UFO Nyt - No 3-4 maj-aug 1986

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-NYT
Issue: 28th Year, May-August 1986, Nr. 3/4
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI)
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish
Cover Headline: Australien: Forsvunden tid (Australia: Lost Time)

Editorial Stance and Financial Situation

The editorial, penned by Per Andersen, highlights significant financial difficulties facing UFO-NYT. The publication was on the brink of closure before the summer break but was saved by the support of the representative body and technical cutbacks, resulting in a reduced page count. The editor attributes the financial problems to a declining interest in UFO phenomena, which has halved the readership over recent years, a trend observed by most UFO organizations globally. The future of UFO-NYT in 1987 is uncertain, with a strong appeal for reader support, including financial contributions to a support fund and timely subscription renewals. The magazine also apologizes for not being able to refund the VISION portion of joint subscriptions due to the bankruptcy of the VISION publishing house.

Key Articles and Features

Australien: Forsvunden tid (Part 1)

This article by Bill Chalker explores UFO cases from Australia that involve physical evidence or traces, particularly those where the witness's memory is affected, such as time loss and 'contact' or 'abduction' scenarios. Chalker notes that while Australian UFO reports often feature alien beings, cases of direct contact, abduction, or time loss were previously thought to be absent. He contrasts this with the rich indigenous traditions of 'initiation ceremonies' which share similarities with modern UFO contact narratives. The article details several specific cases:

• Case 1: Gladstone-Rockhampton, Queensland (1971): A Finnish couple experienced a significant time loss during a drive. They reported covering a distance that should have taken over an hour in less than half the time, with no memory of passing villages. Their car was found covered in an unusual oil and had strange circular marks on the hood, suggesting exposure to extreme heat.
• Case 2: Moonie, Queensland (1977): Two travelers reported a UFO sighting, after which their car battery was drained, and they experienced a peculiar feeling of immobility.
• Case 3: Bakers Creek Falls, New South Wales (1978): Gary P reported observing UFOs and experiencing a period of missing time, during which he encountered 'hunters' and later found himself at a different location with no recollection of the intervening journey. The case involved a strange light and a possible interaction with an unusual object.

Synspunkt: Sagen mod IFOet (Viewpoint: The Case Against IFOs)

Jenny Randles critically examines the tendency to misinterpret known phenomena (IFO - Identified Flying Object) as UFOs, citing James Oberg's assertion that many UFO sightings are misidentified rocket launches. Randles outlines a four-phase process of UFO acquisition: the initial event, the observation, the witness's narrative, and the final report. She uses a case involving the planet Venus, which was mistaken for a UFO, to illustrate how witness accounts can be influenced by media attention and pre-existing beliefs, leading to elaborate 'reports' that deviate significantly from the original 'event'. Randles argues that many UFO narratives are not genuine reports but rather embellished stories shaped by external factors and the desire for a UFO story.

Cosmos 'Event'

This section details the Cosmos 1068 reentry event on New Year's Eve 1978, which was widely observed across Britain and mistaken by many for a UFO. Randles, as part of her research, collected over 100 witness reports to analyze the phenomenon. She found that the reports were remarkably consistent regarding the time (around 19:05-19:20), direction (northwest-southeast), and duration (2-3 minutes). The object's color varied from white to light orange, and its shape was described as cigar-like or cylindrical, with a burning tail effect. Randles concludes that the widespread misinterpretation was influenced by the recent release of the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and UFO footage from New Zealand, creating a receptive environment for UFO explanations.

UFO Sløring (UFO Cover-up) Book Review

The magazine promotes the book "UFO Sløring" by Bill Chalker, edited by Kim Møller Hansen. The book, based on Chalker's research into Australian UFO cases and information from the Danish embassy in Canberra, reportedly reveals that authorities may be concealing the truth about UFOs. It is a 72-page A5 book with witness illustrations.

