Phenomenes Inconnus - Nouvelle Serie - No 03 - 3e trim 1972 - CFRU - FSU

Magazine Overview

Title: Phénomènes Inconnus
Issue: No. 3, Nouvelle Série
Year: 1972
Publisher: CERCLE FRANÇAIS DE RECHERCHES UFOLOGIQUES (C.F.R.U.) with collaboration from FEDERATION SUISSE D'UFOLOGIE (F.S.U.).
Content Focus: Documentary and informational review on Unidentified Flying Objects and related phenomena.

Table of Contents and Key Articles

Le Premier Colloque Européen sur les UFOs en France (Page 3)

This article details the first European colloquium on UFOs held in Grenoble on May 21, 1972. Organized by the C.F.R.U. with the initiative of Pierre Delval, the event brought together approximately forty specialists from France, Belgium, and Italy. The primary objective was to establish a common and rational working technique for European ufological organizations. The colloquium aimed to synchronize efforts in information dissemination, observation codification for a global database, and coordinated investigations. The meeting also discussed the potential for future collaboration with American ufologists. Dr. M. Pagés presented his theories on dégravitation, followed by a slide projection by ufologists from F.S.U. Lausanne.

Assemblée Générale 1972 - Activités (Page 4)

This section reports on the 1972 General Assembly of the C.F.R.U. held in Grenoble on May 20. The assembly addressed issues concerning the organization's evolution, leading to the decision to abandon regional group appellations and merge them into national sections. The former G.E.O.C.N.I. in Freyming was dissolved and became the official headquarters of the C.F.R.U. The assembly also laid the groundwork for improved internal coordination, including correspondence, information communication, translations, and investigations. Technical advisors discussed UFO detectors and the telephone network.

Activités des Sections Régionales (Page 4)

Section de Bordeaux: This section has compiled a comprehensive catalog of 73 observations in the Gironde region since 1947, noting that most occur along five alignments around Bordeaux. Witness reports have increased significantly since 1965, peaking in 1969. They are also constructing an observation and detection center at Pessac-Magonty, with a detection system and medium-range radio link.

Section Dauphinoise: This section organized the European colloquium and established four specialized departments: technical, observations, telephone network, and investigations. They are implementing an automatic detection center in Seyssins, similar to Bordeaux's system. They are also developing various detectors (gravimeter, trajectory analyzer, etc.) and conducting night sky surveillance. Monthly meetings are held in two large rooms.

UFOs et Symboles (Page 5)

L'Atterrissage de Socorro: This article recounts the Socorro, New Mexico landing case of April 24, 1964. Police officer Lonnie Zamora witnessed an egg-shaped object with two small beings. The object left landing traces and burnt areas. Subsequent investigations by ATIC, the FBI, and Professor Hynek concluded the case was authentic.

San José de Valderas: Un Cas Parfait: This section details the San José de Valderas case in Madrid, Spain. The incident involved a circular orange object landing, with witnesses observing a symbol. The object left landing traces and caused electromagnetic disturbances. A subsequent appearance on June 1, 1967, resulted in clear photographs of the object, revealing a symbol and a dome.

Interprétation des Symboles (Page 6)

This section analyzes the symbols from the San José de Valderas and Socorro cases. The symbol of a cross between two crescent moons is interpreted as representing the union of the Orient and Occident, the spiritual and material, and the sky and earth. This symbolism is traced back to ancient Sanskrit and has similar meanings. The article also discusses the symbol of the rectangle and vault, representing the Earth and the sky, respectively, further emphasizing the union of these elements. A prophecy from Saint Odile is cited, which seems to allude to a future period of peace and spiritual awakening.

Socorro (Page 6)

This section provides an interpretation of the Socorro symbol, breaking it down into its components: a rectangle (Earth) and a vault (sky). This combination symbolizes the union of Heaven and Earth, echoing the meaning of the San José de Valderas symbol. The article notes the paradox of extraterrestrial craft bearing purely terrestrial and ancient religious symbols.

L'Ufologie a-t-elle un Avenir? (Page 7)

This article by Francis Consolin reflects on the history and future of ufology, marking the 25th anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's sighting. It discusses the challenges faced by ufologists, including public indifference and the complexity of the phenomenon. The author questions the sole reliance on the extraterrestrial hypothesis and suggests that UFOs might represent a latent human faculty or a more complex reality. The article emphasizes the need for continued research and understanding, moving beyond mere proof to knowledge.

Le Problème (Page 8)

This section features a quote from Charles Fort's "The Book of the Damned," questioning why UFOs do not openly reveal themselves. Fort speculates on moral or physical reasons, suggesting that humanity might be considered akin to livestock or property, with advanced beings having a legal claim over Earth. He posits that our current understanding is limited by our own evolutionary stage, comparing it to a dog's inability to comprehend human technology.

