UFO Quebec - No 20 - avril 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-QUEBEC
Issue: Numero 20
Date: April 1980
Price: $1.00
Content Focus: Information and Research on Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).

Editorial

The editorial, written by Claude Mac Duff, introduces the 20th issue of UFO-Quebec, noting an increase in pages and content variety to provide readers with more material. It highlights the diverse reports included in this issue, such as a 'Night Light' case, a triangular UFO sighting, and another case with some uncertainty but notable strangeness. The editorial also touches upon the importance of verifying UFO reports and considering natural explanations, referencing Marc Leduc's investigative approach. A significant portion of the editorial is dedicated to the ongoing 'orthoteny' study by Jean Vézina and Marc Leduc, emphasizing its objective and scientific methodology, and suggesting it could serve as a model for European researchers. The editorial notes a reported increase in UFO observations in Quebec during February and March 1980, with UFO-Quebec investigators actively pursuing these cases. It encourages readers who witness UFO phenomena to contact the organization for thorough investigations. The editorial concludes by thanking readers and subscribers for their continued support, which enables the growth of the UFO-Quebec Corporation, and invites feedback and suggestions.

Featured Articles and Cases

Enquêtes au Québec (Investigations in Quebec)

This section presents several detailed case studies:

• Quebec, October 18, 1975: Reported by Gloria Boulard and investigated by Marc Leduc. The witness, returning from Quebec City, observed an object from a bus. The object was described as elongated with tapered ends, resembling a saucer seen edge-on, with a powerful forward headlight and a red rear light. It exhibited four distinct movements: horizontal, upward, and two more horizontal advances, all at uniform speed. The observation lasted 12-15 minutes, with the object at an altitude of about 300 meters (cloud level). The witness found the object's shape, flight capability, altitude, and maneuverability highly unconventional. The case is classified as 'Night Lights' with a fidelity score of 4.

• Marieville, November 3, 1978: Reported by Philippe Blaquiere. Four witnesses, government employees, observed a dark green, opaque, triangular object on the Eastern Townships highway. The object, comparable in size to a small Cessna, maintained a horizontal position and moved at the same speed as the bus (approx. 100 km/h). It had three barely perceptible openings at the rear and no lights or sound. After three minutes, the object accelerated suddenly and disappeared within ten seconds. An airplane patrol passed the same location shortly after, confirming the distinction between the two. The witnesses experienced a sensation of euphoria during the observation. This is noted as the fourth triangular UFO report in the sector that year.

• A Close Encounter in a Bedroom: Reported by Christian Lemay. This case details an event that occurred at 3:20 AM on a night in June 1973. The witness, Claude (pseudonym), and his wife Louise (pseudonym) were awakened by a soft, engine-like purring sound. Louise saw a greenish mist enter their bedroom and deposit near the door, where a humanoid form was discerned. Claude investigated but found no one. The couple requested anonymity for the location. The account emphasizes the clarity of vision despite the darkness, attributed to moonlight.

Aberrantes Méprises (Erroneous Misidentifications)

This article, by Marc Leduc, discusses how not all UFO observation reports are authentic, highlighting the need for thorough investigation and consideration of natural explanations. The case presented is the one involving the bus driver's movements, where the driver seemed distracted by an object outside the windshield.

Application de l'Orthoténie aux Observations du Québec (Application of Orthoteny to Quebec Observations) (Part 2)

This article by Jean Vezina and Marc Leduc continues their discussion on the orthoteny study. It suggests that this scientific approach provides concrete results and could serve as a model for new research in the field, even for European researchers.

Publication Information and Subscriptions

• ISSN: 0317 – 9311
• Legal Deposit: Bibliothèque Nationale du Québec and Bibliothèque Nationale du Canada.
• Subscription Rates: Regular: $6 for 6 issues; Support: $10 for 6 issues. International shipping extra ($1 by boat, $2 by air).
• Address for Subscriptions: UFO-QUEBEC, 361 Le Corbusier, Beloeil, Quebec, Canada, J3G 3N8.
• Single Issue Price: $1.00.
• Correspondence Address: UFO-QUEBEC, P.O. Box 53, Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec, Canada, H9G 2H5.
• Exchange Program: UFO-Quebec is available for exchange with other publications.
• Disclaimer: Collaborators are responsible for their writings, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editorial staff or the corporation.

Back Matter

• Back Issues: Copies of issues 11, 15, 16, and 17 are available for $1.00 each.
• Subscription Renewal Information: A new computer system is used for mailing. The last issue of a subscription is indicated by a number on the mailing label (e.g., '20' means the subscription ends with that issue).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO-Quebec strongly emphasizes rigorous investigation of UFO phenomena, distinguishing between authentic sightings and misidentifications. The magazine promotes a scientific approach, exemplified by the 'orthoteny' study, and encourages detailed reporting from witnesses. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, seeking to document and analyze UFO events in Quebec while maintaining a critical perspective. There is a clear effort to engage the readership and foster a community of researchers and witnesses. The recurring theme is the ongoing exploration of unexplained aerial phenomena within the specific context of Quebec.

This issue of UFO-QUEBEC, Volume 3, Issue 17, dated May 1979, published by UFO-QUEBEC, focuses on the analysis of UFO reports and the application of orthoteny. The cover headline is "INFORMATIONS," and it features a map of the Montreal region with orthotenic lines. The magazine includes articles by Marc Leduc and Jean Vezina, with a special mention of a book by Claude Mac Duff.

