UFO Quebec - No 19 - fevrier 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-QUEBEC
Issue: 19
Date: February 1980
Price: $1.00
Publisher: UFO-QUEBEC
Country: Canada
Language: French
ISSN: 0317 - 9311

This issue of UFO-QUEBEC, a bimonthly magazine dedicated to information and research on Unidentified Flying Objects, presents a range of content including an editorial, several case studies of sightings in Quebec, and a detailed scientific investigation into the concept of 'Orthoteny'.

Editorial

The editorial, written by Claude Mac Duff, discusses the ongoing reorganization of the UFO-QUEBEC Corporation. A meeting held in January brought together founding members and initial candidates for investigator roles. This meeting aimed to assess the volunteers' intentions, motivations, and potential areas of expertise. The corporation plans to expand its network of investigators across Quebec to better cover the region and facilitate contact with witnesses. Work groups have been formed to focus on specific areas: bulletin publication, investigations, and UFO phenomenon research. The editorial highlights a presentation by Jean Vézina and Marc Leduc on descriptive orthoteny research, which garnered significant attention. Methodological aspects were discussed, leading to plans for a confidential report, a series of articles in the bulletin, and a subsequent English version.

The editorial also notes the growing network of collaborators and the increasing number of applications, indicating a determination among readers and members to ensure the continuity of the group and its publication. It expresses encouragement for the ongoing efforts and confidence in the future of UFO-QUEBEC. The editorial concludes with New Year's wishes for 1980.

Case Studies

Lac Coudrier

This section, authored by Serge Savard and Marc Leduc, details an observation that occurred on September 1, 1976, near Lac Coudrier. The witness, Jean-Marie Tremblay, a seasoned hunter, was preparing a tree stand with two companions. Around 8:45 PM, under a clear sky, Tremblay observed a star-like object approaching rapidly. It passed overhead, and about ten minutes later, the phenomenon repeated. The object was described as a perfect, whitish, fluorescent ball, approximately the size of a basketball at its apparent altitude of 500 to 700 meters. The trajectory was perfectly straight, with a slight loss of altitude. The object disappeared behind the trees. No sound was heard, and even the usual forest noises seemed absent. Tremblay felt a sense of being observed, suggesting an intelligent presence guiding the object. He noted the luminosity gave the impression of 'a hundred different light sources'. He remained at the site for five weeks, during which a military helicopter passed daily. The evaluation rates the case with 4 points for strangeness and 5 points for fidelity, noting that this type of luminous ball is not uncommon. Tremblay later made his first parachute jump at age 41, considering it potentially related to his observation.

Repentigny

Authored by Marc Leduc, this report details an observation by Sylvie Turcotte, a 23-year-old legal secretary. On a particular evening, Turcotte looked out her window and saw several lights moving slowly behind trees. She described them as being at equal distances, with the same size and luminosity. One object then changed direction, moving in the opposite direction without changing speed. The observation lasted about 10 seconds. The trees involved were about 13 meters high and 60 meters apart, with a 4-meter gap between them. Turcotte estimated the object to be less than 800 meters away and at an altitude of less than 35 meters. The object was described as a yellowish-white disk. The evaluation classifies this as a 'Nocturnal Light' case, assigning it a 3 for strangeness and 3 for fidelity, noting that while not a 'solid case', it is significant enough to be recorded.

Allons-y Voir! (Let's Go See!)

This report by Richard Bastien recounts an event from May 1975. A young woman, a passenger in a moving car on Route 249 N near Lac Montjoie and Mont Saint-Gérard, observed an unidentified object of oval shape. She and the driver saw the object twice within 4-5 minutes under good visibility conditions. The object descended regularly towards a wooded hill and disappeared behind trees. Its apparent size was like a small pea, but its real size was compared to a truck. At one point, it was estimated to be 300 meters above a lake. The object was described as nearly round, distinct, opaque, luminous, and uniformly orange-red, moving at a speed comparable to a fast airplane. Later, it ascended and moved away to the right, disappearing behind trees again. The first observation lasted about 5 seconds while the car was moving. After about 3 minutes, they returned to the location. The object reappeared, ascending above the trees, and was observed for about 30 seconds as it moved slowly to the right. The second observation occurred while the car was stationary. The witness did not recall any stops in the object's movement. The witnesses waited for about 5 minutes after the disappearance.

Application of Orthoteny to Quebec Observations

This section, authored by Jean Vézina and Marc Leduc, presents a research project applying the concept of 'Orthoteny' to UFO observations in Quebec. The research aims to describe and analyze UFO reports using theoretical, methodological, and technical explanations. The approach involves presenting the findings in a series of articles for rapid dissemination to interested researchers, with a more detailed report to follow.

Introduction and Overview

This first article in the series acknowledges the subjective nature of UFO phenomena and the challenges researchers face in objective evaluation. It proposes a rigorous approach involving collecting valid facts, sorting them using sampling methods, and analyzing them for interpretation and generalization. Orthoteny is defined as 'the alignment of observation sites on the same great terrestrial circle'. The researchers believe this offers a potentially objective and quantifiable field of study, as they possess a database of objective data suitable for verification. The research seeks to determine if such lines exist and if they are more frequent than chance would predict.

Operational Definition and Research Objectives

The research provides an operational definition for UFO observation, including longitude, latitude, date, type, strangeness index, and probability index, assuming the reliability of data collection. The primary goal is to confirm or refute a hypothesis about the geographical distribution of UFO observations, currently presumed to be random. The study aims to minimize subjectivity by applying spherical trigonometry, statistics, and probability calculations. Specific objectives include identifying permanent orthotenic alignments, calculating their equations, and statistically testing them against chance, errors, biases, and the possibility of an unknown phenomenon (UFO) being the cause. The research focuses on permanent lines that persist year after year.

