SPICA - No 07 - 2006 Janvier

Magazine Overview

Title: SPICA NEWS
Issue: N° 7
Type: Apériodique (Periodical)
Date: January 2006
Publisher: Association SPICA
Country: France
Price: 1,80€

This issue of SPICA NEWS is dedicated to the "First European Ufological Encounters" that took place in Chalons-en-Champagne from October 14-16, 2005. The magazine highlights the event's organization, its participants, and the role of the SPICA association in making it a success. It also includes a calendar of SPICA's activities for 2006 and touches upon other related topics.

The First European Ufological Encounters

The central theme of this issue is the "First European Ufological Encounters" organized by Alain Blanchard, who had a long-held dream of gathering ufologists from across Europe for a weekend event. The initiative began years prior, with Blanchard organizing the "Day of UFOs" during the Chalons fair. The dream materialized in October 2005, with the goal of featuring prominent figures in ufology. Gérard Lebat played a role in securing speakers through his connections with the "Repas Ufologiques Parisiens." The event garnered support from various entities, including the Chalons town hall, local merchants, and large companies like Carrefour, France Télécom, and Peugeot.

Alain Blanchard's project involved extensive preparation, including discussions with international ufologists. The partnership with Jurgen Bayer, director of Paranews (an online IT magazine), was crucial for handling information and registrations, especially from Germany. SPICA, with its bilingual capabilities, facilitated communication between Alain Blanchard and Jurgen Bayer during the preparation phase.

The event itself saw the SPICA team present to set up their stand and assist with various aspects, including translation for German ufologists and helping with restaurant menu translations. Despite some last-minute cancellations and logistical issues, such as late equipment delivery, the event successfully opened on Friday afternoon. The SPICA stand, managed by a small team, allowed members to engage with visitors, explore other stands, and network with acquaintances.

Visitors came from various regions of France, including Champagne, Alsace, and Brittany. The encounters were described as having a broad public interest, and SPICA was pleased with the connections made with long-time ufology friends and new contacts from Switzerland, Italy, and Great Britain. The event fostered closer ties with ufologists and friends from the Col de Vence. While the three-day event was intense, participants expressed a desire for it to be renewed annually, hoping to further open European ufological borders.

SPICA's Activities and Editorial Notes

Editorial (Page 3): The editorial, written by the President, Christian Morgenthaler, introduces the seventh issue, noting improvements in photo quality with the inclusion of color. It emphasizes the importance of member contributions for articles to accurately reflect the association's activities. The editorial also reminds members about upcoming meetings for the elaboration of an exhibition, which will involve cutting and pasting for creating panels, and mentions that astronomy-related panels are being prepared.

SPICA News Publication Details (Page 3): SPICA NEWS is published by the association SPICA, located at 3, rue des Pierres, 67520 Odratzheim. Contact details include phone (03.88.50.64.26) and email ([email protected]). Christian Morgenthaler is the Director of Production and Editor-in-Chief, with Céline Hansen as the Editorial Secretary. The reading committee includes Céline Hansen, Dominique Schall, and Marc Dobler. The publication states it is not responsible for texts and illustrations provided by authors and requires written permission for reproduction. It is free for members and available to non-members for a fee of 1660 plus postage.

• Calendar of Meetings 2006 (Page 2): The magazine provides a detailed schedule of SPICA's meetings and events for 2006, including:
• Board meetings (Réunion du CA)
• General Assembly (Assemblée Générale de SPICA)
• Ufological meetings (Réunion ufologique)
• Sky observation evenings (Soirée d'observation du ciel), including a public one in Odratzheim.
• A partial solar eclipse observation.
• A barbecue for members.

The association encourages members to notify the headquarters of their participation in events, especially the public sky observation on June 3rd, to ensure proper organization.

Other Meetings (Page 2): Ufological meals are held on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the restaurant "Chaîne d'Or." Notable speakers announced for these meals include Thierry Pinvidic (February 2nd) and Jean-Luc Rivera (April 6th).

