UFO Nyt - No 5 sept-okt 1973

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NYT
Issue: 5
Volume: 15
Date: September-October 1973
Publisher: SKANDINAVISK UFO INFORMATION
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

Editorial Stance and Content

This issue of UFO NYT, published by SKANDINAVISK UFO INFORMATION (SUFOI), addresses several key topics related to UFO phenomena, including criticism of how UFOs are portrayed in popular media and literature, detailed reports of specific sightings, and organizational information.

Criticism of Media and Literature Portrayal

The cover story, "Al omtale er god omtale eller ??" (Is all publicity good publicity or ??), by Ole Henningsen, critiques a library book list compiled by Hjejl Resen Steenstrup and Birgitte Rørbye. The list, titled "Okkultisme og overtro" (Occultism and Superstition), categorizes UFOs as a form of "occult science" and part of superstition. Henningsen expresses dismay that UFO research is being lumped in with folklore and the supernatural, arguing that SUFOI's work is based on investigation, not superstition. He is particularly critical of the book list's description of UFO NYT itself, which he finds dismissive and inaccurate.

Another article, "BEDRAG MOD UGEBLADSLÆSERE" (Deception of Weekly Magazine Readers), addresses the sensationalist reporting of UFOs in the Danish magazine "Dansk Familieblad." The article claims that a series about "unknown foreign visitors" and a "TV Reporter murdered by aliens" was based on a German TV play script, "Die Delegation," rather than factual reporting. SUFOI has written to the magazine's editors requesting an explanation for presenting fictional material as fact.

UFO Sightings and Incidents

Hændelse i Nogales, Arizona (Incident in Nogales, Arizona) details a significant event on August 20, 1972. Multiple witnesses in Nogales, Arizona, and Sonora, Mexico, reported seeing a strange, silver-blue light and a hovering object. The incident coincided with a widespread power outage in the Nogales area and an explosion at a local power station. The report includes testimonies from Mrs. Helen Sutherlin, a teacher, and Marco Flores, a co-owner of a local nightclub. Both described unusual lights and sounds. The investigation into the power station explosion suggested arson, possibly as a diversion for drug smuggling, but authorities denied any connection to helicopters or aerial searches at the time, casting doubt on the explanation for the observed phenomena.

Landing ved Lagôa Negra (Landing at Lagôa Negra) reports on an incident that occurred in early January 1968, between 8 PM and 10 PM, at the Lagôa Negra Fazenda plantation in Brazil. Five witnesses, including the plantation owner, his family, and the manager, observed a landing. The UFO was described as round, approximately three meters high and ten meters wide, with a metallic sheen and emitting a strong, cold red light. It hovered about two meters above the ground. Two tall beings (around two meters) and three smaller beings (around 1.40 meters) were observed emerging from the craft. They were described as wearing white overalls and having long hair. The red light from the UFO caused witnesses' eyes to burn and illuminated the surrounding area. The incident lasted about 20 minutes. The report notes that the witnesses had no prior interest in UFOs.

Organizational Information and Recurring Themes

Page 2 provides extensive contact information for SUFOI's organizational structure, including the Executive Committee (Forretningsudvalget) and the Representative Council (Repræsentantskabet), listing names, roles, and addresses for various departments like the editorial office, expedition, report central, and regional representatives across Scandinavia and Norway.

The issue also includes a table of contents listing various sections such as "Leder" (Editorial), "Observationer" (Observations), "Boganmeldelse" (Book Review), "Ufologi," and "Rapport-hjørnet" (Report Corner).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFO phenomena, the importance of accurate reporting, and the distinction between genuine investigation and sensationalism or superstition. SUFOI positions itself as a serious organization dedicated to understanding UFOs, actively combating misinformation, and providing a platform for credible reports and analysis. The editorial stance is one of rigorous inquiry and a commitment to separating factual UFO research from folklore, occultism, and media sensationalism. The magazine aims to educate the public and counter what it perceives as misleading portrayals of UFOs in popular culture and media.

