Ouranos - No 03 - 1953 01

Magazine Overview

Title: OURANOS
Issue: No. 3
Volume: 2nd year
Date: January 1953

This issue of OURANOS, an international review dedicated to the study of flying saucers and related problems, focuses heavily on observations made in France during the preceding months. The editorial highlights the magazine's commitment to investigating eyewitness testimonies at their source to provide verified elements for the UFO problem. It notes the growing network of researchers contributing to OURANOS and its increasing audience.

Editorial and Staff

The issue begins with a quote from Pascal on the human tendency to deny the incomprehensible. The editorial, "D'UN CIEL A L'AUTRE...", emphasizes that this issue is dedicated to French observations and that the absence of other articles is compensated by the timely nature of the current studies. The "La Vie d'Ouranos" section mentions the consolidation of a strong research team and a growing public interest.

The staff is detailed, with M. G.H. Gallet and M. Jimmy Guieu listed as Scientific Assistants. M. Jimmy Guieu is also noted as a correspondent for Southeast France. Correspondents for Algeria (M. Jean-Gabriel Brosset) and Morocco (M. Jean Gattefosse) are also listed. The magazine expresses gratitude for their contributions.

Special thanks are extended to M. Jimmy Guieu for his participation in a radio broadcast on "Provence-Magazine" discussing his book "L'Invasion de la Terre." Thanks are also given to M. Pierre Cordelier for facilitating this broadcast, and to Mr. Egerton Sykes, president of the "Research Centre Group" in London, for his contributions.

Les Phénomènes du Maroc (21 sept.)

This section reports on phenomena observed in Morocco, with information provided by M. Jean Gattefosse. The Institut de Physique du Globe du Maroc initially suggested an aerolite with a speed of 40 km/sec and an altitude of 10 km. However, based on eyewitness accounts, the article argues against this explanation. Key points include:

1. Speed: An estimated speed of 2,000 km/h between Tanger and Marrakech in 15 minutes is considered insufficient for an aerolite.
2. Shape: At Oued Nélitik, the object appeared as a disc, later becoming ellipsoidal.
3. Immobilization: Momentary immobilizations were observed near Casa and Louis-Gentil.
4. 'Explosions': Successive 'explosions' were reported in Tanger, Azemmour, Casa, and Marrakech, without affecting the object's general brightness, speed, or trajectory.
5. Fall: A late report of an aerolite falling in a field near Azemmour contained inconsistencies and contradictions, and no trace was found.
6. UFO Hypothesis: Four testimonies from the Casa aviation field support the UFO hypothesis, describing evolutions at an altitude of 500 meters.

M. DEBRACH, who directs the Casablanca section of the Institut de Physique du Globe du Maroc, personally observed the phenomenon and believes it to be an exceptionally luminous aerolite, suggesting that too much importance is being placed on the details.

The article thanks M. DEBRACH for his testimony and opinion, but raises the question of whether a UFO could be mistaken for a meteor, and vice versa, suggesting the confusion might be reversible.

L'Observation d'Aix (21 sept.)

This section details an observation made in Aix-en-Provence, collected by regional correspondent Jimmy Guieu from Mile Noella Senegas. The object was described as a very bright metallic cigar, emitting a less bright, degrading trail. Its apparent diameter was comparable to the Moon's. It moved from NNW to SSE and appeared to make a wide turn towards NNE. The object was silent and observed around 7:20-7:25 PM. The witness explicitly stated it was not a shooting star or meteor due to its slow speed.

Other press reports mentioned the object being variously colored and emitting sparks.

Les Soucoupes d'Oloron (17 oct.)

This report details the appearance of an 'armada' of objects of diverse shapes and colors over Oloron, accompanied by a rain of white filaments. This phenomenon is described as entirely new in the annals of S.V. (Soucoupes Volantes).

An excerpt from a letter by M. Yves PRIGENT, the principal witness, is provided. He thanks OURANOS for sending the first two issues and wishes to subscribe. He states that he had read articles on the subject but was not obsessed and that his imagination was not at play. He corrects some sensationalist reports by journalists and confirms the general accuracy of an article in France-Dimanche. He also mentions an article in "Tintin-Actualités" which includes the testimony of Dr. Labayle, who attributes the phenomenon to 'spider migrations'.

Prigent, while not a scientific expert, dismisses the spider migration theory, noting that while spiders might be carried by wind on threads up to 200-300m, the observed objects were at a much higher altitude, possibly 10,000 meters or more.

He describes the apparent diameter of the cigar-shaped object (or cylinder) as about 2 meters, while the 'soucoupes' appeared as large as two fists. Through binoculars, he observed a central red sphere surrounded by a light yellow ring, similar to Saturn's rings. His wife and son independently confirmed this observation.

These objects left behind a flocculent trail that quickly dispersed into a veil-like formation. Prigent does not claim the threads found on the ground after the event necessarily came from the objects, acknowledging the possibility of two concurrent phenomena.

Crucially, Prigent states that the threads collected were not 'spider threads' ('fils de la Vierge'). He describes them as resembling asbestos, resistant to traction, and burning with a bright flame like cotton or cellulose. He concludes that while he cannot draw a definitive conclusion, he can assure that these were not 'threads of the Virgin'.

