Ufologia - No 08 - Avril-Mai-Juin 1977

Magazine Overview

Title: UFOLOGIA
Issue: N°8
Date: April-May-June 1977
Publisher: Cercle Français de Recherches Ufologiques (CFRU)
Country: France
Language: French

Editorial Stance and Content

This issue of UFOLOGIA, number 8, published quarterly by the Cercle Français de Recherches Ufologiques (CFRU), presents itself as a documentary and informational review dedicated to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and related questions. The editorial emphasizes the magazine's independence, relying solely on subscriber support and the work of its editorial team and collaborators. It calls for action to support the publication, highlighting its essential role in providing objective information to the public, with all contributors working on a voluntary basis.

The magazine aims to provide comprehensive information from an international network of correspondent-investigators. Its content includes detailed investigations of UFO landings and sightings, theoretical hypotheses on the phenomenon, the development of a general UFO case catalog, articles on paranormal phenomena (particularly the link with PSI), and informative summaries on astronautics, astronomy, archaeology, exobiology, lost civilizations, and general curiosities. It also provides bibliographic references for further reading.

Key Articles and Reports

Gran Canaria Incident

A spectacular incident is reported from Gran Canaria on June 25, 1976, where approximately 70 people allegedly witnessed a "flying saucer" landing. Direct witnesses, including a doctor, described observing an object with important-sized beings inside. A taxi driver reported a grayish ball that disappeared behind a hill, revealing the object in a field, surrounded by a luminous halo and creatures. An astronomer from the Izana observatory also observed two flying bodies resembling comets. The object reportedly took off silently after 20 minutes, leaving behind traces of black burns on an onion field, with plants "laminated" and a white powder covering the area. The report notes that TV broadcasts were disturbed during the presence of the object, and the Spanish government ordered an investigation.

German Incidents

Several incidents from Germany are detailed:

• Bremen (June 27, 1976): About twenty inhabitants reported a UFO above the city. An airport agent observed the phenomenon at an altitude of 50 meters, unable to provide a rational explanation.
• Oberursel (February 23, 1977): A loud noise, comparable to an explosion, was heard. A solid object perforated the roof and wall of a house, leaving a hole of about 50 cm. A piece of metal found was identified by police as a brake part, but a Lufthansa technician stated it was not from an airplane, raising questions about the object's origin.

Alpine Chasseurs and UFOs

An unusual event involving alpine chasseurs stationed at Barcelonnette (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) is reported. On December 7-8, 1976, two sergeants-chefs observed a luminous object descending at high speed. The following night, they and two others reportedly saw a spinning top-shaped object with a non-blinding spotlight that remained stationary before disappearing at high speed. Their report and sketches were sent to the gendarmerie in Paris.

Listening to Extraterrestrials

An article discusses a NASA program to listen for extraterrestrial messages, scheduled to begin in the autumn of 1978 for five years. A specialist, Bob Edelson, stated that receiving messages would prove the existence of another evolved civilization. He also noted the danger posed by individuals who exploit people's mystical needs, discrediting serious ufological research.

UFO in the Haut-Rhin Region

A possible UFO sighting in the Haut-Rhin region is reported, based on witness testimonies. A couple from Sainte-Croix-en-Plaine reported seeing three lights resembling headlights, with two smaller red lights below, moving in a horizontal sway above the trees. Another resident of Mulhouse also reported a similar observation. The report notes that animals can sometimes be disturbed by unusual presences, and the description of the lights matches classic UFO types.

Merlebach Sightings

An inhabitant of Merlebach, M. Osinski, a photographer, reported observing a strange phenomenon on two occasions: July 1st and July 8, 1976. He described an oval-shaped, illuminated object moving at a distance of 300-350 meters, with a strong white light and a shape at the rear resembling the beginning of a helicopter tail, but completely silent. On the second occasion, the object was observed at a higher altitude, with flashing lights, leading him to consider it might be a helicopter, but its silence remained puzzling.

Plogonnec Sighting

In Plogonnec, a witness observed a curious object high in the sky, described as a green blinking light that moved abruptly, diving, ascending, and moving laterally.

Drôme Sighting

A couple in Valence (Drôme) reported seeing a large star-like object that grew behind their car. Later, they observed a large, oval, and immobile luminous object, approximately 400 meters above a field, surrounded by a white halo. The object ascended at a 45-degree angle and disappeared at high speed. The witnesses suffered eye discomfort for 48 hours afterward, and the witness's watch stopped functioning.

Château-Salins Sighting

An inhabitant of Lezey, near Château-Salins, reported seeing an unidentified flying object between 10:00 PM and 11:15 PM. The object was described as semi-spherical, the size of a star, emitting red, green, and yellow lights, and moving slowly in the sky.