Interest and Hypothesis

The research aims to contribute to a better understanding of the UFO phenomenon, potentially revealing a precise organization. If a structure is identified, it would be a valuable scientific contribution and a research tool. Even if the hypothesis is refuted, the exploration itself is considered valuable. Ambiguous results would still help clarify obscure points and guide future research. The article briefly mentions the theory of orthoteny and key figures associated with it.

The central hypothesis is that it is possible to define a geographical surface with arcs of great circles connecting more points than chance would allow, based on apparently disordered samples. The research poses questions about the existence of such lines, their consistency across different samples, and their potential to test explanatory and conceptual models.

Model and Variables

The model proposed for understanding UFO observation lines considers the combined effects of the UFO phenomenon itself, chance, undesirable biases, and errors. The equation is expressed as: 0 = [P] + (H) + {B} + E, where P represents the UFO phenomenon, H is chance, B represents biases, and E represents errors. The research aims to verify the importance of the factors on the right side of this equation.

Variables defined include: latitude and longitude (experimental variables), strangeness and probability indices (used to select cases based on a threshold), type of observation (to establish basic characteristics), and date (to determine the permanence of lines). The study will use a database of over 1,200 cases, creating stratified samples of 200 cases. The sampling method involves tables based on annual rates and classification by Hynek's categories, prioritizing cases with high indices for the initial samples.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the systematic and scientific investigation of UFO phenomena. The magazine, UFO-QUEBEC, positions itself as a platform for disseminating research findings and fostering a deeper understanding of UFO sightings. The editorial stance emphasizes a commitment to rigorous methodology, statistical analysis, and objective evaluation, while acknowledging the inherent challenges and potential subjectivity involved in studying such phenomena. The focus on 'Orthoteny' highlights a desire to uncover underlying patterns and structures in UFO reports, moving beyond anecdotal evidence to a more data-driven approach.

This document, page 11 of a publication, features a communique announcing the release of the book "L'Homme Face à l'Enigme des OVNI" by Réginald Marquis, published by Editions Castelriand Inc. The magazine also includes information about the UFO-QUEBEC organization and its membership drive.

Book Announcement: L'Homme Face à l'Enigme des OVNI

The communique introduces Réginald Marquis as an audio-visual technician and a member of various international organizations focused on the study of UFOs. He is described as a leading specialist in ufology, a field that requires constant discernment between fable and authentic testimony. Marquis has spent over ten years studying the subject and is an official investigator for the French group "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" in Quebec.

About the Book

The book "L'Homme Face à l'Enigme des OVNI" is presented as a passionate historical account of ufology from 1947 to 1977. It addresses key questions such as the existence of official UFO investigation commissions, congresses on the subject, serious ufological groups, hypotheses proposed by researchers, and the opinions of scientists. The author aims to provide precise answers to these inquiries.

The book is characterized as being grounded and well-documented, offering a genuine expert dossier. It is structured into several chapters, detailing the history of ufology through distinct periods:

• 1947-1952: The first official investigations.
• 1953-1956: Sustained interest in the mystery.
• 1957-1963: Development of groups and directives.
• 1964-1966: The path towards the Condon affair.
• 1967-1968: Disturbances and dissensions.
• 1969-1972: Requiem for a false conclusion.
• 1973-1976: Science shows increased interest in UFOs.
• 1977 onwards: Thirty years later.

The book is available in Quebec bookstores for $7.50 or can be ordered directly from Editions Castelriand. The contact address provided is Entreprises Castelriand Inc., C.P. 997, 2 DE LA COUR, RIVIERE-DU-LOUP, QUEBEC, G5R 3Z5. Payments should be made by check or money order only.

UFO-QUEBEC Organization

The second part of the page, from the second scan, pertains to the "RESEAU UFO QUEBEC" (UFO-QUEBEC Network).

Useful Telephone Numbers

Contact numbers are provided for regional representatives:

• Marc Leduc (Montreal and South Shore regions): 653 77 67
• Philippe Blaquiere (Rougemont, St-Hilaire, St-Hyacinthe regions): 467 36 30
• Monique Benoit (Joliette and Berthierville regions): 836 71 90
• Wido Hoville (Montreal and Laurentides regions): 626 91 25

Membership Drive: "Inscription comme membre adhérent de la corporation"

A reminder is issued regarding the announcement made in the supplement to issue number 17, stating that in May 1979, collaborators-investigators, regional collaborators, and interested individuals could participate in the Corporation's activities. The organization emphasizes that participation requires defining one's type of involvement.

UFO-QUEBEC is undergoing a recruitment and selection process, aiming for a more open approach than before. However, they have established selection criteria to ensure the Corporation is more than just a social club.

To become a member-adherent, individuals must:

1. Obtain the membership application form and return it once completed.
2. Obtain and complete the information sheet if not already done.
3. Send an annual contribution of $12.00 (twelve dollars) to cover:
* Subscription to the bimonthly bulletin UFO-QUEBEC.
* Membership contribution. The Corporation commits to refunding this amount if the application is not accepted.
4. Upon acceptance, members will receive a membership card, which they are asked to use consciously and in the spirit of the Corporation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue focuses on the promotion of a new book on ufology and the active recruitment for the UFO-QUEBEC organization. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the description of Marquis' book as a well-documented expert dossier and UFO-QUEBEC's stated goal of being more than a social club, emphasizing selection criteria for its members. The content promotes ufology as a field of study requiring rigorous investigation and discernment.