AFU Newsletter - No 14 - 1978

Magazine Overview

This issue of Nyhetsblad (Newsletter) from arbetsgruppen för ufologi (AFU), issue number 14, dated September-December 1978, features a prominent article titled "Statistisk studie av 602 svenska rapporter" (A statistical study of 602 Swedish UFO reports). The magazine is published by AFU in Södertälje, Sweden, and the original language is Swedish.

A Statistical Study of 602 Swedish UFO Reports

The main article, presented as an English report "A statistical study of 602 Swedish UFO reports" on page 12, details a comprehensive analysis of UFO sightings in Sweden. The study, compiled by Anders Liljegren, is based on the "SweCat" (Swedish Catalogue) which includes 602 reports fitting J. Allen Hynek's definition of UFOs. The data was collected from published information in Swedish magazines, UFO books, daily newspapers, and weekly press, with a focus on cases occurring on Swedish territory. Reports from the 1930s "ghost flyers" period were excluded to maintain focus on modern UFO phenomena.

Data Collection and Classification

The study utilized a specially designed A4 form to systematically record data such as time, location, witnesses, appearance, behavior, and effects of the phenomena. The final dataset, SweCat, comprises 602 reports. The classification system used is based on J. Allen Hynek's, with categories including Nocturnal Lights (NL), Daylight Discs (DD), Radar Visuals (RV), and Close Encounters (CE I, II, III). A total of 574 cases were classified, with 28 falling into an "insufficient information" category. The study notes that Hynek's system has limitations, particularly regarding distance criteria for 'near-observations' and EM effects.

Temporal Distribution Analysis

Distribution by Hour of the Day: The study analyzed 509 reports with known time data. The resulting graph (Curve A) shows a pattern similar to previous studies from France, Sweden (FOA reports), and Jacques Vallée's Magonia catalogue. A notable peak in activity occurs between 10 PM and 11 PM, slightly later than in Denmark. The study questions whether a specific Swedish pattern exists, possibly influenced by Sweden's northern latitude, which might cause the 'night light character' of UFO phenomena to be more apparent even in the afternoon.

Distribution by Month: Table 3 presents the monthly distribution of UFO cases. Swedish UFO phenomena show a "plus deviation" (higher than expected) in March and August, and a "minus deviation" in May and June. The statistical chi-square test indicates a high significance for these deviations, suggesting real differences in the report material rather than random chance. The study notes that removing data from specific years (like 1967 and 1974) can alter the perceived monthly trends, but August consistently remains a peak month.

Distribution by Day of the Week: Table 4 analyzes 540 cases with known days of the week. The distribution shows a slightly lower activity on Wednesdays and a slightly higher activity on Tuesdays. However, the chi-square value of 4.36 suggests that the observed distribution is likely due to chance, indicating no particular day of the week is significantly favored for UFO sightings.

Distribution by Night: Table 5 examines the distribution of sightings during "night-days" (from midnight to midnight). The results show a remarkably even distribution across the nights of the week, with only a slight dip between Sunday and Monday. The chi-square value of 1.86 indicates that these deviations are random. The study concludes that UFO phenomena are evenly distributed throughout the nights of the week and are not more frequent on typical 'party' nights like Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday.

Excluded Reports and Methodological Considerations

Several categories of reports were excluded from the main analysis to ensure data quality and focus. These include cases with uncertain time data, events with plausible conventional explanations (e.g., satellite debris, weather balloons, aircraft), "Fortean" events without clear UFO characteristics, prank cases, and certain types of unexplained lights or distant observations. The study acknowledges the difficulty in definitively proving the existence of UFOs and the challenge of distinguishing between genuine sightings and misinterpretations.

Related Studies and Literature

The article references several other studies and publications, including:

• Project URD: A 115-page report from Sweden using the SPSS system for data processing, though it is noted for having little concrete result despite extensive data presentation.
• Per Andersen's work: Studies on UFO activity in relation to time of day and day of the week using the SUFOI database in Denmark.
• Jacques Vallée's research: Mentioned for his work on UFO patterns and his book "The Humanoids."
• K. Gösta Rehn's book "UFO! Nya fakta om de flygande tefaten" and Boris Jungkvist's "UFO-en fantastisk verklighet" are cited as sources for older UFO events.