• Reflections on the Event (Pages 7-10):
• "L'ÉCHO DE CHALONS OU LETTRE À ALAIN" (Page 7): This piece reflects on the Chalons encounters, highlighting the passion of the organizers and participants. It emphasizes the importance of respecting the years of work and preparation involved, urging against dismissing the event as a mere "once upon a time" story.
• Jean-Jacques Goetschy's perspective (Page 8): Goetschy recalls his past involvement with "SOS OVNI" and the Lyon encounters, which were more exclusive. He notes the disappearance of that association and contrasts it with the Chalons event, which he initially questioned whether it would be a genuine revival of ufology or a "ET fair." He acknowledges the significant preparation and the large program announced.
• SPICA's Participation (Page 9): The association participated by hosting a stand. The author expresses surprise at the number and quality of participants, despite some last-minute cancellations. The stand allowed for networking with people known only through the internet. The author attended several public conferences and regrets missing some due to the impossibility of being everywhere at once. A visitor's comment about the event being "less bizarre than expected" highlighted the seriousness of the encounters. The media coverage is criticized for being dismissive, with a call for journalists to approach the subject with more objectivity.
• Conclusion (Page 10): Christian Kiefer concludes that the dynamic of these encounters should be continued, ideally by renewing the event and encouraging associations, groups, and researchers to present a better "image" of ufology. Jamila Krimi adds that the initiative was a great opportunity for participants to share their investigations and observations, fostering a dynamic of exchange. She hopes the event will be renewed annually, calling it an excellent experience that deserves to be repeated and a chance to meet other association members in an exceptional setting.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine strongly supports the field of ufology and aims to promote serious and organized events that bring together enthusiasts and researchers. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of collaboration, member participation, and accurate reporting. The editorial stance is one of promoting ufology as a legitimate field of study, advocating for better media coverage, and fostering a sense of community among ufologists. The magazine also shows an interest in related scientific topics like astronomy and meteorites, as indicated by the cover question. The SPICA association appears to be a central organizing body, actively involved in promoting and facilitating ufological activities and discussions.

This issue of the magazine, dated February 2006, focuses on two main themes: recent sightings of luminous aerial phenomena, potentially meteorites, in the Alsace region of France, and a detailed astronomical explanation of the Sun.

Meteorite Sightings in Alsace

The magazine reports on a series of observations of unusual aerial phenomena occurring in late February and March 2006. The first reported incident involved a luminous, yellowish ball crashing near Colmar, confirmed by an article in 'Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace' on February 20th. This led to alerts for local gendarmeries, though the crash site remained elusive. The phenomenon was observed in both Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin.

In collaboration with the Vosges colleagues and the Epinal Observatory, an appeal for witnesses was published, seeking to pinpoint the potential impact site of this 'meteorite'. Initial investigations suggested a location beyond the Vosges, before Haute-Marne. By February 25th, the call for witnesses had generated over 60 phone calls and 40 emails to SPICA. While most witnesses described a phenomenon identifiable as a meteorite, variations in color and descriptions of similar events on other dates were noted.

The most frequent sightings occurred on Friday, February 18th, with witnesses describing an atmospheric entry. However, the possibility of artificial objects, such as rocket debris, was also considered. Other reported events included phenomena on February 11th and February 26th. Further reports came in late March, with a sighting on March 25th, and another on April 5th, reported via 'Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace'.

Field investigations were conducted to provide information to colleagues in the Vosges and to confirm trajectories, aiming to preserve the memory of these observations, which could later be classified as UFO sightings. Specific details of observations are provided:

• February 11th, around 10:30 PM: An orange ball with a large trail was seen in the Bas-Rhin region, appearing to disintegrate before falling near Nordheim.
• February 18th: This date saw the highest number of testimonies. Around 10:22 PM, hundreds observed a luminous ball moving from east to west. While this aspect was unanimous, other details varied. Some witnesses described the environment being illuminated by a white light, while others reported seeing two parts after an apparent separation. Descriptions of colors ranged from white with a blue trail, to blue with a white trail, to emerald green without a trail, or even turquoise. Some objects had a halo, while others did not. One witness reported hearing a sound like a sigh after the passage.