This issue of UFO-NYT, spanning pages 177 to 185, features a collection of articles and reports related to UFO phenomena, astronomical history, and scientific controversies. The cover story, "UFO-eftersøgning i Djupsøen" (UFO Search in Djupsøen), details a significant sighting in Norway. The issue also includes commentary on UFO reports, a review of an Italian UFO book, and historical pieces on Nicolaus Copernicus and the 'polywater' phenomenon.

Besætningens opførsel (Crew's Behavior)

This section describes the actions of three small and two large beings who emerged from a landed craft. The smaller beings stayed near the craft, while the larger ones walked towards a steel wire fence and a ditch. They followed a path along the ditch, reaching a point halfway to a gate before returning. On a second excursion, they walked directly towards the gate, stopping at a small wooden bridge over the ditch, then returned to the craft. On their third excursion, they again followed the ditch, crossed the bridge, opened the gate, and proceeded towards a house. The plantation owner and his manager observed from under palm trees, while the wife, son, and daughter were inside the house. The son was frightened by a red light entering the house.

Spor på stedet (Traces at the Scene)

The following day, witnesses searched the area and found two types of footprints: large ones resembling bare feet with long toes and angled heels, and smaller ones with rounded heels and a star-shaped mark on the sole. Plaster casts were not taken at the time.

Ruterne, der blev fulgt (Routes Taken)

The beings' movements were tracked: first along the ditch for about 90 meters from the landing site, then to a joint approximately 100 meters long, before returning to the craft. A third excursion took them along the ditch to a point about 60 meters from the house.

Undersøgelsen (The Investigation)

The investigation into this incident was led by the G.G.I.O.A.N.I. group (Grupo Gaucho de Investigaçao de Objetos Aéreos Nao Identificados) from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Gordon Creighton, who translated the article from Portuguese, expressed optimism about the report of seemingly friendly, human-like beings, contrasting it with previous reports of 'devilish' entities. He suggested that if the beings retreated out of consideration when the woman cried out, it could imply a benevolent aspect to the UFO phenomenon. Dr. J. Allen Hynek is quoted as emphasizing the need to investigate well-attested cases with multiple witnesses, suggesting this incident fits that criterion.

UFO-NYT kommentarer (UFO-NYT Comments)

This section provides commentary on the reported incident:

1. "Coverall" interpretation: Suggests the Danish term "coverall" might refer to a full-body suit, aligning with the illustration.
2. Mechanical dolls: The description of the beings' movements leads to speculation they might be mechanical dolls.
3. Lack of detail: Expresses disagreement with Gordon Creighton's conclusion about the 'noble' aspect of the UFO phenomenon, citing insufficient details.
4. "Open-air cinema" theory: Considers the English editor's 'open-air cinema' theory, relating it to modern holographic experiments.
5. Unusual behavior: Notes the peculiar behavior of the beings, such as the small ones rushing about and the larger ones pausing before entering the gate, suggesting it's characteristic of many UFOnaut reports. It questions whether the story is fabricated or if it supports Adamski's claims, and whether the beings were projections or mechanical dolls.

STOR PRÆMIEKONKURRENCE (Big Prize Competition)

A brief mention of a prize competition, directing readers to page 3.

UFO-eftersøgning i Djupsøen (UFO Search in Djupsøen)

This article by Finn Nielsen recounts the search for a sunken UFO in Djupsøen, Norway. The story began in August 1947 when farmers Bernhard Sollie and his wife, along with Mr. Engvik, witnessed a strange, oval object flying at high speed from the south. The object, described as resembling a large egg, about 4 meters high, with a smooth steel-like surface and a blue tone, and two small half-moon 'wings', changed course and landed on the water. It floated for about 20 minutes before disappearing. The witnesses noted the unusual calm of their five dogs, which normally reacted strongly to strangers. The plantation owner and his manager observed the event from a distance. The article details subsequent investigations, including a search by Norsk UFO Center in 1968 and a larger search in July of the current year (1971), which involved electronic equipment and divers. Despite extensive searching, no UFO was found; a sonar echo revealed a discarded machine. The article also touches upon the difficulty of searching in the lake due to depth and mud.

