Ufologia - No 36 - Octobre-Novembre-Decembre 1983

Magazine Overview

This issue of "La Vie Extra-Terrestre" (The Extraterrestrial Life) from January 1983, published in France, focuses on a variety of unexplained phenomena, UFO sightings, and related scientific and archaeological debates. The cover story highlights a UFO incident in Argentina that caused a fire and a rain of crystals.

Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Reports

The magazine presents several accounts of UAP sightings and encounters:

"Boules contre Pare-Brise" (Balls Against Windshields)

This section details instances where luminous spheres or objects reportedly impacted or exploded on car windshields. Examples include:

• August 1976, Drôme, France: A woman driving a 2CV encountered a large, luminous blue-grey sphere that stopped her car. The incident resulted in a loud 'clack', and the car's tarpaulin detached.
• November 18, 1968, Vlierzele, Belgium: A witness saw a dazzling yellow sphere that bounced off their windshield and exploded. Another report from the same location and date describes a yellow flame exploding on a windshield without causing damage.
• May 1972, Wavre, Belgium: An automobilist observed a stationary ball-shaped object on the roadside that moved towards his car and exploded on the windshield with a muffled sound, leaving no trace.
• August 30, 1979, Minneapolis, USA: A retired colonel reported seeing a 60 cm luminous ball that hit the ground and disintegrated.
• November 1975, Normandy, France: A woman driving a van saw a luminous point approach her vehicle at high speed, becoming a bright yellow ball that impacted the windshield, causing it to crack.
• December 2, 1977, Te Karaka, New Zealand: A car was hit by two bursts of blue-green material, making the driver believe the windshield had broken.
• July 8, 1972, Frias, Argentina: A group witnessed a fireball explode before hitting the ground and later saw a large object resembling 'a train among the trees'.
• August 14, 1982, Londres, Argentina: An unidentified object caused a fire and a subsequent rain of blue crystals.
• January 1983, Percy, France: Reports of incandescent objects following parabolic trajectories, possibly meteorites or the falling Soviet satellite 'Cosmos 1402'.

"Helicoptères Fantômes sur l'Elysée" (Phantom Helicopters over the Elysée)

This article recounts an incident on November 20, 1982, where two unidentified helicopters, lacking any markings or identification, flew over the Elysée Palace in Paris for several minutes. Surveillance systems did not detect them, and no military or civilian airports reported their departure, raising questions about their origin and mission.

"Orage ou OVNI?" (Thunderstorm or UFO?)

This piece details an incident on July 19, 1983, involving Stefan Gasparovic, a firefighter from Epinal, France, who claimed to have been abducted by a flying saucer. He was found with memory loss, vision problems, and bruises, stating he was taken by a luminous ball and dropped six kilometers away. Other witnesses corroborated parts of his story.

Archaeological Mysteries

"Glozel! Jack Lang embourbé en Bourbonnais?" (Glozel! Jack Lang Bogged Down in Bourbonnais?)

This extensive report revisits the controversial Glozel archaeological site in France. Discovered in 1924 by farmer Emile Fradin, the site yielded thousands of artifacts, including inscribed objects and pottery, sparking a major debate about their authenticity. The article highlights:

• The Controversy: Many scientists initially dismissed the findings as a hoax, leading to legal disputes. Fradin, now 76, had his life profoundly affected by the affair.
• Scientific Vindication: In 1974, thermoluminescence dating suggested many pieces were over 2000 years old. A 1975 scientific congress in Oxford reportedly restored Fradin's honor.
• Renewed Excavations: Despite lingering skepticism, the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, authorized limited excavations in 1983 at a nearby site ('Chez Guerrier') under strict scientific supervision. The team included British and French researchers, with physicists and geologists involved in dating.
• Ongoing Mystery: While some artifacts have been found, the unknown script remains a significant mystery.

"Découverte du Vrai Mont Sinaï" (Discovery of the True Mount Sinai)

An Italian archaeological mission led by Professor Emmanuel Anati claims to have discovered the biblical Mount Sinai in the Neguev desert, Israel. The site, identified as Mount Karkoum, reportedly contains traces of an ancient temple consistent with descriptions from the Book of Exodus.

Scientific and Philosophical Discussions

"Une Vie Primitive sur Europa?" (Primitive Life on Europa?)

Two NASA researchers, Steven Squyres and Ray Reynolds, suggest that primitive life forms, comparable to those found under Earth's polar ice caps, could exist on Jupiter's moon Europa. They base this hypothesis on Europa's subsurface ocean, kept liquid by radioactive decay and tidal forces.

