Ufologia - No 20 - Octobre-Novembre-Decembre 1979

Magazine Overview

Title: ufologia
Issue: N°20
Date: October - November - December 1979
Publisher: Cercle Français de Recherches Ufologiques (CFRU)
Country: France
Language: French
ISSN: 0399-8274

This issue of "ufologia" is the twentieth quarterly publication from the Cercle Français de Recherches Ufologiques (CFRU). It is presented as an independent review dedicated to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and related questions, funded solely by its subscribers and collaborators. The magazine emphasizes its mission to provide objective information to the public, with all contributors working on a voluntary basis. It highlights its extensive international network of correspondent-investigators that forms the foundation of the CFRU, enabling "ufologia" to publish detailed investigations, theoretical hypotheses, historical case reports, and articles on related phenomena such as the paranormal, astronomy, archaeology, exobiology, and ancient civilizations.

Action to Support

The editorial team appeals to readers for support, emphasizing that the magazine's existence relies on its subscribers. They encourage readers to help spread their information and work. Subscription conditions are provided for France and abroad, with different rates for ordinary and support subscriptions, including an airmail option for the USA and Canada. Readers are instructed to make checks or money orders payable to the CFRU's headquarters in Forbach, France, and to include a stamp for any letter requiring a response.

Important Note to Collaborators

The magazine's columns are open to readers. Submissions intended for publication will be reviewed by the editorial team and should ideally be typed on 210/297 mm paper. Collaborators are encouraged to illustrate their texts with sketches or photographs, with drawings to be done on Canson or Bristol paper. Political, religious, or advertising content will be refused. All published documents are the responsibility of their authors.

Notes

Reproduction of excerpts or articles is permitted with the title and address of the magazine. Readers are invited to become local correspondents by providing their name, address, and the area they intend to monitor. The magazine requests readers to report any observations they may encounter, with anonymity respected upon request. All submitted articles must include their dated source. The bulletin is available free of charge in exchange for other publications of a similar nature, with advertising done on a reciprocal basis.

Editorial

The editorial, titled "Peut-être qu'à force d'examiner chaque arbre à la loupe, nous avons perdu la capacité de voir la forêt..." by John G. Taylor of London, marks the 20th issue. The editor acknowledges that drawing definitive conclusions about the UFO phenomenon is difficult due to its incoherence with terrestrial logic. However, two points are highlighted: first, the extraterrestrial elite responsible for UFOs deliberately refrains from providing clues that could advance human science in space exploration. Second, the editor is convinced that time manipulation is a primary factor in their technology, making the seemingly impossible plausible. The editorial references Einstein's theory of relativity, suggesting that future theories might also prove fallible. It contrasts the extraterrestrial hypothesis with Jungian psychology, asserting that focusing on facts is more productive. The editor pays tribute to American colleagues fighting government "black-out" on UFO information, citing reports from Leonard H. Stringfield's presentation at the MUFON symposium. The "interplanetary" explanation is presented as the most likely reality, with France potentially facing ridicule for harboring individuals who view metallic, circular spacecraft from the 1950s as mere psychological phenomena. The editorial reaffirms CFRU's and "ufologia's" consistent stance on the origin of flying saucers, suggesting the need to look beyond the Atlantic for answers.

Ground Saucer Watch vs. Central Intelligence Agency

This section details the efforts of the Ground Saucer Watch (GSW), an organization dedicated to uncovering government secrecy surrounding UFOs. It explains that UFO research is often hampered by an "impenetrable wall," leading some to dismiss the phenomenon entirely. GSW believes that crucial evidence and testimonies about UFOs are being deliberately withheld by governmental authorities. The article highlights the GSW's collaboration with MUFON and CUFOS, two major private UFO research organizations in the US. GSW's membership consists of scientists, engineers, lawyers, and educators, many with aerospace industry or university affiliations.

The GSW's primary objective is to force the government to declassify its UFO-related documents. They have engaged in legal battles against the CIA, utilizing the Freedom of Information Act. The article recounts how, after 14 months of legal proceedings, the CIA was compelled to release approximately 1,000 pages of documents. Among these, five documents are identified as pertaining to the famous Ralph Mayher case, a Marine sergeant who filmed a UFO in 1952. The film, showing a disk-shaped object, was reportedly suppressed by the government. The CIA allegedly pressured Mayher to remain silent about his findings.

In March 1976, the CIA admitted to possessing five documents related to the Mayher case but claimed only two could be released due to censorship for security reasons. GSW obtained these five documents in December 1978. The released documents are categorized into three types: those related to the psychological use of UFO observations (defensive or offensive), those concerning the vulnerability of US airspace due to the inability to distinguish conventional aircraft from UFOs, and reports from foreign countries via US embassies.

What is Ground Saucer Watch?

