UFO Nyt - No 2 1992

Magazine Overview

This issue of ufo nyt, Volume 34, Number 2, from 1992, is published by SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information) and focuses on a variety of topics within ufology and related fields. The cover prominently features the headline "Nedstyrtede ufoer" (Crashed UFOs) and an illustration of a flying saucer, hinting at the main theme of the issue.

Editorial: Bevisbyrden er vores (The Burden of Proof is Ours)

The editorial, written by Per Andersen, addresses the common ufological argument that if a natural explanation cannot be found for an observation, it must be an extraterrestrial spacecraft. Andersen argues that this "negative proof" is insufficient when dealing with such an extraordinary claim. He stresses the need for "positive proof" to be taken seriously by the wider public. The editorial specifically critiques Stanton Friedman's approach to the MJ-12 documents, where the burden of proof is placed on those claiming the documents are fake, rather than on those presenting them as genuine. Andersen insists that the burden of proof for the authenticity of such documents must lie with the proponents.

Articles and Features

The MJ-12 Documents: New Evidence

This section delves into the controversial MJ-12 documents, which allegedly detail a secret group of 12 individuals tasked with handling UFO-related matters since 1947. The article discusses the historical context, including the Roswell incident and the involvement of figures like Stanton Friedman, William Moore, and Jaime Shandera. It presents arguments and counter-arguments regarding the authenticity of the documents, with a particular focus on the signature of President Harry S. Truman on a key document. Skeptics, like Philip J. Klass, have pointed out similarities between Truman's signature on the alleged MJ-12 order and a known genuine letter from Truman, suggesting forgery. The article also explores the potential involvement of Donald H. Menzel, a known skeptic of UFOs, in the MJ-12 group, which some interpret as a deliberate attempt to discredit the documents if they were indeed forged.

Chronological Overview of the MJ-12 Case

This article provides a timeline of key events related to the MJ-12 saga, starting from the alleged Roswell crash in July 1947 and continuing through the publications and investigations by various ufologists up to 1991. It highlights the roles of key figures and the discovery of related documents.

In the Footsteps of Voyagers

This feature reviews the book "I Voyagers fodspor" (In the Footsteps of Voyagers) by Helle and Henrik Stub. It describes the Voyager missions as the longest exploratory journey in the solar system, detailing their photographic and mapping achievements of the outer planets and their moons. The article also touches upon the technical challenges faced by the mission control and looks ahead to future solar system exploration by NASA, including the Galilei, Cassini, and CRAF missions.

The Hunt for the Exmoor Beast

This article discusses the mystery of the "Exmoor Beast," a large, black, cat-like predator reported on the Exmoor heath in England. It details an expedition led by zoologist Lars Thomas to investigate the sightings and the attacks on sheep. The conclusion suggests the presence of a population of free-living pumas, but notes that this does not explain all observations, leaving room for further investigation.

The Message from Earth (Voyager's Golden Record)

This section reprints the text of the message sent with the Voyager spacecraft, attributed to then-US President Jimmy Carter. The message describes Earth and its inhabitants, expressing hope for future contact with other civilizations in the universe. It also mentions the physical contents of the Golden Record, including images, music, and greetings in various languages.

SUFOI Meeting and News

This part of the magazine covers internal news from SUFOI. It reports on the semi-annual leadership meeting held in Copenhagen in March 1992. Topics discussed included cryptozoology (with a presentation by Lars Thomas on subjects like the Loch Ness Monster and the Exmoor Beast), the Lyngby video case (an unsolved UFO sighting from 1988), and the MJ-12 documents. The meeting also addressed changes in SUFOI's leadership, with thanks extended to departing members and a welcome to a new representative. A significant increase in subscribers due to a TV appearance is also noted.

