Rencontres Ufologiques - 2013 07 08

Magazine Overview

This issue of 'Les Rencontres Ufologiques' from August 2013 covers several UFO-related topics, including a mysterious video from Japan, the operational developments of MUFON France, witness accounts of aerial phenomena in France, and updates from MUFON USA and ufological events in Argentina.

BIZARRE! UFO Video from Japan Mysteriously Suppressed on YouTube

The lead story reports on a video that allegedly showed a large, bright UFO flying near a plane over Japan. The video, sourced from 'Le Quotidien du Peuple en ligne' and dated August 6, 2013, quickly gained attention. However, the lack of detailed information raised doubts. The footage was reportedly filmed by someone inside a private plane over the Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo. While the exact date of the sighting was not provided, it was presumed to have occurred in late July. The article notes that shortly after the video was posted on YouTube, its privacy settings were changed from 'public' to 'private' without any explanation, adding to the mystery.

Communiqué from the National Investigations Directorate of MUFON France

MUFON France has announced its new operational strategy for managing investigation files and training. The platform for managing investigation files, along with its user guide and image captures, is nearly ready. The distance learning sector is also under development, and the technical aspects are operational. The focus is now on creating technical and pedagogical reference materials and docimology. This effort aims for quality and consistency with GEIPAN's requirements to standardize work and develop Project Licorne 2. MUFON France is seeking volunteers to test the new investigation management tools. Interested individuals are asked to contact the National Directorate of Investigations via email at dne[at]mufon-france.fr. Jean-Luc Lemaire is the National Director of Investigations.

Besançon: Strange Lights in the Sky

This article, dated August 6, 2013, from 'L'Est Républicain', details a sighting by Christel and Patrice in Besançon, France. On a Saturday night, shortly after 11 PM, Christel observed red lights in the sky forming an isosceles triangle, moving at a constant speed towards the northwest, followed by about ten other lights. The phenomenon was silent. Her husband attempted to photograph it, but the lights were not intense enough. The red lights gradually reduced in intensity, turned whitish, and disappeared one by one. Christel, describing herself as 'cartesian,' insists it was 'clearly something else' and not an airplane or Thai lanterns. The couple hopes for an explanation, noting that similar sightings have been reported online, often involving one to three yellow, red, or white balls forming a triangle.

Phenomenon Repeats

Further reports indicate that similar phenomena have been observed in recent weeks. In Champagne-Ardenne, a witness named Damien reported seeing three orange luminous balls in a triangle formation. In June, similar sightings occurred in Lyon and its surrounding areas. The article poses questions about possible explanations, such as cargo planes, orbital stations, satellites, Zeppelins, military drones, or other phenomena, concluding that the mystery remains.

Message from Jan C. Harzan, New Director of MUFON USA

Jan C. Harzan, the new Executive Director of MUFON, expresses gratitude to those who attended the 2013 MUFON Symposium, which was described as one of the most successful, with over 700 attendees. He highlights the symposium as a unique opportunity for members to gather and share experiences. Harzan encourages attendance at the 2014 MUFON Symposium in Philadelphia (Cherry Hill, NJ). He officially took over his role on August 1, 2013, succeeding Dave Mac Donald, whose work is credited with strengthening MUFON's financial stability and expanding its reach to Europe. Harzan thanks Mac Donald and expresses hope that he will continue to contribute as an advisor. The MUFON Advisory Board will consist of three former executive directors: John Schuessler, Clifford Clift, and David MacDonald.

Harzan shares his personal history with UFOs, beginning in his childhood in the early 1960s when he and his brother developed a keen interest. He recalls observing a van-sized craft with a visible landing gear hovering 10 feet above the ground, emitting a humming sound. This experience led him to pursue a degree in nuclear engineering at UCLA to better understand propulsion technologies. He found that conventional education was not sufficient and that specialized research groups might hold the answers. After working at IBM, he realized that the biggest obstacle to solving the UFO mystery was not the phenomenon itself but human belief systems. He is now working full-time for MUFON, seeking answers to important questions.

He recounts how he became involved with MUFON in the late 1980s, attending monthly meetings. He later became the Director of Investigations for Orange County, CA, and then Assistant State Director for California. He was involved in selecting Orange County as the site for the 2001 MUFON Symposium. Following a change in International Director from Walter Andrus to John Schuessler, Harzan collaborated closely on the 2001 Symposium. He later served on the MUFON Business Council for 12 years, contributing to the development of MUFON's mission and objectives. His personal and professional agenda is simple: 'The scientific study of UFOs for the benefit of humanity.' He invites others to join MUFON and contribute to its international development.

The Evolution of MUFON is Rapid – Notes and Procedures Follow One Another

MUFON France is seeking a person to help establish a list of procedures and various documents used by the organization. The role involves managing documents by service, theme, or order, and maintaining chronology and reference files. Interested individuals should contact MUFON France at [email protected].

Was there a UFO in the sky over Champagne-Ardenne that night?

This article from France 3 Champagne-Ardenne reports on numerous sightings of a strange phenomenon in the sky on the night of Saturday to Sunday, August 3-4, 2013. The observations, some of which were filmed, were reported around 1 AM. They generally described one to three stable yellow-orange balls that disappeared suddenly. Some witnesses offered interpretations: Damien from Reims saw three orange balls in a triangle; Marilyn from Aubrives saw a white ball that disappeared; Thierry from Charleville described a luminous glow that diminished to a red point; Omrii from Saint-Dizier saw a large, young fireball; Chou Choup reported a long, flat shape; and Sara suggested Thai lanterns. Jean-Luc Lemaire, a regional ufologist with 20 years of experience, indicated a high probability that these were indeed extinguished Thai lanterns, possibly launched for a wedding or village festival. Police and air traffic control reported no unusual sightings. The article is an excerpt from a France 3 report.