Reviews

"Kanadensisk UFO-Odyssé" (Canadian UFO Odyssey) by John Magor is reviewed. The book focuses on UFO observations in Western Canada and is praised for Magor's on-site investigations. The reviewer notes Magor's motivation to treat UFOs as physical craft to avoid dismissing the mystery entirely.

"UFO. Spekulationer och fakta" (UFO. Speculations and Facts), the Swedish translation of Jean-Claude Bourret's "La nouvelle vague des soucoupes volantes," is reviewed. While generally considered a good book, the reviewer points out several inaccuracies and errors in the Swedish translation compared to the English version.

"Giant Rock - Amerikansk Kultplats" by Gray Barker is reviewed. It reflects on the atmosphere of the last Giant Rock UFO gathering in 1970 and discusses UFO contactees. The reviewer finds it a pleasant, nostalgic read.

"Secrets of the UFO" by Don Elkins is also mentioned, with the reviewer expressing skepticism towards the messages from alleged extraterrestrial sources.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of systematic data collection and analysis in UFO research. It highlights the work of organizations like AFU and SUFOI in cataloging and studying UFO phenomena. There is a clear stance that UFOs are a significant phenomenon worthy of serious investigation, even if definitive explanations remain elusive. The editorial also touches upon the cultural impact of UFOs, viewing them as a modern cultural phenomenon. The magazine encourages contributions and critical feedback from its readers, underscoring its commitment to collaborative research.

This issue of "UFO" magazine, published in Sweden in 1979, delves into various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, blending scientific inquiry with media reports and organizational updates. The magazine features a mix of articles, reviews, and news items, reflecting the ongoing interest and research into UFOs within Sweden and internationally.

Bermuda Triangle Investigation

The issue begins with a report on a Soviet investigation into the Bermuda Triangle, citing Konstantin Klemorov from the Novosti news agency. This two-year international program, involving the USA, Great Britain, France, and Canada, aimed to study the ocean's structure and atmosphere in the region. The Soviet research vessel Akademik Vernadsky communicated with American satellites and buoys. While the investigation uncovered interesting scientific data, it found no evidence of mysterious forces. Instead, it identified giant whirlpools or 'rings' up to 200 km in diameter and 1.5 km deep, which could explain the loss of ships and aircraft. The report dismisses claims of atmospheric 'anti-vortices' or alien interference as speculation. Leonid Brekhovskikh, chairman of the Soviet Oceanographic Commission, is quoted stating that the ocean's grandeur is mysterious enough without resorting to the supernatural.

Review of 'Cosmic Trigger'

A review discusses Robert Anton Wilson's book "Cosmic Trigger: The Final Secret of the Illuminati." The reviewer contrasts Wilson's approach with that of Don Elkins, whose book "Secrets of the UFO" is also mentioned. While Elkins' messages from 'love and light' entities are criticized for their intellectual and psychological shortcomings and lack of critical analysis, Wilson is noted for his ability to maintain distance and humor despite his own experiences with meditative contact with intelligences from Sirius. The review highlights that while Elkins' 'space people' are presented as benevolent helpers, actual observations suggest a different reality.

Statistical Study of Swedish UFO Reports (1879-1978)

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a statistical analysis of 602 Swedish UFO reports collected from various sources. The study, tentatively named "SweCat," focuses on phenomena occurring in Swedish territory, excluding reports with obvious explanations. Key findings include:

• Time Distribution: Over 75% of sightings occurred since 1966, and over 50% after 1972. This is attributed to the later organization of Swedish UFO associations.
• Classification: Reports were classified using Hynek's six-class system, with 139 cases (24.2%) classified as Close Encounters.
• Time of Day: 68% of cases occurred during night hours (1800-0600). The Swedish curve shows a peak between 2200 and 2300, later than in other countries, and an afternoon peak between 1400 and 1600 hours.
• Month of Year: A tendency for sightings to occur more in March and August was observed, though not statistically significant.
• Day of Week: Distribution was relatively even, with a slight peak on Tuesdays, contrary to some theories suggesting higher activity on 'party nights'.
• Night-to-Night Distribution: Cases were found to be evenly distributed across the nights of the week.