"L'O.V.N.I. était... un nouveau missile français" (The UFO... was a new French missile)

This brief article explains that a luminous phenomenon observed in southwestern France on July 12, 1983, was identified by GEPAN as the experimental launch of the French ballistic missile M4 from a submarine.

"Aspect de la Recherche Internationale: OVNI & Hypnose" (Aspect of International Research: UFO & Hypnosis)

This section critically examines the use of hypnosis in ufology, particularly for recalling close encounters (RR). Robert Wanderer, writing in the MUFON UFO JOURNAL, questions the reliability of hypnotic regression for obtaining objective truth, citing Elizabeth Loftus's work on memory distortion. While acknowledging hypnosis's potential for recalling specific details or therapeutic applications, Wanderer concludes it is too uncertain and potentially dangerous for establishing 'objective reality'.

"Rencontre Rapprochée du Quatrième Type" (Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind)

This article, referencing the work of Jacques Vallée and Dr. Joseph A. Hynek, defines different types of UFO encounters. It elaborates on Hynek's classifications (Type 1: object near ground; Type 2: object leaving traces; Type 3: presence of creatures) and introduces a 'Type 4' encounter (RR4), characterized by direct communication, dialogue, or even abduction involving entities. Several examples of RR4 are provided, including cases involving dialogue, displacement in an 'engine', or forced abduction.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena, scientific inquiry, and historical mysteries. There's a clear interest in UFO sightings, archaeological enigmas like Glozel, and the potential for life beyond Earth. The editorial stance appears to favor open investigation into these subjects, presenting witness testimonies and scientific research, while also acknowledging controversies and the need for rigorous analysis, as seen in the critique of hypnotic regression in ufology. The publication aims to inform readers about ongoing debates and discoveries in these fields.

This issue of UFOLOGIA magazine, published in French, focuses on "objets volants non identifiés (o.v.n.i)" (unidentified flying objects), astronautics, archaeology, parapsychology, and unusual phenomena. The cover prominently features these themes, with the CFRU logo indicating its origin from an organization established in 1966.

Content Analysis

The magazine presents a collection of UFO sighting reports and related phenomena from various locations and time periods, primarily from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The articles detail witness accounts of strange aerial objects, mysterious creatures, and unexplained events.

Teleportation and Religious Apparitions

A section discusses "Téléportation, entité(s) et/ou objet(s) non vu" and religious apparitions with pro-ufological characteristics. It mentions John B. Musgrave's term "voyeurs" for creatures sometimes seen in bedrooms. The author suggests these observations should be filed under parapsychology, alongside accounts of ghosts and apparitions, sometimes associated with a state close to sleep. The text references Camille Flammarion's trilogy on death and the afterlife, including a testimony from 1908 about a spirit appearing to a witness.

Cited References

Several references are provided, including works by Jacques Vallée on UFO classification and phenomena, and newspaper articles from "L'Aurore" and "Dublin Evening Press" detailing specific sightings or events.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

Geneva Incident: Multiple witnesses in Geneva reported a mysterious phenomenon on June 6th, observed around 10:30 PM. Two airline pilots described a light followed by a tail, initially thought to be a burning airplane. The object moved towards Neuchatel. An AFP report from June 1983 covers this.

Fréland Sighting: On Sunday, April 24th, around 10:30 PM, a luminous metallic object with flashing lights and nozzles was observed over Fréland. Lieutenant-colonel Yves Le Naelou and his wife witnessed it. The object appeared to be preparing to land. Gendarmerie investigated.

Vaison-la-Romaine and Orange Sightings: On Tuesday, July 12th, 1983, a couple in Avignon observed an illuminated oval object with a long tail moving rapidly near Vaison-la-Romaine. Later, at 11 PM, a luminous disc was seen over Orange, leaving a smoke trail and disappearing in a spiral descent.

Japanese Encounter: On October 3rd, 1978, Hideichi Amano, accompanied by his granddaughter, reported an intense orange light inside his car. He felt a metallic pressure on his temple and saw a humanoid creature with a round face and pointed ears. The creature held a tube to its mouth, emitting incomprehensible sounds. The car's engine and lights failed but restarted afterward. This encounter is described as one of the strangest ever in Japan.

Canadian Sightings: A journalist from Radio-Canada reported an object that was initially mistaken for a malfunctioning aircraft. Numerous calls were received by "Le Soleil" newspaper regarding a luminous object seen over the Quebec region. Witnesses described it as a luminous mass, a "saucer" shape, moving at low altitude, hovering, and capable of great speed. Gilles Gosselin, another journalist, described a very bright, excessively luminous object following the Trans-Canada highway.