Physical Traces and Material Analysis

The issue discusses the Oloron filaments further, stating it is now certain they were not 'spider threads'. According to M. Y. Prigent, they resembled asbestos and offered resistance to traction. They disappeared gradually, leaving no trace, and could be ignited, burning with a bright flame like cotton or cellulose. Due to their progressive disappearance, no sample could be preserved for analysis. However, the observations are considered significant, potentially representing the first instance of contact with a material emanating from UFOs.

Related Phenomena and Previous Reports

The article then references other instances of mysterious substances:

• Daily Oklahoman (Nov 11, 1951): A farmer in Anadarko, Oklahoma, found his field covered in metallic flakes resembling 'étuin', which a meteorite specialist stated were unlike any known meteoritic substance.
• Denver, Colorado (prior to Nov 1951): A meteorite was reported to be composed of a material resembling no known meteoritic substance.
• Arizona and New Mexico (1948 onwards): Following sightings of 'green fireballs', unusual quantities of copper particles were detected in the air.
• France (Meusienne forest, June 16, 1952): Loggers reported witnessing an 'immense parachute' descend, heard a metallic noise, and the cracking of trees, but nothing was found despite searches.

The article notes that the Oloron material disappears spontaneously or by fire, and suggests that the Oloron phenomenon is part of a larger set of 'Precipitation' events. It argues that these events offer a glimpse into the nature of UFOs, whose reality some paradoxically continue to deny.

Le Cigare de Marignane (27 oct.)

This report investigates an alleged landing of a "flying cigar" at the Marignane aerodrome on October 27th. The information, initially reported by "Le Provençal," was met with skepticism but was deemed important if confirmed.

Ouranos's regional correspondent, Jimmy Guieu, interviewed customs officer Gabriel GACHIGNARD, the primary witness. Gachignard reported that after a Paris-Nice postal flight took off at 2:03 AM, he saw an object, similar to a shooting star, land outside the cement runway. He described the object as approximately 5 meters long and 1 meter high, with pale, intermittently lit hublights. He noted it was dark in color. Upon approaching within fifty meters, he observed some 'sparks' at the rear. The object then took off at high speed, faster than its landing speed, with a noise like a small July 14th rocket, and disappeared.

Gachignard checked with the control tower, which had seen nothing. He also provided a sketch of the object, which the magazine hoped to reproduce.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the detailed investigation of specific UFO sightings, emphasizing eyewitness testimony and the collection of physical evidence where possible. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry into these phenomena, contrasting with skepticism and denial. The magazine positions itself as a platform for rigorous study, seeking to provide verifiable information and contribute to understanding the nature of UFOs. There is a clear emphasis on scientific methodology, even when dealing with extraordinary claims, and a desire to connect disparate events into a broader understanding of UFO activity.

Title: OURANOS
Issue: 49
Date: Not specified, but likely from the late 1940s or early 1950s based on content.
Publisher: Not explicitly stated, but printed in England.
Country of Publication: France (content focus), printed in United Kingdom.
Language: French

Correspondent's Note: M. Gachignard Sighting

The issue features a note from correspondent Jimmy Guieu regarding a sighting by M. Gachignard. Guieu states that M. Gachignard is highly regarded by his superiors and that both he and Pierre Cordelink, who interviewed Gachignard for "Provence-Magazine," are convinced of his sincerity. Gachignard described a flying object that Guieu notes resembles descriptions of "cigares" (cigars) seen by others in flight. This description is also compared to the accounts of pilots Chiles and Whitted from July 24, 1948, with the mention that Gachignard's account contains new details. The magazine intends to further utilize this document, finding its veracity difficult to contest.

The Photos of Lac Chauvet (July 18th)

The magazine reports on the photos taken at Lac Chauvet on July 18th. Despite receiving two letters and a stamped envelope, the publication was unable to obtain a response from M. Frégnale, the author of the photos. Consequently, the magazine feels compelled to present its provisional conclusions without further delay. Regarding the authenticity of these photos, the magazine refers readers to the reservations previously expressed in its last issue, indicating a continued skepticism due to the lack of direct communication from the photographer.

Dervy-Livres Publication Announcement

An advertisement from DERVY-LIVRES, located at 18 r. du Vx. Colombier, Paris, announces the publication of a study by Marc Thirouin in issue number 11 of "Cahiers métapsychiques." The study is titled "OU EN EST LE PROBLEME DES SOUPCOUPES VOLANTES ?" (Where does the problem of flying saucers stand?). The price is listed as 150 French Francs per copy, with a discounted price of 120 Francs for Ouranos subscribers.

Publication and Subscription Information

Further details on the back page indicate that the magazine "OURANOS" has a subscription cost of 250 Francs for 6 issues. The contact for subscriptions is Marc Thirouin, with an address at 27, rue Et. Dolet, Bondy (Seine), and a Paris bank account number (CCP 966.42). The magazine is printed in England by E. Biddle, located at 1513, High Road, London, N.20. The print date is indicated as 1/53 (January 1953).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The content of this issue focuses on UFO sightings and unexplained aerial phenomena, particularly the "flying cigar" type. The magazine emphasizes witness credibility and the corroboration of accounts. There is a cautious approach to photographic evidence, as seen with the Lac Chauvet photos, where lack of verification leads to provisional conclusions and expressed reservations. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into these phenomena, seeking credible evidence and engaging with relevant publications and authors in the field, such as Marc Thirouin and "Cahiers métapsychiques."