Ufologia - No 33 - Janvier-Fevrier-Mars 1983

Magazine Overview

Title: Ufologia
Issue: No. 33
Date: January-February-March 1983
Publisher: Cercle Français de Recherches Ufologiques (CFRU)
Country: France
Language: French
ISSN: 0399-8274

Main Cover Story: The Vauvert Canular

The central theme of this issue is the detailed analysis of the "Vauvert canular" that occurred on November 25, 1981. The article "Les 'petits hommes' n'étaient pas verts..." (The 'little men' weren't green...) meticulously reconstructs the events in Vauvert, a small commune in the Gard region of France. On that day, a metallic, irregularly polyhedral object, approximately 3 meters high and 2 meters wide with silver facets and a small dome on top, was reported to have landed in the vineyards. The incident quickly attracted a large crowd, including gendarmes, firefighters, and even helicopters. Initial reports suggested the object might be radioactive, but Geiger counter readings proved negative.

The article highlights the media frenzy that ensued, with press, radio, and television all present. Despite the mystery, it was eventually revealed that the entire event was a staged canular by the 1981 promotion of the military air school at Salon-de-Provence. The "UFO" was constructed by an artisan near Vedène and transported by 18 soldiers. The operation was designed to observe the reactions of authorities and the public. The "extraterrestrials" who emerged from the object were identified as two cadets in costumes.

Ufologia critically examines the media's handling of the event, noting that some outlets, like Jean-Claude Bourret on TF1, initially reported it as an unknown object falling from the sky, later suggesting it might be a satellite. The magazine questions the lack of official critique of the canular and suggests it might have been a test of reactions by sociologists or authorities. The article points out the potential dangers of such hoaxes, including the risk of public panic or misidentification, and contrasts it with the Orson Welles "War of the Worlds" broadcast. It also notes that the military's elaborate setup, including false radar detection reports, made it difficult for the public to discern the truth.

Further commentary on the Vauvert incident is provided by Jean-Pierre Troadec, who notes a similar journalistic tendency to label balloons as UFOs, citing an article about a "UFO" over Avignon that turned out to be a hot air balloon. The "Commentaires" section, by Francis Schaefer, reiterates that the Vauvert canular, while elaborate, fed into the narrative of those who seek to dismiss UFO phenomena as mere psychological syndromes. He argues that such hoaxes, while perhaps easier to execute than genuine research, have a detrimental long-term impact by discouraging future witnesses and creating a "blackout" similar to that seen in the US in the 1950s. The article concludes that the lack of official criticism of the Vauvert canular suggests that various parties found it convenient.

International UFO Congresses and News

The issue also includes information on international UFO activities. A preliminary announcement details the "UNITED KINGDOM THIRD INTERNATIONAL UFO CONGRESS 1983," organized by BUFORA (British UFO Research Association), scheduled for August 27-29, 1983, at the Lorch Foundation in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The article notes that this will be the first three-day congress organized by BUFORA and will include a debate within the Provisional International Committee on UFO Research (PICUR). It lists previous congresses in London (1979 and 1981) and mentions prominent speakers like Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Dr. Leo Sprinkle, Eduardo Russo, Roberto Pinotti, Per Andersen, and Vincente-Juan Ballester Olmos.

"BUFORA Bulletin" is presented as the quarterly organ of the British association, providing news, reports, letters, and British UFO documents. The "Journal of Transient Aerial Phenomena," also published by BUFORA, is mentioned as appearing in January and July.