SONDAGE D'OPINION (Page 9)

This article reports on an opinion poll conducted by the Swiss Federation of Ufology in Geneva on May 13, 1972. The poll revealed that 52% of respondents had heard of UFOs, but only 18% felt well-informed. The survey explored public perceptions of UFO origins, with 52% considering extraterrestrial life possible and 38% accepting the possibility of intelligent extraterrestrial life.

L'Œuvre d'un Plaisantin (Page 9)

This piece details a hoax involving landing traces discovered in Echallens, Switzerland. Investigators from the F.S.U. analyzed the traces and found them to be the work of a prankster, using magnesium fragments. The article serves as a warning about potential hoaxes and the importance of thorough investigation.

DOSSIER DES OBSERVATIONS (Page 10)

This section presents several UFO sighting reports:

• OVNIS Reperes a Basse Altitude au-dessus de la Scandinavie: Reports from January 4, 1972, describe seven bright white objects observed by a pilot and numerous witnesses over Scandinavia, moving at high speed and altitude. Military authorities confirmed the reliability of these reports.
• A Propos du Phénomène Lumineux du 18 Mars 1972: An analysis of 70 cases of luminous phenomena observed on March 18, 1972, concluded that 90% of descriptions were consistent. The phenomenon was identified as the re-entry of the third stage of the Tibère rocket into the atmosphere.
• Soucoupe Volante sur le Pays Basque: Eight soldiers reported observing a cigar-shaped UFO with a luminous halo over the Basque Country for three-quarters of an hour.

Obituaire (Page 10)

This section announces the death of Dr. René Hardy, a scientific advisor to the publication, who passed away on June 14. He was a member of the New York Academy of Sciences and other scientific organizations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Phénomènes Inconnus" consistently explores the mystery of UFOs, emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation and rational analysis. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from detailed case studies and symbol interpretations to discussions on the future of ufology and public perception. There is a clear stance advocating for continued research and a move beyond simplistic explanations, particularly the sole reliance on the extraterrestrial hypothesis. The editorial team encourages open discussion and aims to provide a platform for diverse viewpoints within the ufological community. The recurring theme is the profound enigma of UFOs and humanity's ongoing quest to understand their origins and implications.

Title: Phénomènes Inconnus
Issue: No. 3
Year: 1972
Content Focus: This issue of Phénomènes Inconnus delves into mysterious aerial phenomena, parapsychology, and unknown civilizations, with a significant focus on UFO sightings and related research.

Mysterious Luminous Spheres in the Sky of Grenoble

The cover story details a series of sightings of luminous spheres over Grenoble, France, in March 1972. M. J.-Pierre Gamé of Saint-Egrève reported observing a pulsating yellow-orange light on March 17, 1972, between 20:43 and 20:55. This light rapidly approached his location, then separated into two non-pulsating, white luminous spheres. These spheres, estimated to be at an altitude of 200 meters, moved East-Southeast before disappearing and reappearing with reduced intensity, eventually moving West and disappearing over the horizon. M. Gamé's wife also witnessed the final stages of the phenomenon. The report notes that the phenomenon seemed to occur above the industrial zone of Fontanil, near Grenoble.

Further corroboration came from M. Gamé's colleagues, one of whom reported a similar sighting in the same sector. The following evening, March 18, 1972, several of M. Gamé's students also observed the phenomenon in the same region.

Several witnesses, including Mile G. V. (13 years old), described seeing luminous objects. Mile G. V. reported seeing a very bright object, larger than a star, accompanied by two other luminous spheres, one much larger than the other. She described the smaller sphere's upper part as flashing like an ambulance light, with a yellow-orange color. The objects moved and pulsed, with one object appearing to 'hide' behind a nearby mountain and reappear multiple times.

Mile M. J. (14 years old) also reported seeing the phenomenon, describing it as two attached luminous balls that traversed the sky towards the West.
Mlle M. M.-C. described seeing two separated lights that made three 'jumps' before one moved away rapidly while the other remained still. The first light then returned, producing small red sparks.

Interestingly, on the evening of March 15, two power outages occurred in the 'Prédieu' neighborhood of Saint-Egrève, where M. Gamé resides. These outages lasted less than a minute each and were spaced about two minutes apart, occurring during clear weather conditions.

Other Sightings and Reports

Drocourt Observation: The magazine details a similar phenomenon observed in Drocourt, Pas-de-Calais, on March 18, 1972. Witnesses M. Adamec and his companion, while walking, observed a strange phenomenon that deeply impressed them. M. Drapier and M. Latour, along with M. and Mme Lemaire and their friends, were called to witness the event. They observed a red sphere, approximately 1.50 meters in diameter, moving in jerks along a railway line towards an old tunnel. The object oscillated for a considerable time before moving rapidly to another point and disappearing. The total observation lasted between 4 to 5 hours. M. and Mme Coulomb approached the object, causing it to move closer to them, leading them to flee in panic.

