UFO Nyt - No 4 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-Nyt
Issue: 4
Volume: 38
Date: 4th Quarter 1996
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI)
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish
ISSN: 0049-4976

This issue of UFO-Nyt, published by Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI), delves into various UFO phenomena, historical accounts, and related topics. The cover prominently features an image of a disc-shaped UFO and headlines teasing articles on life on Mars, Swedish observations, and mysterious figures.

Table of Contents

The issue includes a detailed table of contents, listing articles such as:

• "På vej mod 40 år" (On the way to 40 years)
• "En modig svensker" (A brave Swede)
• "Lollandske korncirkler - igen" (Lolland crop circles - again)
• "To sole over Færøerne i 1667" (Two suns over the Faroe Islands in 1667)
• "Rumskib eller fup?" (Spaceship or hoax?)
• "Liv på Mars - eller i NASAs budgetter?" (Life on Mars - or in NASA's budgets?)
• "Manden i de skinnende klæder" (The man in the shining clothes)

Editorial: On the Way to 40 Years

The editorial section reflects on the approaching 40th anniversary of SUFOI, which was founded on December 15, 1957. The organization plans to celebrate throughout 1997 with various activities, including the release of a poster, a large campaign to engage the public, the publication of a Danish UFO video and a yearbook titled 'UFO-Vision', a large anniversary party, and a major congress in Copenhagen featuring leading UFO experts. The editorial also looks back at 1996, highlighting the launch of two new publications: 'SUFOI Nyhedsbrev' and 'Ufologisk Tidsskrift'.

SUFOI Information

This section provides contact details for SUFOI, including its postal address, phone numbers for general information and UFO alarms, giro account, and email address for the chairman. It also outlines SUFOI's purpose: to contribute to the understanding of UFO phenomena through collection and analysis of material, and to spread knowledge via publications and lectures. SUFOI defines a UFO phenomenon as an event that remains unexplained even after investigation by competent individuals. The organization does not promote any specific theory about the nature or origin of these phenomena due to their unresolved status. The leadership structure, including the representative council and daily management, is detailed, along with a list of representatives and their contact information.

Article: A Brave Swede

This article recounts an observation made by Kerstin Jonsson and her 13-year-old daughter Tina in Björkvik, Sweden, in September 1989. While driving home, they spotted an object resembling a spaceship hovering above the trees. Kerstin stopped the car and observed the silent object for several minutes. It appeared to be at least five meters in diameter, with a metallic surface and three blinking lights (red, green, and yellow). Kerstin even exited the car to get a closer look. The object then rotated, retracted three legs, and ascended rapidly into the sky. The incident was investigated by UFO-Sverige, which found no other witnesses and concluded that it could not be explained as a known phenomenon.

Article: Lolland Crop Circles - Again

This article by Ole Henningsen details crop circle discoveries in Lolland, Denmark, in July 1996. One phenomenon was found near Holeby, at the same location as a previous year's sighting. Another was discovered near Maribo. The author, who observed the Holeby formation from a blimp named 'Spirit of Fuji', notes similarities to the 1995 crop circles, including their orientation, imperfect circular shapes, and the way the stalks were laid down. The Holeby formation consisted of five circles connected by crossbars, with diameters ranging from 3.30m to 9.6m. The Maribo formation had two circles of different sizes. The author concludes that these crop circles were likely created by human means, possibly using a roller or similar tool, and suggests that 'intelligence beings from Earth' were responsible, rather than extraterrestrial intelligence.

Article: Two Suns Over the Faroe Islands in 1667

This article by Michael Jensen, Cand. Phil. in History, discusses historical accounts of unexplained phenomena in the Faroe Islands, focusing on an event from 1667. According to Lucas Jacobsen Debes' book 'Færoæ & færoa reserata', two suns were seen in the sky by residents of Eldevig. The article also details an encounter by Jacob Olesen with a man in self-illuminating clothes who healed him and delivered a prayer. This figure reappeared, referencing the 'two suns' sighting as a sign from God. Debes, influenced by the prevailing theological views of his time, interpreted these events as potentially demonic, especially given Olesen's later conviction for adultery. Jensen, however, offers a modern perspective, questioning whether we are any wiser today and suggesting that we tend to impose our own worldview onto the unexplained.