Founded in 1957, GSW aims to study UFOs scientifically and to end the government's "cover-up." They believe that irrefutable proof of UFOs' extraterrestrial origin is being deliberately concealed. GSW collaborates with MUFON and CUFOS. Its members are scientists, engineers, lawyers, and educators, many with aerospace or university backgrounds. GSW also uses sophisticated electronic equipment for photographic analysis to detect fakes. They conduct investigations using numerous qualified volunteers and maintain a computerized database for scientific study.

The Documents

GSW's involvement with the CIA dates back to 1976. Their initial request for declassified documents was met with a refusal, stating that UFOs do not exist. However, after reviewing Project Blue Book documents at the US National Archives, GSW discovered that numerous reports that should have been included were missing.

William Spaulding and Todd Zechal (Director of CAUS) hired Peter Gersten, a lawyer from the firm Rothblatt, Seijas, and Perkins, to pursue legal actions against the CIA under the Freedom of Information Act. After 14 months, the CIA released about 1,000 pages of documents, considered minor but proving the agency's involvement in UFO matters. Five of these documents relate to the Ralph Mayher case, where a Marine sergeant filmed a UFO in 1952. The film, showing a disk-shaped object, was allegedly suppressed, and Mayher was pressured by a CIA agent to remain silent.

In March 1976, the CIA admitted to having five documents on the Mayher case but only released two, citing security reasons and censorship. GSW obtained these five documents on December 15, 1978, as part of a larger batch of 1,000 pages related to UFOs. These documents fall into three categories: psychological operations related to UFO observations, the vulnerability of US airspace due to misidentification of UFOs, and foreign reports via US embassies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around government secrecy, particularly concerning UFOs, and the efforts of private organizations like GSW and CAUS to expose this secrecy through legal means and public disclosure. The extraterrestrial hypothesis is strongly favored, with evidence suggesting that UFOs are manufactured craft from a superior civilization. The magazine criticizes the official stance that UFOs are not a threat but that their study could be scientifically interesting, while simultaneously advising against public disclosure. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of transparency and against what it perceives as a deliberate "cover-up" by agencies like the CIA and USAF. The issue also touches upon the psychological impact of UFO phenomena and the potential for their manipulation for psychological warfare. The magazine advocates for a scientific approach to UFO investigation, emphasizing the importance of factual evidence over speculation.

This issue of UFOLOGIA, dated 1979, delves into a variety of unexplained phenomena, with a strong focus on UFOs, ancient mysteries, and the potential for extraterrestrial contact. The cover story, "La pyramide (mystérieuse) dans le triangle (des Bermudes)" (The Mysterious Pyramid in the Bermuda Triangle), highlights the work of Jacques Mayol and Dr. Manson-Valentine in exploring underwater structures near Bimini.

Cover Story: The Mysterious Pyramid in the Bermuda Triangle

The lead article introduces Jacques Mayol, an explorer known for his deep-diving capabilities and research into the aquatic origins of humanity. Mayol, who can dive to 100 meters and hold his breath for five minutes, has collaborated with Dr. Manson-Valentine, a Turkish-born American with coal and gas interests. Together, they have investigated the area south of Bimini, within the Bermuda Triangle, and believe they have found evidence of a pre-cataclysmic civilization. Specifically, they report the discovery of an ancient city lying 200 meters below the surface, with structures like cyclopean blocks, marble walls, and regular trenches resembling roads.

Further details emerge about a pyramid-like structure detected by Captain Tom Henry's sonar. This object, approximately 150 meters high and 200 meters at the base, exhibits water vortexes on two opposite sides, suggesting a powerful energy source. The article speculates whether this is a man-made pyramid or a natural phenomenon, and notes its location about 100 miles south-southeast of Miami. The ongoing exploration campaign for 1978-1979 is anticipated to yield significant discoveries.

UFOs and Extraterrestrials

Bogota Congress on UFOs

A report from Bogota details the first world congress on UFOs, where "experts" found it impossible to create a composite portrait of an extraterrestrial. While some theories suggested tall beings with large heads and eyes, others proposed shorter beings resembling humans. A common thread identified was telepathy as the primary mode of communication for humanoids. The congress also debated whether ancient human achievements, like the Egyptian pyramids or Easter Island statues, were extraterrestrial in origin.

Extraterrestrials Before the Year 2000

Dr. Philip Morrison of MIT predicts that within twenty years, proof of intelligent extraterrestrial life will be found, likely through radio signals detected by NASA. He emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts to identify such life and believes that intelligent life is highly probable on other planets. Morrison suggests that extraterrestrials would likely use radio waves for communication rather than probes.

