1984 10 26 Paris Match

Magazine Overview

This issue of Paris Match, dated October 26, 1984, is a French publication featuring a prominent cover story on Lady Diana and her infant son, Prince Henry, with an accompanying album by Lord Snowdon. Other cover headlines highlight "Thatcher: Photos from the hotel at the moment of the attack" and a "Colonel Nut: The secret agent's enigma revealed, died for love." The magazine also advertises a "1000 DOLLARS" prize for finding the "greenback's rate."

Princess Diana and Family

The cover story details Prince Henry's first official photo session at Kensington Palace at one month old. He is described as having a royal ease, held by his mother Princess Diana, with his older brother William, aged 27 months, by his side. The photos are credited to Lord Snowdon and Jimapress/Camera Press.

UFOs and Extraterrestrial Life: An Interview with Jean-Pierre Petit

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to an interview with Jean-Pierre Petit, a physicist at CNRS specializing in fluid mechanics, conducted by Marie-Thérèse de Brosses. Petit argues that the existence of UFOs is a serious problem that requires scientific investigation without prejudice.

The MHD Propulsion System

Petit explains his research into magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), a concept dating back to Michael Faraday. He has developed a theoretical flying machine that can achieve supersonic speeds without creating a sonic boom by creating a vacuum in front of it, effectively 'sucking' itself forward. This process, he suggests, mirrors the descriptions of UFOs, which are often reported to move at high speeds without noise. He has published a graphic novel, "Le mur du silence" (The Wall of Silence), to explain his theories.

Scientific Skepticism and GEPAN

Petit acknowledges the strong skepticism from the scientific community, largely due to the topic being dominated by sensationalism and pseudoscience for decades. He notes that while organizations like GEPAN (Groupe d'étude des phénomènes aérospatiaux non identifiés) exist in France to investigate UFOs, their efforts are hampered by a small budget and a lack of scientific rigor. He mentions that GEPAN archives reports but does not conduct further research, and that its investigations are often carried out by non-scientists.

The Trans-en-Provence Incident

A key focus of the interview is the 1981 Trans-en-Provence incident. Petit highlights the work of Professor Bounias, who analyzed plant samples from the site and found significant, inexplicable alterations requiring a million rads of nuclear radiation to replicate. Petit dismisses the possibility of a hoax due to the sophistication of the findings and the large area affected (three hundred square meters).

The Nature of Extraterrestrial Life and Contact

Petit believes that extraterrestrial life is probable, given the vastness of the universe and the commonality of atomic elements. He suggests that life forms on other planets might share similarities with Earth life due to convergent evolution. However, he questions the idea of official contact, fearing that humanity would misuse advanced technology for warfare. He also speculates that extraterrestrials might be observing Earth without interfering, perhaps due to a principle of non-intervention or a higher moral standard.

Human Civilization and Self-Destruction

Petit expresses a pessimistic view of human civilization, citing the immense resources dedicated to developing weapons and the widespread poverty. He suggests that humanity is on a path of self-destruction and that the fragmentation of continents and cultures has led to dangerous technological advancements without corresponding social or moral maturity.

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

Petit speculates that UFO sightings in the 1950s might have been prompted by radio signals sent from Earth, indicating our presence to potential extraterrestrial civilizations. He also touches upon the idea that extraterrestrials might be observing us, rather than colonizing, and that our anthropocentric view limits our understanding.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's editorial stance appears to be one of presenting intriguing and sometimes controversial topics, from the personal lives of royalty to the scientific and philosophical implications of UFOs. The interview with Jean-Pierre Petit champions a more rigorous, scientific approach to the UFO phenomenon, challenging established skepticism and highlighting unexplained cases like Trans-en-Provence. The underlying theme is the exploration of the unknown, whether it be the mysteries of the universe or the complexities of human society and its potential for both great achievement and self-destruction.