Remarkably, M. Adamec had witnessed a similar phenomenon in the same location a month prior. The area is characterized by medium and high-voltage power lines and a chemical factory, but otherwise is rural with no nearby houses or light sources that could explain the phenomenon. No unusual sounds were reported.

Bordeaux Observations: The issue includes a photograph taken by M. Banos on July 10, 1971, near Bordeaux, which was later identified by Alain Barbé, president of the C.F.R.U. Bordeaux section, as a tetrahedral sounding balloon. The object was moving West-East at an estimated altitude of 20,000 meters and a speed of 30 km/h, with a calculated dimension of 80 meters from tip to base.

M. Lacoste, also from Bordeaux, reported a similar object sighting on the same day.

On February 24, 1972, MM. Cozet and Archambaud reported that a fighter pilot in the sky above Villeneuve-sur-Lot described being pursued by a pulsating blue light of high intensity that could not be detected by radar. This was reportedly the fourth such occurrence in that region that month.

Between February 20 and 27, 1972, the Zamora family in Bordeaux observed a large red, star-like object with a blue cap, pulsating between blue and red, hovering for about thirty minutes before being obscured by clouds.

Italian Sighting: A report from Rome mentions an OVNI landing in the countryside near Verona, leaving a circular area of burnt and deformed grass with a central protrusion. A luminous object was also seen in the Rome sky.

Canadian Observation: An incident from Portneuf, Québec, in August 1970, describes two young girls observing a bluish, luminous object shaped like a light bulb landing in a field. The object then ascended rapidly, leaving behind large circular imprints, one 25 feet in diameter with three smaller ones attached, and a trail of flattened grass. One of the girls reported a strange frost-like substance on the grass and experienced intense tingling in her fingers for a week.

Parapsychology Section

This issue introduces a new section on "Phenomena Paranormaux" (Paranormal Phenomena), explaining that many UFO manifestations share similarities with parapsychological phenomena. The section features an article by Johann Mathieu on the book "Le Journal d'un parapsychologue" by Dr. Jean Barry.

Dr. Barry's book details his experiences and encounters with individuals possessing strange powers and paranormal phenomena during his travels. He discusses psychokinesis experiments on mushrooms and beans, as well as telepathic transmissions. Barry emphasizes that parapsychology is not yet widely accepted in France, with researchers often needing to remain anonymous.

The article highlights the challenges faced by parapsychology researchers in France, including a lack of funding and societal skepticism. However, it expresses optimism that parapsychology will eventually gain recognition, similar to its status in other countries.

The section also mentions upcoming articles on Kirlian photography and the work of Dr. Barry, who operates on mushrooms to test psychic influence on growth, finding positive results that statistically differ from control groups.

Other Sections

Space: A brief note mentions the potential discovery of a tenth planet in the solar system, named 'Zoé', by American astronomer Henry Courteen.

Space Station: An update on the SPACE project reports the reality of an UFO tracking pylon and calls for volunteers to assist with its completion.

Bibliography: A comprehensive list of books on UFOs, extraterrestrials, and related topics is provided, including works by Frank Edward, Henry Durrant, Aimé Michel, Guy Tarade, J. Vallée, Ch. Garreau, Antonio Ribéra, Paul Misraki, Gilbert Bourquin, Erich Von Daniken, and Jacques Bergier.

Magazines: Several international magazines related to parapsychology and UFOs are listed, including "Cielo e Terra" and "Il Giornale dei Misteri" from Italy, "Notiziario UFO" and "Clypeus" from Italy, and English-language publications like "Flying Saucer Review" and "Spacelink."

Catalogues: Information is provided on a chronological catalog of lunar phenomena from NASA and a publication by the ARFA on "Astrometeo."

International News: Brief reports include an "ETRANGE VISITE" (Strange Visit) of a small OVNI in a monk's room in Logrono, Spain, and a mention of GESAG, a special issue on UFO landings in Belgium.

Editorial Stance: The magazine positions itself as a platform for exploring unexplained phenomena, including UFOs and parapsychology, encouraging research and the sharing of information. It acknowledges the challenges in these fields but maintains an optimistic outlook on the pursuit of truth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the mysterious nature of aerial phenomena (UFOs, luminous spheres), the potential for psychic abilities (parapsychology, telekinesis), and the exploration of unknown civilizations. The magazine adopts a stance of open inquiry, presenting witness testimonies and research findings while acknowledging the controversial and often unexplained aspects of these subjects. There is a clear effort to connect UFO sightings with broader paranormal research, suggesting a unified underlying mystery. The editorial stance is one of encouraging rigorous investigation and the dissemination of information, despite societal skepticism and the inherent difficulties in studying these phenomena.