UFO Nyt - No 4 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-Nyt
Issue: Nr. 4
Volume: 39. årg.
Date: 1997 (4. kvartal)
Publisher: SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information)
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish
ISSN: 0049-4976

This issue of UFO-Nyt, published in the fourth quarter of 1997, features a cover story warning about "Men in Black" and includes articles on a sensationalized weekly magazine, new evidence for an old case, new photos from Scandinavia, and what Danes see in the sky. The magazine aims to foster understanding of UFO phenomena through serious and critical investigation.

Articles

Leder: Sekter og dogmatisme (Editorial: Sects and Dogmatism)

By Per Andersen, Vice-chairman of SUFOI.

This editorial discusses the concept of sects and dogmatism, drawing parallels between them and certain UFO groups. Andersen argues that while a sect itself isn't inherently dangerous, its methods can be. He criticizes dogmatism – the uncritical acceptance of beliefs without proof – as the dangerous element. He observes that many UFO groups exhibit similar dogmatic tendencies, engaging in personal attacks and mudslinging online rather than open dialogue. Andersen suggests that for many, UFOs are not just a scientific subject but a matter of feelings and even a form of religion, which explains the emotional intensity and lack of progress in understanding the phenomenon over 50 years. He concludes with a quote from Peter Nørgaard: "If UFOs didn't exist, it would be necessary to invent them!"

Kender danskerne himlens fænomener? (Do Danes Know Celestial Phenomena?)

By Per Andersen.

This article presents the results of a survey conducted by SUFOI in the spring of 1997 among 100 randomly selected Danes to gauge their knowledge of natural celestial phenomena. The survey revealed a surprisingly low level of awareness. While most Danes claimed to have seen stars, meteors, the Milky Way, and comets (especially after the Hale-Bopp comet's visibility), other results were unexpected. Only 38% reported seeing a satellite, while 72% claimed to have seen projector lights, highlighting the prevalence of this phenomenon and the need for regulation. More puzzling were the 17% who reported seeing ball lightning and 12% who claimed to have seen Pluto, which is not visible to the naked eye. The author suggests this might be due to a fear of admitting ignorance. The article includes a table detailing the percentage of respondents who claimed to have observed various phenomena, including stars (100%), meteors (86%), comets (80%), the Milky Way (77%), projector lights (72%), Northern Lights (54%), planets (53%), satellites (38%), galaxies (20%), ball lightning (17%), Pluto (12%), and Jupiter's moons (6%).

The survey also included seven more specific questions to test respondents' specialized knowledge. The results showed a high number of incorrect answers, with 68% incorrectly believing the moon appears larger near the horizon. Other incorrect beliefs included comets moving rapidly across the sky (39%), satellites standing still (39%), and that Northern Lights cannot be seen in Denmark (25%). The article notes that men generally had more incorrect answers than women, possibly due to feeling more pressure to appear knowledgeable.

Objekt filmet i Albertslund (Object Filmed in Albertslund)

By Toke Haunstrup.

This article details an observation and video recording of a strange aerial phenomenon by a 23-year-old radiomechanic in Albertslund, near Copenhagen, on July 8, 1996. The object, described as oblong/oval, was filmed for several minutes. It appeared at an altitude of about 15 degrees above the horizon, rotated, tilted, and then moved away towards the horizon before disappearing. The sky was overcast at the time.

SUFOI was contacted, and investigators Casper Kai Lech and the author interviewed the mother of the witness (the son was unavailable). Based on the report, interview, and video, the most likely explanation suggested was a balloon or airship. Investigations with balloon and airship rental companies and meteorological data from DMI (Danish Meteorological Institute) did not yield a confirmation of any such craft in the area at the time. However, the object's rotating and tilting motion, along with the witness's description of seeing a "string" hanging from it, led to the theory of a smaller balloon held by a wire. Calculations based on the object's estimated altitude and angle suggested possible locations, including near Nordvangsskolen, Glostrup Idrætspark, and Forbrændingen at Albertslund Centrum. While a balloon at Nordvangsskolen was observed, it was too low. The calculations indicated a balloon at Forbrændingen would have been at an altitude of 150 meters, which is considered plausible.

An afterword notes that the incident gained media attention in May 1997. A group of young people claimed to have launched a balloon that summer, but their account was contradicted by the observation date, as their balloon was launched in August 1996, a month after the filming.

Gammel sag - nye beviser (Old Case - New Evidence)

By Per Andersen & Kim Møller Hansen.