SUFOI Support Fund

An update on the SUFOI Support Fund indicates it has passed the halfway mark towards its goal of DKr. 20,000. The fund supports activities aimed at increasing awareness of UFO phenomena in Denmark, including member meetings and an upcoming exhibition. Donors of at least DKr. 15 receive a rare copy of UFO-NYT from February 1960.

Other Content

• NYT TELEFONNUMMER for UFO-observationer: A new telephone number for the SUFOI Alarmcentral is announced.
• UDGIVES AF SKANDINAVISK UFO INFORMATION: Information about the publisher and contact details.
• INDHOLD (Table of Contents): Lists articles such as 'Leder: UFO-NYT har problemer!', 'Australien: Forsvunden tid (1. del)', 'Synspunkt: Sagen mod IFOet', 'J. Allen Hynek død', 'UFO-forskning: UFO-rapporter og ny information', 'Computer-astronomi: Cosiplan II', and 'Piloter ser UFOer'.
• FORSIDEN (Cover Story): A note about the cover illustration and a question regarding the accurate assessment of lights in the sky.
• Bøger og tidsskrifter: Anmeldelser (Books and Periodicals: Reviews): Includes a review of Jacques Vallee's book "Anatomy of a Phenomenon: UFO's in Space".

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the challenges of UFO research, the potential for misidentification of known phenomena as UFOs (IFO), and the impact of media and public perception on UFO narratives. The magazine emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and critical analysis, as exemplified by Jenny Randles' critique of misinterpretations and Bill Chalker's detailed case studies. The financial struggles of UFO-NYT itself highlight the broader challenge of maintaining interest and funding in the field of UFO research. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena while cautioning against jumping to conclusions and advocating for scientific methodology where possible.

Title: UFO-NYT
Issue: 3-4/86
Date: January/February 1986 (implied by issue number and content)
Publisher: SUFOI (Danish UFO organization)
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

This issue of UFO-NYT, a Danish publication focused on UFO phenomena, presents a diverse range of articles, news items, and reviews. It highlights significant UFO events, discusses the work of key figures in ufology, and explores the methodologies and challenges of UFO research.

Article Summaries

The Brazilian UFO Hunt

This article reports on a significant UFO incident in Brazil where the government scrambled fighter jets to intercept unidentified flying objects observed on radar. Pilots described multi-colored, table tennis ball-sized objects moving at high speeds, with one pilot reporting being accompanied by several such objects. The Minister of Aviation, Otavio Moreira Lima, stated that they had no explanation for the phenomenon.

J. Allen Hynek: A Tribute

This obituary-style article commemorates the life and work of J. Allen Hynek, a prominent astrophysicist who became a leading figure in UFO research. It traces his career from his initial skepticism to his eventual role as a consultant for the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book. Hynek's contributions, including the development of the 'close encounter' classification system and his book 'The Ufo Experience,' are highlighted. The article emphasizes his role in making UFO research more respectable and his advocacy for scientific investigation.

Hypnosis Under Scrutiny

This piece examines the use of hypnosis in UFO research, particularly for recovering memories of 'time loss' during sightings. It discusses the debate surrounding hypnosis's reliability, noting that while it can aid memory recall, it also carries the risk of introducing false information. The article stresses the importance of verifying hypnotically obtained data and suggests that meaningful, logical sequences of images are best recalled under hypnosis.

The Limits of UFO Explanations

The article begins with an anecdote about a statistician giving a technically correct but useless answer, illustrating the importance of asking the right questions in research. It criticizes vague questions like 'Where do UFOs come from?' and advocates for a more systematic approach to UFO investigation, including the creation of comprehensive databases. The author notes that photographic evidence of UFOs dates back to the 'foo-fighters' of World War II.

A statistical breakdown of reported UFO causes from a 1959-1970 UK Ministry of Defence study is presented, showing that aircraft, satellites, and celestial bodies accounted for the majority of explanations, with only 9% remaining unexplained.

