AFU Newsletter - No 15 - 1979

Magazine Overview

This issue of AFU:s Nyhetsblad (Newsletter of the Archive for UFO Research), number 15, published in January/May 1979, focuses on statistical analysis of UFO sightings in Sweden and explores the relationship between population density and UFO frequency. The magazine is published by AFU, located in Södertälje, Sweden, and has an ISSN of 0347-3872. The cover prominently features a map of Sweden divided into grid squares, with numbers indicating reported UFO cases, and headlines in both Swedish and English posing the question: "Ses UFOs oftare i glesbyggd?" (Are UFOs more frequent in low density population areas?). The issue also highlights "CE-1 at Kolmården" and mentions statistics from the SweCat catalog.

AFU: Arkivet för UFO-forskning (Archive for UFO Research)

The newsletter begins with an explanation of the name change from "Arbetsgruppen för ufologi" to "AFU: Arkivet för UFO-forskning" to better reflect the organization's activities and its growing international contacts. The organization relies on voluntary efforts and welcomes donations of books, magazines, and financial contributions to expand its library.

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the results of a survey conducted by the American Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) among 484 individuals who had donated at least $15. The survey aimed to understand how active ufologists use libraries and archives for their research. It found that a majority of respondents had university degrees, and many were active publishers in the UFO field, spending considerable time reading UFO literature and investigating cases. A major problem identified was the lack of accessible UFO literature in libraries, with librarians often unable to help and materials being misclassified or hard to find. The survey recommended actions such as publishing bibliographies with annotations, creating indexes for leading UFO journals, and offering special discounts to libraries.

AFU's own library, founded in 1974, is highlighted as the first special library for UFO literature in the world, having doubled its collection since its inception, largely based on Lennart Johansson's extensive collection.

Statistical Analysis of Swedish UFO Reports

Anders Liljegren presents a detailed statistical study of Swedish UFO reports from 1979-1978, divided into two parts. The first part analyzes the geographical distribution of cases based on longitude and latitude, revealing a "report dominance" in the southern parts of the country. However, when considering population density, the analysis shows that the number of reports is disproportionately high in less populated areas, suggesting that UFOs might be encountered more often in rural regions.

The study then refines this by excluding cases directly reported to ufologists or UFO groups, focusing on reports that first appeared in the press or were reported to the defense forces. This refined dataset still shows a higher frequency of sightings in less populated areas. The analysis further categorizes provinces into groups based on population density (A-E, with A being the most densely populated and E the least). Figures 3 and 4 visually represent the findings: Figure 3 shows cases per area (1,000 km²), illustrating a decrease in reported cases as population density increases, while Figure 4 shows cases per resident (100,000), demonstrating a significant increase in reported cases in less populated areas, particularly for close encounters (CE-cases).

Table 8 further quantifies this, showing that in the most sparsely populated group (E), there are 14.7 UFO cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to approximately 2 cases per 100,000 in the most densely populated group (A). This suggests a much higher chance of witnessing a UFO in remote areas.

Table 9 examines the relationship between close encounters (CE) and distant sightings (DD+NL) across these population density groups. It indicates a slightly higher proportion of close encounters in less populated areas, though the statistical significance is not definitively proven.

Liljegren discusses potential error sources in the data, including selection bias due to the concentration of active ufologists in certain areas, which can lead to an over-reporting of local cases. He also touches upon sociological factors, such as outdoor activities in rural areas, that might influence the likelihood of experiencing UFO phenomena.

Reviews and Documentation

The issue includes a review of D. Scott Rogo's book "The haunted universe: a psychic look at miracles, UFOs and mysteries of nature." Rogo, a parapsychologist, argues that many UFO phenomena are psychological projections, though he acknowledges cases that don't fit this interpretation, such as the Travis Walton incident. The review highlights Rogo's perspective that fear and attitudes from the parapsychological community have contributed to the silence surrounding UFOs.

Another section, "VÄLGJORD DOKUMENTATION" (Well-Made Documentation), discusses the challenges of conveying the emotional and psychological impact of intense UFO experiences. It emphasizes the importance of having someone to listen to and believe witnesses, and critiques the mishandling of the Kelly-Hopkinsville case by authorities and the media, which dismissed witness accounts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the statistical analysis of UFO sightings, the challenges and methodologies of UFO research, the role of archives and libraries in preserving UFO information, and the psychological and sociological aspects of the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting serious, data-driven research into UFOs, advocating for better access to information, and exploring the phenomenon from multiple perspectives, including psychological and sociological ones. There is a clear emphasis on the need for rigorous investigation and a critical approach to both the data and its interpretation.