SUFOI Invites You to a Party

An announcement for a 35th-anniversary party for SUFOI, to be held in September 1992 in Vanløse. The event promises a buffet, live music, entertainment, and an auction, with a special commemorative print of the first issue of UFO-Nyt.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of evidence in ufology, the debate surrounding the authenticity of controversial documents like the MJ-12 papers, and the exploration of unexplained phenomena, both terrestrial (cryptozoology) and extraterrestrial (UFOs and space exploration). The editorial stance, as articulated in the lead article, is one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a strong emphasis on the requirement for rigorous, positive evidence to support extraordinary theories. The magazine aims to inform its readers about ongoing investigations and debates within the field, encouraging critical thinking and a balanced approach to the subject matter.

This issue of "Nedstyrtede ufoer" (Downed UFOs), published by SUFOI in 1992, focuses on investigations into alleged UFO incidents and related controversies. The cover story, "William Moore og MJ-12" (William Moore and MJ-12), explores the possibility that the MJ-12 documents are forgeries and examines William Moore's potential role.

William Moore and the MJ-12 Documents

The article presents several points suggesting William Moore's involvement in the creation or dissemination of the MJ-12 documents. These include his distinctive date formatting (e.g., '01 August' with a leading zero), the characteristic font used in the 'TOP SECRET/MAJIC EYES ONLY' text which resembles his company stamp, and his background as a writer skilled in adopting different personas. The case of the Philadelphia Experiment, where Moore also wrote a book and important evidence was anonymously sent, is cited as a parallel. Moore was reportedly one of the few individuals with in-depth knowledge of the Roswell case before 1984 and had visited government archives. As a professional author, his success is tied to book sales, providing a motive for fabricating evidence to support the Roswell crash narrative. He also knew Shandera before the latter anonymously received documents, and Moore found the Cutler/Twining memo in an archive. In 1989, Moore revealed he had been an unpaid agent for US government agencies, observing and relaying information about ufologists and key figures, some of which was demonstrably false, severely damaging his credibility. While some suspect Moore of forging the MJ-12 documents, others suggest his intelligence contact, Richard Doty, might be responsible, though Doty's detailed knowledge is questioned.

The Hunt for Dr. Buskirk

This section details an investigation into a witness's account of the alleged 1947 Roswell crash. Gerald Anderson, who was five years old in 1947, claimed to have witnessed a UFO crash and the bodies of three small, "doll-like" beings near San Agustin sletten, New Mexico. He identified the leader of an archaeological expedition present at the scene as Dr. Buskirk from the University of Pennsylvania. Investigator Thomas J. Carey attempted to identify this Dr. Buskirk. Initial searches at the University of Pennsylvania yielded no results for an archaeology professor named Buskirk between 1946-1949. However, Carey found a book by Winfred Buskirk, an anthropologist who had studied at the University of New Mexico in 1949 and had been on an expedition to the Fort Apache reservation in Arizona in 1947, placing him geographically close to the alleged crash site. Carey obtained a photo of Winfred Buskirk, which matched Anderson's drawing. Winfred Buskirk denied being a witness to a UFO crash in 1947, stating he was in the Fort Apache reservation the entire summer but not with a group. This led to a discrepancy between Buskirk's account and Anderson's. A key detail that contradicted Anderson's story was his description of Dr. Buskirk having a round face in 1947, whereas Buskirk's photos and accounts show a narrower face that only became rounder in the 1950s. Further investigation revealed that Anderson had attended the Albuquerque high school where Buskirk taught, but Buskirk did not recall Anderson as a student. Anderson claimed to have taken a sociology course, while Buskirk recalled him taking an anthropology course. Anderson's reluctance to allow independent checks of school records led to the conclusion that his story might be fabricated.

Mexican UFO Film

This article discusses a 29-second 35mm color film shot in Mexico on July 29, 1977, capturing an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed by thousands. The film, known as the "Picardia Mexicana" film, was initially thought to be a UFO. However, investigations by the Mexican skeptical magazine "El Investigador Esceptico" and information from NORAD (United States Space Command) concluded that the phenomenon was a Soviet rocket stage (Cosmos 929, designation 1977-066B) re-entering Earth's atmosphere. The rocket stage reportedly burned up approximately 100 nautical miles southwest of Mexico, with its trajectory aligning with the visual reports and the red area depicted on a map provided by the investigators.

