1958 02 00 Science et Vie No 485

Magazine Overview

Title: SCIENCE VIE
Issue: N° 485
Date: Février 1958
Price: 120 fr.

This issue of "Science Vie" magazine prominently features a deep dive into the phenomenon of flying saucers, with a particular focus on the groundbreaking work of investigator Aimé Michel. The cover art depicts three unidentified flying objects in the sky above a desolate landscape, accompanied by the headline "SOUCOUPES: Inquiétantes observations" (Saucers: Disturbing Observations).

The Strange Discovery of Aimé Michel

The lead article, "SOUCOUPES VOLANTES: L'étrange découverte d'Aimé Michel" (Flying Saucers: The Strange Discovery of Aimé Michel), details Michel's extensive research into the wave of UFO sightings that occurred in France during the autumn of 1954. For ten years, "Science et Vie" had remained silent on the subject, not out of opposition, but because there was no solid, scientific information to report. The magazine felt that witness accounts were adequately covered by newspapers, and constructing hypotheses was not its role. They believed that if flying saucers were real, tangible proof would eventually emerge.

Michel, a scientist, worked for three years to analyze the 1954 sightings. Initially, he was skeptical, treating newspaper clippings as tangible objects for analysis. He received numerous letters and established a network of correspondents across Western Europe to gather testimonies. His initial impression was that most testimonies were difficult to critique scientifically, lacking concrete proof. However, the sheer number and consistency of these reports created a sense of unease.

He considered Professor Heuyer's theory presented to the Academy of Medicine, which suggested that these stories could be attributed to a form of collective delusion or 'folie à deux'. However, Michel felt it was prudent to investigate further before definitively accepting this explanation. He embarked on a comprehensive inquiry, collecting a vast dossier of "impossible stories."

During his investigation, Michel began to consider the reports themselves as the phenomenon to be studied, rather than the flying saucers directly. He questioned whether there were underlying laws governing these accounts, regardless of their veracity. This led him to map the locations of hundreds of sightings across France.

Hundreds of Observations from the Autumn of 1954

The article details the period from mid-August to mid-November 1954, during which countless individuals reported seeing objects that were neither planes, meteors, nor known atmospheric phenomena. Michel received numerous letters and compiled a significant body of evidence. He noted that while many reports could be dismissed, their sheer volume and concordance raised questions.

He then undertook the task of plotting these observations on a map of France. Initially, the distribution appeared chaotic, supporting the idea of random occurrences influenced by population density, sky clarity, or local enthusiasm. However, as he meticulously plotted the reports, a pattern began to emerge.

Straight Lines Across France

While examining the region of Bourgogne, Lyonnais, and Franche-Comté, Michel noticed a remarkable alignment of five sightings forming a straight line of 130 kilometers. These sightings occurred between 6:30 PM and 7:35 PM on October 14th. He found that one observation, though slightly off the precise line, was reported as having flown over the witness's car on the right, aligning with the line's direction.

To rule out coincidence, Michel analyzed reports day by day. He discovered another alignment on September 23rd, involving three of five reported groups. On September 24th, six out of nine observations formed a straight line of 480 kilometers, including an alleged landing and a luminous object that stopped mid-air.

Further analysis revealed more linear patterns. On September 25th, a single observation was reported. On September 26th, three well-reported cases formed a line, with one involving an object that disappeared in the direction of Nivolet. The observations on September 27th, following a night sighting, included numerous reports across France, with one landing near Perpignan.

In the USA, They Also Found...

The article extends the concept of linear alignments to the United States, referencing a CSI Newsletter from November 1, 1957. It notes that in America, similar sightings were also found to align strangely. The term "orthoteny" is introduced as a necessary invention to describe this phenomenon, suggesting that the patterns observed by Michel were not unique to France.

The article includes a map showing points in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with lines connecting groups of sightings, illustrating the concept of "orthoteny" in the US context. It also mentions similar "ice-falls" previously reported in the UFO age.

Photographs Are Not Proof

A section titled "Soucoupes volantes ?.. ...probablement pas" (Flying Saucers?.. Probably Not) discusses the unreliability of photographic evidence. The magazine presents three photographs, stating they are typical of those published over the past decade. However, it emphasizes that these images are not proof because it's impossible to determine if they depict an "unidentifiable phenomenon," a common occurrence seen in an unusual light (like reflections, halos, or weather balloons), or simply a skillfully faked image. The article concludes that while these photos aren't proof, it doesn't mean flying saucers don't exist.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the rigorous, scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, spearheaded by Aimé Michel. The magazine's stance is one of cautious inquiry, moving beyond mere anecdotal evidence to seek underlying patterns and potential scientific explanations. While acknowledging the possibility of phenomena beyond current understanding, "Science Vie" maintains a critical approach, emphasizing the need for verifiable evidence and scientific methodology. The concept of 'orthoteny' represents a significant attempt to find order and potential laws within the seemingly chaotic realm of UFO sightings, suggesting a structured aspect to the phenomenon that warrants further study. The issue concludes by questioning the definitive nature of photographic evidence, reinforcing the magazine's commitment to critical analysis.

