UFO Quebec - No 06 - 1976

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO-QUEBEC, number 6, from the second trimester of 1976, is a quarterly magazine focused on information and research concerning Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The cover features the title prominently, along with the price of $1.00 and the headline "INFORMATIONS RECHERCHES". The issue includes illustrations of flying saucers and a rural scene. The magazine is published by the UFO-QUEBEC association, a non-profit organization.

Editorial

The editorial, written by Claude Mac Duff, addresses the magazine's focus on ufological research, distinguishing it from purely occult or parapsychological phenomena. It mentions the postponement of the second part of Jeff Holt's article on humanoids due to space limitations. The editorial highlights the "Enquêtes au Québec" section, featuring detailed UFO and humanoid observations from the region, specifically mentioning cases from La Tuque investigated by Philippe Blaquière and Marc Leduc. It also points to Marc Leduc's detailed account of the Ile de la Trinité case, known for its photographic evidence. Wido Hoville contributes an analysis of UFOs shaped like barrels and simultaneous humanoid sightings, referencing a 1962 Montreal observation. Robert Sapienza discusses the growing acceptance of UFOs in professional circles, including aviation. The editorial also touches upon the expansion of the UFO-QUEBEC network and the establishment of correspondents across Quebec. Finally, it announces the upcoming marriage of the director and wishes readers a good summer.

Table of Contents

The table of contents lists various articles and sections:

• EDITORIAL by Claude Mac Duff (Page 3)
• ENQUETES AU QUEBEC:
• LES OBSERVATIONS DE LA TUQUE by Philippe Blaquière (Page 4)
• A TRAVERS LE CANADA (Page 6)
• LE CAS DE L'ILE DE LA TRINITE by Marc Leduc (Page 8)
• DOSSIER UFO-QUEBEC:
• LES UFOS EN BARIL by Wido Hoville (Page 12)
• LA VAGUE DE 1973-74 EN FRANCE by Jean Bastide (Page 16)
• UFOS ET CHEVEUX D'ANGES by Jeff Holt (Page 19)
• UFOS ET PARAPSYCHOLOGIE by Wido Hoville (Page 20)
• EN BREF by Robert Sapienza (Page 21)
• CARNETS MONDAINS by Claude Mac Duff (Page 22)
• INFORMATIONS: RESEAU UFO-QUEBEC by Wido Hoville (Page 23)

The issue also lists contributors, layout artists, translators, and those involved in distribution and photographic reproductions.

Contact Information and Subscriptions

Contact details for UFO-QUEBEC investigators in various regions of Quebec are provided, including Marc Leduc, Philippe Blaquière, Monique Benoit, and Wido Hoville. Readers are encouraged to become local correspondents. Subscription information is given, with regular subscriptions costing $4.00 for 4 issues (1 year), and a support subscription also at $4.00. European subscribers need to add $1.00 for airmail service. Single issues cost $1.00. Cheques should be made payable to UFO-QUEBEC or postal money orders. A change of address for subscriptions is announced: UFO-QUEBEC/ABONNEMENTS, 361 Le Corbusier, Beloeil, Quebec, Canada. General correspondence should still be sent to the previous address.

Key Articles and Reports

Les Observations de La Tuque

This section, investigated by Philippe Blaquière, details UFO sightings in the La Tuque region of Quebec, described as a frequent site for unusual phenomena due to its numerous hydroelectric plants and high-tension lines. The report includes two specific cases:

1. October 28, 1970: A witness in La Tuque reported seeing a large, silent, luminous object hovering about 50 feet above a neighbor's house, estimated to be around 300 feet high. The object was described as having a dome and emitting dazzling, zig-zagging lights, with red and green blinking lights at its extremities. The witness, along with three children, observed the object descend and then move away. The object was described as being of considerable dimension and emitting a light that made it seem like it was being photographed.
2. November 4-5, 1975: This report, investigated by Marc Leduc and Philippe Blaquière, describes an incident involving a witness who, upon returning home late at night, noticed his dogs were agitated. He then observed a large, white, fluorescent, pulsating sphere approaching rapidly. The object stopped stationary above a hedge, about 50 meters away and 3 meters above the ground. It then moved to hover over a quarry. The sphere pulsed and appeared to rotate. A thick darkness enveloped the area, accompanied by strong winds and a phenomenon of sparks and white fire moving in a contained space. The event lasted about fifteen minutes. Police were called but found nothing unusual. Later, two black columns were seen descending from the sky behind the house. The report notes that two police officers who witnessed the event refused to provide details.

Additional observations from the La Tuque region include a red-orange sphere seen at dawn and a stationary, smaller-than-normal moon-like object observed by four witnesses.

