Realite ou Fiction - No 10 - 1982

Magazine Overview

Title: REALITE OU FICTION
Issue: n°10
Date: 1982
Publisher: Groupe Privé Ufologique Nancéien
Focus: Aerial UFO observations and ufological research methodology.

Editorial: "Plus d'O.V.N.I. sur la France ! Que font les "Ufologues"?"

The editorial, penned by Raoul Robé, addresses the current state of UFO research in France. It notes a division among ufologists, with some lamenting the lack of activity and others, like the member associations of the "Comité Nord-Est des Groupes Ufologiques" (C.N.E.G.U.), organizing themselves. The editorial highlights the C.N.E.G.U.'s twelfth session in Bulméville, which focused on cooperation and research rigor. A key outcome was the emphasis on standardizing documentation and adopting a "scientific" approach. The recent regional catalogue is presented as a clearer and more complete example of this, announcing a general awareness of the utility of scientific methods. The article mentions the introduction of precise symbols for each observation case, their use on maps, and a quality index (IC). An index for "strangeness" is also planned, aiming for greater precision for future exploitation.

Robé acknowledges the ongoing work of amateur researchers in the Northeast region and mentions the technical notes from G.E.P.A.N. He notes the controversy surrounding G.E.P.A.N.'s objectives but expresses anticipation for their instructive documents. The editorial points out that while amateur research often delves into aspects like perception and socio-psychology, the analysis of UFO phenomena through various sciences (physics, psychology, etc.) reveals the limitations of private research and highlights its weaknesses. Therefore, the core message is that amateurs must bring more rigor to their work to be more credible and achieve concrete results.

The bulletin itself is stated to be not for sale but exchanged with other ufological associations, meaning there is no subscription option for individuals. However, it can be consulted at the national library in Paris.

Case Report: OBSERVATION D'UN OBJET INCONNU (Observation of an Unknown Object)

Date of Observation: May 27, 1981
Location: Rue du docteur Heydenreich, near the maternity hospital, Nancy, France.
Time: 21:10 local time.
Witnesses: 1

Description of Observation:
The witness, leaving the Nancy maternity hospital, saw a green, spherical object moving across the sky from direction 230° towards 50°. The object was not internally illuminated and did not light up its surroundings. It moved silently at very low speed and altitude, following the street. It appeared to be large, estimated at 31 to 33 meters across at its widest point. It disappeared behind the rooftops towards the northeastern suburbs of Nancy.

• Object Characteristics:
• Shape: Spherical.
• Color: Internally brilliant, green (Pantone 0373).
• Dimensions: 31 to 33 meters across at its widest point (estimated 5.75 to 100 meters distance).
• Altitude: Estimated very low, near the rooftops.
• Speed: Very slow.

Meteorological Conditions:
Between 20:00 and 23:00, the sky had stratus clouds, with cumulonimbus at 800 meters and residual clouds at 1300 meters. Temperature was 13°C, humidity 73%.

Astronomical Conditions:
Visible stars included Vega, Capella, Aldebaran, Betelgeuse, Procyon, Regulus, Spica, and Arcturus. Planets observed were Mercury (170°), Venus (97°), Mars (350°), Jupiter (189°), Saturn (182°), Uranus (234°), Neptune (262°), Pluto (348°). The Moon was past its last quarter.

Investigation:
The investigation was conducted easily as the witness was a cousin of the investigator. The witness was surprised by the UFO and immediately considered it a mysterious phenomenon, reporting it the next day.

Case Report: OBSERVATION D'UN PHÉNOMÈNE LUMINEUX (Observation of a Luminous Phenomenon)

Date of Observation: September 29, 1981
Location: Axéville - Champ le Boeuf (suburb of Nancy), France.
Time: 17:15 GMT, duration approximately 1 minute.
Witnesses: 3

Description of Observation:
In the evening of September 29, 1981, around 18:55 local time, a couple and their son were returning home to a residential area near Nancy. As they reached the locality "La Fère St Jacques," they spotted an object that appeared immobile in the sky directly in front of them. After taking a sharp turn, they noticed the object to their right, evolving slowly in a straight line. They observed it for about 1 minute through the side windows and the extreme right of the windshield. The object, described as a white or orange ball, was followed by a trail similar to that of a jet plane. It continued its path, then made a turn and "extinguished" itself.

• Aspect of the Phenomenon:
• Shape/Size: A ball, as large as a white signaling beacon on an antenna (e.g., telecommunications antenna), or about the size of Venus.
• Color: White or white-orange, luminous and brilliant.
• Trail: A white trail was present behind the object, similar to that of a jet plane.

• Remarks:
• Speed: Moderately slow (compared to a high-altitude aircraft).
• Angular Height: Between 25° and 35° (20° for the H.L.M. buildings that were flown over).
• Direction: Appeared from the SW, followed a NW line, then curved towards SE. Disappeared suddenly as if abruptly extinguished.

Atmospheric Conditions:
Weather was mild, slightly cloudy, with good visibility. Wind was variable and weak. From 14:00 to 20:00, visibility was between 15 and 25 km. The sky was slightly cloudy with cumulus clouds at 600 meters, rapidly evolving into stratocumulus at 1400 meters. Temperature was around 15°C, humidity between 55% and 70%. No remarkable phenomena were noted by the weather station.

Case Report: OBSERVATION EN VOL (Aerial Observation)

Date of Observation: November 4, 1981
Location: Azelot (54), France.
Time: 17:45 GMT, duration 4-5 minutes.
Witnesses: Several (one interrogated).

Description of Observation (Witness Principal):
On November 4, 1981, at 17:45 GMT, M. F...., a military helicopter instructor pilot from the ALAT base at Essey les Nancy, was conducting a night flight exercise above Azelot aerodrome (10 km south of Nancy). The exercise involved two helicopters performing landings, takeoffs, and rectangular circuits. During one circuit, before the final turn back towards the field, while flying west, the pilot's attention was drawn to a luminous phenomenon to his left. As they returned towards the field, flying south, he and his crew had a clear view of three white lights forming a perfect equilateral triangle, immobile at 45° above the SE horizon. Their knowledge of aerial signaling systems did not allow them to identify the object as a conventional aircraft.

The helicopter continued its mission, landed at Azelot, and then took off again for another circuit. Throughout these maneuvers, the phenomenon remained visible and immobile. The other helicopter crew also observed the lights but did not pay particular attention.

• Aspect of the Phenomenon:
• Description: 3 fixed white lights forming an equilateral triangle pointing upwards. The surface of the triangle was faintly illuminated by the lights. It was larger than the Moon and estimated, with caution, to be at relatively low distances and altitudes, likely a few kilometers away.
• Exclusion of Conventional Aircraft: The significant dimensions, shape, arrangement of lights, and immobility excluded a normal aeronautical explanation. Furthermore, based on the flight plan, no other aircraft should have been in the sector.

Conditions Météo:
From 14:00 to 20:00, visibility was between 8 and 10 km, temperature 8°C in the evening, and humidity between 85% and 95%. The sky was clear from 14:00 to 19:30, with altocumulus clouds appearing at 3000 meters later.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting of specific UFO sightings and the overarching emphasis on the need for a more scientific and rigorous approach to ufological research. The editorial by Raoul Robé strongly advocates for this shift, suggesting that amateur investigators must improve their methods to gain credibility and achieve meaningful results. The case reports themselves, while describing unusual phenomena, are presented with a focus on factual details, witness accounts, and environmental conditions, aligning with the call for systematic investigation. The publication itself, as a bulletin exchanged among associations, reflects a community effort towards advancing the study of UFOs.