This article revisits the controversial Rex Heflin photos from August 3, 1965. The photos, taken by Heflin, a highway inspector in California, show an object hovering over Myford Road. Heflin claimed the object was about 9 meters in diameter and 2.5 meters high. He took three photos before the object disappeared. The story and photos were initially archived by the highway department and later published by "The Register" newspaper. The photos were analyzed by various entities, including Project Blue Book, which concluded they were a hoax, estimating the object's size to be between 30-91 cm in diameter and 4.6-6.1 meters above the ground. This conclusion was rejected by UFO organizations.

In July 1997, Ed Riddle, a technical writer, came forward with new details. Riddle claimed that in 1965, a colleague had shown him Heflin's photos, stating they were a forgery created by hanging a toy train wheel on a string. Riddle had previously contacted "The Register" in 1965 with this information but was not taken seriously. The newspaper, however, verified Riddle's account with a friend. The article notes that Riddle's information aligns with the GSW (Ground Saucer Watch) computer analysis, which also concluded the object was a model under 15 cm in diameter. The article suggests that Heflin's first photo might have been taken using an overlay technique, while the other two were of a small model suspended by a wire. Rex Heflin, now 70, still maintains the photos are genuine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a critical yet open-minded approach to UFO phenomena. It emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation, evidence analysis, and avoiding dogmatic thinking. The editorial stance is to present findings and allow readers to draw their own conclusions, while also highlighting the need for public education about known celestial phenomena to better distinguish them from unexplained events. The magazine appears to be a platform for sharing research, case studies, and public opinion on UFOs within the Scandinavian context.

This issue of UFO-NYT, dated 4/97 (September 1997), focuses on astronomical phenomena and UFO-related investigations and reviews. The cover headline, "Kig på himlen" (Look at the Sky), introduces a section on astronomical events from November 15 to February 15, detailing the visibility of planets like Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. It also highlights the Geminids and Quadrantids meteor showers.

Astronomical Phenomena (November 15 - February 15)

• Planets:
• Mercury: Visible low in the west-southwest after sunset in late November, and as a morning star in the east before sunrise on January 6th.
• Venus: Visible as an evening star in the west until early January, then as a morning star in the east before sunrise from early February.
• Mars: Past its opposition, visible low in the west after sunset until late March. It will not be in opposition again until 1999. The Mars Global Surveyor project is mentioned, aiming to map the planet's surface and locate Viking lander modules. NASA is planning a manned mission to Mars around 2010.
• Jupiter: Was in opposition on August 9th and dominated the autumn nights. It is visible as an evening star in the west until February. Its four large moons are visible with a small prism telescope.
• Saturn: In opposition on October 10th, its rings are visible as an evening star until late March. A telescope magnifying over 50x is needed to see the rings.
• Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto: Require binoculars for observation and are not in favorable positions.

• Meteors:
• Geminids: Peak around December 13-14, with a rate of about 60 meteors per hour, appearing to radiate from the constellation Gemini.
• Quadrantids: Visible in early January, peaking on January 3-4, with up to 110 meteors per hour, radiating from an area between Boötes and Ursa Major.

Meteor Observations:
Valuable data on fireballs (very bright meteors) is requested, including date, time, location, trajectory, brightness, duration, special characteristics (color, sound), and observer's name and address. This data can be submitted to SUFOI for analysis.

The Cherry Creek Incident

This section, authored by Per Andersen, revisits the 1965 UFO landing case near Cherry Creek, New York, investigated by engineer Robert A. Galganski. The incident, originally investigated by NICAP and the US Air Force, involved Harold A. Butcher, then 16, who reported seeing a shiny, silver-colored object, described as football-shaped, hovering about 150 meters away. The object was estimated to be 20 meters wide and 7 meters high, appearing metallic with rows of dots along its side. Harold's radio emitted static, and his mother's radio also experienced interference. A strange explosive sound was heard, and the object emitted red vapor as it ascended into green clouds.

Harold reported seeing the object again later, and his brother Robert also witnessed a red mist. A subsequent sighting involved a similar object moving southeast, emitting a glowing yellow trail. The object disappeared to the southwest.

