's own recordings. The author defers explaining this discrepancy until further experiments are conducted. The article emphasizes that this conclusion, if it proves the recorded form to be an illusion, does not negate the existence or nature of the light source itself, which remains a separate matter for investigation.

A request is made for anyone with detailed information or investigation reports on the mentioned cases, or on the results of hypothesis verification using camcorders, to transmit this information.

Technical Details and References

Several references and technical details are provided:

• (1) Observation by Mr Sferrazza on April 15, 1990, mentioned in LDLN 301, page 26.
• (2) Case from Crosia, province of Cosenza, Italy, on May 30, 1987, featured in the TV emission "Incredibile" on Raidue in September 1988, attributed to Pascal Campana.
• (3) Refers to juxtaposed or stacked pieces.
• (4) Suggests that the zoom maxi position might be reached while the light source rapidly approaches or recedes, making focus impossible, as potentially described in the Crosia case.
• (5) Explains the optical illusion as the appearance of the virtual image of the diaphragm (hexagonal) on photographs.
• (6) Specifies the camcorders used: Philips VCR 6850 VHS SECAM and Panasonic MV-N7-F (manufactured by Matsushita).

Photographic Evidence

Several photos are referenced:

• Photo 1: Wide-angle view of the scene, showing a car in the foreground and streetlights in the background.
• Photo 2: Zoom operation in progress, with automatic focus and the emergence of 'notches' as the streetlights are observed.
• Photo 3: End of zoom, with automatic focus, showing the central streetlights appearing to have a completely virtual shape.
• Photo 4: A new test conducted on April 29, 1990, during the Lyon 90 encounters, presented as a final photo.

Precision and Further Inquiry

The author clarifies that this explanation of an optical illusion does not dismiss the existence of the light source itself. A request is made to S. MUNSCH (and potentially C.LOLN ONEGU) for detailed information on cases and verification results.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the critical examination of UFO evidence, specifically suggesting that seemingly anomalous aerial phenomena might be explainable through mundane causes such as optical illusions related to photographic equipment. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism, encouraging rigorous scientific investigation and experimentation to demystify UFO reports. The publication seems dedicated to exploring unexplained phenomena while maintaining a grounded, analytical approach.