UFO Nyt - No 4 2001

Magazine Overview

Title: ufo-nyt
Issue: 4
Volume: 43. årg.
Date: 2001 (4th quarter)
Publisher: SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information)
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish
ISSN: 0049-4976
Price: kr. 257,00 (annual subscription for 2002)

Cover Story and Headlines

The cover of this issue of ufo-nyt features a sepia-toned photograph of a natural landscape. The main headlines, presented in large, bold text, pose several intriguing questions:

• Spøgelses-helikoptere (Ghost helicopters)
• Mysteriet om UMMO (The mystery of UMMO)
• Hvor langt væk er ET? (How far away is ET?)
• Levende organismer på Mars? (Living organisms on Mars?)
• Snød NASA med månelandingerne? (Did NASA fake the moon landings?)

Table of Contents

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

• Fra Satan til ufoer (From Satan to UFOs)
• Månen tur-retur (The Moon round trip)
• Kinesere ser mystiske objekter (Chinese see mysterious objects)
• Ufo-nedstyrtningen ved Northumerland i 1969 (UFO crash at Northumerland in 1969)
• Oz-faktoren - tab af tid (The Oz factor - loss of time)
• UMMO mysteriet (The UMMO mystery)
• Spøgelses-helikoptere (Ghost helicopters)
• Hvor langt væk er ET? (How far away is ET?)
• Liv i universet (Life in the universe)
• Levende organismer på Mars? (Living organisms on Mars?)
• Uidentificerede flyvende? (Unidentified flying?)
• Danske rapporter (Danish reports)

SUFOI Information

The magazine provides contact information for SUFOI, including their postal address in Gentofte, Denmark, giro account, and telephone number for information and observations. It also directs readers to their website for electronic contact and lists the purpose and leadership of the organization.

Articles and Features

Har du hørt...? (Did you hear...?) by Kim Møller Hansen

This article discusses the phenomenon of "urban legends" or "hoaxes" that often emerge after major catastrophic events. It uses the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York as a primary example, noting how images and stories circulated online about mysterious objects near the World Trade Center. The author questions whether these objects were fighter jets or missiles. The article also touches upon the psychological aspect of such stories, suggesting they can be a way for people to cope with tragedy, find meaning, or express societal fears. It includes examples of photos that have circulated, urging readers to exercise critical thinking.

Månen tur-retur (The Moon round trip) by Michael Linden-Vørnle

This extensive article tackles the conspiracy theory that the moon landings were faked by NASA. It addresses common arguments made by conspiracy theorists, such as the lack of stars in photographs, the appearance of shadows, the waving American flag, and the absence of a blast crater from the lunar module's engine. The author systematically refutes these claims with scientific explanations, discussing photographic techniques, the reflection of sunlight from the lunar surface and Earth, and the physics of rocket engines in a vacuum. The article also touches upon the Van Allen radiation belts and why they would not have posed a lethal threat to the astronauts. It concludes that the conspiracy theories lack credible evidence and are often based on a misunderstanding of science and technology.

Kinesere ser mystiske objekter (Chinese see mysterious objects)

This news item reports on a surge of UFO sightings in China in late 2000 and early 2001. It highlights the unusual seriousness with which these reports were treated by the Chinese media and scientific community, with a dedicated UFO research magazine and government-backed associations. The article mentions specific sightings, including one in Pusalu where villagers described a human-sized object with colored lights. It also notes that the China UFO Research Resource Center has documented numerous reports, though many are later dismissed.

Ufo-nedstyrtningen ved Northumerland i 1969 (UFO crash at Northumerland in 1969)

This brief report details a case from 1969 where a witness, D. Robson, reported seeing a flying saucer crash in a swampy area in Northumerland, UK. The witness initially claimed to have entered the craft, which was described as functional with blinking lights and strange sounds. However, upon questioning by the police, Robson admitted he had fabricated the story. The article suggests that without the investigation by UFO researchers, this could have remained an unexplained case.