Article: Spaceship or Hoax?

This article investigates photographs taken by Eric Thomason in Maslin Beach, Australia, in March 1993. Thomason, a 69-year-old with no prior photography experience, claims to have photographed a disc-shaped object rising from the sea. He describes it as having three legs and emitting water. The object was estimated to be 40 meters in size and 2 km away when it ascended. The article points out potential inconsistencies, such as the long delay in getting the film developed (until May 1994) and the fact that Thomason had never used a camera before. The article references a similar case involving a Norwegian man who later admitted his photos were of a model. Despite these doubts, Thomason's wife is convinced of the authenticity of the photos.

New Publications and Initiatives

The issue also announces the upcoming launch of 'Ufologisk Tidsskrift', a new publication from SUFOI dedicated to in-depth articles on Danish and international ufology. The first issue is scheduled for November and will cover topics such as UFO abductions and distance estimation abilities. Additionally, SUFOI is offering a subscription renewal lottery for a chance to win five years of free subscription.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO-Nyt maintains a focus on unexplained phenomena, blending contemporary sightings with historical accounts. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and open-mindedness, as exemplified by SUFOI's definition of a UFO and its refusal to endorse specific theories. The magazine encourages reader contributions and aims to foster a critical yet engaged discussion within the ufology community. There is a clear emphasis on documenting and analyzing evidence, whether it be photographic, testimonial, or historical. The inclusion of a historical perspective, such as the 1667 Faroe Islands event, suggests an interest in the long-term study of anomalous phenomena.

Title: Astronomi & Rumfart
Issue: 4/96
Date: April 1996

This issue of Astronomi & Rumfart, published by SUFOI, delves into significant UFO and astronomy-related topics of the mid-1990s. It features a prominent cover story on the NASA announcement regarding potential past life on Mars, alongside coverage of a major UFO conference, a review of the blockbuster film 'Independence Day', and an investigation into a mysterious Russian glass sphere.

Liv på Mars - eller i NASAs budgetter?

The lead article, "Liv på Mars - eller i NASAs budgetter?" (Life on Mars - or in NASA's budgets?), by Ole Henningsen, examines the groundbreaking NASA press conference held on August 6, 1996. This conference announced that a team of researchers from Stanford University and Johnson Space Center had found strong evidence, based on the meteorite ALH84001, suggesting that life had previously existed on Mars. The article discusses the rapid spread of this news globally and the availability of detailed information, including photos and video clips, on NASA's websites. It also questions whether the announcement was scientifically grounded or a move to boost NASA's budget, especially given the timing before budget decisions and the US presidential election campaign.

The article details the findings from the analysis of the ALH84001 meteorite, which was found in Antarctica in 1984. Researchers identified microscopic, elongated, tube-like structures resembling fossilized bacteria within the meteorite's cracks and pores. These structures were found alongside calcite deposits and organic molecules known as PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), which on Earth are associated with the breakdown of organic matter. Other minerals found also suggest biological activity. While acknowledging that each finding could be explained by non-organic processes, the researchers concluded that the simplest interpretation of all the collected data was the presence of microbiological activity on Mars approximately 3.6 billion years ago.

The article also addresses the origin of the meteorite, confirming that 11 meteorites found on Earth are widely believed to have originated from Mars. These are known as SNC meteorites (Shergotty, Nakhla, Chassigny). The ALH84001 meteorite is unique due to its age of approximately 4.5 billion years, offering potential insights into a period when liquid water may have existed on Mars. The article includes a timeline of key dates related to Mars and the ALH84001 meteorite, from the formation of the universe to the 1996 press conference.