Other Articles and Features

Several other articles are listed in the table of contents:

• "Les 'petits hommes' n'étaient pas verts..." (The 'little men' weren't green...): This is the main article detailing the Vauvert canular.
• "United Kingdom third International UFO-Congress": Announcement of the upcoming congress.
• "Il y a 25 ans, le premier 'Spoutnik'" (25 years ago, the first 'Sputnik'): A historical piece on the Sputnik launch.
• "Terre-Lune à la... voile" (Earth-Moon by... sail): An article on space travel.
• "Les anneaux de Neptune" (The rings of Neptune): An astronomical topic.
• "OVNI - Echos de la presse - Infos": A collection of UFO news and press echoes.
• "Informations ufologiques du Canada" (Ufological information from Canada).
• "Le silence des Extraterrestres" (The silence of the Extraterrestrials): A discussion on the Fermi paradox or non-contact.
• "Tout le programme de la NASA": Information on NASA's programs.
• "Columbia: mission accomplie!": A report on the Columbia space shuttle mission.
• "Des objets volants non identifiés en Union Soviétique" (Unidentified flying objects in the Soviet Union).
• "A propos de la panne d'électricité en Belgique" (About the power outage in Belgium).
• "Controverses à propos des statues de l'Ile de Pâques" (Controversies about the statues of Easter Island).
• "Le dossier et le secret de Fatima" (The Fatima file and secret).
• "Le mage de Marsal a choisi le silence" (The mage of Marsal chose silence).
• "Rubrique 'Cinéma': 'E.T.' - L'Extra-terrestre, de Spielberg" ('Cinema' section: 'E.T.' - The Extra-terrestrial, by Spielberg): A review or commentary on the film.
• "Ces intelligences venues d'Ailleurs..." (These intelligences from Elsewhere...).
• "La planète Terre rétrécit." (The planet Earth is shrinking).
• "Info-Service CFRU/UFOLOGIA": News from the organization.
• "Lectures ufologiques & connexes" (Ufological and related readings): Book reviews or recommendations.

Editorial

The editorial, titled "EDITORIAL 33," reflects on the challenge of addressing various UFO-related problems within the publication. It specifically revisits the Vauvert affair, noting the difficulty in dispelling the unease it caused and the lack of official critique. The editorial suggests that 1983 might mark a rupture between official spheres and private groups, especially with changes at GEPAN (the French UFO investigation agency). It announces the re-publication of an older article on the "non-contact" problem and praises Steven Spielberg's film "E.T." as a powerful and touching story needed in difficult times.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical and analytical stance towards UFO phenomena. It emphasizes objective information and rigorous investigation, as demonstrated by its detailed deconstruction of the Vauvert canular. The CFRU positions itself as an independent entity relying on its subscribers and volunteers, aiming to provide objective information to the public. There is a clear distinction made between genuine phenomena and hoaxes, with a critical eye towards sensationalism in the media and a concern for the scientific community's detachment from UFO research. The magazine also shows an interest in broader scientific and historical topics that might intersect with ufology, such as astronomy, archaeology, and the paranormal. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry, seeking to understand the complex issues surrounding UFOs while remaining grounded in factual analysis and avoiding unsubstantiated claims.

This issue of "Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace," dated Thursday, October 28, 1982, features a prominent article on the mystery of the Easter Island statues, alongside other intriguing topics.

Article: The Easter Island Statues: An Old Mystery Explained?

The main article, "Comment ont été érigées les statues de l'île de Pâques" (How were the Easter Island statues erected?), presents a new theory based on the discovery of "Sophora toromino" pollen. Authors of the book "Nouveau regard sur l'île de Pâques" suggest that an extinct tree, the toromino, was instrumental in moving and erecting the massive stone statues. Professor John R. Flenley's discovery of toromino pollen in the Rano Kao crater supports the idea that the Pascuans used its branches and trunk to create sleds and levers for transporting the nearly 100-ton statues. The article also mentions the efforts to reintroduce the toromino species to the island. Furthermore, it notes that since 1978, efforts have been made to restore the statues' original appearance by placing large eyes in their empty orbits, based on a drawing found in the tuff.

The book is a collective work resulting from explorations by members of the "Cercle d'études sur l'île de Pâques," including Nobel laureate Jean Dausset, who also contributed a preface and a study on the Polynesian origin of the Pascuans. The article highlights the unique environment of Easter Island as a 'microcosm' of Earth's history, noting its population decline around 1680 due to overpopulation and cannibalism.