Oz-faktoren - tab af tid (The Oz factor - loss of time)

This article explores the phenomenon of perceived time distortion during UFO encounters, a concept termed the 'Oz factor' by Professor Tom Reilly. Reilly, a psychologist, suggests that factors like age, memory, and stress can influence our perception of time. He posits that stress, in particular, might trigger hormonal responses that alter the brain's sense of time, potentially as an evolutionary defense mechanism. The article links this to UFO sightings, suggesting that the stress experienced during such encounters could contribute to the reported time anomalies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of ufo-nyt demonstrates a strong focus on debunking common UFO myths and conspiracy theories, particularly the moon landing hoax. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting alleged phenomena and then offering scientific or rational explanations. While acknowledging the existence of unexplained cases, the magazine prioritizes evidence-based analysis. There is also an interest in global UFO reports, as evidenced by the article on sightings in China. The publication aims to foster understanding of UFO research by collecting and analyzing information, while not necessarily endorsing any specific theories about the nature of UFOs.

This issue of UFO-NYT, dated 4/2001, delves into several intriguing topics within the realm of ufology and unexplained phenomena. The cover story focuses on 'Ghost Helicopters,' while other articles explore the 'Ummo Mystery,' potential life on Mars, and a mysterious military disappearance.

The Ummo Mystery

The issue details the Ummo phenomenon, which began in the late 1960s with anonymous letters claiming to originate from an extraterrestrial 'expedition group' from the star Wolf 424. These letters, sent from various countries including Spain, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and Germany, were purportedly authenticated by a strange seal bearing the logo of 'the united government on planet Ummo.' The 'ummiterne' claimed to be conducting scientific research, including intrusive acts like entering homes and taking samples. Their letters were described as sophisticated, demonstrating extensive knowledge of science and philosophy, and contained critiques of capitalism and American military policy, presenting an utopian society that was a mix of communism and 'the American way of life.'

Initially, recipients of these letters were loosely associated with the 'Sociedad de Amigos de los Visitantes del Espacio' (Society of Friends of Space Visitors), founded by Fernando Sesma to foster debate on UFOs. In 1970, some of these recipients formed their own organization, 'ERIDANI,' to investigate the Ummo case. Several books were published on the subject, including works by Fernando Sesma and Father Enrique Lopez Guerrero, and Antonio Ribera's 'The Ummo Mystery.' While many believed the letters were of extraterrestrial origin, some suggested a social experiment by an intelligence agency like the KGB, Stasi, CIA, or Opus Dei.

The Ummo phenomenon gained wider attention in September 1968 when Father Enrique Lopez Guerrero brought it to the world's press. While some ufologists dismissed it as a hoax, others were enthusiastic. The case remained a recurring topic in Spanish media.

After Franco's death in 1975, the letters continued, criticizing capitalism. However, some serious Spanish ufologists, like Ballester Olmos and Ares de Blas, remained skeptical, and the publication 'Stendek' distanced itself from the Ummo case early on.

In the 1980s, a new generation of French and Spanish ufologists re-examined the Ummo archives. They eventually concluded that the main perpetrator was not extraterrestrial but José Luis Jordan Pena, the president of ERIDANI. Pena vehemently denied this until April 1993, when he confessed in a statement to Spanish journalists and ufologists, 'I am the man who wrote the letters from Ummo.' His motives and intentions remained unclear, but his confession was published in the skeptical journal 'La Alternativa Racional.' The confession was described as 'samizdat literature,' meaning it was something that could not be freely said in Franco's Spain.

Luis R. Gonzalez Manso and his colleagues identified at least one accomplice, suggesting there could be more. Today, references to the Ummo hoax are rare in British and American ufology publications.

The Role of José Luis Jordan Pena

Luis Gonzalez suggests that Jordan Pena was well-positioned to orchestrate the hoax. Pena held a degree in telecommunications, worked for a major Spanish construction company, and was interested in cultural anthropology, philosophy, and religious history. He spoke several languages and co-founded the Spanish Parapsychological Society, describing himself as an agnostic, skeptic, and psychologist.