Beauport Incident: On the afternoon of November 11th, 1972, Benoît Rodrigue and his sons observed a mysterious object described as a "fiery ball" descending rapidly over Quebec. It left a bright white trail and moved faster than a jet plane.

Alberta Sighting: Near Turner Valley, Alberta, an unidentified white object emitting a reactor-like noise was reported. A GRC officer observed three mysterious flying objects. The object was described as about 60 feet in diameter and 100 feet in altitude, emitting a bright white light.

Sutterson Encounter: Robert Suffern, a carpenter from Ontario, reported seeing a "spatial vessel" and a passenger. This sighting aligns with other recent reports of a bright white object in the region. The "space traveler" was described as having broad shoulders, wearing a silver suit, and a bubble-shaped helmet.

Mysterious Disappearance: Steven Kubacki, missing for fifteen months, reappeared claiming amnesia. He was last seen skiing near Lake Michigan in February 1978. He woke up in a field hundreds of kilometers away, clean-shaven, in new clothes, with a new backpack containing a map of San Francisco, a book by Confucius, and sports shoes.

Observations Ufologiques (Press Condensations): This section provides a series of brief reports from November 1981:

• November 6, 1981 (Feignies, Nord): An unidentified object was observed for nearly an hour, sometimes metallic, sometimes luminous, hovering silently near the ground.
• November 9, 1981 (Couderque-Branche, Nord): Students and teachers observed a strange object, the size of a rugby ball, moving slowly and silently at low altitude, emitting a bright light.
• November 19, 1981 (Amboise, Loir et Cher): Four people observed a strange luminous ball hovering immobile for about ten minutes before vanishing.
• November 22, 1981 (Guipavas, Finistère): A luminous mass was observed at the airport, making no noise but emitting sparks. Joggers described it as a red football-like object.
• November 23, 1981 (Mar-del-Plata, Argentina): An object with strange red, incandescent wings moved silently at high speed, observed by numerous witnesses.
• November 26, 1981 (Fontenay-le-Comte, Vendée): Electrical lighting experienced tremors and detonations, followed by the disappearance of light, with witnesses seeing fireballs.

Scientific and Other Articles

"SOS INSECTES: LES ARBRES SE PARLENT...": This short piece mentions research by American professors Gordon Orians and David Rhoades suggesting that trees communicate using pheromones when attacked by insects, alerting nearby trees to modify their leaves.

"NAISSANCES DANS LA GALAXIE": This section discusses the formation of new suns, or "protostars," within our galaxy, estimated to be about a million years old and similar to our sun in its early stages.

Bibliographic Documentation

A comprehensive bibliography lists numerous books related to UFOs, extraterrestrials, parapsychology, and ancient mysteries, with authors like Frank Edwards, Henry Durrant, Peter Kolosimo, Jacques Vallée, Aimé Michel, Paul Misraki, Erich Von Däniken, and Charles Fort. The list includes titles such as "Les Soucoupes Volantes, Affaire Sérieuse," "Le Livre Noir des Soucoupes Volantes," "Les Phénomènes Insolites de l'Espace," "Les Dieux Venu d'Ailleurs," and "L'Archéologie Mystérieuse."

Information Services and Publications

Several sections provide information on related publications and services:

• OCTA-MAGAZINE: A science fiction fanzine directed by Claude Dumont.
• AGET-SERVICE: Offers unusual and marginal advertisements.
• FACETTES: A publication connecting curious individuals, researchers, and collectors.
• BIBLIOMAX: Offers books, periodicals, documents, and curiosities.
• LA NOUVELLE ERE: An unusual and apolitical publication.
• MESSIER: An astronomy club.
• FANTASTIQUE & ANTICIPATION S.F.: Offer popular novels and comic books.
• IDEES POUR TOUS: A publication covering various topics including culture and special editions.
• JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG: A German publication on unknown phenomena.
• UFOLOGIA: The journal itself, offering a specimen to interested individuals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFOLOGIA are UFO sightings, encounters with non-human entities (including alleged extraterrestrials and apparitions), and the broader implications for parapsychology, archaeology, and our understanding of the universe. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting witness testimonies and referencing various research and literature in the field. The inclusion of a comprehensive bibliography suggests an effort to provide readers with further resources for exploration. The magazine aims to be precise, regular, and impartial in its reporting of these unusual events.