AFU Newsletter - No 21 - 1981

Magazine Overview

Title: AFU Nyhetsblad / Newsletter
Issue: 21
Volume: 7
Date: January-July 1981
Publisher: Arkivet för UFO-forskning (A.F.U.) / Archive for UFO Research
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0349-2346

This issue of the AFU Newsletter provides a comprehensive update on the activities of the Archive for UFO Research and the broader UFO community. It includes news, book reviews, conference reports, and a detailed list of new acquisitions.

Editorial Notes and News

The editorial section, titled 'Notiser' (Notices), begins with an explanation for the reduced publication schedule in 1981, citing economic reasons and a shift to offset printing to reduce costs. The editors express gratitude for a significant donation from the former GICOFF organization in Gothenburg, which greatly enriched AFU's archives with international magazines, books, and clippings. UFO-Sverige has pledged financial support to AFU, contributing 600 SEK annually for services rendered to UFO-Sverige. The newsletter also acknowledges Märta, the AFU bookbinder, for her diligent work.

Key Articles and Reports

UFO-Vittne ur Tiden (UFO Witness of the Times) This section commemorates Gideon Johansson from Tranås, who passed away. Johansson was known for his 1970 account of a flying saucer landing in Mariannelund, Småland. His observation had garnered international interest, being published in the APRO Bulletin in 1967 and discussed in Canada, England, and West Germany.

Ny Forskningsgrupp för Statistiska Analyser (New Research Group for Statistical Analyses) An international working group, the European Working Team, has been formed by ufologists from six European countries to develop common terminology, methodology, and analytical strategies for studying UFO phenomena. Anders Liljegren from AFU is the Swedish representative, seeking well-documented, unpublished near-observation cases for a Swedish observation catalog.

Engelskt Arkiv (English Archive) The Manchester-based group MAPIT has established the 'MAPIT Resources Center,' an archive for UFO research information worldwide. They are using a Sinclair ZX-81 computer for indexing and data storage and are appealing for contributions. AFU has initiated positive contact with MAPIT.

Årets Avgift till AFU (This Year's Fee to AFU) A reminder is issued to supporting members who may have forgotten to pay their annual fee, warning that this will be the last newsletter they receive if payment is not made.

Nyförvärv (New Acquisitions) This extensive section lists new literature added to the AFU library, including books on Adamski, Stonehenge, Roswell, ancient astronauts, and various UFO cases from around the world. Notable entries include 'The Roswell Incident' by Charles Berlitz and William Moore, and 'UFO och massmedia' (UFO and Mass Media) by Thulin, Wallin, and Yngvesson.

Recensioner (Reviews)

• Tefatsfolket – UFO som kultföremål (Flying Saucer People – UFO as a Cult Object) by Bertil A.G. Schalén: This review discusses Schalén's thesis, which examines UFO phenomena through the lens of social psychology. Schalén infiltrated a Swedish 'UFO cult,' studying its psycho-social dynamics. The review notes his comparison with studies like Festinger's 'When Prophecy Fails' and his interviews with psychologists in Skåne. The reviewer finds the work valuable for documenting a less-discussed aspect of the UFO field.

• Dansk UFO-litteratur 1971-1979 by Willy Wegner: This is described as an excellent and comprehensive bibliography of Danish UFO literature, an improvement over Wegner's previous work. It includes annotations, a clearer structure, and an index, making it a valuable tool for researchers.

Kvinnan från Stjärnorna (The Woman from the Stars) This is a review of a comic book translated from French. It tells the story of Champacou in ancient Mexico who has contact with a woman from the stars. The review touches upon the theme of sexual encounters between humans and non-human beings, referencing other cases like Anton Villas Roas and the concept of 'incubus-demons.' It suggests that sexual contacts with unknown beings might be more common than previously thought.

Examenarbete om UFO och Massmedia (Thesis on UFO and Mass Media) This section reviews a thesis by three students from the Journalism College in Gothenburg. They analyzed UFO coverage in Swedish newspapers (Dagens Nyheter, Göteborgs-Tidningen) and magazines (Året Runt). The study found that the topic was mostly treated seriously, with irony appearing occasionally, particularly in Dagens Nyheter during the 1970s. The research also included a survey of public attitudes towards UFOs.

Four Policemen Photograph a Close Encounter This report, written by Stig Aggestad, details an incident from the early 1970s near Stockholm where four policemen witnessed and photographed a disc-shaped object. The object radiated a strong white light and was metallic in structure. Despite the photographic evidence, the film was reportedly destroyed, and the policemen were ordered to remain silent. The case was not registered on military radar.

