Phenomena - No 44 - Les OVNIs de la defense

Magazine Overview

Title: Phénomèna
Issue: Number 44
Publisher: SOS OVNI
Publication Frequency: Bimonthly
Date: Not explicitly stated, but issue number 44 and content suggest a mid-1990s publication.
Country of Publication: France
Language: French
ISSN: 1157-4704
Cover Price: 33 FF. - 240 FB - 5.03 Euros
Cover Headline: OVNI : LE VRAI DOCUMENT DE LA DÉFENSE (UFO: The Real Defense Document)
Format: Nouveau Format (New Format)

Editorial (

This issue of Phénomèna, dated September 19, 2000, titled 'Destination: Terre,' focuses on two major themes: the military's strategic interest in UFO phenomena and the existential threat posed by asteroid and comet impacts on Earth. The magazine explores how UFOs can be utilized for disinformation and psychological warfare, and details the ongoing scientific efforts to detect and potentially mitigate cosmic threats.

Military Interest in UFOs and Disinformation

The article 'CONFIDENTIEL' reveals that the French Ministry of Defense, through the DRM (Directorate of Military Intelligence), is aware of the UFO phenomenon's influence and potential for manipulation. The report suggests that the primary interest lies not in extraterrestrial contact, but in using the phenomenon for information control. This involves disseminating false information to cover up potential experiments, 'drowning out' genuine data with fabricated cases, and creating narratives that ufologists might recognize as typical UFO/extraterrestrial accounts, thereby masking real experiences.

The text highlights the belief that ufologists can be manipulated as 'useful idiots' to relay disinformation to the public. It also touches upon the role of official bodies like SEPRA and its director, Jean-Jacques Velasco, suggesting their positions are uncomfortable but anticipated within this strategic framework. The military's interest is framed as a means to control public opinion and protect secret experiments by creating a 'intergalactic smoke screen.' The report also warns of malicious actors using this phenomenon to approach scientists for dubious purposes.

The Cosmic Threat: Asteroids and Comets

The magazine dedicates significant space to the threat of celestial impacts. It begins by discussing the 1979 discovery of an iridium-rich clay layer dating back to the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, which scientists, including L. and W. Alvarez, attribute to a massive extraterrestrial impact, potentially linked to the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. This event is supported by the discovery of a large impact crater in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Another theory for the mass extinction involves massive volcanic activity, such as the Deccan Traps in India, which also released large amounts of material into the atmosphere. However, the iridium anomaly points strongly towards a cosmic origin.

The article then shifts to contemporary threats, discussing 'geocroiseurs' (near-Earth objects or NEOs). It explains that asteroids are rocky or metallic bodies orbiting the sun, primarily in the 'main belt' between Mars and Jupiter. The Titius-Bode law suggested a planet should exist there, but Jupiter's gravitational influence may have prevented its formation. Collisions within the asteroid belt continuously create new, smaller bodies.

Notable asteroid impacts are listed, including Meteor Crater (Arizona), Lonar (India), Bosumtwi (Ghana), Karla (Russia), and Steinhem (Germany), with details on their size and age. The probabilities of impact are also presented based on object diameter, ranging from frequent small impacts to rare but catastrophic larger ones.

Detection and Defense Strategies

The magazine details current efforts to detect NEOs. Programs like LINEAR (Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research) in the US, using a one-meter telescope, have identified hundreds of potential threats. However, the article points out the limitations of current surveillance, noting that much of the sky, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere, remains unobserved. A harmonized global program is deemed necessary.

Scientists like astrophysicist Brett Holman from the University of Melbourne discuss the statistical certainty of impacts, estimating that a large, civilization-altering impact occurs every 1 to 2 million years. He explains that impacts can cause widespread destruction, vaporizing terrestrial areas and creating significant atmospheric dust, leading to global cooling.

The article highlights the 1994 impact of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter as a dramatic demonstration of cosmic collision power. It also revisits the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia, where an object estimated to be 50 meters in diameter exploded in the atmosphere, flattening a vast area of forest with an energy equivalent to 600 times the Hiroshima bomb. The absence of a crater and definitive cosmic residue in Tunguska still leaves some questions unanswered.

Regarding defense, the magazine discusses potential strategies, including placing nuclear missiles in orbit to destroy or deflect asteroids, or using powerful lasers to alter their trajectory. However, these solutions face significant technical and logistical challenges. The article notes that the urgency of the threat is not always recognized, with budgets often diverted to other priorities. It suggests that a lead time of 10 years would be ideal for effective intervention, allowing for trajectory adjustments.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes the dual nature of cosmic phenomena: their potential as threats (asteroids) and their potential for manipulation (UFOs). The editorial stance appears to be one of informed caution, highlighting the scientific realities of cosmic dangers while critically examining how governments and military bodies might exploit or perceive unexplained aerial phenomena for strategic advantage. The magazine advocates for increased scientific research, global cooperation in detection efforts, and a realistic assessment of both extraterrestrial threats and terrestrial intelligence operations.

The article 'L'avis de l'astrophysicien' features an interview with Brett Holman, who provides a scientific perspective on impact probabilities and consequences. He stresses that impacts are statistically certain and that the main challenges lie in detection, prediction, and developing effective deflection technologies. The interview also touches upon the public and governmental reaction to an impending impact, suggesting that a longer warning period would allow for more effective mitigation strategies.

The magazine concludes by noting that despite the scientific understanding of these threats, the lack of funding and political will may hinder the development of necessary defense measures. The overall tone is one of urgency regarding cosmic threats, coupled with a critical analysis of how military and intelligence agencies might leverage the mystery of UFOs for their own ends.

This issue of Phénomèna, dated June 2000, with volume 26, presents a diverse range of topics under the umbrella of ufology and related phenomena. The cover headline, "Bizarre Bazar," hints at the eclectic nature of the content, which includes reports on UFO sightings, technological advancements, and in-depth investigations into controversial cases.

Key Articles and Reports

"Bloc-notes" (Notebook)

The "Bloc-notes" section offers a series of short updates:

• George Bush's UFO Promise: Charles Huffer of MUFON questioned presidential candidate George W. Bush on July 28th, who promised to shed light on UFOs.
• Nicolas Maillard's Passing: The magazine mourns the death of Nicolas Maillard at age 31, known for his exemplary investigation into the alleged Roswell alien autopsy, which demonstrated its fraudulent nature. His work is remembered for debunking the case.
• Charles Gouiran's Death: The passing of Charles Gouiran, former president of VERONICA, is also noted. He was active in ufology in the late seventies and involved in the creation of CECRU and FFU.
• Rose C.'s Passing: The death of Rose C., who claimed to have been contacted by extraterrestrials and wrote a book about her experiences, is mentioned.
• SOBEPS Website: The Belgian Society for the Study of Space Phenomena (SOBEPS) has launched its website, offering access to publications on the Belgian UFO wave of the early 90s.
• COMETA Dossier in VSD: An article from the Irish Independent by Leslie Kean discusses the COMETA dossier published in VSD, suggesting it could be a turning point in ufology. However, the article criticizes the reliance on authority and points out COMETA's private nature, contrasting it with official endorsements.
• Meteoroid Sighting: A particularly bright meteoroid was observed crossing the sky of southeastern France and northeastern Italy on June 18th, leaving a trail and reportedly exploding.
• COMETA Rights Negotiation: An exchange between Stanton Friedman and Michel Algrin suggests that COMETA might be negotiating rights for an English version of its report, with a publisher reportedly interested.
• Tanzanian UFO Stamps: Tanzania has issued a set of six stamps featuring UFOs over Area 51, with accompanying explanatory text.

"Bizarre Bazar" Section

This section covers a variety of intriguing topics:

• Avrocar Prototypes: The Sunday Times revealed unpublished photos of a "flying saucer" prototype developed in the 1950s by A.V Roe, including the Avrocar and a "flying iron" shaped project that never flew.
• UFOs on TF1: The TV show "Sans Aucun Doute" featured a segment on UFOs, including Jean-Jacques Velasco from SEPRA and Commandant Duboc of Air France.
• UK FOI Requests: British scientists are using freedom of information laws to obtain official UFO reports from the Ministry of Defence, which has been reluctant to comply.
• Gordon Cooper's Book: Former NASA astronaut Gordon Cooper is reportedly preparing a book on UFOs.
• NASA Houston Exhibition: NASA's Houston center accepted an exhibition of UFO-related objects from the International Ufological Museum of Roswell.
• "Independence Day" Gathering: Hundreds of UFO enthusiasts gathered on May 5th, reminiscent of the movie "Independence Day."
• Raëlian Movement Cloning: The Raëlian movement announced the possibility of cloning the first human, funded by a couple who lost their child.
• Barry Greenwood's UFO Index: Barry Greenwood has launched a comprehensive index of UFO-related articles from major press and magazines, compiled over 30 years.

UFO Sightings and Investigations in France

• Triangular UFOs in France: The Rhône-Alpes region has seen several reports of triangular UFOs. The article details two cases from July 1992 and August 1994, describing silent, dark, triangular objects with lights.
• Craponne Sighting: In July 1997, four young witnesses in Craponne reported a dark triangular object with yellow lights moving silently.
• Lyon Sightings: Recent observations near Lyon include a triangular formation of lights on August 10th and a bright blueish phenomenon on August 16th and 23rd.

The Chupacabras Phenomenon

• Nicaragua Incident: The article reports on the alleged killing of a Chupacabras in Nicaragua in June, following attacks on livestock. The remains were sent for biological study.

"Douce folie: Petits gris hallucinogènes" (Madness: Hallucinogenic Little Greys)

This extensive investigation delves into the myth of the "little grey aliens" and its origins, particularly focusing on the Paul Bennewitz case:

• Paul Bennewitz's Claims: In the late 1970s, Paul Bennewitz, an Albuquerque businessman, claimed to have deciphered extraterrestrial messages controlling abductees. He began observing UFOs over Manzano weapons depot and contacted the Aerial Phenomena Reasearch Organization (APRO).
• Richard Doty's Involvement: Bennewitz then contacted Richard Doty of AFOSI (Air Force Office of Special Investigations). Doty, aware of Bennewitz's recordings of secret base communications, began manipulating him and William Moore, who was researching a crashed UFO.
• MJ-12 Documents: The article suggests that Moore was involved in creating the fake MJ-12 documents, and Doty's conversations with Moore reveal a plan to "monitor" Bennewitz, APRO, and others, and to "confirm Bennewitz in his delusions."
• Bennewitz's Decline: This manipulation allegedly led Bennewitz to psychiatric hospitals.
• Moore's Confession: In 1989, at a MUFON congress, William Moore revealed his role in Bennewitz's misfortunes, leading to his excommunication from the ufological community.
• Doty's Recent Statements: James Moseley of "Saucer Smear" interviewed Richard Doty, who confirmed manipulating Moore and Bennewitz, suggesting the NSA was also involved. Doty claims two extraterrestrial craft crashed in New Mexico in 1947, with five bodies recovered, one of which survived until 1952. He states there have been no further visits and no UFOs in Area 51.
• Doty's Beliefs: Doty's statements suggest he may have come to believe his own fabricated stories, a phenomenon noted in cases of hostage identification with captors.
• Conclusion on Little Greys: The article concludes that the "little grey aliens" haunting Bennewitz's nightmares likely do not exist outside of popular culture, and the rest remains speculative.

"Bizarre Bazar" - Technology and Science

• Aviation Research: Jane's Defence Weekly reports on US research focused on suppressing the sonic boom and developing stealthier aircraft, including plasma technology and advanced UAVs like the A160 helicopter.
• "Solo Trek" Personal Aircraft: A new individual flying machine, the "Solo Trek," is described as an "air moped" capable of transporting a person over short distances.
• Faster-Than-Light Experiments: Research published in Nature suggests experiments at Princeton may have achieved speeds exceeding the speed of light, though the implications are unclear and the findings are contested.
• Space Shuttle Hacking: The BBC revealed that hackers compromised astronaut communications during a 1997 space shuttle mission to the Mir space station.

Reviews and Publications

• "Inforespace" Magazine: The Belgian magazine "Inforespace" (issue 100) is reviewed, focusing on its research into UFO phenomena and the challenges of scientific methodology in ufology. It discusses the intolerance within the field and the debate around the COMETA report.
• "Science Frontières" and "VSD": Various publications are listed, including "Science Frontières," "VSD," and numerous international UFO journals and newsletters, providing a snapshot of the ufological literature available at the time.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena, technological advancements, and potential government secrecy. There's a critical stance towards sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, particularly evident in the detailed debunking of the Bennewitz case and the skepticism towards the "little grey aliens" myth. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous investigation and a scientific approach, while acknowledging the complexities and controversies within the field of ufology. The magazine also highlights the challenges of obtaining official information and the role of media in shaping public perception of UFOs.

This issue of *Phénomèna* magazine, number 44, focuses on a variety of topics within ufology and related fields, including the X-Files film, the New Age movement, and historical UFO research. The cover prominently features the headline "X FILES LE FILM OÙ EST LA VÉRITÉ ?" and a collage of related imagery.

Letters to the Editor

The issue opens with a letter from a reader, Fabrice Cabrolier from Réalmont, who expresses his appreciation for the magazine's objective and non-dogmatic approach to UFO phenomena. He specifically inquires about the Hessdalen lights and the theory proposed by Michael Persinger, which correlates these sightings with seismic activity. Cabrolier references Persinger's work and the explanation for observations in the Yakima Indian Reservation, asking for clarification on whether this theory is valid, especially in light of underground rumblings reported during Hessdalen observations. He also asks for the magazine's stance on UFO observations during space missions.

The Hessdalen Phenomenon and Seismic Activity

The editorial response addresses the Hessdalen phenomenon and Michael Persinger's "tectonic tension" theory. It notes that while Persinger found correlations between lights and subterranean movements in the Yakima reserve, his research faced limitations due to measurement thresholds and the anecdotal nature of his data. The response highlights that a seismograph installed at Hessdalen in 1983, with a sensitivity of 1.5° Richter, recorded no correlation between the lights and seismic activity. Erling Strand, from the Hessdalen project, is quoted confirming that no correlation has been found between the phenomenon and ground movements. Therefore, Persinger's theory is considered an interesting hypothesis that has not been experimentally confirmed under satisfactory conditions.

The response also touches upon alleged UFO footage from space missions (STS), pointing out methodological problems and the unreliability of anonymous or questionable sources. It draws a parallel to the 'Face on Mars' myth and other conspiracy theories, advising a healthy dose of skepticism.

Book Reviews

"Anomalie belge" by Bertrand Méheust

This review discusses Bertrand Méheust's book on the wave of UFO sightings in Belgium. The reviewer notes Méheust's shift towards defending the reality of psychic powers and his conclusion that the Belgian UFO wave is impossible to definitively explain. The review criticizes Méheust for focusing solely on the work of the Société Belge d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux (SOBEPS) and potentially distorting the analysis through the lens of Brussels ufologists. It questions why other Belgian ufological associations that reported close encounters were not given more weight. The reviewer also mentions Phénomèna's own investigation into the Alfarano affair as an example of how media can sensationalize events.

"Ovni - Nouveaux dossiers chinois" by Shi Bo

This book is described as presenting UFO accounts from China. The reviewer notes that the stories are exotic and that the book provides a factual overview of Chinese ufology, with magazines reaching circulations of up to 350,000 copies. The reviewer suggests the main interest lies in the raw testimony from China and the scale of ufological activity there.

"Le New Age - son histoire... ses pratiques... ses arnaques..." by Renaud Marhic and Emmanuel Besnier

This book is presented as a guide to the New Age movement, tracing its origins from Theosophy to its modern practices and perceived 'scams.' It highlights how the movement has been influenced by ufological themes and figures like Adamski and Shirley MacLaine. The book also points out the involvement of psychiatrist Carl Jung in a ufological association and Wilhelm Reich's pursuit of flying saucers.

"Le problème de la vie extraterrestre" by Michel Jeantheau

This book is described as a reworked version of Jeantheau's earlier work, 'Le Rayonnement.' It defends the idea that UFO phenomena might originate from intelligent, extraterrestrial electromagnetic manifestations. The reviewer finds the book to be a "perilous exercise in style" that takes liberties with established facts, citing the Cergy-Pontoise poltergeist as an example. While acknowledging it as a hypothesis, the reviewer finds the demonstration laborious and unlikely to alter scientific perspectives.

"AVNI - Les armes volantes non identifiées" by Jean-Pierre Pharabod

This book, published by Odile Jacob, proposes the theory that many UFOs could be unidentified flying weapons (AVNI), particularly those deployed by superpowers like the United States. The author, a former research engineer, explores the possibility that "flying triangles" might represent new aircraft. The book is praised for its documentation on past and future aeronautical projects, though the reviewer notes the omission of certain advanced technologies like solar power satellites (SPS) and energy transmission via microwaves.

"UFO FBI Connection" by Bruce Maccabee

This book is mentioned as being received by the editorial team, focusing on the connection between UFOs and the FBI, specifically the government's cover-up of the phenomenon from 1947 to 1964. The reviewer notes that the book is relatively well-documented but ultimately anecdotal, given the author's past defense of the Gulf Breeze hoax.

Historical UFO Research and Documentation

Proceedings of the Sign Historical Group UFO History Workshop

The magazine highlights the Sign Historical Group (SHG), an initiative stemming from 'Projet 1947,' which aims to conduct historical research in ufology. The SHG has published the proceedings of a workshop held in Chicago in May 1999. This 220-page document covers topics such as using the Freedom of Information Act, becoming a professional ufologist, historical research in the UK and Italy, and cataloging private UFO document collections. The report is described as summarizing a vast amount of work.

UFO Briefing Document

This section discusses the re-publication of the 'UFO Briefing Document' as a paperback book, originally prepared by a coalition of US ufological associations (CUFOS, MUFON, FUFOR) and funded by Laurance S. Rockefeller. The book, now part of Whitley Strieber's collection, is aimed at a general audience and provides an introduction to UFO phenomena, though the reviewer suggests Peter Sturrock's work might be more insightful.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of *Phénomèna* demonstrates a continued commitment to exploring UFO phenomena from various angles, including scientific investigation, historical research, and critical analysis of popular theories and movements like the New Age. The magazine maintains a cautious and evidence-based approach, as exemplified by its response to the Hessdalen case and its review of books that present both well-researched hypotheses and more speculative ideas. The editorial stance encourages readers to approach the subject with a "grosse pincée de sel" (a healthy dose of skepticism), while still valuing the pursuit of knowledge and the sharing of information within the ufological community. The magazine also actively engages with its readership through letters and book reviews, providing a platform for discussion and debate on these complex topics. The recurring theme of government secrecy and potential cover-ups, particularly in relation to UFOs, is also evident, especially with the coverage of the X-Files film.