Boganmeldelse: Italiensk UFO-bog (Book Review: Italian UFO Book)

This section reviews "Visitatori Dallo Spazio" (Visitors From Space) by Roberto Pinotti, an Italian UFO researcher and author. The book, published in 1973, covers UFO phenomena from the Foo-Fighter reports of World War II up to the status of UFO research in 1973. It includes references, photos, and contributions from notable figures like Professor Hermann Oberth, who believed UFOs were spacecraft from other planets. Pinotti, described as a believer in extraterrestrial visits, aims to present the available material objectively.

KORT FATTET: Mand konstruerer tallerkenfartøj (Briefly: Man Constructs Saucer Craft)

This short piece reports on Steven T. Rowan of Colby, Kansas, who has patented a saucer-shaped aircraft. The machine combines helicopter and airplane characteristics, capable of vertical and horizontal flight in any direction. It features a circular cockpit with a panoramic windshield.

Copernicus 500 år (Copernicus 500 Years)

This article commemorates the 500th anniversary of Nicolaus Copernicus' birth. It details his life, studies in Krakow and Bologna, and his groundbreaking work in astronomy. Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model, placing the Sun at the center of the universe, which contradicted the prevailing Aristotelian geocentric view. The article explains the initial resistance from the Catholic Church and the eventual acceptance of his theories, supported by astronomers like Galilei and Kepler, and later explained by Newton's law of gravity. It also touches upon the concept of stars as distant celestial bodies, a notion debated by Tycho Brahe, who incorrectly believed stars appeared as small discs.

Det ,,tykke vand" var en „and" (The "Thick Water" Was a "Duck")

This article discusses the retraction by Soviet scientists of their claims about "polywater," a supposed new form of water with remarkable properties discovered in the mid-1960s. The phenomenon, dubbed "polywater" by Western scientists, was described as having high density and the ability to remain liquid below freezing point and withstand high temperatures. The article notes that Frank J. Danahoe of Wilkes University warned in 1969 that polywater could be dangerous. Despite widespread experimentation, the production of polywater proved difficult, and the claims were eventually disproven.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, investigations, and related phenomena, often presenting witness accounts and the challenges of verifying such events. There's a recurring theme of skepticism mixed with an open-minded approach to the subject, as seen in the commentary section. Historical perspectives, such as the articles on Copernicus and the scientific method, are used to contextualize modern investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFOs, acknowledging both the potential for misinterpretation and the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena. The inclusion of book reviews and brief reports on inventions like Rowan's craft broadens the scope of topics covered.

This document is a comprehensive index (Stikordsregister) for the Danish UFO magazine UFO-NYT, covering the year 1972. It serves as a detailed alphabetical listing of subjects, names, organizations, and locations mentioned within the magazine's articles throughout that year.

Content Highlights

The index provides a cross-referenced guide to the content of UFO-NYT in 1972. It lists numerous entries, including:

• Individuals: Prominent figures in ufology and related scientific fields such as Wernher von Braun, J. Allen Hynek, R. D. Brown, Donald E. Keyhoe, Jacques Vallee, Carl Sagan, and others. The index details specific page numbers where these individuals are mentioned, often in the context of their statements, research, or involvement in UFO-related events.
• Organizations: Various UFO research organizations and governmental bodies are listed, including APRO, SUFOI, NASA, NICAP, FN, ICUFON, IGAP, DISC, DUFOC, DUIST, UFOAIKA, and others. Their mentions are typically related to their activities, reports, or participation in conferences.
• Locations: A wide array of geographical locations are indexed, spanning countries like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden, and the USA, as well as specific cities and regions within them.
• Topics and Concepts: The index covers a broad spectrum of ufological themes, such as UFO sightings (obs.), extraterrestrial life, flying saucers, specific UFO cases, scientific theories related to space and life, and technological aspects like rockets and satellites.

