Ouranos - No 27 - aout 1961

Magazine Overview

Title: Ouranos
Issue: No. 27
Volume: 10th Year
Date: August 1961

This issue of Ouranos, an international review for the study of unidentified flying objects, edited by the International Commission for Scientific Investigations, focuses on a detailed investigation of a UAP landing in Carignan, France.

Nos Enquêtes: Carignan (Gironde), 9 déc. 1960

The main article details an investigation into an alleged UAP landing in the park of Château Maillé in Carignan on December 9, 1960. The incident involved a luminous object, described as a dome with portholes, which reportedly landed, leaving behind circular traces and scorching the grass. The report includes observations from witnesses, primarily Mme Dhelens, who described the object's appearance and behavior.

The Carignan Incident

Mme Dhelens observed a luminous object in the park, initially mistaking it for car headlights from ground level. From an upper floor window, she saw an oval object resting on the grass, surrounded by a whitish halo. She described it as a luminous dome with darker ribs resembling orange slices and noted dark shapes moving within clear circular areas that appeared to be portholes. The object was estimated to be about 4 meters in diameter. Her dog, Missotte, alerted the household to the presence of something unusual.

Investigation and Findings

The report details the collaborative efforts of various organizations, including the A.R.F.A. (Association de Recherches Françaises d'Astrométéorologie) and the C.I.E.S. Ouranos. The investigation involved site visits, sample collection, and witness interviews.

Physical Traces: A circular area, approximately 3.80 meters in diameter, was discovered with scorched and yellowed grass. This area was marked with stakes and wire. Samples of the grass were collected for analysis.

Botanical Analysis: A comparison of grass samples from within the trace (Sample B) and outside the trace (Sample A) was conducted. Sample B, taken from the green trace area, showed a greater loss of water and a delay in growth compared to Sample A, which was already dry. This suggested a significant environmental impact on the vegetation within the trace.

Witness Testimony: The report emphasizes the credibility of the witnesses, particularly Mme Dhelens, highlighting her lack of prior knowledge about UAP phenomena and her serious, reserved demeanor.

Geographical Context: The report provides a description of the Carignan region, noting its verdant landscape, undulating terrain, and the presence of vineyards and small woods. It also mentions the proximity of a high-tension power line.

Other Sightings and Reports

Reports from the South-West: The issue includes reports of other UAP sightings in the South-West of France prior to the Carignan incident:

• December 1, 1960, 7:25 AM, Biarritz: A small white object, appearing oval and moving from N.E. to S.O., was observed. It was thought to be a weather balloon due to its gradual fading.
• January 26, 1961, 8:16 PM, Rochefort-sur-Mer: Two, then three, luminous points were observed moving in a V-formation. They appeared to be low-altitude, oval-shaped, and orange, leaving faint green trails.
• February 13, 1961, 8:00 PM, Mont-Saint-Aignan: A yellow-orange light, the size of Venus, was seen. Through binoculars, it appeared as two lights, one flashing red at the front and a stable yellow at the rear. It moved in a trajectory from S. to N.
• February 27, 1961, Colombes: An object with the luminosity of a small star, orange in color, was observed at high altitude.
• March 6, 1961, Colombes: A luminous object, followed by a faster object, was observed moving from N.W. to S.E.
• March 7, 1961, Colombes: Similar observations to March 6th were made.
• April 23, 1961, Colombes: Two superimposed, unequal-sized balls were observed through a telescope.
• June 10, Valenciennes: Two small white balls were seen following each other at high altitude.
• August 9, Flavacourt: A very bright red point was observed moving rapidly from N.W. to S.O.

International Sightings:

• Italy (Verona): On August 9, 1961, three objects were observed moving rapidly, changing color and direction.
• Mediterranean: The British Admiralty reported two observations made by the minesweeper Maxton between Algeria and the Balearic Islands on April 19 and 20, 1961.

Other Reports:

• December 12, 1958, La Brandouille: A bright small ball, seemingly ejected from the moon, moved at high speed.
• December 14, 1958, Négrelat: An ESPI, estimated at 20 meters in diameter, reportedly caused damage.
• December 18, 1958, Saint-Egrève: Two rectangular or cylindrical objects, green with red rear ends, were observed moving downwards.
• December 18, 1958, near Grenoble: A blue-white object of unbearable brightness was seen.
• December 18, 1960, Ceyzeriat: A luminous green ball was observed.
• December 19, 1960, Saint-Denis-des-Murs: A large fireball was observed.
• December 31, 1960, Limoges: A luminous object was seen streaking across the sky.

Solution du Concours

The issue also presents the solution to a previous contest, "Gros Météore de la Presqu'île de Kola" (Big Meteor of the Kola Peninsula). The question concerned the source of information (Soviet magazine Priroda) and whether the object was a meteor or an ESPI (Unidentified Flying Object). The consensus among respondents, and the magazine's leaning, was towards it being an ESPI, citing factors like prolonged observation time and changes in direction.

Nouvelles de l'Étranger... et d'ailleurs

This section provides brief updates on UAP observations from Algeria, England, and Denmark, including a confirmation from Lord Mountbatten regarding a landing on his property.

Communiqués de la C.I.E.S. "Ouranos"

This section thanks readers and correspondents for their contributions and announces plans for specialized information sheets on topics like astronautics, antigravitation, and cosmic civilization. It also promotes a book titled "Les Habitants des Autres Mondes" by René Samson.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on detailed investigations of UAP sightings, emphasizing witness credibility and the collection of physical evidence. The editorial stance clearly favors the study of UAPs as potentially non-terrestrial phenomena, encouraging reader participation and the sharing of information. There is a strong belief in the scientific approach to understanding these events, as evidenced by the detailed reports and analyses presented.