A Travers le Canada

This section compiles UFO reports from various Canadian locations:

• Harriston, Ontario (December 22, 1975): The Ontario Provincial Police received multiple reports of flashing red, green, and white lights seen in the sky, described as two unidentified objects moving northwest. Several people witnessed the lights, which reportedly made no sound.
• Brantford, Ontario (January 12, 1976): A city employee operating a snowplow reported seeing a low-flying, unidentified object described as a bright, spinning, rocket-like object that hovered over a field. The object had a brilliant violet light underneath, casting a pinkish glow on the snow. The incident lasted three minutes, and the object ascended into the clouds without sound. A police officer in the area had also reportedly seen something similar a week prior.
• North Bay, Ontario (January 7, 1976): Dave Stewart and two friends reported seeing three extremely bright, silent globes hovering overhead while on a snowmobile trip. Stewart described the object as having a diameter of about 6 meters and moving towards a landfill without making any noise. He stated he could have touched it if he had stood up. The three globes were so bright they were dazzling.

Le Cas de l'Ile de la Trinité

This in-depth article by Marc Leduc details the famous UFO case on Trinidad Island, a small island in the South Atlantic, approximately 1,200 km off the coast of Brazil. The island served as a strategic point during World War II and later became an oceanographic and meteorological station maintained by the Brazilian Navy.

The prelude to the main events involved unusual observations starting in November 1957, with UFOs reportedly causing disturbances to electrical installations and passing ships. Radar echoes accompanied some of these sightings.

Key events described include:

• Late November 1957: An operator-radio reported reception problems with a weather balloon transmitter. The commander, M. Carlos A. Bacellar, ordered an investigation, and a technician described an ovoid, silver object near the balloon. Several people observed this object for about three hours.
• December 25, 1957: A station worker reported seeing a brilliant, silver sphere.
• December 31, 1957: Eight witnesses, including military personnel and a doctor, observed a round, silver object, appearing as large as the moon, passing at an altitude of approximately 1,800 meters.
• January 1, 1958: The entire garrison of the island witnessed an object that modified its trajectory by 90 degrees.
• January 2, 1958: The crew of the ship "Triunfo" reported a spherical object moving at high speed, surrounded by an orange halo. The object performed extraordinary acrobatics for about ten minutes.

A FIRST PHOTO: Around January 10, 1958, a photo was taken of a flattened spherical object with a dark ring, illuminated by a polished metal-like brilliance. It moved at low altitude, exhibiting rotational movement and a greenish glow that varied with speed. It was described as a Saturn-type saucer.

4 WORLD-RENOWNED PHOTOS: On January 16, 1958, the photographer Almiro Barauna, aboard the ship "Almirante Saldanha", captured several photos of a Saturn-shaped UFO. The object, described as a flattened sphere with an ring, was metallic and emitted a phosphorescent, greenish light. It made several stops and exhibited unusual movements. The ship's electrical equipment ceased functioning during the sighting. Barauna took six photos, four of which were considered good. The object's dimensions were estimated at 8 meters high and approximately 40 meters in diameter, with a speed of nearly 1,000 km/h. These photos were later analyzed by various specialists and were deemed authentic.

The article concludes by mentioning that the case generated significant attention from military, scientific, and civilian groups worldwide, despite some attempts to dismiss it as a collective hoax.

Other Sections

• UFOS ET CHEVEUX D'ANGES: This article by Jeff Holt discusses UFOs and angel hair.
• UFOS ET PARAPSYCHOLOGIE: Wido Hoville explores the connection between UFOs and parapsychology.
• EN BREF: Robert Sapienza provides brief news items.
• CARNETS MONDAINS: Claude Mac Duff offers miscellaneous notes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes a research-oriented approach to ufology, distinguishing it from purely speculative or paranormal interpretations. There is a strong focus on collecting and analyzing detailed reports, witness testimonies, and photographic evidence. The publication aims to document UFO phenomena as they occur in Quebec and Canada, while also covering significant international cases like Trinidad Island. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to report their observations and contribute to the collective understanding of UFOs. The magazine also highlights the efforts of its investigators and the growing network of correspondents.

This issue of UFO QUEBEC, dated 1977, focuses on the enigmatic phenomenon of UFOs and 'Angel Hair,' with contributions from Jeff Holt and Jean Bastide, and investigations by Wido Hoville. The magazine delves into specific sightings, scientific analysis, and the ongoing debate between physical and parapsychological explanations for UFO encounters.

UFOS ET CHEVEUX D'ANGES by Jeff Holt

Jeff Holt's article explores the physical traces left by UFOs, with a particular focus on 'Angel Hair,' a fibrous substance observed after UFO passages. These traces, such as burnt ground, crushed vegetation, and broken branches, are presented as definitive evidence of extraterrestrial visits. 'Angel Hair' is described as silky, low-density, and rapidly disintegrating upon contact with the ground. It has been found covering trees, fields, and vehicles, sometimes in lengths exceeding 40 feet.

Biologists and chemists have analyzed this substance, ruling out animal origins like spider silk. Analysis in California in 1958 and spectroscopy in Victoria, Australia, in 1953 revealed its composition to be boron, silica, magnesium, and calcium, resembling borosilicate glass. A notable incident in Florence, Italy, in 1954, saw 10,000 spectators witness the precipitation of 'Angel Hair' after two UFOs passed overhead.