Investigations suggested a potential impact zone in a triangle between Vittel, Neufchâteau, and Bourdons-sur-Rognon, but searches were unsuccessful.

• February 26th: Another atmospheric entry was reported, a green ball with a similar trajectory, perceived by the witness to have crashed near Quatzenheim.
• March 25th: A white luminous ball was seen crossing the Alsatian region from east to west.
• April 5th: The most recent observation involved young people from Rosenwiller who saw an atmospheric phenomenon with a green descending curve, similar to previous descriptions, occurring shortly after 11:00 PM. Some witnesses reported seeing the phenomenon between houses and thought they might see it again by going to a higher point in the village, but it was already far away.

Some witnesses reported hearing an explosion and feeling ground vibrations shortly after observing the phenomenon. While these events were linked to the aerial observation, their direct attribution to the phenomenon was considered difficult, especially given the high speeds involved in meteorite entries.

An additional report mentioned a bluish ball without a trail observed from Rothau on April 21st, moving from St-Dié towards Natzwiller, with no sound heard.

The article notes that these events occurred outside of major meteor shower periods, lamenting the missed 'spectacles'. It also includes a footnote explaining the difference between meteorites (solid extraterrestrial bodies that vaporize in the atmosphere) and meteors (the luminous trail they produce). Another footnote discusses the theoretical speeds of meteorites upon atmospheric entry.

Astronomy: The Sun

The second major section of the magazine is dedicated to astronomy, focusing on the Sun. It begins by emphasizing the Sun as Earth's closest star and the source of energy vital for life.

ATTENTION: A strong warning is issued regarding the dangers of observing the Sun directly, citing Galileo's eye damage as a historical example. It stresses that telescopes, astronomical telescopes, or binoculars concentrate light intensely on the retina, making direct observation extremely hazardous. The only safe method is using instruments equipped with primary solar filters placed at the front of the tube, explicitly warning against eyepiece filters which can fail catastrophically.

The Sun: Described as a hot, bright ball of gas that self-sustains through nuclear fusion, where simple elements combine to form more complex ones. This process generates phenomenal energy, equivalent to the explosion of 92 billion one-megaton nuclear bombs per second. The Sun's age is estimated at 4.6 billion years. Nuclear fusion is the sole process capable of producing its immense energy and luminosity.

Approximately 700 million tons of hydrogen are converted into helium every second, with 5 tons transforming into pure energy. Gravitation plays a crucial role in holding the Sun's gases together and preventing it from exploding. The Sun's mass is 330,000 times that of Earth.

Characteristics of the Sun: Its diameter is 1,391,000 kilometers, about 109 times that of Earth. It is spherical, with uniform gravitational attraction towards the center balanced by outward pressure. Due to its slow rotation (about 25 days at the equator), the Sun has a minimal bulge at the equator.

Structure of the Sun: The Sun has an interior composed of the nucleus and the radiative zone, and an exterior with the convective zone, photosphere, chromosphere, and corona. The nucleus is where nuclear fusion occurs, producing gamma rays. The radiative zone transfers this energy outwards. The convective zone involves gas currents that transport heat to the surface. The photosphere, the visible surface, has a temperature of about 5500°C and emits visible light. The chromosphere, above the photosphere, reaches 10,000°C and can be observed during total solar eclipses or with special filters. The corona, the outermost layer, is a rarefied, electrified gas heated to 1 million degrees Celsius, shaped by magnetic fields. A thin transition layer exists between the chromosphere and corona.

Solar Wind: A stream of electrified gas (plasma) moving at about 470 kilometers per second, influencing Earth's magnetosphere.

Solar Activity and Cycles: Solar flares eject plasma, which can cause auroras and geomagnetic storms on Earth. Sunspots are visible dark areas on the photosphere where magnetic fields are strong. The number of sunspots varies over an approximately eleven-year cycle. Interestingly, more sunspots correlate with increased solar energy output.

Eclipses: Total solar eclipses are rare but offer the best view of the corona. Partial eclipses are more common. The magazine mentions three types of solar eclipses.

Ephemerides and Sky Maps

The issue includes detailed ephemerides for January to April 2006, listing celestial events such as meteor showers (Quadrantides, Lyrides), conjunctions of planets and the Moon, full moons, and new moons. It also provides planetary ephemerides, indicating the rising and setting times for the Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn for various dates in January, February, March, and April 2006. Additionally, civil, aeronautical, and astronomical twilight times are listed. Sky maps for January-February 2006 and March-April 2006 are included, showing constellations and planetary positions for specific times and dates, with notes on the visibility of Venus and Mars.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to have a strong interest in unexplained aerial phenomena, presenting witness accounts with a degree of seriousness while also acknowledging the need for scientific investigation and differentiation from known natural or artificial objects. The detailed astronomical section indicates a commitment to educating readers about space and celestial bodies, providing factual information alongside observational data. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into unusual events, balanced with a grounded approach to scientific understanding. The inclusion of ephemerides and sky maps suggests a regular readership interested in amateur astronomy and skywatching.

This issue of SPICA magazine, identified by its page number '17' and content, focuses on astronomical phenomena, unusual weather events, and a collection of UFO sightings. The cover prominently features an image of the M57 planetary nebula with the headline 'La mort de notre Soleil.' (The death of our Sun).

The Death of Our Sun

The magazine discusses the eventual demise of our Sun, explaining that it will exhaust its fuel and transform into a red giant. During this phase, the oceans and air on Earth would freeze. The Sun will then expand, forming a planetary nebula. The article uses the M57 planetary nebula in the Lyra constellation as a visual example of this future event. It is estimated that this process will occur in approximately 5 billion years, by which time the Sun will have shrunk to a white dwarf, no larger than Earth.

Weather Anomaly Report

A report from S.W.R.3 radio on February 24, 2005, highlights a significant climate anomaly. The temperature in Marseille was -4 degrees Celsius, while in Jakobshaffen, Greenland, it was +7 degrees Celsius. This 11-degree difference prompts speculation about potential climate modification or a temporary imbalance.

UFO Sightings and Cases

The magazine details several notable UFO incidents and historical cases:

Cussac (Cantal), August 29, 1967

Two children witnessed the landing of a spherical craft on the Cantal plateaus. They observed small beings interacting with the local fauna. An investigation was conducted by G.E.P.A. and the gendarmerie.

Doctor X (Southern France), November 1, 1968

A French doctor reported being struck by a luminous ray from a UFO. Annually, on the anniversary of the sighting, a red triangle appears on his stomach.

Pontoise (Val d'Oise), November 26, 1979

Frank Fontaine, a 19-year-old, disappeared from his vehicle after a UFO sighting. He reappeared days later. In 1983, a witness confessed that the entire event was a hoax.

Recent Sightings (2004-2005)

A compilation of recent UFO observations from various sources, including the Internet and SPICA's headquarters, is presented. These include:

• December 20, 2004: A luminous point observed in the sky in Department 58.
• January 1, 2005: An orange, fast-moving object with a curved trajectory seen in Paris.
• January 8, 2005: A luminous phenomenon crossing the sky for 5-10 minutes, observed by five people in Corcieux.
• January 13, 2005: Three large, stable lights seen in Paris West.
• January 14, 2005: Repetitive waves of light moving at high speed observed in Toulon.
• January 23, 2005: A pearlescent white sphere seen above Mont d'Halluin.
• January 31, 2005: A shooting star moving almost vertically near Nîmes.
• February 7, 2005: A triangular UFO with rectangular reflectors observed in Paris.
• February 20, 2005: An object resembling a shooting star but much larger, with a short tail, seen in Valognes.
• March 4, 2005: A blue-green light illuminating a garden in Guigneville.
• March 6, 2005: A fireball observed in Toulon.
• March 14, 2005: A large, matte black metallic craft with a row of red-orange square lights seen near Raon l'Etape.
• March 19, 2005: An escadrille of flying saucers, initially forming a rectangle and then a triangle, observed near Royan.
• April 15, 2005: A meteorite-like object passing through the sky in Vannes, and a lenticular or crescent-shaped object, beige or orange, observed near Bastia.

It is noted that none of these recent observations have been verified by SPICA.

The Beaufort Scale

The magazine includes a detailed explanation of the Beaufort scale, a system for estimating wind force. It describes the scale's 12 degrees, from 'Calm' to 'Ouragan,' and provides corresponding wind speeds in km/h, m/s, and knots. It also details the effects of each wind force on the sea and on land, including wave heights, movement of vegetation, and potential damage.

Constellation of Lyra

A section is dedicated to the constellation Lyra, its Latin name, and its international abbreviation. It highlights the bright star Vega and its significance. The article mentions the M57 planetary nebula, also known as the 'ring of Lyra,' located within the constellation. The mythological story of Orpheus and Eurydice is recounted, explaining how the Lyre constellation was placed in the sky by Zeus.

Early French Ufology Groups

The issue lists several early French organizations involved in ufology:

• OURANOS: A private study commission founded in 1951 by Marc THIROUIN.
• L.D.L.N. (Lumières Dans La Nuit): Founded around 1957 by Raymond VEILLIT, it continues as a review managed by ufologist Joël MESNARD.
• G.E.P.A. (Groupement d'Etudes des Phénomènes Aériens): Established in 1962 on the initiative of General Lionel CHASSIN.

Associated Organizations

Contact information is provided for several affiliated organizations and correspondents, including CNEGU (Comité Nord-Est des Groupes Ufologiques), OVNI Marne, CENAP (Germany), GEP (Germany), GERU (Groupement d'Etudes et de Recherches Ufologiques), and OVNI-LANGUEDOC.

Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to be a platform for reporting UFO sightings, astronomical information, and meteorological data. It presents factual accounts of events and scientific explanations while also acknowledging the historical and ongoing interest in unidentified aerial phenomena. The inclusion of early ufology groups and detailed UFO case studies suggests a focus on the history and documentation of the field. The magazine also seems to encourage reader participation by providing contact information for reporting sightings and investigations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Recurring themes in this issue include the vastness and potential future of celestial bodies (the Sun's death, nebulae), the unpredictable nature of Earth's atmosphere (weather anomalies, wind scale), and the persistent human fascination with unexplained aerial phenomena (UFO sightings, historical cases). The editorial stance seems to be one of documentation and information dissemination, presenting various accounts and scientific data without necessarily endorsing or debunking all claims, as indicated by the disclaimer regarding the verification of recent observations. The magazine aims to inform its readers about both astronomical realities and the ongoing mystery of UFOs.

This issue of SPICA magazine, published in 2005, focuses on a scientific approach to ufology, presenting a collection of reported UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings from across France. The magazine serves as a platform for witnesses to share their experiences and for the SPICA association to conduct investigations.

Reported Sightings (May - December 2005)

The magazine documents numerous sightings, providing dates, locations, and brief descriptions:

• May 6, 2005, CATTENOM: A luminous phenomenon observed moving rapidly horizontally and making circles.
• May 8, 2005, MUTRECY: A small white ball was seen, followed by six or seven other white balls, initially thought to be a hot air balloon.
• May 8, 2005, MAMERS: Six objects, one larger than the others, were observed between 5000 and 8000 meters altitude. They were black opaque, contrasting with the abundant white clouds, and flew in formation, with three objects forming a triangle.
• May 29, 2005, Paris: Three yellow triangles, perfectly aligned, appeared near a star, described a small circle, and disappeared behind a building.
• June 10, 2005, LA GARDE ADHEMAR: A black ball was seen crossing the blue sky at an altitude of approximately 100 meters, without making any noise.
• June 21, 2005, FREJUS: A silver sphere, compared to a large pétanque ball, was observed around 9:45 AM.
• July 6, 2005, AIX EN PROVENCE: A cigar-shaped UFO was observed stationary for about 4 minutes. It featured flashing lights: three white lights and alternating red and green lights between them.
• August 6, 2005, BAS-RHIN: A very bright blue luminous trace moved approximately from Strasbourg South towards Saverne.
• August 13, 2005, LA SAINTE BEAUME: Two luminous points were observed moving in a perfectly parallel manner, described as similar to satellites but spaced apart.
• August 13, 2005, STRASBOURG: Five silent yellow points progressed over the city center, with two following the others and one lagging behind, vacillating. The observer saw them pass overhead and disappear.
• August 13, 2005, THOUARS: A not very large, pale yellow, roundish-ovoid flying saucer was seen between 11:30 PM and 1:00 AM. It appeared to glide silently without a trail.
• August 18, 2005, LA CADIERE D'AZUR: Several black helicopters were observed in stationary flight without apparent registration. A brilliant white cylinder rose directly above a hill known as "du gros cerveau".
• September 3, 2005, OSTHOFFEN: A luminous point, described as non-"classic" and larger than a satellite, with a bright white light, was observed for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. It was later identified as the ISS space station.
• September 15, 2005, AMELIES-LES-BAINS: A brilliant light, moving from South-East to North-East, lasted about 4 seconds. Its color changed from metallic bright, to red, then blue, green, and yellow before extinguishing.
• September 20, 2005, LONGWY: A luminous point was observed in the sky, appearing to be a satellite, but it grew larger as the observer approached, indicating proximity.
• October 2, 2005, COL DE VENCE: Two balls of light appeared simultaneously in the sky with an intensity superior to that of the brightest stars.
• October 26, 2005, PHALEMPIN: A large green ball was seen falling from the sky.
• October 27, 2005, MARNOZ: An object, initially thought to be a landing airliner, was observed. It had no wings, made no noise, and was described as a giant gray tube, approximately 30 meters long and 3 meters in diameter.
• November 7, 2005, ORSAY: A large luminous trail appeared in the sky, lasting about ten minutes, then disappeared and reappeared in the north, remaining visible for two hours. This phenomenon had occurred previously.
• November 10, 2005, BREZOLLES and DREUX: An object resembling a large fireball was observed around 1:30 AM.
• October 31, 2005, MULHOUSE: An object resembling a landing airliner was observed. It was stationary about a hundred meters above the highway, showing three round white lights in a triangle and a smaller red light in the center.
• November 8, 2005, LIXHAUSEN: A cylindrical object with a large projector at the front and four other lights that lit up successively along its body was observed.
• November 26, 2005, Between STRASBOURG and SELESTAT: A spherical light, impressive in size (much larger than an airplane light), moved from west to east at a rapid speed before stabilizing.
• December 22, 2005, DIGNE-LES-BAINS: An object, initially thought to be a comet, was observed to be destroying itself in the atmosphere. It was large and in free fall.

SPICA Association Activities

The magazine also details the activities of the SPICA association. Gilbert Schildknecht is highlighted for his involvement and efforts to form a new team under SPICA Champagne. An exhibition on ufology was organized in conjunction with OVNI Marne. The association emphasizes respecting diverse passions and conducting scientific, objective research, free from dogmatism.

Visit to the Cité de l'Espace

Jamila Krimi recounts a visit to the Cité de l'Espace in Toulouse on September 14, 2005. The visit included exploring exhibits on the cosmos, observing Earth, understanding astronaut life, and learning about Mars missions. The report mentions exhibits on Ariane 5 launches, satellites, and temporary exhibitions like Mission Biospace, aimed at detecting extraterrestrial life. The visitor highlights the control room of Kourou, the Mir Space Station, and the opportunity to sit in a Soyuz spacecraft replica. The Cité also features new 3D projection rooms, a planetarium, and a "square of little astronauts" for children.

How to Get Involved with SPICA

The final page outlines how individuals can support SPICA. This includes sending articles, donating books or videos, reporting unusual phenomena, connecting the association with witnesses, or providing financial support through donations or purchasing merchandise.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the reporting and investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena with a commitment to scientific rigor. SPICA positions itself as an organization that values objective analysis over sensationalism or mystical interpretations. The magazine aims to provide a credible platform for UFO/UAP reports and encourage further research in the field.