Villeneuve d'Amer Sighting

Three people in Villeneuve d'Amer (Haut-Loire) observed a sphere the size of a handball, emitting an intense light, moving silently and without smoke across the sky at a low speed and at an altitude of 150 meters.

Indonesian UFO Department

Indonesia has decided to create a UFO department within its national aerospace institute to cooperate with research centers in the United States, Brazil, France, and Great Britain. The tradition in Indonesia holds that flying saucers have been sighted since 1890, often explained in folklore as vehicles of the sea goddess.

Scientific Notes

• "Light Fatigue" Theory: An article discusses a hypothesis by French astrophysicists Jean-Claude Pecker and Jean-Pierre Vigier suggesting that light loses energy during its long journey through space, potentially challenging the theory of the universe's expansion. This "fatigue" is attributed to collisions between photons and hypothetical particles.
• Einstein's Theory Confirmed: The Viking probes on Mars have reportedly confirmed Einstein's theory of relativity. Signals sent to the probes were slightly delayed due to the Sun's gravitational influence, matching predictions made by Einstein's theory.
• Water Vapor on M39 Nebula: Water vapor has been detected in the spiral nebula "M 39," located 2.2 million light-years away. This discovery strengthens the hypothesis that physical conditions similar to Earth's may exist in other galaxies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFOLOGIA strongly emphasizes the independent and documentary nature of its reporting on UFO phenomena. It highlights the importance of objective information and the voluntary contributions of its readers and collaborators. The magazine appears to be a platform for sharing diverse UFO sighting reports from around the world, alongside discussions of related scientific and paranormal topics. There is a clear stance against sensationalism and a call for serious, objective research into the UFO phenomenon. The editorial also expresses concern about individuals or groups who exploit people's beliefs for personal gain, thereby discrediting genuine ufological inquiry. The magazine positions itself as a crucial resource for those seeking to understand the complexities of UFOs and their potential implications.

This issue of UFOLOGIA, dated 1976-1977, is primarily in French and focuses on unexplained phenomena, UFO sightings, and related topics. It features several reports of alleged UFO encounters, archaeological findings, and discussions on the nature of consciousness and potential extraterrestrial contact.

UFO Sightings and Incidents

Chateau-Salins, France An employee of the PTT (Post, Telegraph, and Telephone) service in Chateau-Salins (Moselle) reported observing a circular, orange, luminous UFO on a clear night in March 1976. The object moved slowly, in stages, without emitting any noise or flashing lights, at an estimated altitude of 300 meters, heading from Northwest to Southeast. The witness observed it for about a kilometer from his home to the train station and continued to see it from the train for about ten minutes. A few days later, a farmer in the nearby village of Arracourt reported seeing a similar flying object at the same time and day, confirming the sighting.

Thionville, France On October 17, 1975, around 4:30 PM, Mme. Billon and her daughter Marie-Claire witnessed a UFO above Thionville (57). They described it as a luminous, reddish ball with violet reflections on its lower part. A smaller red ball descended from the main object, which then immediately 'shrank' to a size no larger than a star. The phenomenon was brief, lasting only a few seconds, and was accompanied by no sound. A smoke-like trail was left behind.

Colmars, France In July 1976, a shepherd named M. Mathias discovered strange marks in the mountain near Colmars les Alpes. These consisted of two deep, parallel furrows, approximately 20 to 25 cm deep and at least 20 meters long, which stopped abruptly. The surrounding rocks and pebbles appeared to have been pulverized. The location is inaccessible to vehicles, and even helicopters would struggle to land there. An investigation has been opened by the Gendarmerie of Entrevaus.

Strait of Gibraltar A group of fishermen near Malaga reported seeing an unidentified flying object vertically above the Strait of Gibraltar on September 19, 1976. The object emitted an intense light, comparable to a lighthouse beam. After being briefly obscured by a cloud, 3 to 4 lights detached from the main 'central nucleus' before disappearing.

Portugal The Institute of Geophysics in Porto has recorded unexplained noises, described as detonations or crackling sounds followed by vibrations, alarming coastal populations in northern Portugal for two weeks. These phenomena occur daily between 4:30 and 5:00 AM and are not attributed to seismic or maritime activity, with no atmospheric explanation found.

Saint-Sardos, France A large oak tree in Saint-Sardos (Tarn-et-Garonne) inexplicably split in two after its main branch, 15 to 25 cm in diameter, broke with a loud crack and a whistling sound. This occurred on a windless day with no one present near the tree. The gendarmerie has opened an investigation.

Jemeppe, Belgium In Jemeppe, near Liege, unknown individuals allegedly drank the blood of sheep and a goat, leaving them with knife wounds and human bite marks. Additionally, six chickens were found plucked alive. This incident caused panic in the region.

