Ouranos - No 07 - 1954 04

Magazine Overview

Title: OURANOS
Issue: No. 7
Date: April, 1954
Type: International Review for the Study of Flying Saucers and Related Problems.

Content Summary

This issue of "Ouranos" presents a deep dive into historical accounts of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), predating the modern "flying saucer" era. The magazine aims to demonstrate that the phenomenon is not new and has been observed and recorded across centuries.

"De quelques Observations anciennes" by Marc Thirouin

Marc Thirouin, one of the founders of Ouranos, contributes an article exploring "some ancient observations." He notes the passion in collecting these old accounts, which describe strange aerial objects in terms often identical to modern UFO reports. Thirouin mentions that a member of their commission, specializing in astronomy, has compiled approximately 200 "pre-Arnoldian" cases (before Kenneth Arnold's famous sighting in 1947).

He references D. Leslie's book "Flying Saucers Have Landed" (1953), which lists 182 observations, including 40 from 1901-1929, 129 from the 19th century, 11 from the 18th century, and two from 1619 and 1661.

The 11 observations from the 18th century are broken down by country: 3 in Switzerland, 2 in France, 1 in England, 1 in Scotland, 1 in Germany, 1 in Italy, 1 in Norway, and 1 in Portugal. French observations include one from June 17, 1777, and another from June 7, 1779, describing numerous brilliant disks over Boulogne. A particularly interesting French observation is from June 17, 1777, made by astronomer Charles Messier, who distinguished "a large number of dark disks" in the sky.

Thirouin also details an observation from 1661 in England above Worcester and another from 1619 above Flüden, Switzerland. The latter is described by Christopher Schere as a "dragon" with a long tail emitting sparks, which he initially mistook for a meteor but later identified as a "veritable dragon" due to its flight pattern. This account is cited from De Mervile's "Des Esprits, Tome II."

The article highlights the work of Charles Fort, whose extensive collection of UFO reports includes many precise accounts with cited sources. Fort's death in 1932 means he could not have been influenced by post-Arnoldian descriptions.

Other researchers are mentioned, including Robert L. Unger, who has documented around 300 observations dating back to 1597.

Thirouin cautions that descriptions from before the 17th century can be influenced by biblical imagery, superstition, and a lack of meteorological knowledge. He points to engravings from the era that depict halos or parhelia with biblical themes (Ezekiel's wheel, crosses, angels) or fantastical interpretations, such as an illustration in U. Aldrovani's "Monstrorum Historia" (1642) of the aurora borealis of October 11, 1527, depicted as a monstrous comet.

However, some engravings are noted for their sobriety. One from 16th-century Germany shows a luminous phenomenon above Rothenburg, featuring a white disk with vaporous trails. This image was reproduced in "The Listener" and Dr. Menzel's "Flying Saucers."

A particularly valuable testimony comes from a manuscript discovered at Ampleforth Abbey in January 1953, dating to 1290. It recounts how a monk, "Frère Jean," witnessed an "extraordinary phenomenon" on the feast of St. Simon and St. Jude: a "great circular and silver thing, very similar to a disk, flying slowly above them and causing them immense fear." The Latin text describes it as "res grandis, circumcircularis argentea, disco quodam haud dissimilis, lente et super eos volens atque maximum terrorem excitans."

Thirouin also mentions Franz Reinzer's "Meteorologia Philosophico-Politica" (1709), Roger of Wendover's "Flowers of History" (447-1235), Grégoire de Tours, Pliny the Elder's "Natural History" (describing disks emitting light and dazzling objects with silver tails), Seneca, and Aristotle.

Further back in time, Professor Alberto Tulli, former director of the Egyptian section of the Vatican Museum, discovered papyri detailing an event during the reign of Thutmosis III (circa 1900 BCE). M. Boris de Rachewiltz published a transcription of a fragment from the Annals of Thutmosis III. The text describes how scribes of the House of Life observed "a circle of fire" in the sky, which had no head, emitted an "infect odor," had no voice, and was about "1 rod long and 1 rod wide" (approximately 50 meters). The object ascended southward. The King ordered this event to be recorded in the House of Life's records.