Gonzalez theorizes that the hoax began as a prank that escalated, lasting from February 1966 to July 1967. Pena's involvement appears to have started around February 6, 1966, when he reported seeing a bright object fly over his car in Madrid, leaving strange marks on the ground in Aluche. A UFO sighting on June 1, 1967, over San José de Valderas, where a UFO reportedly displayed the Ummo symbol, further fueled the mystery. Pena's group, 'Friends,' was enthusiastic about these events, and Pena's position within the group gave him ample opportunity to manipulate the situation.

Ummo Dictionary and Accomplices

In 1970, Antonio Moya and Ignacio Darnaude compiled a dictionary of Ummo words, which was analyzed by linguists. The origin of these words remained undetermined, reinforcing the believers' faith. Examples include 'BUUAWAA' (soul), 'GEE' (human), 'OIWI' (year), 'OEMMII' (body), 'UAA' (ethical rules), 'UMMOTAEEDA' (university), 'WAAM' (cosmos), and 'WOA' (God).

Trinidad Pastrana, described as an 'occult woman' in Madrid, acted as an intermediary between the 'Ummo' entities and their Earth contacts, dictating messages to her. Mercedes Carrasco, another accomplice, was hypnotized by Pena, during which she wrote mysterious letters he dictated. Pena is also credited with creating the false tracks in the ground at Aluche and presenting strange strips with mysterious symbols, later identified as TEDLAR material from E. duPont de Nemours, used in the American space program.

Critical Analysis of Ummo Documents

As ERIDANI began comparing notes with more skeptical ufologists, serious flaws were discovered. A significant error was the description of Wolf 424 as a two-planet system when astronomical data indicated it was a binary system. Pena could not explain why he chose Wolf 424. Ufologist Donald Keyhoe suggested Wolf 359 as a possible origin, implying Pena might have altered details. The Ummo documents also showed similarities to passages from Isaac Asimov and Martin Gardner's works, and the British humor magazine 'Punch' was even suggested as a source for the hoax. The scientific claims in the Ummo material were described as written in a bureaucratic style.

Ghost Helicopters

This section explores reports of helicopters seen in conjunction with UFOs over the past 40 years. These helicopters are often black and lack identification markings. The article cites the case of Walter and Dan Richley in Ohio, who, after witnessing a UFO, saw a large helicopter land near their farm. Leonard Stringfield investigated the case, and the Richleys expressed a desire to forget the incident.

The report suggests a possible link between these 'ghost helicopters' and the phenomenon of cattle mutilation, which began in 1967. A 1979 FBI report hinted at the involvement of ghost helicopters in these mysteries. The article questions whether the CIA might be conducting secret experiments using anonymous helicopters, but notes the risk of detection by farmers.

Tom Adams proposes a theory that these helicopters are military, used as a diversionary tactic to make people believe the military is involved in cattle mutilation, thus concealing the real perpetrators.

Reports of mysterious lights and UFOs also came from the US military in 1975, with sightings near various Air Force bases. While helicopters were involved, no one admitted ownership or explained their connection to UFOs.

Similar reports emerged in Britain shortly before an egg-shaped UFO crashed in Wales in January 1974. Police in Staffordshire reported numerous sightings of unusual helicopters and lights at night. Witnesses described a bright light and a silent, triangular craft near a helicopter. The witness, Paul Gelling, described a 'white, descending light' and later a 'black helicopter' near hovering lights.

Omar Fowler investigated a case in Rugeley, Staffordshire, where a witness described a 'black helicopter' near hovering lights, resembling the 'Airwolf' TV series. The witness also saw a dark, triangular craft near the helicopter. The helicopter suddenly flew away at high speed.

Leonard Springfield heard from an American lieutenant colonel who stated that squadrons of helicopters without identification marks are stationed in underground installations and are used to monitor UFO activity or transport them if they have engine problems.

The article concludes that whether these ghost helicopters are connected to UFOs or not, they are consistently present whenever a UFO is observed.

Life on Mars?