The article discusses the challenges in UFO research, including the reliance on amateur volunteers, lack of scientific rigor, and the absence of dedicated resources. It calls for the application of scientific methods, quality control, and thorough literature reviews, drawing parallels to Marie Curie's work. The author suggests comparative studies of UFO reports from different years and countries, and emphasizes the value of international collaboration.

UFOs and Computers

This section introduces the concept of using computers for UFO research. It highlights Maurizio Verga's initiative to create 'The Computer UFO Newsletter,' which aims to explore the application of computers in ufology. The newsletter will cover topics such as the presentation of computer-aided research, data exchange protocols, and the use of specific computer models like the Commodore-64. The article also mentions the Italian UFO organization C.U.N.'s project to register Italian UFO sightings using a Commodore-64 database.

'Ghost Rockets' Revisited

This article discusses the phenomenon of 'ghost rockets' or 'ghost bombs' that were widely reported across Scandinavia in the summer of 1946. It announces a new book from SUFOI titled 'SPØGELSESRAKETTERNE. UFOer over Norden i 1946' (Ghost Rockets. UFOs over the Nordic countries in 1946), which aims to provide an overview of these events.

Book and Material Reviews

Several books and materials related to UFOs are listed with their prices, including reports by Kim Møller Hansen, Jacques Vallee's 'UFOs in Space,' and older issues of UFO-NYT. A special offer for a free copy of 'FOTO/film & video' magazine is also advertised.

National Enquirer UFO Report Review

This review critically examines 'The National Enquirer: UFO Report,' a book published by Pocket Books. While acknowledging its engaging nature, the reviewer strongly criticizes its lack of factual accuracy and sensationalism. The review debunks specific claims made in the book, such as the alleged contact between the ancient Chinese philosopher Motzu and an extraterrestrial, and refutes statements attributed to the German UFO organization CENAP, citing Werner Walter's denial of the book's assertions.

UFO Lecture Announcement

An announcement for a UFO lecture in Ringsted, Denmark, featuring a slideshow on Danish and international UFO observations, is included. Admission is free, with UFO literature available for purchase.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a serious, scientific approach to UFO research, emphasizing the need for critical analysis, statistical rigor, and international cooperation. It distinguishes between sensationalized accounts and credible evidence, often debunking unsubstantiated claims while acknowledging the genuine mystery of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance favors methodical investigation and the application of scientific principles to the study of UFOs, as exemplified by the tribute to J. Allen Hynek and the critical review of 'The National Enquirer's' publication.

This issue of UFO-NYT, dated 3-4/86, is a Danish publication focusing on UFO phenomena and related topics. It features articles on astronomy software, the psychology of observation, and reviews of UFO-related books and publications.

COSIPLAN II: A German Astronomy Program for Home Computers

This article by Ole Henningsen introduces COSIPLAN II, a German astronomy simulation program for the Commodore-64. The program, an abbreviation for Computer SImuliertes PLANetarium, allows users to view the night sky from any location on Earth at any specific time. It includes data for the 200 brightest stars and planets, providing details such as their names, spectral types, and constellations. Users can input geographical coordinates and specify which parts of the sky to display, with an option to overlay a grid for orientation. A unique feature allows users to view the sky from other planets in our solar system. The program is noted for its potential use in analyzing historical UFO observations by providing the celestial context. Developed as part of an astronomy study at Bochum University, it consists of a front-end program for screen display and sprites, and a main program for astronomical calculations written in BASIC. The author points out that the BASIC programming makes the program slow, which is a drawback. The program is available for DM 25,- in a cassette version from Software Carsten Schlosser in Bochum, Germany, including a 27-page photocopied manual in German. A German-language manual with program listings can also be purchased for 20,- DKK from the author.