Bad-Ems, Germany The small town of Bad-Ems has experienced a series of mysterious events involving grave desecration. The head of a corpse was stolen from a repository, following two previous incidents in nearby communes where graves were violated and heads removed.

Moscow, Russia On January 22, 1977, five explosions shook Moscow within an hour, with no official explanation. The report notes the possibility of a link to a previous bombing in the Moscow metro. The following day, January 23, the explosions were attributed to an aerial exercise, with the airport closed for several hours and supersonic aircraft 'bangs' suggested as the cause.

Archaeological and Historical Notes

Sanctuary near Rome Archaeologists discovered a 2700-year-old sanctuary at Gabii, 20 km south of Rome, containing over a thousand bronze figurines, about fifty bronze statues, and thousands of pottery fragments. Gabii was already a city in 753 BC.

Ramapithecus Jawbone A jawbone belonging to Ramapithecus, considered a precursor to humans, was discovered near Ankara, Turkey, and is estimated to be 11 to 15 million years old.

The Great Flood Professor André Capart suggests the Great Flood occurred around 8476 BC (6500 BC). He bases this on observations of planetary-scale phenomena affecting coastal regions, causing a sea-level rise of about 50 meters due to melting polar glaciers. He believes there were multiple 'Noahs' who saved their families and domestic animals, and that the biblical account of Noah's Ark carrying all animals is a mistranslation.

Prehistoric Baby A Neolithic tomb in Stufles, Haut-Adige, containing the remains of a newborn who died between 3000 and 5000 BC, was discovered during excavations. The site also revealed remains from the Iron Age and Roman periods, indicating historical continuity.

Oldest Tools in Japan A 30,000-year-old axe and stone knife, believed to be the oldest of their kind discovered globally, were found in Takatido-Higashi, near Tokyo. The dating was confirmed by carbon-14 analysis of organic elements. The axe was likely used for cutting wood and hunting, while the knife was used for preparing game.

Discussions on UFOs and Contact

Contact with Extraterrestrials The magazine explores the possibility of contact with extraterrestrials, suggesting that it might occur through subtle means, such as telepathic communication or through individuals who serve as mediums. The text emphasizes the importance of an open mind and a 'peasant' or simple spirit as a potential 'door' to contact. It is suggested that extraterrestrials may be observing humanity's evolution and that contact could be initiated by them when humanity reaches a certain level of maturity. The article also posits that certain geographical locations with magnetic properties or geological features might be conducive to communication with space.

Parapsychology and UFOs The article discusses the potential for UFO phenomena to be of a parapsychological nature, suggesting that contact might be purely internal. It highlights the unique advantage of children's minds, being naive, pure, and free from cultural conditioning, making them potentially more receptive to such phenomena. The text also references historical 'religious' apparitions like Fatima, Lourdes, and La Salette as possible examples of contact established with individuals or small groups.

UFOs and Human Consciousness It is argued that extraterrestrials (ETs) may possess a superior understanding of human psychology and the ability to manipulate the human brain. The text references a quote from Francis Schaefer suggesting that ETs might have the ability to temporarily neutralize voluntary motor functions, thus perturbing the brain and potentially suggesting 'images' to witnesses. The article also touches upon the idea that ETs might be influencing human evolution and that their approach is cautious, possibly to avoid overwhelming humanity with a sudden revelation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

UFOLOGIA consistently explores the unexplained, from UFO sightings and mysterious incidents to archaeological anomalies and the philosophical implications of potential extraterrestrial contact. The magazine encourages reader participation through letters and submissions, fostering a community of researchers and enthusiasts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various hypotheses and reports while encouraging critical thinking and further investigation into these phenomena. The recurring themes include the nature of consciousness, the possibility of non-human intelligence, and the interpretation of historical and contemporary events through the lens of ufology.

This issue of CFRU, titled 'objets volants non identifiés (o.v.n.i)', published in late June 1977, delves into various unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, astronautics, archaeology, and parapsychology. The magazine, originating from the G.E.O.C.N.I. group founded in 1966, aims to promote a broad understanding of these subjects.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The issue features several detailed reports on UFO sightings:

Fresnes-les-Montauban Incident (September 13, 1976)

Reported by Philippe FINET, this incident involved three employees of a restaurant near Fresnes-les-Montauban (Pas-de-Calais) who observed a flying object for about fifteen minutes. The object was described as circular and flat, with two headlights emitting a blueish cloud-like substance. It was seen above the Fresnes woods at an altitude of approximately 50 meters and a distance of 300 meters. The observers noted its impressive speed and lack of noise as it departed towards Cambrai-Lens. The article highlights the Artois region's suitability for UFO observations due to its varied terrain.