Danish Experts' Opinions

Dr. Scient. Jens Martin Knudsen, Denmark's leading Mars expert, participated in a panel discussion and expressed his belief that the nine specialists who published the findings were seeking the truth, but that only time would tell if they had indeed found it. He also mentioned that they had requested a sample of the meteorite for study in 1993. Biologist Jesper Hoffmeyer stated his conviction that life exists in the universe but found the Mars discovery somewhat disappointing. Physicist Anja Andersen affirmed the seriousness of the findings and expressed surprise that evidence for life was found in a Mars meteorite rather than a comet. Author Anders Bodelsen shared his joy and wonder at the possibility of not being alone in the universe.

UnConvention96: A Weekend of the Wondrous

Lars Thomas reports on UnConvention96, held on April 20-21 in London at the University's Institute of Education, which attracted over 1,500 attendees. The event, organized by Fortean Times, featured a wide array of lectures and discussions on unusual topics. The author describes the eclectic crowd and the numerous auditoriums hosting parallel sessions. He highlights Jonathan Downes, a rock-cryptologist and editor of 'Animals and Men', who gave 14 interviews and presented an exhibition on strange animals. Downes is also the frontman for the band 'Jon Downes and the Amphibians from Outer Space'.

The event included a séance room where attendees attempted to contact spirits, and rumors of dancing tables circulated. Discussions in the canteen ranged widely, with one attendee claiming that the Abominable Snowmen of the Himalayas were guards for an entrance to an 'inner earth' realm. The author notes that many lectures were varied and interesting, regretting the impossibility of attending all of them. He mentions Tina Rath from The Vampire Society and a presentation on the historical development of vampirism.

David Hepple, from the Royal Scottish Museum, presented his research on 'mermaids', revealing that many historical specimens were elaborate hoaxes made from wood, papier-mâché, and other materials, rather than actual mythical creatures.

For UFO enthusiasts, two lectures stood out: a debate between Jenny Randles and Phillip Mantle on the controversial Santilli autopsy film, and a presentation by American photographer David Percy. Percy argued that the Apollo moon landings were faked, presenting photographic evidence of manipulated images, such as inconsistent shadow directions and studio-like settings. The Santilli film debate continued, with Mantle defending its authenticity despite widespread skepticism.

The article mentions that UnConvention97 would focus on UFOs, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's sighting, which popularized the term 'flying saucer'.

Film Review: Da 20th Century Fox gik amok

Toke Haunstrup reviews the Hollywood blockbuster "Independence Day," which premiered in Denmark in October 1996. The film, distributed by Constantin Film, was highly anticipated due to its massive success in the USA. The reviewer notes the film's spectacular visual effects, including giant spaceships, city destruction, and aerial battles, describing it as an 'orgy of sound and light'.

The plot involves an alien invasion on July 4th, coinciding with American Independence Day. The aliens, arriving in massive disk-shaped ships, are initially met with skepticism by the US military. After a failed attempt at peaceful contact, the aliens launch a devastating attack on major cities, including Washington D.C.

The film follows characters like the US President (Bill Pullman) and a journalist (Jeff Goldblum), whose performance is noted as adding some depth to the otherwise standard roles. The reviewer compares Goldblum's character to his role in 'Jurassic Park'. The film is characterized by its large-scale destruction and action sequences, with the reviewer suggesting that while it offers impressive special effects, it may lack the emotional depth of films like 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'. The article concludes by recommending the film for fans of disaster movies and special effects but suggests saving money for another film if seeking a more profound narrative.

Tilstrømning til Vanløse: SUFOI Event

Per Andersen reports on a highly successful event organized by SUFOI on June 6th at the Lindersvold community center in Vanløse, Denmark, which attracted around 100 UFO enthusiasts. Despite a slow start with only 10 attendees an hour before the event, the venue filled up rapidly.