Article: Aberrantes Méprises (Aberrant Misidentifications) by Marc Leduc

This article by Marc Leduc discusses the common issue of misidentified phenomena within UFO reports. Leduc notes that a significant proportion of reported UFO sightings can be explained by conventional means, with estimates of truly inexplicable cases ranging from 2% to 80%. He emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and selection of cases.

Case Study: Saskatchewan Sighting (August 6, 1978)

Leduc presents a detailed account of a witness in Saskatchewan who reported seeing two blueish objects, described as 'bonshommes' (little men) linked by the elbow, while driving his camping truck near Maymont. The objects appeared to move in sync with his vehicle. The witness took several photos. Upon closer analysis of the photographs, particularly when inverted, the 'bonshommes' were identified as electrical wires suspended over the river. The analysis suggests that the witness's perception of movement was influenced by the landscape and his own state of excitement and disorientation. The article concludes that this was an 'aberrant méprise' (aberrant misidentification).

Analysis of the Saskatchewan Case

The analysis reconstructs the scene using the witness's descriptions and the photographs. The witness initially estimated the objects to be floating a few decimeters above the water, but the analysis, involving the witness, a dentist, and the author, concluded they were at an altitude of about 3 meters. The apparent movement was attributed to the witness's own motion and the perspective of the background landscape. The 'bonshommes' were ultimately identified as four electrical wires converging and diverging, forming a single object with spherical ends, likely for insulation.

Article: Une Analyse des Rapports d'Observations d'OVNI (An Analysis of UFO Observation Reports) - Application de l'Orthoténie aux observations du Québec (Application of Orthoteny to Quebec Observations) by Jean Vezina and Marc Leduc

This second article by Vezina and Leduc details the analytical methods used for studying alignments in UFO reports, specifically applying the concept of 'orthoteny' to observations in Quebec. They explain that a simple 'straight line' is insufficient for scientific analysis and adopt Aimé Michel's definition of an orthotenic line as an arc of a great terrestrial circle.

Defining a Valid Approach to Alignments

The authors introduce the concept of a 'Grand Cercle' (Great Circle) or 'ligne orthodromique' (orthodromic line), defined as a circle on the Earth's surface whose plane passes through the Earth's center, representing the shortest distance between two points. They provide the general equation for a Great Circle using spherical trigonometry, involving parameters like latitude, longitude, and inclination.

Technical Approach

They discuss the challenges of using only two points to define a Great Circle, especially when dealing with a large number of points in orthoteny analysis. The errors in localization, estimated at 1 to 3 km, are attributed to insufficient topographical data in reports or difficulties in estimating the distance of the UFO from the witness. To overcome this, they propose using the method of least squares to find the Great Circle that best fits the observed points. This method leads to a system of equations that, when solved, yields the parameters of the best-adapted Great Circle.

Evaluating the Influence of Chance

The second stage of orthotenic analysis involves quantifying the influence of chance. The authors pose the question of how many alignments of 'n' points with a margin of error 'e' would be expected to occur randomly on a surface 'S' given 'N' points. They present a formula (M = N! / ((N-n)!n!) * (S/e)^(n-2)) to calculate the average number of random alignments. They emphasize that the number of alignments generated by pure chance can be significant, making statistical verification essential. They illustrate this with an example of 40 randomly placed points on a 100,000 km² surface, predicting a considerable number of chance alignments.

Surface of Dispersion Associated with Observations

The final step is to establish a reference surface for calculations. Based on existing analyses and the distribution of cases in Quebec, they define a reference area of 360,000 km² where UFO phenomena are theoretically likely to be observed. They note that if this surface proves unrepresentative, corrective methods will be employed.

Case: Louise's Sighting

On page 11, a detailed account is given of a sighting by a woman named Louise. She reports being awakened by a sound and then seeing a greenish vapor enter her window and settle behind a half-open door. Within this mist, she perceived a human-like entity, about four feet tall, wearing a diving suit. She described it as emitting green light rays and floating. Her husband, Claude, did not see the entity but reported an unusual ambient bluish light. Louise experienced severe headaches following the sighting, which were unexplained by her gynecologist. She later began dreaming about extraterrestrials.

Book Announcement: La Mission Fantastique by Claude Mac Duff

On page 19, there is an announcement for a book titled "La Mission Fantastique" by Claude Mac Duff, to be published by Editions Quebecor in May 1986. The book is described as a 'shocking book' covering current events like global violence, international terrorism, political tensions between the USA and USSR, and a puzzling historical enigma.

Membership Information

Page 19 also includes a reminder about membership in the UFO-QUEBEC Corporation. It outlines the process for becoming a member-adherent, which includes filling out an application form, a information sheet, and paying an annual fee of $12.00, which covers a subscription to the UFO-QUEBEC bulletin. The corporation aims to be more than just a social club.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical analysis of UFO reports, the importance of distinguishing between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentifications, and the application of scientific and mathematical methods (like orthoteny) to study UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous investigation and a skeptical but open-minded approach to the UFO phenomenon, emphasizing the need for evidence and careful analysis rather than pre-conceived beliefs. The article on misidentifications strongly suggests that many reported cases have mundane explanations, while acknowledging that a small percentage may remain unexplained.