The document is a section from a French magazine, likely focused on unexplained phenomena, specifically UFOs. The title of the section is "Les alignements existent. Qu" which translates to "The alignments exist. Wh". The content discusses the analysis of numerous flying saucer sightings reported in France during the autumn of 1954, focusing on their geographical distribution and geometric patterns.

Analysis of UFO Sightings and 'Orthoténie'

The article, authored by Aimé Michel, introduces the concept of 'orthoténie,' a term derived from Greek meaning 'stretched in a straight line.' This term is used to describe the striking rectilinear patterns observed in the majority of UFO sightings from the autumn of 1954. Michel asserts that these alignments are not random but form organized networks, suggesting a real and significant phenomenon.

Verification of the Data

Michel addresses potential skepticism by posing three key questions to validate his findings:

1. Accuracy of Alignments: He confirms that the points of observation do indeed align as stated. To verify this, one must use a map that accurately represents terrestrial great circles, such as the Michelin millionth-scale map (no. 989) for France. The points can then be located using a commune dictionary.
2. No Invention or Selection: Michel states that he has not invented any observations or selectively chosen cases to force alignments. His research exclusively used publicly reported sightings, allowing any interested party to replicate his work by consulting contemporary newspapers.
3. Avoiding Bias: He clarifies that he did not cherry-pick observations that fit the alignment pattern while ignoring others that would suggest randomness. All published observations were included in his analysis.

The Nature of the Alignments

The article details the systematic nature of these alignments. For instance, an observation in Foussignargues is connected to another in Rixheim, with the line passing through several towns and accurately reflecting witness reports. Another example connects Rixheim to Froncles, with the line passing north of Paris. Most observations, over 90%, fall on these straight lines, which are valid for approximately 24 hours, with new alignments forming around 1 AM.

The number of daily sightings increased dramatically, especially after October 2nd, 1954, reaching hundreds, possibly thousands, of witnesses. The locations of these sightings formed characteristic networks, resembling a spiderweb with a central point from which most lines radiated. Many cases were situated at the intersections of multiple alignments.

Statistical Improbability of Chance

Michel presents a detailed breakdown of the alignments observed on a specific day (October 7th), identifying 17 alignments involving 22 points, including one with seven points and several with three or four points. He argues that chance is an insufficient explanation for these patterns:

1. Precision: The alignments are precise to the millimeter on the map, which corresponds to a kilometer in reality, even over distances exceeding 1,000 kilometers.
2. Intersections: The fact that many points lie on multiple alignments (intersections) makes a random occurrence highly improbable. For example, six points forming a quadrilateral and its diagonals create a maximum of three intersection points. The chance of three additional random points falling precisely on these intersections is extremely low.
3. Duration: The phenomenon's transient nature, lasting only 24 hours, is also presented as evidence against a random explanation.

Significance and Implications

Michel acknowledges that the detailed analysis of all alignments exceeds the scope of an article. He notes that he has presented his findings to eminent scientists, including two research masters at the C.N.R.S., who are convinced that the alignments indicate a real and original phenomenon. However, he laments that this phenomenon is linked to the 'flying saucer phenomenon,' which is often discredited. He states that these alignments are not attributable to conventional aircraft, balloons, meteors, ball lightning, or even hallucinations, lies, or hoaxes. They represent something entirely new.

Michel expresses uncertainty about when this phenomenon will be fully understood but hopes that the revelation of the geometric superstructure observed in the 1954 wave will encourage more scientists to investigate it. He concludes by expressing his personal weariness with the discredit attached to these research areas, finding it burdensome to pursue such curiosity as if it were a sin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the statistical and geometrical analysis of UFO sightings to establish their reality and uniqueness. The editorial stance, as presented by Aimé Michel, is one of rigorous scientific inquiry applied to an often-dismissed subject. Michel advocates for a systematic, evidence-based approach, challenging conventional explanations and calling for serious scientific attention to the 'orthoténie' phenomenon. The article implicitly supports the idea that UFOs represent a genuine, unexplained aspect of reality.