Danish UFO Reports 1991

This section reviews UFO observations reported in Denmark during 1991. SUFOI received over 100 inquiries, with 90 being registered. The year saw reports of laser lights, searchlights, and powerful projectors, often mistaken for UFOs. A notable incident involved lights over Århus in December, later identified as a projector from Pablo Laser. The oldest reported observation dated back to 1920, concerning a light phenomenon witnessed by a woman on Alrø. The article also discusses a report of a "Mars air" painted on a craft, which was later explained as a meteor. Three black objects seen in formation were also reported, with no explanation provided by SUFOI. The section highlights the challenges in explaining older sightings due to lack of documentation and limited resources.

Investigation into "Iron from the Sky"

This article details an investigation into a metal fragment found in Mexico, dubbed "Iron from the sky." Residents of La Sierra Norte Puebla reported a UFO crash, and journalists Hector Chavarria and a colleague investigated. They heard various tales, including encounters with extraterrestrial beings. They obtained a metal fragment, which specialists analyzed. The material was primarily iron with traces of other metals. The fragment's surface suggested it had been exposed to heat and oxidation. The investigation suggested the metal was not from a meteor or a conventional aircraft, leading to the hypothesis of it being from an unknown object.

Laser Lights, Rocket Attacks, and Mars Air

This section, written by Peter Nørgaard, covers various UFO-related reports from 1991. It mentions laser lights and searchlights causing confusion, and a film from Mexico showing a phenomenon later identified as a Soviet rocket. The article also discusses the "Meaden Vortex" theory, proposed by meteorologist Terence Meaden, as a potential explanation for crop circles and UFOs. The theory posits that electrically charged atmospheric vortices could create luminous phenomena. The author notes that while some crop circles might be explained by this, applying it to all UFOs is a leap.

Astronomy and Spaceflight

This section provides astronomical information for July and August, detailing the visibility of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. It also explains the phenomenon of bright nights in Denmark during summer. Additionally, it announces an opportunity for the public to participate in the exploration of Mars through the "Planetary Society," which is collaborating with the Russian space organization on a Mars rover mission.

New Books

Two book reviews are included. "Extraordinary animals worldwide" by Karl P.N. Shuker is described as a fascinating book about cryptozoology, featuring a wide array of known and possibly mythical creatures. "Crop Circles. A Mystery Solved" by Jenny Randles and Paul Fuller is reviewed, with the authors arguing that while many crop circles are hoaxes, the phenomenon has a long history and may not be entirely explained by conventional means, potentially involving the "Meaden Vortex."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the fringes of ufology, investigating controversial cases like the MJ-12 documents and the Roswell incident. There's a clear focus on debunking or providing rational explanations for reported phenomena, as seen with the Mexican UFO film and Danish light sightings. However, the magazine also entertains more speculative theories, such as the Meaden Vortex, and acknowledges the existence of unexplained cases. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking evidence-based explanations while remaining open to the possibility of genuine mysteries.

Title: SUFOI i TV2
Issue Date: February 21, 1992
Publisher: SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information)
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

This issue of SUFOI i TV2 focuses on the organization's involvement with television media and recent developments in astronomy. It details a TV appearance on the program "Eleva2ren" and discusses the ongoing scientific search for extraterrestrial life.

UFOs on Television

The lead article, "Ufoer til kaffen" (UFOs for Coffee), recounts the experience of being interviewed for the TV2 program "Eleva2ren" on February 21, 1992. The author, who is the chairman of SUFOI, describes the preparations and the actual filming process. The program was part of a series called "Den 2. virkelighed" (The 2nd Reality), which covered occult and mystical topics. SUFOI was approached to provide material on UFOs, specifically seeking a personal account of a UFO experience and a representative for a studio discussion.