New Brazilian Magazine: UFOLOGIA

This section reports on a new UFO magazine from Brazil called UFOLOGIA, the only direct UFO publication currently available in Brazil. It is published by the CPDV group, which stands for "Center for Flying Saucer Research." The magazine is well-produced, with 20-30 illustrated pages per issue. UFOLOGIA aims to disseminate information about Brazilian UFO research to UFO organizations worldwide, including English summaries, and to inform the Brazilian public about UFOs and related research. Content includes UFO sightings, statistical analyses, and reports from congresses and symposia. The magazine appears to strongly assume that UFOs are extraterrestrial spacecraft, and its critical stance is questioned. The article suggests that the magazine might do more harm than good to the already chaotic UFO scene in Brazil, citing that its first issue presents several cases that many UFO investigators believe are misinterpretations or hoaxes.

Assessing the Size of UFOs: A Study on Human Perception

This article by Hans-Werner Peiniger discusses a statistical study conducted by the German UFO research organization GEP (Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Phänomenes) on human ability to estimate the size of observed phenomena, particularly UFOs. The study involved 238 individuals who were asked to recall and estimate the size of the moon and sun as seen at arm's length. The results, presented in figures, show variations in estimations based on age and gender. Notably, individuals between 20 and 40 years old, and particularly women, tended to overestimate sizes. The average estimated diameter for the moon and sun was found to be around 7.05 cm and 7.98 cm, respectively, resulting in a combined average of 7.5 cm. This is approximately 15 times larger than the actual apparent diameter of 0.5 cm. The study concludes that size estimations provided by UFO observers are not very credible. The article highlights that bright objects against dark backgrounds are perceived as larger than dark objects against light backgrounds, a known phenomenon in perceptual psychology. The author suggests that for future UFO investigations, observers should be asked to estimate the size of the moon, and if possible, compare observed objects to known landmarks or provide details of close-up observations to improve accuracy.

Upcoming in the Next Issue of UFO-NYT

The next issue of UFO-NYT will feature articles on a UFO incident in Argentina, a Portuguese pilot's observation, and a UFO causing an atomic alarm in Australia.

Book Review: SKY CRASH

This section reviews the book "SKY CRASH," written by Brenda Butler, Dot Street, and Jenny Randles. The book investigates the alleged UFO crash in Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk, England, in 1980, and questions whether aliens discovered Earth in December 1980. It explores why witnesses are afraid to speak and why British and American governments might be hiding the truth, examining the available evidence. The review describes the book as a "spy novel" and quotes a previous review from UFO-NYT nr. 6/85, which recommended it for everyone, regardless of their stance on UFOs. SUFOI has secured a limited pocket edition of "SKY CRASH" with a new chapter on recent developments. The book is available for 73,- DKK plus 10,- DKK for shipping and handling, payable to SUFOI via giro.

Book Offer: PILOTER SER UFO'ER

This section promotes the book "PILOTER SER UFO'ER" (Pilots See UFOs), which focuses on Australian pilot UFO observations. It highlights the case of pilot Frederich Valentich, who disappeared in October 1978 after reporting a UFO sighting. The book, published by Skandinavisk UFO Information, includes a copy of the official accident report, an analysis of the "metallic sound" heard by Valentich, explanations for the pilot's and aircraft's disappearance, and an attempt by a psychic to find Valentich. The book also covers 12 other UFO incidents experienced by Australian pilots. It is edited by Kim Møller Hansen, based on research by Keith Basterfield and Richard F. Haines. The book is 78 pages in A5 format and is available for 52,- DKK plus 10,- DKK for shipping and handling.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO phenomena, the analysis of witness testimony, and the dissemination of information within the UFO community. The magazine appears to adopt a serious, investigative approach, presenting research findings, book reviews, and news from international UFO organizations. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into UFOs, while also acknowledging the need for critical evaluation of evidence, as demonstrated by the article on size perception and the cautious note on the Brazilian UFOLOGIA magazine. The publication aims to inform its readership about ongoing research and significant cases within the field of ufology.