Thirouin concludes this section by noting a recent letter from Jacques Bassard, who reported a document by Jacques Duclarcq. This document describes a sighting on the night of All Saints' Day in 1461, where an "ardent thing like a long iron bar, as big as half the moon," was seen in the sky for about fifteen minutes, twisting and ascending like a watch spring.

"UNE HYPOTHESE INTERESSANTE" (An Interesting Hypothesis)

This section discusses the official opinion on the UFO problem, noting a shift towards recognition of extraterrestrial origins in the US, Great Britain, Canada, and France. While the origin and mechanism remain mysterious, the path for serious study is now open.

The article highlights an effort by Lt. Plantier in France to provide a scientific interpretation of UFO behavior, published in the monthly review of the French Air Force, "Forces Aériennes Françaises," in September 1953.

Lt. Plantier's conclusion, based on the characteristics of UFO movement and shape, is that their silence, thermal resistance, aspect changes, habitability, and other anomalies are explainable by a propulsion hypothesis using cosmic energy via a force field.

He posits that cosmic radiation represents a fabulous energy source. The failure to detect it might be due to insufficient instruments or its electrical neutrality. UFOs, he suggests, would use a process to release this energy, analogous to natural processes that create energy. This artificial release would generate a "corpuscular-undulatory" fluid, propelling the craft at speeds approaching that of light.

This fluid would impose a directed force on receptive atomic nuclei, creating a propulsive force field that guides and sustains the craft. The silence of the craft is explained by its magnetic field influencing the surrounding air, creating a thick boundary layer.

Propulsion would occur by tilting the disk, moving along the resultant vector of terrestrial attraction and the corpuscular-undulatory repulsion. This method would require no energy reserve, cause no air friction or heating, and allow for speeds in interstellar vacuum comparable to light speed.

The effects of acceleration on the pilot and craft would be nullified because every atom participates directly in the acceleration via the general field effect.

The "ball of fire" appearance could stem from the air's luminescence around the UFO, possibly a Zeeman effect from the magnetic field. Fluffy formations might be due to water vapor condensation in an ionized medium created by the craft's movement.

Lt. Plantier's theory also explains other observed phenomena, such as glowing trails, hovering disks, white rotating balls, zig-zag movements, and the "Oloron matter" (reported in Ouranos No. 3). These unstable material threads are suggested to be remnants of positive particles chemically combining with air constituents, forming mysterious salts that sublimate upon contact with the ground.

The article strongly recommends Lt. Plantier's 22-page, illustrated article and also mentions Capt. Clérouin's article from February 1953, "Les S.V., mystère, mirage ou mystification?" The magazine offers to provide these issues for 200 French francs.

The issue concludes by reiterating the need to rationally search for the cause of these phenomena, outside of jokes and metaphysical positions, quoting an "eminent expert of aeronautics."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine "Ouranos" adopts a serious, scientific approach to the study of UFOs. It emphasizes historical documentation, presenting evidence from ancient times to the mid-20th century to establish the long-standing nature of the phenomenon. The editorial stance is open to the possibility of extraterrestrial origins and encourages rigorous, rational investigation, as exemplified by the detailed scientific hypothesis presented by Lt. Plantier. The publication aims to provide a platform for researchers and enthusiasts to share findings and theories, moving beyond mere speculation towards a more systematic understanding of UFOs.

Title: OURANOS
Issue: 9
Publisher: OURANOS
Country: France
Language: French
Cover Headline: Y a-t-il eu des Atterrissages de Disques & des Contacts avec leurs Occupants? (Have there been Landings of Discs & Contacts with their Occupants?)

This issue of OURANOS delves into the controversial topic of UFO landings and alleged encounters with their occupants. The magazine adopts a rigorous investigative approach, emphasizing objectivity and a commitment to factual evidence. It acknowledges the growing number of individuals claiming to have witnessed discs on the ground, seen their occupants, and even made contact.

Editorial Principles and Approach

The editorial begins by stating the magazine's guiding principles: to accept the improbable when it is true, reject the plausible when it is false, and investigate doubtful cases. It stresses that all opinions are welcome for debate within the OURANOS Commission, as no single entity holds a monopoly on truth in such complex matters. The publication asserts that personal opinions are respectable if sincere, and hypotheses are admissible if well-supported by facts. The role of OURANOS is to draw conclusions from the data provided by its members, consider the reasons for their convictions, and never stray beyond the limits of positive fact, even in its most audacious hypotheses.