The study, conducted by Anders Liljegren, invites suggestions for future analyses and exchange of works.

Swedish Press Chronicle (Svensk Presskrönika)

This section compiles news items and articles related to UFOs from various Swedish media outlets. It covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Reports on individuals claiming to have built and flown their own UFOs (e.g., John Searl).
• News about UFO sighting rewards offered by publications like National Enquirer.
• Discussions on the nature of UFO observations and the role of the observer.
• Accounts of strange UFO experiences and alleged 'mat/demat' (materialization/dematerialization) events.
• Interviews with individuals who claim UFOs could be visitors from other dimensions or related to ancient astronauts.
• Reports on the formation of new UFO organizations and meetings.
• Reviews of books on UFO phenomena, including those by Håkan Boström and Erich von Däniken.
• Discussions on the scientific investigation of UFOs and the challenges of distinguishing real phenomena from misinterpretations.
• Mentions of specific cases like the Tungus explosion and alleged cattle mutilations, with notes on skepticism and the need for documentation.
• News about UFO-related exhibitions and lectures.

International UFO Journals

The magazine also provides a brief overview of international UFO journals, including "Fate," "Stigmata," and "UFO Report," highlighting articles on topics such as George Adamski, cattle mutilations, and the physical evidence of UFOs.

Book Reviews and New Publications

Several books related to UFOs and related topics are reviewed or listed, including works on:

• "OVNIS: El Fenomeno Aterrizaje" (Spanish landings)
• "Ultimate Encounter" (Travis Walton case)
• "La mémoire des OVNI" (The UFO's memory)
• "UFOs: Official documents of the Spanish government"
• "The Pulse of the Universe"
• "Our ancestors came from outer space" (Astroarchaeology)
• "Paradox: the case for the extraterrestrial origin of man"
• "We called them gods" (Ancient astronauts)
• "UFOs: the extrauniversal connection"
• "The spaceships are coming"
• "The UFO enigma" (Donald Menzel's final book)
• "The Philadelphia experiment: project invisibility"
• "Secrets of lost races" (Civilizations destroyed by nuclear weapons)
• "Under Intelligence Control" (CIA's efforts to cover up UFO crashes)
• "Predictions for the Aquarian age"
• "Wonders from the heavens"
• "Outwitting tomorrow" (Natural disasters in the late 1990s?)
• "Messengers of deception" (Sociological aspects of UFO cults)
• "Cosmic trigger: the Final secret of the illuminati"
• "The Humanoid Catalog"

Discussion on UFO-Sverige's Operations

Anders Liljegren and Thorvald Berthelsen engage in a discussion about the operations and strategies of UFO-Sverige. Liljegren questions the emphasis on producing magazines and administrative tasks, suggesting that a smaller, more dedicated group might be more effective. He also raises concerns about the magazine's content, noting that a significant portion appeals to those seeking excitement and sensational humanoid cases.

Berthelsen defends the current approach, arguing that a broad membership base is necessary to create public opinion and pressure for scientific research. He explains that the magazine includes more in-depth scientific material to gradually educate readers, citing the failure of "UFO-Rapport" due to its exclusively heavy content. He also addresses the quality of translations, attributing it to volunteer work by members with varying educational backgrounds. Berthelsen acknowledges the decrease in material on Swedish observations but emphasizes the organization's efforts in training field researchers to identify and debunk misinterpretations.

Liljegren counters that the organization needs to focus on developing a core group of serious researchers, while also acknowledging the need for a broader movement. He points out the challenge of finding and nurturing new talent for serious UFO research.

Berthelsen concludes by stating that while progress is slow, the organization's long-term strategy is to grow large enough to fund scientific research. He notes the current reliance on UFO magazines with mixed content but suggests alternative solutions if the current approach falters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea that UFO phenomena warrant serious scientific investigation, moving beyond mere speculation and sensationalism. There's a clear emphasis on collecting and analyzing data, as seen in the statistical study. The role of media in shaping public perception is also a recurring theme, with sections dedicated to press clippings and reviews of books and journals. UFO-Sverige's stance is one of advocating for a grassroots movement to drive scientific inquiry, balancing the need for broad public interest with the cultivation of dedicated researchers. The editorial tone is generally critical of unsubstantiated claims while remaining open to the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena.