UFO Informations Flash Association AAMT - No 12

Magazine Overview

Title: FLASH ASSOCIATION
Issue: n° 12
Date: May 10, 1976
Publisher: Publication U.F.O. Informations
Country: France
Language: French

This issue of FLASH ASSOCIATION, published by U.F.O. Informations, focuses on the results of UFO surveillance operations conducted on March 27 and 28, 1976. The publication is associated with the "ASSOCIATION DES AMIS DE MARC THIROUIN" and its regional commissions.

1 - BILAN DES SOIREES DE SURVEILLANCE DES 27 ET 28 MARS 1976

The lead article details the organization and outcomes of a nationwide UFO surveillance effort. The organizers are commended for their efficiency and for securing the participation of local press and radio. The article highlights that despite the "loose structures" of the organization (L.D.L.N.), it proved to be an effective machine, contrasting it with the inefficiency of overly bureaucratic administrations.

• Key organizational aspects praised:
• Success of the organization, with delegates, animators, and responsible individuals contributing to its effectiveness.
• Preparation of surveillance under optimal conditions.
• Local press and radio participation.

• Reporting and Data Collection:
• Clear and precise reports were received promptly by "Resufo" (likely a central reporting body).
• A regional regrouping of these reports was also managed.

• Results (as of April 15, 1976):
• Surveillance was conducted in fifty departments across France.
• Observations were made at 80 points, generating as many distinct reports.
• Over 200 individuals explicitly stated their presence, with estimates suggesting a total of around a thousand participants, including occasional and discreet observers.

• Reported Sightings:
• The overall results were largely negative, with "nothing, or almost nothing" observed.
• Seven reports mentioned observations, primarily of punctual objects or lights with low strangeness indices.
• Observers themselves suggested these could be natural objects they could not identify with certainty, such as aircraft or meteors.

• Specific Incidents Mentioned:
• A pulsating "star" with a complex trajectory was reported in TROUVILLE (14).
• Photos taken during the surveillance yielded no results.
• A detector alert (without visual observation) occurred in BOURGES on March 28 at 03:15.
• Erratic "stars" were seen in the Loiret region (Briare).
• On March 28 at 23:10 near AGEN, a greenish ovoid object, possibly a meteor, was observed.
• On March 27 at 22:15, a "ball" was seen in CAMBO (64), with a question mark indicating uncertainty.
• A detector alert occurred in VILLEURBANNE on March 28 after midnight, with no visual observation.
• Similar observations were reported by non-participants: one in LYON on March 27 around 22:30, and another in PEZENAS on March 28 at 21:30.

Provisional Conclusions

• Analysis of Negative Results:
• The article acknowledges that while the results were meager, they are still significant. The author notes that even negative results are valuable.
• The best possible conditions (good weather, clear nights, numerous serious observers) prevailed, yet the number of observations did not increase.
• This suggests that there is no permanent presence of a phenomenon, whether natural, external, or due to psychological factors.

• Experimental Aspect and Parapsychology:
• The experimental aspect, which involved fostering a favorable mindset for "contact" of a psychic nature, yielded no new insights.
• However, proponents of parapsychological explanations are urged to reflect on these findings.

• Progress in Understanding the Phenomenon:
• Despite the lack of definitive answers, the experience has contributed to the knowledge of the phenomenon, particularly regarding its nature, which remains unknown.

• Modifying Surveillance Strategy:
• It appears the phenomenon only manifests during specific periods, and predictability is lacking.
• Future surveillance should be triggered by periods of increased activity and in regions where UFOs are frequently reported, rather than by fixed dates.
• This decentralized approach, with regional delegates initiating surveillance when activity increases, is deemed more practical than a national-level organization.

• The "X" Encounter Aspect:
• A single evening is insufficient to form a definitive opinion on encounters with "X" (presumed extraterrestrials).
• The notion of "provocation" of the phenomenon should be approached with caution.
• It is suggested that the phenomenon tends to appear when it "wants" and to whom it "wants," often to individuals who are not actively seeking it or expecting it (referred to as "victims").

• Future Directions and Recommendations:
• The existence of well-trained observer networks should encourage continued surveillance of "hot spots" and "hot periods."
• Observers' discipline and kindness allow them to be asked to participate in experiments to verify hypotheses.
• Experiments should be simple and precise, as complicated ones with many parameters yield unexploitable results.
• Honesty requires reporting back to participants on the results and revealing any secret parameters used in experiments.
• Active ufology can be practiced at the group or regional level, but results must be rigorous and subjected to strict criticism.

Michel Monnerie, Head of the RESUFO Section, signs off on these conclusions.

2 - Participation and Results by Region

This section presents a quantitative and qualitative analysis of participation and results from different regions, based on responses received by the Association's headquarters.

• Participation Rate:
• Only 25% of members and subscribers followed the experience or sent back their forms.
• This is considered low, despite significant local press coverage and individual invitations sent 15 days in advance.

• Overall Results:
• The results are described as negative, but as M. Monnerie stated, "a negative result is already a result."

Regional Data Table:

• The table provides a breakdown by region (Drôme, Ardèche, Vaucluse, Rhône, Bouches-du-Rhône, Haute Loire, Belgium) including:
• Number of Participants: Ranging from 1 to 12 per region.
• Dates of Surveillance: March 27 and 28, 1976.
• Average Duration per Participant: Varied by region, from 1h40 to 9 hours.
• Weather Conditions: Generally clear skies, light winds, with some variations.
• Equipment Used: Binoculars, cameras, photo cameras, photo app. devices, radio transmitters, magnetometers, thermistors, walkie-talkies, projectors, lamps, chronometers.
• Identified Phenomena: Mostly "Avions" (aircraft) or "étoiles filantes" (shooting stars), with some "Satellit. météorit." (satellite meteors) and "Etoiles filantes" (shooting stars).
• Unidentified Phenomena: Several regions reported "Néant" (nothing). However, one report from the Drôme mentioned a "rouge" (red) light, estimated at 5-10" in diameter, with a vertical descent, observed by 1 out of 5 witnesses (described as a doubtful observation). Another report mentioned "3 boules lumineuses" (3 luminous balls) of green color with a rectilinear trajectory, lasting 5 seconds, observed by 2 witnesses at 22:30 in Haute Loire.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the analysis of a large-scale, organized UFO surveillance effort. The editorial stance, as reflected in the provisional conclusions, is one of cautious optimism and scientific rigor. While acknowledging the lack of definitive positive sightings, the magazine emphasizes the value of negative results in refining understanding and strategy. There's a clear call for more focused, data-driven research, adapting surveillance to observed patterns of phenomenon appearance, and maintaining honesty and transparency with participants. The publication promotes an active, albeit critical, approach to ufology at the regional level.