Article: Sputnik: 25 Years Later

Marking the 25th anniversary of Sputnik's launch on October 4, 1957, this section reflects on the dawn of the space age. The Soviet satellite, a 58 cm metallic sphere weighing 83 kg, orbited at a speed of 28,800 km/h, sparking awe and questions. The article contrasts this early achievement with current space exploration, where robots explore the solar system and humans have walked on the Moon.

Article: Terre-Lune à la voile (Earth-Moon by Sail)

This piece details an ambitious project by three engineers from the French Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (C.N.E.S.) to race solar-sail powered spacecraft to the Moon in 1985. The concept relies on the 'photon thrust' generated by sunlight reflecting off a metallic surface, a force too weak on Earth but viable in space. The initiative is spearheaded by the "Union pour la promotion de la propulsion photonique" (U.P.P.P.), founded by Jacques Breton, Alain Perret, and Guy Pignolet. The project aims to be a scientific and sporting event, with potential participation from French, British, and American teams. The estimated cost for such craft is around one million francs, with launch costs potentially covered by the European Ariane rocket.

Article: The Secret of Fatima

This section discusses the 'miraculous' aspects of the Fatima apparitions, focusing on the 'spinning sun' phenomenon. It suggests that what witnesses perceived as the sun was, in fact, an extraterrestrial craft acting as a relay base. Three testimonies from October 13, 1917, are presented: one from a Freemason, another from Professor Dr. José Proenca De Almeida Garret, and a third from Jean-Claude Bourret's book. These accounts describe a luminous, spinning object that appeared to descend towards Earth, causing panic. The article notes that astronomical observatories recorded no anomalies during these events.

Other News Items:

• Neptune's Rings: A brief report from "Le Monde" (June 15, 1982) suggests that Neptune may be surrounded by rings, based on data from American researchers.
• Paris Power Outage: A "Républicain Lorrain" report (October 20, 1982) details a massive power outage in Paris and its suburbs caused by a fire in a substation.
• UFO in Argentina: "Ouest-France" (August 16, 1982) reports on a UFO landing in Argentina, resulting in injuries and destroyed homes.
• Extraterrestrials in Quarantine: An article from "Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace" (October 4, 1982) discusses a 1969 US law requiring quarantine for visitors from outer space, applicable to both astronauts and potential extraterrestrial visitors.
• UFO in Belgium: A report from "L'Union" (January 8, 1982) mentions a UFO sighting near Liège, later identified as a laser experiment.
• Canadian UFO Cases: Two cases from Canada are presented: a teenager's encounter with an alleged extraterrestrial in Sainte-Dorothée (July 26, 1982) and a mysterious green object falling from the sky near Lachute (July 7, 1979).
• Soviet UFOs: Reports from Moscow detail cigar-shaped luminous objects appearing over the city and a wave of UFOs across the USSR in September 1982, including sightings in Bogodoukhov, Kharkov, Vysotsk, and Semipalatinsk.
• NASA Manned Space Flights: A comprehensive table lists NASA's manned missions from Mercury to Skylab, including crew, dates, and duration.
• Columbia Shuttle Mission: The successful completion of the Columbia shuttle's fifth mission is reported, highlighting its role in deploying satellites and its future service capabilities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of science, mystery, and the unknown. There's a clear interest in ufology, space exploration, and historical enigmas. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and reports without necessarily endorsing them as definitive truth, but encouraging critical examination. The inclusion of scientific explanations alongside more speculative accounts suggests a balanced approach to complex subjects. The magazine also seems to highlight French contributions to space exploration and ufological research.

This issue of UFOLOGIA magazine, identified as number 33 and dated October 1982, is published by CFRU, originating from GEOCNI founded in 1966. The cover prominently features themes of "unidentified flying objects (o.v.n.i)", "astronautics", "archaeology", "parapsychology", and "unusual phenomena".

Power Outage in Belgium

The issue begins with an account of a power outage in Belgium, near Brussels, where an alternator "exploded" and caused significant damage to installations. The precise cause of this malfunction was not detailed in the October 1982 report, and an investigation was ongoing. Notably, no unidentified flying object was reported at the scene of this electrical failure.

