Vaucluse Ufologie - No 01 - Janvier-Fevrier 1977

Magazine Overview

This document is the first bulletin from the "Groupement de Recherche et d'Etude du Phénomène OVNI" (G.R.E.P.O.), a ufological research group based in Vaucluse, France. Dated December 1976, it announces the relaunch and redefinition of the organization. The cover features a stylized map of the Vaucluse region with drawings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) over key towns like Avignon, Orange, Vaison, Apt, and Pertuis, under the title "BULLETIN d'INFORMATION G.R.E.P.O."

Editorial

The editorial section, signed by René Faudrin, President of G.R.E.P.O., explains the group's history and new direction. The original G.R.E.P.O., founded in March 1975 by Pierre Monnet, aimed to become the French Federation of Ufology but failed due to unrealistic ambitions, leading to the dissolution of its bureau and Monnet's resignation. A new team of four former members has taken over, re-establishing G.R.E.P.O. with a focus on energetic ufological research specifically within the Vaucluse department. The bulletin aims to inform members and sympathizers about their activities and future projects, including investigations, articles, and association news. It encourages contact and collaboration from ufologists and invites contributions of information and observations.

New Statutes of G.R.E.P.O.

Pages 3 and 4 detail the new statutes of G.R.E.P.O., effective December 1976. The association is defined as a regional, non-profit entity in Vaucluse. Its activities (Article 2) include: 1) Researching UFO cases (collection, investigation, analysis), 2) Study meetings, 3) Archiving, 4) Information dissemination via press, radio, TV, public meetings, and the bulletin, and 5) Related technical research. These activities primarily cover the Vaucluse department and the South-East of France, with collaboration with French and foreign ufological associations (Article 3 & 4). G.R.E.P.O. will also serve as the regional delegation for the "Groupement International de Recherche : Lumières Dans La Nuit (LDLN)" in Vaucluse, with Jean-Pierre Troadéc as the delegate (Article 5). The statutes outline the operational structure, including an annual general assembly to review the past year and plan for the next, monthly bureau meetings, and ad-hoc work meetings (Article 6). The executive bureau will consist of a president, vice-president, general secretary, deputy secretary, and treasurer (Article 7). Decisions require bureau consensus, with specific quorum rules for absent members (Article 8). Financial matters, including annual membership fees and their use for equipment, are managed by the treasurer and president/secretary general (Article 9). The bulletin is distributed to all members and known ufological associations (Article 10). The statutes are subject to revision (Article 11).

Towards a French Federation of Ufology

Page 5 discusses the ambition of creating a French Federation of Ufology (FFU). It notes that several groups share this goal, with the "Société Varoise d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux (SVEPS)" being a recent proponent. The article questions the energy spent on this project, suggesting that while the idea of a unified organization to coordinate research across France is good, many groups envision it under their own hegemonic control. The author argues that a successful federation should be built from the ground up, with local associations taking responsibility and collaborating. The article criticizes the top-down approach of implanting national groups under a central directive, which has historically led to failure due to resistance and inertia. It emphasizes the importance of local research and understanding regional customs. The author lists numerous existing local and regional UFO study groups, stressing that none should be forgotten, as doing so would be a grave error. The article concludes that creating a FFU is utopian if it's not organically developed by a competent committee representing each group, acting as a representative body for French ufological research.

Observation Evenings and Reporting

Pages 9 and 10 focus on "Observation Evenings" organized by G.R.E.P.O. These evenings aim to observe the UFO phenomenon, with most sightings occurring after 6 PM. The article suggests that while not proven, UFOs might be more visible at night when the sun doesn't illuminate the sky. It describes how these observation sessions are conducted: gathering at elevated points with equipment like cameras, binoculars, compasses, radios, and tape recorders. Participants are encouraged to work in groups, divide observation areas, and maintain communication. G.R.E.P.O. has scheduled a weekly observation evening every Friday for coordinated research. The article also mentions that G.R.E.P.O. has conducted two observation campaigns in Vaucluse, with results pending. It stresses the importance of precise, clear, and timely reporting of observations, including date, time, location, witness names and addresses, and detailed descriptions of events, engine stoppages, or power failures. Even uneventful observations or uncertain sightings (like a possible star or plane) should be reported using a simple form.

Related Publications

Page 10 also mentions the monthly periodical "Lumières Dans La Nuit (LDLN)", which publishes 28 pages per issue on UFO phenomena, including international reports, articles, and news. It also highlights "Décalaire," a quarterly supplement co-edited with the "Fondation Ark'all," which explores the concept of "LIVING" from a global perspective. Readers are encouraged to subscribe to these publications.