Early UFO Landing Reports and Investigations

The magazine then turns to the "first 'landings'" as compiled by American author Frank Scully in his 1950 book, “The Mystery of the S.V.” Scully's work, spanning incidents from 1948 to 1950, primarily relied on statements from a certain 'savant X', a 'Dr. G', and three other individuals: George Koehler, Silas Newton, and Roy L. Dimmick.

According to Scully's account, the following events were reported:

1. 1947 or 1948: A Flying Saucer (S.V.) allegedly crashed in the Sahara and was destroyed.
2. 1948-1950: Four S.V.s reportedly crashed. One landed east of Aztec, New Mexico; another near an Arizona test range; a third near Phoenix (Paradise Valley); and the fourth in an unspecified location. Three of these craft allegedly contained the bodies of 'little men' measuring between 90 cm and 1 meter tall.
3. During the same period: Another S.V. and the corpse of its pilot (58 cm tall) were reportedly discovered near Mexico.

Discrediting Key Sources

OURANOS immediately casts doubt on these reports, particularly given the potential interest of the U.S. government in such matters. The magazine reveals the subsequent fates of some of Scully's key sources:

• George Koehler: According to D. Keyhoe and the Associated Press, Koehler confessed to having staged a hoax.
• Roy L. Dimmick: As reported by Scully himself and the "Denver Post" on March 10, 1950, Dimmick retracted his statements.
• 'Dr. G' (alias Leo Gebauer) and Silas Newton: In December of the previous year, they were found guilty by a Denver jury of fraud (to the tune of $250,000) and breach of trust, facing a potential prison sentence of up to 30 years. This information was sourced from the "Denver Post", Flying Saucers International, and the F.S. Club.

The magazine concludes this section by questioning what remains of the testimonies upon which the 'little men' narrative was built, promising to discuss other elements in future issues.

Necrology: Paul Le Cour

The issue includes a heartfelt obituary for Paul Le Cour, a long-time friend of OURANOS, who had directed the Revue and Association des Amis d'Atlantis for 27 years. Le Cour had supported OURANOS's research from its inception, viewing it as an opportunity to elevate human thought, explore universal mysteries, and ponder humanity's responsibilities in an age of advanced technology without love. His work, dedicated to Atlantean tradition, is described as imperishable and will be continued by his chosen successors. His absence is deeply felt.

Radio Monte-Carlo Announcement

An announcement promotes a radio segment titled "SOUCOUPES VOLANTES" (Flying Saucers) hosted by Jimmy Gieu, head of the OURANOS Investigation Service. The segment airs on Radio Monte-Carlo on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays starting at 4:30 PM as part of the ZIGZAG program.

Subscription Information and Group D'Etude

The final page provides subscription details for "OURANOS" and "OURANOS - ACTUALITE", which are presented as joint publications serving as the official organs of the INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION COMMISSION on Flying Saucers and related issues. They are published every six weeks. Annual subscription rates are listed for France (500 Fr.), Belgium (79 Fr.B.), Switzerland (6.90 S. Fr.), Great Britain (10s od.), and the U.S.A. ($1.60). Contact information for subscriptions is provided for Paris, London, and Markham House Press in London for U.S.A. and Canada.

It also details the "GROUPE D'ETUDE 'OURANOS'" (OURANOS Study Group), inviting potential members to inquire about admission conditions and benefits by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The publication reserves all rights for reproduction, translation, and adaptation.

A message to current subscribers urges them to renew their subscriptions promptly if a cross appears in a specific square, to avoid interruption in deliveries.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO sighting reports, particularly those involving alleged landings and alien encounters. The magazine demonstrates a strong commitment to debunking hoaxes and exposing fraudulent claims, as evidenced by its detailed investigation into the sources of early UFO landing narratives. The editorial stance is one of cautious skepticism, prioritizing verifiable facts and objective analysis over sensationalism. The publication aims to be a platform for open debate while maintaining a firm grounding in empirical evidence. The inclusion of a necrology and a radio announcement suggests a broader engagement with topics related to esoteric research and public awareness.