Rencontres Ufologiques - 2013 08 26 - No 002

Magazine Overview

Title: Les Informations du jour des Rencontres Ufologiques
Issue Date: August 26, 2013
Publisher: Les Rencontres Ufologiques and Mufon France
Country: France
Language: French

This issue of Les Informations du jour des Rencontres Ufologiques delves into the meticulous work of the French investigative body Geipan (Groupe d'études et d'informations sur les phénomènes aérospatiaux non identifiés), which is attached to the Centre national des études spatiales (Cnes). The magazine highlights the scientific approach taken to analyze and verify reports of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP).

Feature Article: Geipan Inspectors Investigate a UFO or a Light Reflection?

The main article follows Francetv info's report on Geipan investigators as they conduct a reconstruction of a sighting. The objective is to determine if a silver, disk-like shape observed by a witness in a cornfield in the Parisian suburbs in June 2013 was caused by the sun's reflection or something else. The reconstruction takes place at dawn, under similar conditions to the original sighting, with investigators Vincent, Philippe, and Eric using a drone and fumigation devices to simulate fog.

The Investigation Process

Investigators arrive at the cornfield before sunrise to recreate the conditions of the original sighting, which occurred about a year prior. The witness reported seeing a silver, disk-like object hovering above the ground before silently ascending and disappearing. The Geipan team aims to test the hypothesis that the object was a reflection of the sun from a nearby silo.

However, the reconstruction is hampered by cloud cover obscuring the sunrise, making it impossible to replicate the exact solar conditions. Despite the setback, the investigators manage to gather some data. Vincent, the lead investigator on this case, notes the difficulty of recreating such events due to meteorological factors. Nevertheless, the team rules out the sun reflection hypothesis, deeming the potential reflection too weak and not luminous enough to match the witness's description.

The Nature of UAP Investigations

The article emphasizes that reconstructions are rare, occurring only two to three times a year for the roughly 300 cases Geipan handles annually. Most cases are resolved through preliminary investigations using online resources to check astronomical data, weather conditions, and satellite trajectories. These checks often lead to misidentifications, such as the common confusion with Thai lanterns.

Geipan classifies nearly a quarter of cases as 'unidentified phenomena' after their investigations. The article highlights that 'unexplained does not mean inexplicable,' as past investigations have sometimes led to explanations for older, unresolved cases. The conclusion for the Parisian cornfield case is pending, but the preliminary assessment leans towards 'unexplained, but with a presumption of a complex phenomenon related to the rising sun.'

UAP Sightings in the Orléans Region

The magazine also reports on several UAP sightings in and around Orléans. On Saturday, August 17, 2013, an orange, incandescent ball-shaped object was observed flying over the Loire river and the city center. Initial reports suggested it might be a UFO, but subsequent articles debated whether it was a hot air balloon or a Thai lantern.

An article from August 20, 2013, titled 'The UFO that flew over Orléans on Saturday night was not a hot air balloon,' suggests that the object was a lit Thai lantern released from the Fête des duits. However, another report from August 24, 2013, titled 'Extraterrestrial or not, the sphere that flew over Orléans last Saturday was a UFO,' indicates that while not necessarily extraterrestrial, the object's origin could not be definitively identified.

Further accounts from Cléry-Saint-André and Orléans describe similar phenomena. A witness in Cléry-Saint-André reported seeing a fast-moving, color-changing object that did not follow the wind, contradicting the Thai lantern theory. Sophie, a witness in Orléans, described seeing multiple luminous spheres forming triangles in the night sky, noting the geometric precision.

These reports suggest that while many sightings can be explained by conventional means, some remain puzzling. The article notes that reporting such phenomena to the gendarmerie was more common in the past, with a military source stating that while such reports would still be taken seriously, they are rare nowadays.

Other Mentions

Jesse Marcel Jr. Obituary

The issue includes a brief announcement of the death of Jesse Marcel Jr., son of Major Jesse Marcel Sr., who was involved in the Roswell incident. Peter Robbins reports that Jesse Marcel Jr. passed away, likely from a heart attack, and was known for defending his father's account of the Roswell debris.

Crop Circle Mystery

A brief mention is made of a 'crop circle' photographed from a ULM in Chécy in 2012. Local villagers had reported seeing strange lights above the area around the time the crop circle appeared.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the rigorous investigation of UAP sightings, the importance of witness testimony, the process of elimination and reconstruction, and the common phenomenon of misidentification. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded scientific inquiry, acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena while diligently seeking rational explanations. The magazine promotes the website www.les-rencontres-ufologiques.com and provides contact information for submissions, indicating a desire to foster a community for sharing UFO-related information and research.