Ouranos - No 25bis - 1er trim 1961

Magazine Overview

This document is a supplementary information sheet for "Ouranos," an international documentary and scientific review edited by the "COMMISSION INTERNATIONALE D'ENQUÊTES SCIENTIFIQUES" (CIESO). The issue is designated as "N° 25 BIS" and belongs to the "10e année" (10th year) of publication. The raw date is listed as "10e année," but context suggests it is from 1961. The publisher is CIESO, based in Valence (Drôme), France. The cover headline announces that "passages of 'unidentified flying objects,' numerous and important, continue to be observed throughout the world."

Editorial and Administrative Information

The editorial team includes Marc Thirouin as General Director, Jimmy Gieu as Head of Investigations, and Yves-M. Bornecque as Editor-in-Chief. The publication of Ouranos had been delayed due to various reasons, including an excessive workload and the transfer of their headquarters to Valence. The regular publication was set to resume with issue number 26, which would feature significant modifications and expanded coverage of CIESO investigations, observations, and current events. This current information sheet is a provisional measure to maintain contact with subscribers. The delay was also attributed to the health of Marc Thirouin, who expressed his apologies for the inconvenience.

Subscription rates are listed as 15 NF for France and 18 NF for abroad for an annual subscription (bi-monthly service). Single issue prices are 3 NF for France and 3.75 NF for abroad.

Key Articles and Reports

Newark-Detroit Encounter: Three UFOs in Flight

This section details an extraordinary encounter between six airliners and three UFOs in flight over the USA. The primary account comes from Major Donald E. Keyhoe, director of N.I.C.A.P., reporting on an incident involving an American Airlines DC-6 and its 35 passengers and crew on February 24, 1959. While flying between Newark and Detroit at 2500 meters, Captain Peter Killian and his first officer John Dee observed three yellowish, luminous objects in a linear formation. Killian initially mistook them for stars but quickly realized they were not. The objects varied in brightness and sometimes approached the aircraft. The entire cabin was alerted, and the lights were dimmed, allowing all 35 passengers to witness the phenomenon for about forty minutes. Mr. N.-D. Puncas, a Curtiss-Wright executive, corroborated Killian's report. Other American Airlines captains, flying in the same region, also reported observing similar objects. Furthermore, three United Airlines crews also reported sightings, with one crew observing the objects for ten to fifteen minutes. The objects were described as round and moving at varying speeds, sometimes fast and sometimes appearing to trail. Radar did not detect the objects, leading to speculation about advanced camouflage technology.

Pilot Killian's Interview

In an interview, Captain Killian described the changing colors of the UFOs, shifting from yellow to blue-white, and their varying intensity, from extreme brightness to temporary disappearances. He noted that the objects' speed also varied, with some instances of rapid movement followed by apparent trailing. He mentioned that some passengers requested to fly closer to the objects, but he prioritized their safety and acknowledged his aircraft lacked the speed to pursue them.

London Airport Sighting

On February 26, 1959, two days after the Newark-Detroit sighting, personnel at London Airport reported a yellow disc hovering above the field for twenty minutes. The object was described as a "brilliant yellow light of variable intensity" at an altitude of approximately 60 meters. It then ascended at high speed. Police, air traffic controllers, and other observers witnessed the phenomenon. Notably, radar operators did not register the object. An investigation and critical study by M. Ch.-H. Gibbs-Smith were published in Flying Saucer Review.

The Mysterious Object of Tularosa

This section presents a photographic analysis report by John T. Hopf on a photograph taken by Miss Ella Louise Fortune. The original 35mm Kodachrome slide shows a bright white object against a dark blue sky, with a faint trail. Hopf confirms the authenticity of the photograph, stating the object was at a considerable distance. He notes the contrast between the object and the sky, enhanced by a polarizing filter and specific exposure settings. The object appeared to reflect or emit at least twice as much light as the surrounding clouds. While the object's sharp lines were slightly blurred due to lens aberrations and film sensitivity, Hopf suggests that a solid object would have presented a sharper contour, especially given its apparent immobility at the time of the photo. He concludes that while the object might not be solid, it is an unusual phenomenon worthy of an aerologist's attention. He also speculates that the object's appearance, with shadowed points, suggests a more nebulous than solid form.

Observations from Late 1958

This section provides a list of UFO observations from France in late 1958, including:

• September 1, 1958: Laval - An object hovered 10 meters above the ground near a moving car.
• October 13, 1958: Jasse - A flat object, appearing to hover, observed for 1 minute.
• October 24, 1958: Branne - A luminous cigar-shaped object observed for 3 seconds.
• October 24, 1958: Ayen - An oval object with what appeared to be an antenna.
• October 27, 1958: Thèze - An observation.
• October 31, 1958: Etretat - Blue lights observed over the sea, with similar phenomena seen in a wide area including Rouen and Le Havre. These lights were described as dazzling and were observed in clear skies.
• December 3, 1958: Lons-le-Saunier - A red fireball fell like a firework, hitting the ground and creating sparks, but leaving no trace.
• December 3, 1958: Niort - A white trail with a luminous head moving southeast, accompanied by a long tail.
• December 5, 1958: Chanteau - A blue object, spinning, with a loud whistling sound, that dissolved.
• December 5, 1958: Dijon - A blue object, making a loud whistling sound, that dissolved.

Extraterrestrial Origin Hypothesis

Lieutenant-colonel Lee B. James, an expert in missiles associated with Wernher von Braun, suggests that the objects observed by airplane crews could be of extraterrestrial origin. He stated that they do not come from Earth or Russia and that our civilization is not as advanced as the one that could produce such objects. He posited that these civilizations might possess advanced camouflage or reflective technology to evade radar detection.

Reactions and Official Statements

Following the Newark-Detroit sighting, a passenger spoke to a Detroit newspaper, leading to the publication of the report. American Airlines initially remained silent but later issued a statement acknowledging numerous observations by their pilots in the Midwest. The Air Force stated they had no immediate explanation but were investigating. The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) declared their responsibility ended once a report was passed to military authorities and claimed no information had reached them from their Detroit services.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Ouranos are the prevalence and importance of UFO sightings worldwide, the detailed investigation of these phenomena by CIESO, and the analysis of witness testimonies and photographic evidence. The editorial stance clearly supports the serious study of UFOs, presenting evidence and expert opinions that lean towards an extraterrestrial hypothesis. The magazine aims to inform its readers about ongoing observations and investigations, emphasizing the need for further research into these unexplained aerial phenomena. The publication's commitment to continuing its work, despite delays and health issues, underscores its dedication to the field of ufology.

Subscription Information

Ouranos is published bi-monthly. The fourth list of subscribers could not be published in this issue due to space constraints and will appear in issue number 26. All rights of reproduction, translation, and adaptation are reserved worldwide. The publication is printed by Imprimerie BIÈRE in Bordeaux, France. The legal deposit number is 856, and the imprint date is the first quarter of 1961.