Aldane Editions of Geneva Joins the Rencontres Ufologiques Site

The Rencontres Ufologiques website, which aims to unite organizations interested in unidentified aerospace phenomena (UAP), has welcomed Aldane Editions of Geneva. Aldane publishes in this field, and its updates will be regularly featured on the site.

A Brief Biography of this Publisher

Aldane Editions originated from GREPI (Research and Study Group for Unexplained Phenomena, www.ovni.ch), whose 'deputy perpetual secretaries' are Nathalie Stotzer, Alain Stauffer, and Daniel Benaroya. The founding of the publishing house is described as unusual. Shi Bo, an author, sought a Swiss publisher for his book. Alain Stauffer and Daniel Benaroya decided to take on the project. After the book's release, more manuscripts arrived. Alain Stauffer and Daniel Benaroya have been involved in ufology since the 1960s, initially with the GEOS bulletins. After GEOS ceased, they joined the Swiss Ufology Federation and helped create the journal 'Bizarre?', which ran for six issues. They later became less involved in UFO phenomena but re-engaged in the mid-1990s, forming an internet-based group. This led to publishing works by authors like Jacques Vallée and Aimé Michel. Daniel Benaroya is the author of this biographical note.

The 18th Ufological Café of Mendoza

The 18th Ufological Café of Mendoza took place on July 31, 2013, featuring notable visitors and researchers involved in UFO phenomena for decades. The event is described as extraordinary and historic, likely leading to future projects of great interest for the study of local UFO cases. New participants included Faruk Alem, Victorio Corradi, and Daniel Postizzi. Frequent attendees included Juan Manuel Lima, Juan Andrés Trejo, Martín Fuentes, Ariel Godoy, Mariano Molina, José María Tulián, Raúl Díaz, Oscar Ferreyra, and Luis Emilio Annino.

Report on the 18th Ufological Café of Mendoza

The meeting on July 31, 2013, was an extraordinary and historic gathering of UFO enthusiasts and researchers, discussing the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The event is expected to generate projects of significant interest for local ufology. Faruk Alem, Victorio Corradi, and Daniel Postizzi participated for the first time. The report also recalls the recent visit of investigator Luis Reinoso, a member of EDOVNI and CEFORA, who focuses on the declassification of official Argentine UFO documents. Reinoso's previous visit to the province was in 1980 for the 4th National Ovnilogía Congress. The report also mentions the I Encuentro de Ovnilogía de Los Polvorines on August 4th. The meeting included a discussion with Faruk Alem, who directed AMIFO in the 1970s and 1980s and hosted the radio program 'Rumbo a Omega.' He shared experiences with electronic equipment, some of which were destroyed in the 1977 earthquake. Alem was instrumental in organizing the II International Congress of Extraterrestrial Science and the IV National Ovnilogía Congress in 1980, which featured Dr. Joseph Allen Hynek and Virgilio Sánchez-Ocejo. Alem traveled to meet Sánchez-Ocejo to arrange Hynek's visit. Hynek reportedly enjoyed Mendoza's wine. Alem has also participated in meetings organized by the Café Ufológico RIO54 in Buenos Aires.

Conversation between Faruk Alem and Victorio Corradi

A photo shows an animated conversation between Faruk Alem and Victorio Corradi. The text mentions the 'Boletín del IDEFEH (July-August 1980)', a publication from the Instituto de Estudios de Fenómenos Extrahumanos Hombre Cósmico (IDEFEH). Victorio Corradi, a ufologist from Mendoza, approaches the extraterrestrial theme through the works of Ray Bradbury and Aimé Michel. His involvement in UFO research began with the Peccinetti-Villegas case in 1968. Corradi discussed the term 'extrahumano' versus 'extraterrestre' to describe phenomena, mentioning incidents involving petrified sands, biological extraterrestrial entities, and chupacabras. Corradi proposed that members of the Café Ufológico de Mendoza collaborate on future online publications of his work.

Final Meeting Details and Invitation

Daniel Postizzi, an investigator from La Plata and a member of CICOA (Comunidad Investigación Científica OVNI Argentina), also attended the meeting. He shared photographic evidence from his research and recounted incidents involving military personnel, which sparked discussion. The meeting concluded around 10:30 PM, and attendees were invited to the next Ufological Café on Wednesday, August 28, 2013, at Café Five Stars in Mendoza.

Les Rencontres Ufologiques Website

The 'Les Rencontres Ufologiques' website is presented as a unifying platform for sharing ideas, information, meetings, and articles related to aerospace phenomena. Readers are encouraged to submit their information to the editorial team via email at [email protected].

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, investigations, and the organizations involved in studying these phenomena, such as MUFON and its international branches. There is a strong emphasis on witness testimony, the analysis of evidence, and the pursuit of explanations, whether conventional or unconventional. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the sharing of information and fostering a community dedicated to understanding UAP. The articles highlight both recent events and historical cases, reflecting a broad interest in the subject. The publication also serves as a platform for promoting ufological events and publications, connecting researchers and enthusiasts across different regions.