The event featured several presentations. Toke Haunstrup, SUFOI's vice-chairman, shared a compelling account of a UFO sighting near Vejle, Denmark, in September of the previous year, where a man's car malfunctioned and a bright light emanated from a hovering object. Lars Thomas presented findings from SUFOI's investigation into a crop circle that appeared in a cornfield on Lolland-Falster, suggesting it might have been created by terrestrial intelligence. A piece of the affected cornfield was displayed.

Kent Rose recounted his observation of a flying triangle over Glostrup, Denmark, with a friend. The event garnered significant media attention, including features in Politiken newspaper, local radio, and a television segment on Kanal 2.

Kig på himlen: Astronomical Observations

This section provides astronomical information for the period. Mercury is visible low in the southwest after sunset in December. Venus is still visible as a morning star, rising before the sun. Mars is approaching opposition, meaning it will rise earlier and earlier, eventually rising at sunset. Jupiter has passed its opposition and is moving towards the sun, becoming less visible in the evening sky. Saturn has also passed opposition and is visible in the evening sky. The article notes that by mid-December, Mercury, Jupiter, and Mars will be visible low in the southwestern horizon.

Forskning: Russisk mysterium løst - med dansk hjælp

Per Andersen investigates a mysterious glass sphere discovered by workers in Kasimov, Russia, in 1983. The sphere, found seven meters deep in red clay, became a curiosity at the local museum for nearly a decade, with speculation about its extraterrestrial origin. In 1992, the museum director, Yuriy I. Predeen, contacted Dr. Yuriy N. Morozov, a member of RIAP's scientific committee. RIAP, facing funding shortages, requested financial assistance from SUFOI to conduct physical and chemical analyses of the sphere.

Despite the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the subsequent disruption of scientific research structures, RIAP managed to conduct several analyses. These included examining the sphere's physical structure, form, radiation, and self-rotation. The results indicated that the sphere was made of glass and was likely produced using a hand-operated glassblowing technique. The irregular shape was attributed to surface tension, viscosity, internal air pressure, and the speed of the glass during the blowing process. A remnant of the blowing tube and an internal funnel-shaped depression were visible, typical of handmade glass.

The presence of black residue within the glass suggested simple technology, possibly involving heating with wood, which led to contamination of the molten glass with charcoal. This type of technology existed in Russia before 1880, with extensive glass production beginning in the late 1700s. The article concludes that the sphere was likely a 'banochka,' a term used in 19th-century Russian glass production for an intermediate product, essentially a glass bubble.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of scientific inquiry and unexplained phenomena. There is a clear interest in evidence-based research, as seen in the detailed analysis of the Mars meteorite and the Russian glass sphere. However, the publication also embraces the more speculative aspects of ufology and Forteana, evident in the coverage of UnConvention96 and the film review. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded skepticism, encouraging critical examination of evidence while remaining receptive to extraordinary claims. The role of SUFOI as an investigative and informational body is central, with the magazine serving as a platform for disseminating research, event coverage, and astronomical news within the Danish ufological community.

Title: UFO-NYT
Issue: 4/96
Date: 1996
Publisher: SUFOI
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

This issue of UFO-NYT delves into several intriguing cases and provides updates for its subscribers.

Lyset på travbanen (The Light on the Race Track)

The main feature details an incident that occurred on Thursday, August 3, 1989, between 22:04 and 22:05 at Billund Travbane (Billund Race Track) in Denmark. A professional photographer, who wishes to remain anonymous, witnessed a small, luminous sphere. Initially, it resembled a strong flashlight dangling on a string, but its constant light ruled that out. As the start car stopped at the judge's tower, the light also stopped. The photographer described it as a "floating sphere" similar to those seen in magic shows. The object then moved slowly and evenly under the car. The photographer rushed to the other side of the car and took a picture when the object reappeared. After the car stopped, a boy who was a guest in the start car got out and ran towards his parents. The photographer states that the boy in the photo appears to be fleeing, but this is not the case; he was simply hurrying to his parents. The object vanished instantly after the photo was taken. The photographer described the phenomenon as a soundless, white/yellowish sphere about the size of a tennis ball or orange, with a distinct corona. The light sphere followed the start car at a speed of 25-30 km/h over a distance of approximately 250 meters, moving across the wind.