GESAG and UFO-INFO

Information is provided about GESAG (Groupement pour l'Etude des Sciences d'Avant-Garde), which publishes the bulletin UFO-INFO. Contact details for subscriptions and information are given for M. Jacques BONABOT in Bruges, Belgium.

CFRU Insignia Offer

The magazine announces the 33rd issue of its bulletin "UFOLOGIA" and offers a "magnificent metal insignia" of CFRU for sale at 29 Francs. This offer is presented as a way for readers to show their support for CFRU and its bulletin, with orders to be placed with M. Gérard IEBAT in REBAIS, France.

"The Mage" Chooses Silence: Prefers to Write (Marsal, Moselle)

This section details the return of Maurice Gérard, also known as "Swami Matkormano," to Marsal, France, after his departure in November 1968. The article focuses on his new book, the first volume of a series dedicated to "the affair of the century." This book reportedly includes the judicial case stemming from the disappearance of his two children, Gabriel and Pascal, on November 24, 1968, alongside "pre-initiatory approaches" for both advanced and beginner readers. The book aims to blend the story of the Marsal tragedy with more practical considerations. The reception of this first volume in Marsal was reportedly lukewarm, with the village weary of the extraordinary affair and its repercussions. The article also references Gérard de Sede's 1969 book, "MAGIE A MARSAL."

Cinema: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

This extensive review analyzes Steven Spielberg's film "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," released in France on December 1, 1982. The author praises Spielberg's ability to handle the UFO subject with rigor in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and now with "E.T.," focusing on wonder and emotion. The film is described as a fable, a science-fiction legend for the 1980s, about an extraterrestrial abandoned on Earth who befriends a boy named Elliott. The review contrasts Spielberg's approach with "pseudo-researchers" who allegedly mix real observations with mysticism. The film's production details are provided, including filming locations in California and the music by John Williams. The technical aspects of creating E.T. are discussed, highlighting the complex mechanical and electronic equipment used, and the significant budget of 1 million dollars. The article emphasizes the emotional bond between Elliott and E.T., and Spielberg's positive views on working with children, whom he finds more coherent and spontaneous than adults. The review concludes by stating that "E.T." will remain memorable.

Foreign Intelligences

This section, titled "CES INTELLIGENCES VENUES D'AILLEURS" (These Intelligences from Elsewhere), delves into the question of whether humans are the sole intelligent beings in the universe, prompted by the 1981 Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded for brain activity research. It discusses Stuart Holroyd's book "INTELLIGENCES ETRANGERES" (Foreign Intelligences), which challenges anthropocentric views. Holroyd's analysis suggests that "persons" might exist who are not human, not physical, or not terrestrial. The text explores examples such as great apes, dolphins, and even computers exhibiting advanced intelligence. It references the concept of "doubles" from ancient philosophies and discusses the possibility of extraterrestrial or extra-temporal beings among us, citing Maupassant's notion of a double. The article concludes that while the idea of "doubles" and materialized visits from external intelligences are distinct, Holroyd approaches the topic of UFOs with caution and without sectarianism, focusing on facts and analysis.

Bibliographic Documentation

A comprehensive bibliography is presented, listing numerous books related to UFOs, extraterrestrials, ancient mysteries, and related phenomena. The list includes titles from various authors and publishers, serving as a resource for readers interested in further research. The CFRU advises that recommending these books does not imply endorsement of all their contents and warns against unauthorized sales.

News and Announcements

Brief news items include a mention of the bookstore ASMODEE in Lyon and a notice about the upcoming issue of "UFOLOGIA" in April 1983. A communiqué from the English group BUFORA regarding an "INTERNATIONAL UFO CONGRESS" is also included, listing speakers such as Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Dr. Stanton T. Friedman. Dates for this congress are confirmed as November 30, 1982.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the themes of UFOs, extraterrestrial intelligence, and related phenomena, often linking them to archaeology, parapsychology, and science fiction. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging research and critical analysis without succumbing to sensationalism or dogma, as exemplified by the careful approach taken in reviewing Stuart Holroyd's work. There is a clear emphasis on providing readers with resources for further study, as evidenced by the extensive bibliography.