CIA and Soviet UFOs

An article based on the work of William Spaulding, head of a civilian UFO observation organization, claims the CIA possesses evidence that UFOs exist and could be of Soviet origin. Spaulding, using the Freedom of Information Act, obtained over a thousand pages of CIA reports. He asserts that the CIA has lied about ceasing UFO observations in 1952 and cites a 1976 incident in Iran where a US F4 fighter was attacked by a small plane launched from a UFO. The CIA reportedly recovered debris from two UFOs in Mexico and Arizona. In Arizona, two alien corpses with silver skin, approximately one meter tall, were allegedly recovered by the US Air Force. Spaulding also suggests the CIA warned the National Security Council about the potential use of UFOs by the Soviet Union for nuclear attack preparation or psychological warfare. He believes the current UFO activity resembles early stages of American space exploration, possibly preparatory to a "landing."

UFO Sightings and Incidents

Several specific UFO sightings are reported:

• Argentina: A formation of flat, metallic, and bright UFOs was observed over San Luis for half an hour, with one object dividing into three parts.
• Denmark and Sweden: Luminous phenomena, including a luminous ball with a tail and several smaller luminous balls, were seen.
• France:
• A torpedo-shaped object emitting fire was seen over Vierzon.
• A disc-shaped object with red points was observed over Casteljaloux, followed by a smaller luminous ball.
• A luminous object was filmed for 8 minutes in Roanne.
• A luminous oval object leaving a fiery trail was seen over Mazamet, Valdurenque, and Soual.
• A farmer in Saône-et-Loire discovered mysterious tracks in a field, including a groove and anchor points.
• Valparaiso, Chile: Fishermen reported observing a multi-colored luminous object for half an hour.
• Côte-d'Or, France: A woman reported being followed by a red luminous ball emitting intense light.

UFOs and Venus

An article discusses observations made by US probes near Venus. A never-before-seen glow was detected near the planet's surface. Scientists are divided on its interpretation, with some suggesting it's due to the planet's carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere burning spontaneously, while others believe it indicates something luminous on the surface. The observations reinforce the theory of Venus experiencing a greenhouse effect.

Dolphins and UFOs: Strange Cousins?

This section explores the intelligence and communication abilities of dolphins, drawing parallels with UFO research. The article references the work of Dr. John Lilly, a pioneer in delphinology. It suggests that both delphinology and ufology suffer from similar issues, including military control and the suppression of results. The author questions if there's a hidden connection between dolphins and UFOs, noting that some witnesses have reported seeing extraterrestrial beings described as "larvae in bags" or "waterproof suits," which could resemble dolphins. The article ponders what knowledge dolphins might possess about UFOs, especially given their sonar capabilities and the fact that UFOs are known to enter and exit water.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFOLOGIA consistently explores the intersection of the unexplained, the ancient, and the potentially extraterrestrial. The magazine presents a wide range of reported phenomena, from underwater mysteries and alleged government cover-ups to direct UFO sightings and speculative theories about alien intelligence and ancient civilizations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider unconventional possibilities and to engage with the ongoing research in these fields. The inclusion of various contact points for ufological groups and publications suggests a desire to foster a community of researchers and enthusiasts.

This issue of UFOLOGIA, published by CFRU, delves into speculative science and unexplained phenomena, with a particular focus on black holes and their potential application in space navigation. The cover prominently features the concepts of 'trous noirs' (black holes) and 'navigation spatiale' (space navigation), with an article by G. Koeberle of CFRU.

Black Holes and Space Navigation

The lead article by G. Koeberle explores the theoretical possibilities of using black holes for accelerating interplanetary probes. It draws a parallel with NASA's use of planetary gravity assists, like Voyager I's encounter with Jupiter, but posits the use of a super-massive object like a black hole. The article explains the origin of black holes from the gravitational collapse of massive stars. It discusses how a spacecraft could gain energy by 'grazing' a black hole, with a portion of its mass being left behind, while the rest returns with increased velocity. However, it also highlights significant challenges: the extreme tidal forces that would crush any organism, the potential for catastrophic collisions with cosmic dust at near-light speeds, and the difficulty of decelerating and maneuvering such a spacecraft. The article notes that without advanced propulsion like photon or antimatter drives, interstellar travel using this method remains unrealistic.

It further explains the unique property of black holes to trap light, where the escape velocity equals the speed of light. This occurs at the Schwarzschild radius, beyond which matter and radiation disappear from conventional spacetime. The article speculates on where this energy-matter goes, suggesting a connection to quasars and the potential for super black holes at the center of galaxies to be the source of their immense energy radiation.

The concept of using black holes for propulsion is revisited, with a discussion on the theoretical implications for human travel. It acknowledges that even at a distance of 5000 km, a human organism would perish from gravitational forces, and crossing the Schwarzschild radius would lead to the destruction of matter. The article also touches upon UFOs, suggesting that their seemingly physics-defying behavior might indicate a different understanding of physical laws or the existence of non-human entities.