Three Hungarian researchers, Tibor Ganti, Eors Szathmary, and Andras Horvath, claim to have found signs of organisms living in the ice at Mars' south pole. They studied 60,000 images from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor and interpreted thousands of dark spots as evidence of organisms melting the ice to create habitable conditions. They drew parallels to phenomena observed at Earth's south pole. However, the article notes that this conclusion is highly speculative and that the Mars Global Surveyor team had previously warned that these dark spots might be due to seasonal ice melting. The researchers' decision to release their findings through a news agency rather than a scientific journal was also criticized.

Disappearance of the L-8 Airship Crew

This section recounts the mysterious disappearance of the crew of the US Navy airship L-8, Flight 101, on August 16, 1942. The airship departed from Treasure Island Naval Air Station for a routine patrol over the Golden Gate area. Around 07:38, the crew reported their position and then a minute later, a message stating, 'I am investigating a suspicious oil slick - stand by.' Fishermen confirmed seeing the L-8 descend near a mysterious oil slick and circle it. However, the airship suddenly ascended and disappeared. The radio went dead. The L-8 was later sighted by several aircraft, but the crew, E. DeWitt Cody and Charles Ellis Adams, were gone. The airship was found to be intact, with its doors open and Mae West life vests missing, suggesting the crew had left voluntarily. However, the gondola door was reportedly opened from the outside. A witness, James Riley Hill, who was supposed to be on the flight, was ordered off the airship by Cody before it took off. The article questions why there was no significant interest in the missing crew and the mysterious oil slick, especially given the presence of Japanese submarines at the time.

Karl T. Pflock's Observation

Karl T. Pflock recounts his UFO sighting on June 11, 1994, in Placitas, New Mexico, where he observed two classic daylight discs flying at high speed. He later realized that his subsequent observations on July 3 and 4, 1995, of similar phenomena were actually balsam poplar fluff carried by the wind. He initially dismissed other possibilities like jets, birds, or paper due to the objects' characteristics.

How Far is ET?

This article discusses Frank Drake's pioneering efforts in the 1960s to listen for extraterrestrial signals from nearby stars like Epsilon Eridani and Tau Ceti. Drake chose these stars because they were sun-like and potentially habitable. SETI researchers, including Project Phoenix, have also searched thousands of nearby stars without success, indicating that the universe may not be teeming with advanced civilizations broadcasting strong signals.

The article explores the Drake Equation, which estimates the number of technological civilizations in the Milky Way. Pessimistic views suggest N=1 (meaning humanity is alone), while Carl Sagan proposed N could be a million. If N is a million, the nearest civilization would be about 100 light-years away. Drake himself estimates N to be around 10,000, placing the nearest neighbors at 500-1,000 light-years away. The article concludes that without receiving a signal, the distance to ET's home remains unknown, but it is likely at least 100 light-years away.

Life in the Universe Competition

This brief section mentions a competition organized by ESO, CERN, and ESA to gauge European youth's opinions on extraterrestrial life. It highlights the Danish winners and their prize: a five-day stay at CERN.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, alleged extraterrestrial contact, and mysterious disappearances. There's a clear interest in investigating these cases, presenting witness accounts, and offering scientific or skeptical analyses. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging the possibility of the unknown while also critically examining claims and debunking hoaxes, as exemplified by the Ummo case and Karl T. Pflock's observation.

Title: UFO-NYT
Issue: 4/2001
Publisher: SUFOI
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish
Date: October 2001

This issue of UFO-NYT, a Danish publication focused on unidentified flying objects and related phenomena, presents a collection of eyewitness accounts from various locations in Denmark during 2001. The magazine also includes announcements for upcoming events hosted by the SUFOI local group in Copenhagen.