Holt distinguishes 'Angel Hair' from spider silk, noting its unique characteristic of sublimation and disappearance without leaving a liquid residue, similar to dry ice (solid carbon dioxide). While generally considered harmless, some witnesses have reported nausea and itching after contact. The article also touches upon Lieutenant Plantier's theory that UFOs create a force field that ionizes atmospheric gases, producing 'Angel Hair' through chemical reactions. However, Holt finds this explanation unsatisfactory as the substance's components are not atmospheric.

The article concludes that while 'Angel Hair' remains a mystery, further analysis of specimens may bring science closer to understanding UFOs. The issue includes a bibliography of relevant sources and an errata note regarding a previous article.

LA VAGUE DE 1973-74 EN FRANCE by Jean Bastide

Jean Bastide presents a statistical study of UFO sightings in France during the period of December 1973 to March 1974. He analyzed 183 confirmed cases, drawing from French and international UFO publications. Bastide's research aims to differentiate between conventional explanations and genuine UFO phenomena.

His study highlights the temporal distribution of sightings, with a significant increase observed during nighttime, especially after sunset. The data suggests a correlation between UFO activity and periods of low light intensity, leading to the hypotheses that UFOs are real physical phenomena and are luminous in themselves.

Bastide's analysis includes several key findings:

• Influence of the Sun: The majority of sightings (88%) occur at night.
• Influence of the Moon: While 43.4% of sightings occur around the New Moon (P.L.) and 49.6% around the Full Moon (N.L.), the temporal distribution shows a higher percentage of cases during nights without moonlight (52.8%) compared to nights with moonlight (35.2%).
• Nocturnal Distribution: Of the total nocturnal sightings, 40% occur with the moon present, and 52.4% occur during moonless nights.

The article includes graphs illustrating the hourly distribution of UFO sightings, showing a peak activity around 9 PM to 10 PM, with a secondary peak later in the night. This pattern, observed in French data, is noted to be consistent with global UFO activity patterns found in Russian, American, and Canadian studies, suggesting a constant in the phenomenon itself or in observer behavior.

Bastide's conclusions suggest that the increased number of UFO sightings during periods of low light indicates a real, physical phenomenon that is luminous. He posits that this effect is incontestable and likely to be discovered worldwide, pointing to a spatio-temporal and astronomical nature of the phenomenon.

The issue also features a comparative graph of Quebec UFO cases over 15 years, showing a similar nocturnal distribution pattern.

UFOS ET PARAPSYCHOLOGIE by Wido Hoville

Wido Hoville discusses the growing trend in ufology to interpret UFO phenomena through a parapsychological lens. He notes that many recent books and publications by ufologists lean towards explaining UFOs as manifestations of the paranormal, potentially discrediting the physical and extraterrestrial hypothesis.

Hoville argues that at a time when science is actively exploring space and accepting the possibility of extraterrestrial life, the focus on parapsychology risks diverting attention from the 'astronautic' aspect of UFOs. He suggests that this shift could lead the public and scientific community to view UFOs as purely paranormal, rather than as a potential technological phenomenon.

He emphasizes the importance of scientific methodology in UFO research, advocating for the use of technical detection methods like radar, ultrasonics, and photography on a global scale. Hoville believes that while some observations may seem strange, advanced technology can often appear magical. He questions the ease with which some authors dismiss cases that do not fit the paranormal hypothesis.

Hoville posits that the parapsychological interpretation might be an overly simplistic explanation, and that the true nature of UFOs remains unknown. He raises the possibility that 'telepathic' messages or feelings of being observed could be related to special wave transmissions affecting the brain. He also suggests that the apparent absurdity of UFO phenomena might indicate a deliberate attempt by UFO occupants or certain government agencies to deceive people and create confusion.

He concludes by urging ufologists to remain grounded in scientific investigation and to avoid jumping to parapsychological conclusions. He stresses that it is wiser to admit the current lack of definitive answers and to continue rigorous scientific work to unravel the mystery of UFOs.

Other Articles and Features

• Case Studies: The magazine presents several detailed UFO case studies, including:
• A Brazilian case from 1958 where authorities certified sightings as authentic.
• An observation in Montreal, Canada, on May 31, 1962, of a barrel-shaped UFO with two humanoids.
• An encounter in Cennina, Italy, on November 1, 1954, involving Rosa Lotti and two child-sized beings.
• A sighting in Canterbury, New Hampshire, USA, on May 13, 1972, by four young boys.
• Bibliography: A list of cited sources, including books and UFO journals.
• Errata: A correction to a previous article regarding bolides and the disintegration of 'Angel Hair'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the physical evidence of UFOs (particularly 'Angel Hair'), the statistical analysis of sighting patterns (time of day, lunar influence), and the ongoing debate between scientific/physical explanations and parapsychological interpretations. The editorial stance, particularly from Wido Hoville, strongly advocates for rigorous scientific investigation and caution against premature parapsychological conclusions, emphasizing that the true nature of UFOs remains an unsolved mystery.