Les Rencontres Ufologiques

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Les Rencontres Ufologiques" from July 2013 focuses on recent UFO sightings, the organization of ufological research, and the media's portrayal of the subject. It features news from France and Argentina, highlighting investigations and upcoming events.

Un "ovni en feu" hier soir dans le ciel d'Angoulême?

The lead story reports on a sighting in Angoulême on the night of July 23, 2013. An internet user from Charente Libre claimed to have seen and filmed a UFO described as "on fire" flying at a low altitude and high speed. Another reader, Jordan, corroborated the sighting, describing a "fireball with a very luminous trail" around midnight. The article invites readers to share their own experiences and ideas about the phenomenon, questioning if it could be a shooting star, satellite, meteorite, or something else.

Joël Mesnard Conference in Hyères/Toulon

This section announces that Joël Mesnard will be speaking in Toulon on Saturday, August 3, 2013. Invited by a local association called CROPS, Mesnard will give a conference on the UFO topic during a meal. He is expected to discuss his extensive investigative background, including his most passionate investigations and his life, first with GEPA and then as Director of Publication for "< Lumières dans la nuit ". The event will take place at the Restaurant "Le Panoramique" near the Hyères hippodrome, on August 3, 2013, at 12:00 PM. Contact details for CROPS are provided for inquiries.

MUFON-Argentina Establishes "Correspondent Investigators" Network

MUFON-Argentina, the national representative of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), is launching a network of "Correspondent Investigators" to conduct qualified studies on UFOs in Argentina. This initiative aims to improve the quality of research by establishing a national network of investigators. Dr. Andrés Salvador, the national director of MUFON Argentina, has reached an agreement with regional directors to create an organizational framework for quality research based on methodological transparency. The goal is to produce reliable conclusions and add academic value to reports, which will be sent to MUFON headquarters in the USA. The article notes that many UFO observations in Argentina cannot be properly analyzed without such a national network. Luis Annino, editor of the blog "Orbita Cero" and coordinator of the Ufological Café of Mendoza, has been designated as the first "Correspondent Investigator."

MUFON France - Direction Nationale des Enquêtes (DNE)

This section provides information about the Direction Nationale des Enquêtes (DNE) of MUFON France. The DNE is responsible for UFO investigations and managing a network of investigators. It also offers courses to impart basic knowledge in the field, accessible via the platform "Caroline." Those interested in joining the MUFON France investigator network or learning about investigation methods are invited to contact the DNE via email.

Upcoming Ufological Café in Buenos Aires

The "Café Ufológico RIO54" in Buenos Aires is scheduled for its monthly meeting on Thursday, August 1, 2013, at 6:30 PM at Café de la Subasta. This café, the first of its kind in Argentina, has been running since 2010 and serves as a monthly gathering for individuals interested in UFOs and related topics. It is coordinated by Mario Lupo and Rubén Morales. The meetings are informal and facilitate open discussion. The RIO54 café is part of the "Red Argentina de Cafés Ufológicos" (Argentine Network of Ufological Cafés). Attendees are welcomed regardless of their experience level. The event will include a raffle for souvenirs, books, and a CD course.

OVNIS: LA BATAILLE DES MEDIAS OU LE LABYRINTHE DES LEURRES.

This article by Jean-Pierre Troadec discusses the media's role in covering UFO phenomena, suggesting a "conspiracy of silence" or a "labyrinth of deception." It notes that while UFO sightings have been reported in the media since 1947, particularly after World War II in the US and Europe, the current media landscape, with the internet and numerous news outlets, still tends to treat UFO information as secondary news. The article posits that a form of self-censorship exists within democracies regarding this topic. It highlights France as a case where testimonies are collected (e.g., by GEIPAN), but the mainstream press largely ignores the subject, favoring politics, economy, and sports. The article suggests that the media often frames ufology through entertainment or sensationalist lenses, making it difficult for scientific approaches to gain traction.

Case Review: Unidentified UFO Observation in Gué d'Hossus in 1994

Jean Luc Lemaire, national director of investigations, is cited regarding an unresolved UFO observation from 1994 in Gué d'Hossus, Ardennes. The case, still classified as "unidentified," was previously mentioned in the journal "L'Union." The article provides an excerpt describing the event: on March 6, 1994, around 00:30, two men witnessed an incredible light, described as immense (8/9 meters high) and extending 130 meters, hovering 50 cm above the ground. The light had sharp contours and a yellow-orange color, with no sound audible. The object itself was not observed. The next day, one of the witnesses returned to the site and found a circular trace, 5.50 meters in diameter, in the clearing. The report on this case is available online, and it includes a study of the evolution of the trace over several years. The DNE of MUFON France is described as a section responsible for investigating unidentified aerospace phenomena (PAN) and assisting investigators.

Patrice Gouez and Ovni-Beauvais

An article from "Le courrier Picard" dated July 27, 2013, introduces Patrice Gouez and his website Ovni-Beauvais. Gouez, who has never personally seen a UFO, is motivated by the fact that some phenomena remain unexplained. As the regional director of MUFON France, he created Ovni-Beauvais to collect testimonies in the Oise region and form teams of enthusiasts to investigate strange phenomena. He emphasizes a scientific approach, stating that "We are in a scientific approach, there is a methodology." He clarifies that UFOs can be explained by known objects like satellites or military aircraft, and their role is to explain these phenomena, not to jump to conclusions about extraterrestrial origins. The article notes the common confusion between UFOs and extraterrestrials in the media. Gouez hopes to gather people around his website and plans to establish an association.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing investigation of UFO phenomena, the importance of scientific methodology in ufology, and the role of both specialized organizations like MUFON and the mainstream media in disseminating information. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous, evidence-based research and a cautious approach to interpretation, as exemplified by the quotes from Patrice Gouez and the description of MUFON's investigative protocols. There is a clear effort to connect ufological communities across different countries (France, Argentina, USA) and to encourage public participation in reporting and investigating sightings.