The author discusses the concept of 'air corridors' used by UFOs, suggesting a precise path that follows the French-Belgian border and connects various cities. This corridor might be used for rapid transit across Europe. The article raises questions about the object's behavior, particularly a possible stop, which seems contradictory to high-speed travel, and speculates on the function of its 'headlights'. The case is left open, emphasizing the need for international collaboration among ufological research groups.

Hyères Sighting (December 8, 1976)

This brief report, attributed to B. POUJADE & A. GALLARD, describes a witness's observation near Hyères. While driving towards Hyères, the witness saw a large, mobile star that appeared to grow brighter as it moved, sometimes stopping and becoming smaller before disappearing. The witness stopped to assess its speed but could not make an accurate estimation due to the distance.

Verona Incident (June 23, 1972)

An Italian correspondent reports on an observation made by Professor Emilio BELLAVITE and Professor Armando BEGALI from the Second Torricellia Observatory in Verona. They witnessed a cigar-shaped object moving eastwards at high speed, passing directly over the observatory. Radar confirmed a high-speed trajectory. Professor BEGALI dismissed the possibility of a weather balloon or artificial satellite. The report also references a scientific magazine, '7 jours de Venise', which described the object as a 25-meter diameter disc, noting that a disc viewed from the side could appear cigar-shaped.

Venice Sighting (November 1973)

This report details an incident near a military base close to Venice where two sentinels observed mysterious figures, about one meter tall and dressed in white, descending from a flying disc. Despite the presence of traces, the case was classified as 'TOP SECRET', and further details were unobtainable, except for a comment about the 'astronef' being 'quite small' based on the traces.

Valence (Drôme) Sighting (January 1, 1976)

Reported by Jean-Pierre D'HONDT, this incident involved a couple, M. and Mme François PEREZ, near Valence. They first noticed a large, growing star following their car. Later, they observed a huge, luminous, ovate object hovering immobile about 400 meters away. The object, estimated to be 30 to 40 meters in diameter, was surrounded by a white light halo. After about ten minutes, it ascended at a 45-degree angle and disappeared at high speed. The witnesses experienced eye discomfort for 48 hours, and M. Perez's watch stopped working.

Dossier "Espace" (Space Dossier)

This section covers various topics related to space:

Soyuz 24 Mission (February 7, 1977)

The Soviet Union launched the Soyuz 24 spacecraft with two cosmonauts, Colonel Victor GORBATKO and Lieutenant-Colonel Youri GLASKOV, to continue studies with the Salyout 5 space station. The equipment was functioning well, and the crew began their flight program. The cosmonauts later landed in Kazakhstan.

Tenth Planet Discovery

A Mexican researcher claims to have discovered a tenth planet in our solar system, named 'JANO', located at a distance of 8,790,600,000 km from the sun, with an orbital period of 450 years.

Disappeared Planet Theory

Dr. Thomas Van FLANDERN, a US astronomer, proposes that a planet once existed between Mars and Jupiter, exploding millions of years ago to form most comets, asteroids, and meteorites. His analysis of 60 comet orbits suggests they tend to intersect at a common point within the asteroid belt.

Metz Science Fiction Festival

Announces the second Science Fiction Festival in Metz, scheduled from May 30 to June 5, 1977.

Mars: An Iceberg Floating in a Sea of Rocks

Based on research by Dr. William McElroy and Dr. Hugh Kieffer, this article suggests Mars is an iceberg covered by a layer of ice, not carbonic acid, forming the North Pole. The discovery was made by the Viking probe's carrier spacecraft, which recorded extremely low temperatures (-73°C) indicating ice. The article also notes the absence of surface water and discusses the mystery of the 'Martian canals' and the detection of rare gases like krypton and xenon in the Martian atmosphere.

Documentation Bibliographique (Bibliographical Documentation)

This section provides a comprehensive list of books related to UFOs and related subjects, recommending them as excellent basic documentation. It includes titles such as 'Les Soucoupes Volantes, Affaire Sérieuse' by Frank Edwards, 'Le Livre Noir des Soucoupes Volantes' by Henry Durrant, and works by authors like Jacques Vallée, Erich Von Däniken, and Charles Fort. The list covers a wide range of topics, from UFOs and extraterrestrial civilizations to ancient mysteries and parapsychology, with publisher information provided for each entry.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and the exploration of space. The magazine also touches upon archaeological mysteries and parapsychological phenomena, suggesting a broad interest in the unexplained and the frontiers of human knowledge. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various reports and theories while encouraging further research and international collaboration, particularly in the field of ufology. The emphasis on bibliographical resources indicates a commitment to providing readers with avenues for deeper study.