Specific Articles and Reports

While primarily an index, the document also contains snippets and references to specific articles and events from 1972:

• Polywater Discussion: Several entries relate to "polyvandet" (polywater), a controversial substance. The index points to discussions about its properties and the scientific community's eventual realization of errors in its initial findings, citing articles in "Nature" and "Lolland-Falsters Folketid." (Page 5)
• Australian Scientist on Extraterrestrial Life: An article summarizes the views of Professor R. D. Brown from Australia's Academy of Sciences regarding the likelihood of life on other planets. Brown suggests that planetary systems are common and that the development of intelligent life might be "inevitable" under certain conditions. He dismisses "flying saucers" as being reported too frequently and expresses skepticism about direct alien visitation.
• Wernher von Braun's UFO Statements: A significant portion of the content (Pages 7-9) details a press conference by Wernher von Braun in Rio de Janeiro. Initially, his statements were criticized for lacking insight into the UFO phenomenon. However, subsequent information revealed that APRO representative Mrs. Irene Granchi challenged von Braun, who admitted he was not a UFO expert and was unaware of key figures like Dr. J. Allen Hynek's work. The article highlights the importance of expertise in specific fields.
• Brazilian UFO Congress: The fifth Brazilian UFO Congress, held in Sao Paulo on October 21, 1972, is mentioned. Mrs. Irene Granchi opened the congress, and topics included UFO observations from July 26, 1972, in Rio, and the presentation of a photograph of a large UFO.
• UFO Observation Exercise: A report on a UFO observation exercise held on September 1-2, 1973, is included (Page 10). Despite challenging weather conditions, the exercise saw good participation and improved radio communication organization. However, no actual UFO observations were reported during the exercise period.
• Specific Sighting Report: A detailed report describes an incident on June 27, 1973, where a couple driving near Rungsted, Denmark, observed an oval object with lights and beams, estimated to be 10-12 meters in diameter and moving at 250-300 km/h.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this indexed volume of UFO-NYT revolve around the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the search for extraterrestrial life, and critical analysis of public statements by prominent figures. The magazine appears to maintain a stance that values rigorous investigation and expert opinion, as evidenced by the detailed reporting on Wernher von Braun's press conference and the emphasis on specialized knowledge. The inclusion of specific sighting reports, alongside discussions of scientific theories and organizational activities, suggests a comprehensive approach to covering the UFO field. The editorial stance seems to lean towards a critical yet open-minded examination of evidence and claims within ufology.

This issue of UFO-NYT, dated 1974 and identified as issue number 207, focuses on astronomical phenomena and unexplained aerial phenomena. The magazine features articles on Comet Kohoutek, UFO sightings, and a peculiar incident aboard the Skylab space mission. The cover highlights a story titled "Kvinde-stemme skabte panik" (Female voice created panic).

Comet Kohoutek and Astronomical Events

The magazine discusses the anticipated visibility of Comet Kohoutek, noting its characteristic tail and the potential for it to become bright enough to be seen in daylight by December. Brian Marsden of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory suggested this possibility. The comet was expected to be even more visible in the January evenings as it moved away from the Sun. A particularly spectacular event was predicted for Latin America around Christmas, involving a ring-shaped solar eclipse, Comet Kohoutek, and the planets Jupiter and Venus forming a celestial display.

Astronomers worldwide were preparing to study the comet using various wavelengths, from ultraviolet to infrared. Harvard's A. Edward Lilley hoped to detect microwave radiation from the comet for the first time. Unmanned satellites and Skylab's advanced observatory were expected to provide optimal observation conditions, free from atmospheric interference. These observations aimed to determine the comet's structure and origin, believed to be remnants from the solar system's formation.

NASA announced its intention to observe Comet Kohoutek during the Skylab 4 mission, with a planned launch from the Kennedy Space Center around November 9, 1973. The article notes that launch dates were subject to change due to technical reasons, but a potential second crew launch around November 19, 1973, would allow observation until January 14, when the comet would begin moving away from the Sun. The source for this information is cited as NASA News, dated August 16, 1973.

In addition to the comet, the issue mentions meteor showers: the Orionids around October 21, the Geminids around December 13, and potentially the October Draconids around October 9 and the Leonids around November 17. These are presented as 'Stjerneskud' (shooting stars).

UFO Sightings and Events

The "RUM-NYT" (Space News) section includes a brief mention of Asger Lundbak's skepticism regarding flying saucers, while acknowledging the possibility of encountering them. A more detailed account comes from the "UFO-CAMPING-ÆRØ" article, describing a UFO camping event held in Kragnæs on the island of Ærø. Despite some lecturers cancelling at the last minute, the event proceeded with participants sharing their interests. The lectures covered topics described as 'borderline sciences' rather than strictly UFO subjects. During an observation session, a girl witnessed a crescent-shaped dark object hovering stationary at an altitude of about 30 degrees. Her father was called, but the object disappeared by the time he arrived. The incident is being investigated by the Rapportcentralen. The following year's UFO camping was planned to be held in Thisted.

Skylab Incident: Female Voice Causes Panic

The main article, "Kvinde-stemme skabte panik" (Female voice created panic), details an unusual event on the Skylab space laboratory. A female voice suddenly broke through from orbit, addressing Houston and asking if they could hear. The voice, described as sexy, identified herself as "Helen in Skylab" and claimed to be bringing homemade food for the astronauts. Project leader Robert Crippen, who had just spoken with astronauts Alan Bean, Owen Garriott, and Jack Lousma, was initially confused. He recognized the voice as that of his wife, Helen, who had apparently played a prank by recording herself. She described California wildfires and sunsets to make the prank sound realistic. The incident ended with Helen stating she had to cut off the call as the astronauts were approaching the command module. Later, Crippen inquired if the astronauts felt lonely, to which Garriott responded that a good homemade meal would help.

Reader Engagement and Subscription Information

The magazine includes a "LÆSERKONKURRENCE" (Reader Competition) section, encouraging subscriptions for 1974. Despite rising prices in other areas, UFO-NYT maintained its price of 35 Danish Kroner per year, emphasizing its commitment to quality printing and illustrations. To help maintain this quality and price, readers were urged to secure more subscribers. Winners of the competition could receive 5 x 100 Kroner to spend on UFO books or receive cash. Readers were asked to provide names and addresses of potential subscribers on a giro payment card. The draw for the winners was scheduled for March 1, 1974, with results to be published in UFO-NYT issue number 2, 1974. A postscript offered a way for those who had already paid for their 1974 subscription to still participate in acquiring new subscribers by sending in names and addresses.

Corrections and Editorial Notes

A section titled "TYRKFEJL" (Typo Errors) corrects mistakes from the previous issue. Specifically, a sentence on page 129 was corrected to state "UFO'et har" instead of "FO'et har". On pages 153-155, a note about a partial solar eclipse was corrected to indicate it was a partial lunar eclipse. Another correction on page 163 involved a missing line in the "Radioaktiv" section concerning the Antofagasta story, clarifying the description of an object's effect on skin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO-NYT demonstrates a consistent interest in astronomical events, particularly comets and meteor showers, alongside reports of UFO sightings and space exploration news. The magazine maintains a stance of reporting on these phenomena, even those that are unusual or potentially unexplained, such as the Skylab incident. The emphasis on reader participation through subscriptions and competitions suggests an effort to build and maintain a community around the subject matter. The corrections section indicates a commitment to accuracy, despite the challenges of producing a periodical.