Analysis of the Billund Photograph

Upon realizing he had captured an image of the phenomenon, the photographer attempted to determine if it was a reflection. He took numerous photos of the same scene from the same location but found no reflections on control shots. Film defects were also ruled out. A peculiar aspect noted by the photographer was that his Nikon camera, which has a high frame rate with motor drive, only captured one shot, whereas he usually takes 2-3. He speculates he might have released the shutter too quickly. SUFOI's Photo Consultant, Hans Bødker, visited the site and interviewed the photographer, analyzing the original photographic material. In 1989, SUFOI could not definitively explain the image, and the case was reported as unsolved in UFO-Nyt nr. 4, 1989.

However, further analysis, including a computer photographic analysis conducted by GSW in the USA, has led to a new conclusion. By drawing diagonals on the original negative, the optical center was identified. A straight line from the car's right headlight through the optical center also passed through the light spot. The distance from the headlight to the optical center was identical to the distance from the light spot to the optical center. This measurement strongly suggests that the light from the car's right headlight reflected in the camera's optics, creating the "light spot."

SUFOI presents three possible explanations for the photographer's UFO report:

1. The photographer observed nothing unusual and invented the UFO story after seeing the mysterious spot on the developed film to match the image.
2. The photographer genuinely saw a flying, luminous sphere that disappeared without his knowledge, and he mistakenly captured a light reflection on film, believing it to be the sphere.
3. The photographer both saw the sphere and photographed it, and the spot on the image is indeed the sphere, despite analyses pointing to a reflection.

SUFOI cannot definitively determine which explanation is correct but finds possibility 2 to be the most reasonable, given their knowledge of the photographer and the analyses performed.

Glaskuglens overflade (The Surface of the Glass Sphere)

This section examines a glass sphere, noting its rough surface except for a specific area described as a "stem." This smoother area suggests it was created more recently than the rest of the sphere. The roughness elsewhere indicates the sphere may have been rolled on a hard, sandy surface, suggesting it was used as children's toy for a long time.

Aldersbestemmelse opgivet (Age Determination Abandoned)

Researchers attempted to determine the age of the glass sphere by measuring its radiation. The sphere's density was measured at 2.58 g/cm³, close to that of normal glass. However, the age determination had to be abandoned due to a lack of personnel at the laboratory for age determination using radiation, despite the instruments still being present. Through gamma radiation measurements, facilitated by A.I. Spiridonov, it was determined that the sphere contained 2 x 10-4% uranium, 2 x 10-4% thorium, and 1.2 x 10-4% potassium. The amount of uranium and thorium was too low to determine the sphere's age, which would have required the equipment to operate for 5 to 6 days, a duration not feasible under the circumstances.

Konklusion (Conclusion)

The investigation concluded that the glass sphere was likely produced by human hands using glass manufacturing methods common in Russia approximately 150-200 years ago. It is speculated that it was an intermediate product that was not used to create a final glass article. Evidence suggests it was used as a children's toy.

Kort fortalt (In Brief)

Aurora-forvirring (Aurora Confusion)

This section clarifies a previous report in UFO-Nyt nr. 3 about a mysterious triangular aircraft seen refueling. It was initially stated to be a constructed photo from Astronomy Now, photographed by David Morris. Several readers reacted when Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten published the same image in connection with a report on the secret American Aurora aircraft. The text stated that witness Chris Gibson observed the formation from an oil rig. The article explains that there is no contradiction: the photo montage was created as a reconstruction of Chris Gibson's observation of the supposed Aurora-fly. Gibson did not photograph the event himself, hence the trick photo was produced. It was indeed published in Astronomy Now, from where a third party (David Morris) re-photographed it and sent it to the magazine Encounters with false information.