Title: UFO-Information
Issue: 3/79
Volume: 22
Date: Spring/Summer 1979
Publisher: CUFOS
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0345-6861

This issue of UFO-Information delves into various aspects of UFO research, featuring a significant statistical study, book reviews, and personal accounts.

Statistical Study of Swedish UFO Reports (1879-1978)

The primary article, authored by Anders Liljegren, presents a statistical analysis of 602 Swedish UFO reports. The study focuses on the geographical distribution of sightings and their correlation with population density. After removing cases primarily reported by UFO groups or ufologists, 327 cases remained for analysis. The study found that while cases per area decrease with lower population density, the rate of close encounters (CEs) per capita increases significantly in less populated, more remote areas, particularly in the northernmost provinces.

The analysis divided Sweden into five groups of provinces (A-E) based on population density. It revealed a sharp increase in cases per 100,000 potential sighters as population density decreases, with uninhabited areas like Lappland showing a much higher incidence. However, the statistical significance of the difference in the proportion of CEs versus distant sightings across these groups was not proven.

The author acknowledges potential flaws in the study, including media coverage differences and sociological factors, but believes removing 'ufology cases' was a crucial step in improving objectivity.

Book Reviews and News

The magazine includes a section titled 'NYTT PÅ BOKFRONTEN' (New on the Book Front) and 'NYTT JAFU-BIBLIOTEKET' (New AFU Library Items), listing and briefly describing numerous UFO-related books. Notable titles include:

• UFO propulsion systems, origins and purposes by K.W. Behrendt.
• The UFO Guidebook by Norman J. Briazack & Simon Mennick.
• UFOs: An annotated bibliography by Lynn Catoe.
• The New Soviet Psychic Discoveries by Henry Gris & William Dick.
• The Missing Seven Hours by David A. Haisell.
• Close Encounter at Kelly and others of 1955 by Isabel Davis & Ted Bloecher, which is also reviewed in this issue.
• UFO Handbook by Allan Hendry.
• The Etherean Invasion by John de Herrera.
• Prelude to the landing of planet earth by Stuart Holroyd.
• The Hynek UFO Report by J. Allen Hynek.
• Mystery of the skymen by Alvin E. Moore.
• UFO occupants & critters by John Brent Musgrave.
• UFO prophecy by Arthur Shuttlewood.
• Official Guide to UFO sightings by Carl Sifaris.
• Escape to the inner Earth by Raymond Bernard.
• UFO-faenomenet by Johannes von Buttlar.
• Alien intelligence by Stuart Holroyd.
• UFO's and the Christian by Eric Inglesby.
• Round-trip to hell in a flying saucer by Cecil Michael.
• Can you speak Venusian? by Patrick Moore.
• The haunted universe by Scott D. Rogo.
• Vid fjärran världars stränder by Andrew Tomas.
• The UFO connections of Jesus Christ by Kazmer Ujvarosy.
• When stars look down by George van Tassel.

Additionally, the magazine lists foreign periodicals such as MUFOB, Gnome News, Canadian UFO Report, and Earthlink, highlighting specific articles within them.

Personal Accounts and News Items

Close Encounter at Kolmården

Authored by Åke Franzén, this section details a personal interview with Mrs. Hjördis Möller, who experienced a close encounter on June 18, 1978, near Kvarsebo, Sweden. She describes a large, brilliant object with a deafening sound passing over a field, emitting multi-colored lights. Two visiting boys from Stockholm also witnessed the event and were advised to contact the 'Expressen' newspaper.

Swedish Press Review

The 'SVENSK PRESSKRÖNIKA' (Swedish Press Review) section compiles recent news items related to UFOs from various Swedish publications. These include reports on a missing pilot, unusual winter sky activity, alleged sightings of dead beings being recovered from UFOs by US military personnel, and various local UFO group activities and meetings across Sweden.

AFU Newsletter

The 'AFU NEWSLETTER' announces a change in the organization's abbreviation from 'AFU' (Arbetsgruppen för ufologi) to 'Arkivet för UFO-forskning' (Archives for UFO Research), reflecting their focus on establishing a Swedish library and archive for UFO research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue underscores a commitment to rigorous, statistical analysis in UFO research, as demonstrated by the detailed study of Swedish UFO reports. The magazine also serves as a vital resource for cataloging and disseminating information on UFO phenomena through book reviews and news from various organizations and publications. The editorial stance appears to favor objective investigation, as evidenced by the removal of 'ufology cases' from the statistical sample to reduce bias. There's also an emphasis on the importance of UFO organizations like AFU in maintaining public awareness and debate on the subject, while cautioning against uncritical belief.