• Investigation and Findings:
• Physical Traces: A search of the landing area revealed a purple substance (ULS) with an oily smell, resembling Blu-Kote mixed with three-in-one oil. Harold's sister reported stomach aches, and the cows produced less milk.
• Official Investigations: Police officers E.J. Haas and P.M. Neilson found nothing unusual. A five-man investigation group from Niagara Falls Air Force Base, led by Captain James A. Dorsey, interviewed witnesses and collected samples. NICAP investigators also examined the site, noting plants that appeared bleached on one side and green on the other. Fresh, oblong imprints were found in the field, along with small holes possibly made by a staff.
• Military Conclusion: Captain Dorsey concluded that the witnesses saw something unusual but found no physical evidence of a landing. He believed the witnesses were not fabricating the event.
• Project Blue Book: Concluded there was no secure physical evidence of a landing. The purple substance was identified as a mix of three-in-one oil and Gentian Violet. The visual observation remained unexplained.
• New Assessments: Robert A. Galganski's re-examination suggests the purple substance can be explained by a mix of Blu-Kote and three-in-one oil. The bent pole, attributed to a bull, is deemed unlikely. Galganski concludes there is no physical evidence for a UFO landing.
• Harold's Testimony: Galganski noted inconsistencies in Harold's accounts over time, particularly in a new interview where Harold described new details like three legs and deep holes, which were not in the original reports. This led to the conclusion that Harold was an unreliable witness, diminishing the case's credibility. The only confirmed observation was a light seen over the farm, considered similar to many other sightings.

Police Observation:
Two police officers reported seeing a formation of seven brightly lit orange lights followed by a small red light flying in a straight line from north to south, at an estimated height of 700 meters to 1 km, making a strange spinning sound.

Conclusion on Cherry Creek:
Galganski concluded that an unknown phenomenon occurred on August 19, 1965. While Harold Butcher and others saw something unusual, the physical evidence was likely unrelated. The inconsistencies in Harold's testimony, especially new details provided years later, led to the conclusion that he was an unreliable witness, making most of the case's exciting aspects questionable. The only confirmed observation was a light, similar to many others.

Reviews

"The Field Guide to Extraterrestrials" by Patrick Huyghe:
Reviewed by Lars Thomas, this book is described as a field guide to different types of extraterrestrial beings encountered by UFO witnesses. Huyghe categorizes them into human-like, animalistic, robotic, and exotic types, with detailed descriptions and observations. Thomas notes the author's extensive research but questions the book's purpose and practical use, suggesting it might be a commercial venture capitalizing on UFO interest. He finds the book amusing but of limited practical value, especially since there is no concrete proof of these beings' existence.

"MIB: Investigating the truth behind the men in black phenomenon" by Jenny Randles:
Reviewed by Lars Thomas, this book is praised for its factual and serious approach to the phenomenon of Men in Black (MIB). Randles explores their behavior, appearance, and the theories about their origin, leaning towards them being government agents rather than extraterrestrials. The book provides examples and discusses attempts to identify them. Thomas recommends it as the best available resource on the topic.

"Top Secret/Majic" by Stanton T. Friedman:
Reviewed by Lars Thomas, this book by nuclear physicist Stanton T. Friedman presents his research into the Majestic-12 (MJ-12) documents, which he claims are authentic evidence of a secret government group investigating UFOs and extraterrestrial technology, including the Roswell crash. Friedman details his investigation methods, including archival research and interviews. He argues for the authenticity of the MJ-12 documents, detailing the backgrounds of its alleged members and refuting skeptical claims, particularly those of Philip J. Klass. The review acknowledges Friedman's thoroughness and engaging writing style, even if the reviewer disagrees with Friedman's conclusion that UFOs are alien spacecraft. The book also touches upon the alleged "obduction video" and the manipulation of data by other Roswell researchers.

SUFOI News

Fest and Renewal:
The issue reports on SUFOI's 40th-anniversary celebration held on October 4th, featuring a buffet, a speech by Peter Nørgaard, and live jazz music. The subsequent representative meeting saw the re-election of the board, including chairman Per Andersen and vice-chairmen Peter Nørgaard and Toke Haunstrup. The meeting also discussed ongoing and future projects, including the UFO congress in Lyngby. Per Borgaard and Finn W. Kalvik were appointed honorary members.

New Board Members:
Casper Kai Lech and Michael Storm were elected to the SUFOI board, responsible for the organization's archive and book archive, respectively.

Letters to SUFOI:
A reader, Birgit Sørensen, inquires about an article in "Ude og Hjemme" concerning individuals claiming to have had small objects removed from their bodies, allegedly by aliens. SUFOI's chairman, Per Andersen, responds that the article is misleading. He explains that the claims are made by Derrel W. Sims and Dr. Roger K. Leir, who allege removing alien-implanted objects. Andersen states that the objects found are likely common metal splinters, and that Sims has been exposed for lying.

UFO-Vision Magazine:
An advertisement promotes UFO-Vision magazine, issue number 5, described as a 100-page publication featuring reviews of UFO books, videos, films, and internet addresses. It includes articles on UFOs and folklore, the connection between UFOs and supernatural phenomena, and science fiction depictions of alien encounters. The price is DKK 148.00 plus postage.