It explores the theoretical possibilities for advanced civilizations, referencing Carl Sagan's estimate that a Type 3 civilization could explore the galaxy in a geologically short time. Such civilizations would possess propulsion systems far beyond current understanding. The article then details a theoretical scenario where a spacecraft approaches an artificial black hole. It describes how the Doppler effect would alter the laser signals emitted by the spacecraft, changing color and frequency as it nears the black hole. Simultaneously, relativistic effects would cause time dilation, making the spacecraft appear to slow down to an observer, while in reality, it moves at near-light speed. This concept is illustrated by the paradox of Xenon's tortoise.

Upon reaching the critical Schwarzschild radius, the spacecraft would engage its engines to overcome the escape velocity, achieving a speed close to light with a significant energy gain. This scenario would lead to extraordinary relativistic effects: a substantial increase in the spacecraft's mass, a shrinking of its dimensions, the appearance of a black cone behind it, and a dramatic slowing of time within the spacecraft, potentially allowing travel to the Andromeda galaxy in just 25 years.

Cosmic Civilizations and Dyson Spheres

The article posits that the path to the stars is open for sufficiently developed civilizations, and intelligent life is likely widespread throughout the cosmos. It suggests that the galactic center, being older, would host the most ancient civilizations. However, due to the higher risk of stellar collisions and supernovae, these civilizations might migrate to the galaxy's outer branches, settling on habitable worlds. The concept of a Dyson sphere, proposed by Freeman Dyson, is discussed as a potential megastructure built by advanced civilizations to harness the total energy output of their star, possibly by disaggregating planets like Jupiter using powerful lasers.

It further elaborates on the idea of constructing a Dyson sphere with a diameter of 150 million kilometers, creating a stable 25°C environment for a super-civilization. This would facilitate technological development and create reserves for flora and fauna. Artificial gravity would be achieved through rotation, and waste materials, including radioactive ones, could be disposed of in a nearby black hole acting as a galactic trash can. The energy generated could then be used to accelerate exploration vessels.

The article concludes that interstellar space is not as empty as previously thought. It speculates on the eventual fate of the universe, suggesting that after stars exhaust their nuclear fuel, the universe might collapse into a giant black hole, followed by a new 'Big Bang' originating from a super-quasar, initiating a new cycle of matter, life, and the universe.

News Briefs and Other Articles

This issue also includes several shorter news items:

• The Abominable Snowman: A report from China claims that witnesses have encountered and even eaten the 'abominable snowman' or Peking Man (Sinanthropus), with descriptions varying regarding eye color and fur.
• Missile on Sardaigne Beach: A three-meter long missile washed ashore on a beach in Porto Budello, Sardinia. Its origin and type are unknown, but it bore a yellow band suggesting it was not dangerous.
• 'Crazy Tides' on the Adriatic: Violent sea level fluctuations were reported along the Adriatic coast, with the sea receding and then returning with unusual force, possibly due to a submarine earthquake or volcanic activity.
• Mysterious Insects in Belgium: Millions of small, unidentified insects covered trees and houses in Châtelet, Belgium, prompting an investigation by entomologists.
• Oil-Eating Bacteria: British scientists have reportedly discovered aerobic bacteria capable of consuming oil, offering a potential solution to oil pollution.
• Pioneer 11 and Titan: The Pioneer 11 probe transmitted images of Saturn's moon Titan, the largest of Saturn's moons, which is considered a candidate for extraterrestrial life due to its Earth-like atmospheric pressure. The probe also detected charged particles in Saturn's ring system.
• Pioneer Discovers a 5th Ring: The Pioneer probe discovered a fifth ring around Saturn, in addition to the previously known four.

Investigator's Checklist and Bibliography

The magazine includes a 'Check-List de l'enquêteur' (Investigator's Checklist) for UFO observations, detailing points to note such as witness information, date, time, location, weather conditions, object description (shape, color, trajectory, size, altitude), sounds, electromagnetic effects, and any physical traces left behind. It also provides contact information for UFO-Quebec and Requiem, a Quebecois science fiction and fantasy fanzine.

Finally, a comprehensive 'Documentation Bibliographique' (Bibliographical Documentation) lists numerous books related to UFOs, extraterrestrials, ancient mysteries, and parapsychology, along with their authors and publishers, serving as a resource for further reading.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the speculative possibilities of advanced technology, particularly concerning space travel and the utilization of extreme cosmic phenomena like black holes. There is a strong undercurrent of exploring the unknown, from the existence of the abominable snowman to the potential for life beyond Earth and the mysteries of UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into these subjects, presenting theoretical concepts and reported phenomena without definitive conclusions, but with a clear fascination for the extraordinary and the potential for future discoveries. The inclusion of a detailed bibliography and an investigator's checklist suggests a commitment to serious, albeit speculative, research within the field of ufology and related topics.