MARS & THE FLYING SAUCERS: A contribution to the scientific study of the periodicity of the flying saucer phenomenon in its correlation with the oppositions of Mars

This academic paper, authored by Jacques and Janine Vallée, explores the potential correlation between the periodicity of flying saucer sightings and the orbital oppositions of the planet Mars. The authors begin by contextualizing the phenomenon, noting the failure of previous theories—such as atmospheric temperature variations, collective psychosis, or simple optical illusions—to account for simultaneous visual and radar sightings. They argue that the scientific community must move beyond dismissing these reports and instead apply rigorous statistical analysis to the data accumulated since 1947. The authors utilize a catalogue of 1,000 sightings to investigate whether the frequency of these events follows a periodic pattern linked to Mars. They acknowledge the work of other investigators, including Aimé Michel, Wilbert Smith, and E. Buelta, while refining their own methodology to account for geographical and demographic factors. Through the use of tables and a graph (Figure 1), the authors compare sighting frequency with the astronomical distance between Earth and Mars. They calculate a Spearman coefficient of correlation, which yields a result of -79, indicating a significant statistical relationship where sighting frequency increases as the distance between the two planets decreases. The authors conclude that while geographical factors and reporting biases exist, the mathematical correlation is strong enough to warrant further scientific investigation. They emphasize that their findings do not necessarily prove the existence of extraterrestrial craft, but rather demonstrate a non-random, periodic pattern in the phenomenon that demands serious, objective study rather than dismissal.