Pris til UFO-Nyt's redaktør (Award for UFO-Nyt's Editor)

Kim Møller Hansen, the editor of UFO-Nyt, received the Gyldendal Textbook Prize in September 1996 for his extensive work as an author and editor of the educational series "Mysteriet om ..." (The Mystery of...), "Historiestudier" (History Studies), and "Samfundsstudier" (Social Studies). The "Mysteriet om ..." books, in particular, have been highly sought after in libraries. Gyldendal praised Kim for being responsible, reliable, creative, and highly competent, especially as an editor and author, a statement that SUFOI fully supports.

Møde mellem SUFOI og IGAP (Meeting between SUFOI and IGAP)

In August, the leadership of IGAP (the philosophically oriented Adamski organization) met with SUFOI for an informal gathering. While not expecting to agree on UFOs, the meeting aimed to foster mutual understanding. The meeting was described as very positive, with both parties leaving with a significantly better understanding of each other's perspectives and viewpoints.

Internet nyt (Internet News)

SUFOI has launched its own website at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/2573. The site is in the process of being moved to the UFO-Sveriges Web server, and can also be found at http://www.ufo.se.

Several useful links are provided:

• Hynek Center for UFO Studies: http://www.cufos.org/index.html
• Best index for UFO magazines and organizations: http://www.ftech.net/~ufoinfo/index.htm
• UFO lexicon in English: http://www.bahnhof.se/~mike/ufo/
• UFOs Top Ten in USA: http://www.travlink.com.au/col/alien/tenmost.htm
• Skeptikerorganisationen CSICOP: http://www.csicop.org/
• UFO-Norge: http://www.norconnect.no/~brenne/ufonor_n.htm
• Committee for Research on Unidentified Light Phenomena (Erling Strand): http://www.hiof.no/crulp/
• Jacques Vallee interviews: http://www.webcom.com/~conspire/val.html

Til alle abonnenter (To all subscribers)

This section provides information regarding subscription renewals for UFO-Nyt for 1997. The annual subscription price, which includes SUFOI membership, is kr. 232.00. A 5-year subscription is available at five times the annual price.

Kuvertservice (Envelope Service)

Subscribers can opt for their magazine to be sent in a protective, sealed envelope for an additional fee of kr. 50.00.

Disketteservice (Diskette Service)

SUFOI offers a diskette service for PC users, delivering a diskette four times a year containing UFO-related content, digitized UFO photos, astronomical images, and programs. The additional cost is kr. 160.00.

SUFOI Nyhedsbrev (SUFOI Newsletter)

This new newsletter is aimed at those seeking more in-depth information on the Danish UFO scene and SUFOI activities. It will be published six times a year, with 30-40 pages per issue, covering press coverage of UFOs, SUFOI activities, and news from local SUFOI groups. The price for 1997 is kr. 120.00. Subscriptions taken out in 1996 are valid for 1997 as well.

Kontaktliste (Contact List)

SUFOI plans to create contact lists for subscribers in local areas, allowing members to connect with others in their vicinity who share an interest in UFOs. Subscribers interested in receiving this list should mark the "kontaktliste" box on their giro form.

Note: Diskette Service and Nyhedsbrev are only available to SUFOI members who subscribe to UFO-Nyt. Kuvertservice is mandatory for all countries outside Denmark, including Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO-NYT demonstrates a commitment to rigorous investigation and analysis, particularly evident in the detailed examination of the Billund Travbane light sphere incident. The magazine balances reporting on witness accounts with scientific analysis, even when the findings point towards conventional explanations like reflections. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging reader participation and providing resources for further research through its website and various services. The publication also highlights the achievements of its editor and fosters community through initiatives like the contact list and the new newsletter, indicating a dedication to both the subject matter and its readership.