Case Study: Carpentras Sighting

Pages 7 and 8 detail an investigation into a sighting by Maître René Vincenti, an attorney, in Carpentras on April 10, 1975. Vincenti reported seeing a bright object in his garden that appeared larger and more colorful than a star, changing hues from yellow to red, green, and violet. He described its movement as jerky and its path as rectilinear but intermittent. Using 12x binoculars, he estimated its size to be that of a mandarin (naked eye) or an orange (binoculars). The object moved from Northeast to Southwest and was visible for about 30 minutes before disappearing behind a bosquet. Vincenti, who describes himself as rational and skeptical, was surprised by the phenomenon. He confirmed there was no sound and that the object was significantly higher than an airplane. He had limited prior knowledge of UFOs but stated the experience made him more interested. He also noted that his wife and another person present shared his observations. A complementary investigation mentions a similar phenomenon seen in Brignoles the same night and reported by RMC radio, as well as a sighting by people traveling from a party near Orange.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin reflects a serious, methodical approach to ufological research, emphasizing detailed reporting and collaboration. The editorial stance is one of relaunching and professionalizing ufological efforts in the Vaucluse region, moving away from the perceived unrealistic ambitions of the previous iteration of G.R.E.P.O. There's a clear emphasis on grounded, local research and the importance of community participation. The discussion on forming a national federation highlights a tension between centralized control and grassroots collaboration, with a leaning towards the latter. The publication also serves as a platform for sharing personal accounts of sightings and promoting related ufological literature.

Title: Vaucluse Ufologie
Issue: N°1
Volume: 1977
Publisher: G.R.E.P.O.
Country: France
Language: French
Cover Headline: ATTENTION A LA LUNE, CE N'EST PAS UN O.V.N.I. (Attention to the Moon, it is not a UFO)

This issue of Vaucluse Ufologie, published by the Groupement de Recherche et d'Etude du Phénomène OVNI (GREPO), focuses on debunking common UFO sightings by explaining them as misidentifications of natural phenomena, primarily the moon. It also delves into the physics of speed and motion.

Articles

"OVNI DANS LE CIEL D'EURVILLE (Haute Marne)"

This section recounts an article from L'Est Républicain dated July 5, 1976, detailing a sighting by a Mr. M. in Eurville on the night of July 3-4. Mr. M. reported seeing a large, bright, reddish star-like object moving slowly in a cloudy sky, which then took on a crescent shape before disappearing. The author of this piece, however, identifies the phenomenon as the moon. The author, who also witnessed the moon on the night of July 3rd, describes it as a first-quarter moon (which occurred on July 4th at 7:28 PM). They explain that the moon, appearing as a reddish-yellow crescent radiating light onto the clouds, could be mistaken for a UFO, especially when clouds obscure parts of it, giving the impression of movement. The author notes that the moon appeared full after the clouds cleared. The observation point in St-Dizier is 12 km from Eurville, and the author suggests that atmospheric conditions could have contributed to the misidentification. The article concludes by urging readers to observe the sky carefully before claiming to have seen a UFO.

Second Witness Account (St-Dizier)

The author then shares another example from 1974, during a period of increased UFO sightings in France. While working at the St-Dizier control tower, two mechanics and a storekeeper reported seeing a large, red ball moving rapidly from southeast to east and east to southeast over the horizon. The author, initially skeptical, asked them to describe it. Based on their description, the author alerted a friend in the control tower and then went to see for himself. He found nothing, but as clouds moved, a gap revealed the full moon, which, due to the moving clouds, appeared to be moving. The author later confirmed with the Air Traffic Controller that it was indeed the moon. The two witnesses, however, remained convinced they had seen a UFO. The author emphasizes that misidentifications with the moon inflate UFO dossiers and advises caution and perspicacity in observations.

"LE PARADOXE DES VITESSES" (The Paradox of Speeds)

This section, attributed to René Faudrin, President of GRUPO, explores the concept of extreme speeds. It begins by stating that humans can achieve fantastic speeds, but more surprisingly, can do so without any vehicle and without moving. The article then calculates the Earth's speed: rotating around the sun at approximately 930 million km, it travels at about 330 km per second, or 19,800 km per minute. Additionally, the Earth rotates on its own axis, covering about 40,000 km at the equator in 24 hours, or 24.5 km per minute. Combining these speeds, the total speed at the equator is 19,824.5 km per minute. The article concludes that a human at the equator is thus traveling at an astonishing 1,189,476 kilometers per hour without moving, a remarkable performance.

"UN OVNI A PUGET SUR DURANCE (VAUCLUSE)"

This article, dated May 16, 1976, at 4:00 PM, describes an observation made in Puget Sur Durance. Mr. P., an agricultural entrepreneur, along with buyers from one of his properties, observed an object on an island in the Durance river. The object was described as a rust-colored dome with a smaller cupola of the same color on top. It was perfectly still and appeared metallic, with no visible rivets or windows. A slight breeze caused nearby bushes to sway, and a reflection was seen on the cupola. Mr. P. was intrigued and decided to return with binoculars, but by the time he did, the object was gone. He later began to suspect it was a flying saucer. Investigators visited the site a month later and, using trees as a reference, estimated the object's height at approximately 3.40 meters and its width at about ten meters. No tangible traces were found, except for tire marks. An inquiry with the local mairie revealed that military maneuvers had taken place on the island but had ceased two days before the observation. The authors, J.P. Troadec and R. Franchino, conclude that the object seen was indeed unknown.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of UFO sightings, with a strong emphasis on debunking misidentifications. The publication clearly advocates for a rational and scientific approach to ufology, encouraging careful observation and discouraging hasty conclusions. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards extraordinary claims and a preference for explaining phenomena through known natural or man-made causes. The inclusion of the physics article on speeds suggests an interest in exploring scientific principles within the context of ufology, perhaps to provide a framework for understanding or dismissing certain types of sightings. The publication also aims to foster a community of researchers, as evidenced by the call for members to contact Mr. Robert Franchino for a potential network in the Vaucluse region and the subscription information for the bulletin.