Observationer (Observations)

The core of this issue is the 'Observationer' section, which details numerous reported sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and UFOs. These accounts are presented chronologically based on the date of the sighting:

• April 1, 2001, Køge: A witness describes a silent, disc-shaped object, appearing grey-white, moving at an estimated 150-200 km/h over Køge Stadion. The object accelerated rapidly and disappeared.
• April 22, 2001, Silkeborg: Two observations are detailed. The first, at 18:12, describes six lens-shaped or ellipse-shaped objects emitting strong light within a dark blue 'hole' in a high cloud layer (estimated 10-15 km altitude). The objects moved in a coordinated, yet somewhat erratic, manner, like gliders or buzzards. The witness ruled out weather balloons, birds, and gliders due to the altitude. The second observation, at 18:20, involved two of these objects appearing in a 'hole' and moving steadily southwest at high speed, fading out at an estimated 45-50 degrees altitude.
• June 12, 2001, Slangerup: A witness and their wife observed a red/red-orange luminous spot on the horizon. Using binoculars, they described it as a red, swirling object moving at high speed, sometimes forming a ring. It was observed to disappear behind clouds twice. A small, 2-4 person aircraft passed by at a closer distance, but the main object's behavior was described as unusual.
• July 15, 2001, Juelsminde: During a wait for fireworks, three orange-red lights were seen flying at high speed in formation, estimated at 10-20 km altitude. The northernmost object made a sharp turn to the northwest and all three disappeared rapidly, appearing to exit into the atmosphere.
• August 24, 2001, Tirstrup: Two witnesses reported seeing a round light approaching rapidly. It was described as a light that one witness stated, "I drove right over the light!" before it turned and disappeared over a field. The event was witnessed by at least three drivers.
• September 13, 2001, Vallensbæk: While walking, a witness observed three faint, orange 'dots' moving rapidly across the sky in sharp, zigzagging movements. These were distinguished from conventional aircraft by their blinking red and white lights and slow movement.
• September 16, 2001, Motorway between Næstved and København: While driving, witnesses observed a bright light that remained stationary. They later identified four white lights, two blue lights, and a red light on the object. The object, described as rhomboid, moved very fast and disappeared. The witnesses speculated about secret military aircraft due to the recent terrorist attacks in the USA.
• October 15, 2001, Sønderborg: A witness on their balcony observed three luminous dots moving rapidly across the sky. Two moved together, and the third joined them before they disappeared over the horizon. The lights were described as distinct, without tails, and moving very fast.
• October 19, 2001, Odense SV: A witness and their daughter observed two luminous dots moving parallel in a south-southwest direction. The dots were described as elongated and blurry by the witness, and as pure points by the daughter. Their color was compared to sodium streetlights. The witness considered possibilities like reflections, illuminated birds, or meteors but found them unlikely due to speed, altitude, and color.

SUFOI's Lokalgruppe i Storkøbenhavn (SUFOI's Local Group in Greater Copenhagen)

This section announces the meetings of the SUFOI local group in Copenhagen, held on the second Thursday of each month at Vanløse Medborgerhus. The meetings start at 19:00 and include lectures, discussions about UFOs, and video screenings.

• Upcoming lectures in 2002 include:
• January 10: A lecture titled "Mars - status over udforskningen af den røde Planet" (Mars - status of the exploration of the red Planet) by astrophysicist Michael Linden-Vørnle.
• February 14: Author Palle Vibe will discuss ghosts and spirits, referencing his book "Genfærd, grave og onde ånder" (Ghosts, graves, and evil spirits). The lecture will cover phenomena like moving coffins, spectral warnings, poltergeists, and phantom vehicles.
• March 16: A lecture titled "I Skabelsens svage skær - om universets skabelse og gåder" (In the faint glow of Creation - about the creation of the universe and its riddles) by astrophysicist Michael Linden-Vørnle. The exact time is not yet confirmed.

Participation in the meetings costs 25 DKK, with Palle Vibe's lecture costing 30 DKK. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Susanne Skovlund for registration.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the collection and presentation of UFO and UAP sighting reports from ordinary citizens across Denmark. The magazine aims to document these phenomena and provide a platform for discussion and analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to share their experiences and seek explanations, while also acknowledging the mysterious nature of many sightings. The inclusion of lectures on space exploration and paranormal topics suggests a broad interest in unexplained phenomena beyond just UFOs.