Photos

Norwegian UFO Photo?
This section presents a photo taken in 1983 by Marit Semeleng during a hike in Norway. She reported seeing a bright light that disappeared quickly and instinctively took a photo. The developed photo revealed an object. The negative was later given to the Fagernes police, who lent it to a representative of the local police. The article questions whether the photo is genuine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of astronomy and ufology, presenting astronomical data alongside detailed accounts of UFO sightings and investigations. There's a clear editorial stance favoring critical examination of evidence, as seen in the detailed debunking of the Cherry Creek incident's physical evidence and the skeptical analysis of Stanton Friedman's claims. The magazine also engages with the broader cultural impact of UFO phenomena, reviewing books and films related to aliens and Men in Black. The recurring theme is the pursuit of truth through rigorous investigation, while acknowledging the limitations of current evidence and the prevalence of unreliable testimony and potential hoaxes.

Title: UFO-Nyt
Issue: 4/97
Volume: 1997
Publisher: SUFOI
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish
ISSN: 0107-6423

This issue of UFO-Nyt, dated 4/97, delves into various topics related to UFO phenomena, astronomy, and travel. The cover prominently features the word "Fotos" and a striking image, hinting at photographic evidence and analysis within.

Analysis of a UFO Photograph

The lead article, "Fotos," presents a case involving a photograph taken by a woman named Marit, who observed a bright light during a hike. The Norwegian UFO-Norge organization suggested it could be an unknown object, but the Danish SUFOI (Special Organization for Unidentified Flying Objects) disagrees. SUFOI argues that the object in the photograph strongly resembles a film error, citing inconsistencies between Marit's description of a powerful, overhead light and the relatively dark, horizontal object in the photo. They also question the duration of the observation, suggesting it might have been exaggerated. The negative of the photograph was sent to a Norwegian military laboratory for analysis but was never returned, with the department's responsible person having since retired.

Astronomical Discoveries

The Brightest Star Found

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have identified what appears to be the brightest star ever discovered. This giant star, estimated to be 10 million times more energetic than the sun, is so large it could fill the solar system up to Earth's orbit. It is believed to have formed 1 to 3 million years ago and was initially 200 times the mass of the sun. Dubbed the "Pistol Star" due to the shape of a surrounding nebula, it is located about 25,000 light-years away in our galaxy but is obscured by dust.

Europa's Atmosphere

NASA's Galileo spacecraft has detected an ionosphere on Jupiter's moon Europa, suggesting the presence of an atmosphere. While this discovery does not confirm life on Europa, it indicates surface activity and that the moon is not merely a barren rock. The ionosphere was detected through a series of six experiments conducted during Galileo's encounters with Europa in late 1996 and early 1997.

UFO-Related News and Publications

Pat Robertson's Anti-UFO Stance

American TV evangelist Pat Robertson is quoted as vehemently denouncing UFOs, calling them demonic and Satanic. He controversially suggested that those who believe in UFOs should be stoned to death, citing biblical passages.

UFO-Nyt Subscription Information

Information is provided for renewing subscriptions to UFO-Nyt for 1998. The price is DKK 237.00 for four issues, with an option for delivery in a separate envelope for an additional fee. Details for ordering back issues of "Ufologisk Tidsskrift" are also included, specifically issue number 2, which covers topics like the psychological aspects of UFO abductions and an analysis of a sphere found in Ukraine.

"UFO'ernes verden" Book Release

SUFOI has released a new publication titled "UFO'ernes verden" (The World of UFOs), which compiles classic UFO accounts from around the globe. This collection, written by UFO-Nyt editor Kim Møller Hansen, draws from a previous series of articles that detailed famous UFO observations. The book is presented as a four-volume set with extensive illustrations.

Travelogue: Peru

Journey to the Andes

An article describes a nearly three-week trip to Peru, highlighting its diverse climates, landscapes, and ancient architectural wonders. The journey includes visits to the mysterious site of Marcahusi, ancient temple walls, desert petroglyphs, and local markets, as well as a boat trip on Lake Titicaca. The tour is organized by Vicky Bruun in collaboration with Net Travel Service A/S.

Other News

Plant Growth Increase

NASA's "Mission to Planet Earth" program has observed a 10% increase in plant growth on the Northern Hemisphere between 1981 and 1991. Plant growth is also beginning 8 days earlier on average. This is attributed to increased carbon dioxide levels and average temperatures, as indicated by previous research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO-Nyt maintains its focus on investigating and reporting on UFO phenomena, often with a critical eye towards sensationalism, as seen in the analysis of Marit's photograph. The magazine also serves as a platform for disseminating astronomical news and promoting related publications and events. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging readers to engage with evidence and consider multiple perspectives, while also providing practical information for subscribers and enthusiasts.