The author was chosen to represent SUFOI and describes the nervousness and excitement of participating in a national television broadcast. The segment included a reconstruction of a UFO observation from Randers and a discussion with the author and a co-host. The TV crew also filmed at a location in Fyn. The program touched upon the numerous Belgian UFO observations, showing a video clip from January 12, 1990. During the broadcast, the SUFOI alarm central received an unusually high number of calls, over 70, from the Sønderjyske region.

Another segment features Kai Toft Nielsen, who recounted a personal UFO sighting. He described seeing three silent, black objects in a triangular formation that moved in an arc and disappeared. A mechanic who was with him confirmed the observation. The incident was later tested with a car, and the objects were described as having no special details.

SUFOI's Work and New Members

The magazine highlights the work of SUFOI's alarm central, which received over 1,000 inquiries in the two weeks following the TV broadcast. The article "Nye kræfter i SUFOI: Toke Haunstrup" (New Forces in SUFOI: Toke Haunstrup) introduces a new, young member of SUFOI's representative body. Toke Haunstrup, a 17-year-old high school student, joined SUFOI in 1989 after reading UFO books and magazines. He became actively involved in the local UFO group in Århus and has since taken on responsibilities such as recording reports, giving lectures, and conducting statistical analyses of UFO reports.

Haunstrup expresses his belief that while many UFO sightings can be explained by natural phenomena (SUFOI claims to explain about 90% of cases), a core group of unexplained phenomena remains, potentially representing new types of plasma phenomena unknown to science. He also mentions having written a children's crime novel titled "Miljømorderne" (The Environmental Murderers).

SUFOI's representative body, consisting of about 20 members, meets twice a year to discuss the organization's plans and the UFO-Nyt magazine. The article emphasizes that new members are regularly elected to this body, reflecting the organization's dynamic nature.

Astronomical Discoveries

The article "En meget betydningsfuld fejl" (A Very Significant Error) by Per Andersen discusses recent advancements in astronomy, particularly the search for exoplanets. It revisits the 17th-century belief that planets in our solar system were inhabited and mentions historical figures like Voltaire who speculated about extraterrestrial life. The article highlights the ongoing efforts by astronomers, both professional and amateur, to find evidence of life beyond Earth.

A significant event mentioned is the alleged detection of a planet around the pulsar 1829-10 by astronomers at the Jodrell Bank observatory in 1991. However, this finding was later retracted due to an error in calculation, specifically failing to account for the elliptical orbit of the Earth around the Sun. The astronomers involved admitted their mistake in the journal Nature.

Despite this setback, the search continued. In January 1992, astronomers Wolszczan and Frail reported the discovery of two or more planets orbiting another pulsar, PSR1257+12, using the Arecibo telescope. They are currently verifying their results. The article concludes that these findings open up the possibility of an immense number of planets in the universe, suggesting that planets are not unique to our solar system. This discovery is seen as a step towards confirming the existence of other intelligent beings and potentially explaining the numerous UFO observations on Earth.

SUFOI Information and Contact Details

The magazine includes contact information for SUFOI, including its address, phone number, and expedition hours. It also lists the official purpose of the organization, which is to contribute to the understanding of UFO phenomena through research and dissemination of information. The leadership structure is outlined, with Peter Nørgaard as chairman, and Per Andersen and Flemming Rasmussen as vice-chairmen. A list of other representatives and their contact details is provided, covering various regions in Denmark and Norway.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of SUFOI i TV2 demonstrates a strong focus on bridging the gap between UFO research and mainstream media, exemplified by the TV2 appearance. The organization actively seeks public engagement and education, as seen in the introduction of new members and the ongoing work of its alarm central. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging the scientific process of explanation and discovery. The inclusion of astronomical news, particularly concerning exoplanets, suggests an interest in the broader context of the search for extraterrestrial life and its potential connection to UFO reports. The magazine promotes a critical yet open-minded approach to unexplained phenomena.