Soviet UFO Statistics Anders Liljegren reviews a booklet by three Russian scientists analyzing anomalous atmospheric phenomena in the USSR. The study, based on 256 written reports, found that 2/3 of witnesses were highly qualified, and 2/3 of reports had multiple witnesses. The data confirmed the Vallée time-of-day law and suggested a seasonal relationship in observed distributions. A peak in UFO reports in 1967 coincided with a similar peak in Sweden and the UK, with Soviet objects predominantly flying east.

U.R.D. Publications A list of publications from Project U.R.D. is provided, including contextual descriptions, summaries, and manuals for field investigators. These publications are available from Project U.R.D. in Stockholm.

New Books

This section provides a detailed list of recently published books on UFOs and related topics from the international market. Titles include works on ancient mysteries, extraterrestrial intelligence, UFO investigations, and specific cases like the Roswell Incident and the disappearance of Flight 19.

Exchange Mailing List

A comprehensive list of magazines and periodicals that AFU Newsletter exchanges with is provided. This includes contact information and subscription details for various UFO publications worldwide.

Conferences and Meetings

The London Conference Anders Liljegren reports on the 'Second International UFO Congress' held in London. Over 400 ufologists from various countries attended. The conference featured presentations on scientific approaches to UFO research, emphasizing the need for refereed journals and ethical codes for investigators. Topics included the 'Isocelie theory,' psychic phenomena, and the analysis of UFO cases.

CUFOS Symposium Information is provided about the second CUFOS symposium to be held in Chicago, USA, with scheduled speakers including Bertil Kuhlemann, who would present the U.R.D. computerization project.

Swedish Lake Monsters, New Reports This section reports on recent sightings of lake monsters in Sweden, including observations at Lake Storsjön and Lake Torne träsk. Descriptions of the creatures and their appearances are provided, along with anecdotal accounts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently emphasizes the importance of scientific methodology and statistical analysis in UFO research. There is a clear push towards greater acceptance of ufology within mainstream science, advocating for international cooperation and standardized data collection. The publication also highlights the value of archival work and the documentation of UFO history. While acknowledging the existence of various theories, including psychic connections, the editorial stance leans towards a more empirical and evidence-based approach, as seen in the review of the London conference and the emphasis on refereed journals.

This document is a directory of UFO-related publications, primarily newsletters and journals, from various countries. It is presented as issue 12 of 'UFO Journal', though it appears to be a compilation of listings rather than a typical magazine with articles. The content focuses on providing contact information, addresses, and subscription details for these publications, serving as a resource for individuals interested in UFO research and related topics.

Directory of UFO Publications

The bulk of the document is a listing of UFO publications, organized alphabetically. For each entry, it provides:

• Publication Name: The title of the newsletter or journal.
• Publisher/Contact Person: The name of the organization or individual responsible.
• Address: The mailing address for correspondence or subscriptions.
• Country: The country of origin.
• Subscription/Membership Details: Information on cost (in local currency or USD/CAD), frequency (e.g., quarterly, bimonthly, monthly), and sometimes specific notes about the publication's status or history.

Some notable publications and organizations listed include:

• Foresight: Hodge Hill, Birmingham, UK.
• Gray Barker's Newsletter: The Saucerian Press Inc., Clarksburg, West Virginia, USA.
• Hypotheses Extraterrestres: Gérard Lebat, France.
• InCal-Bladet: Stockholm, Sweden.
• MUFON UFO Journal: Mutual UFO Network, Seguin, Texas, USA.
• Norsk UFO Center: Trondheim, Norway.
• The Journal of the Australian Center for UFO Studies (ACUFOS): Gosford, NSW, Australia.
• UFO Journal: Listed under Northern Ohio UFO Group Newsletter, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
• Notizario UFO: Centro Ufologico Nazionale (C.U.N.), Torino, Italy, noted as disbanded and replaced by "Quaderni UFO".
• PPCC Bulletin: Planetary Professional Citizens Committee, Careywood, Idaho, USA.
• The Probe Report: Whitley, Melksham, UK.
• Science Frontiers: The Sourcebook Project, USA.
• UFO-Nytt: SUFOI, Gen-Tofte, Denmark.
• UFO Review: New York, USA.
• UFO Tasmania: Listed under Tasmanian UFO Inv Center Newsletter, N.Hobart, Australia.

The directory also includes notes about publications that are discontinued or have changed addresses, such as 'The UFO Register' and 'The Swamp Gas Journal'. Some entries indicate that the publication is 'still in existence' or 'first issue'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this document is the dissemination of information within the UFO research community. It acts as a central hub for individuals to find and connect with various UFO organizations and publications globally. The editorial stance is neutral and informative, aiming to provide comprehensive listings without endorsing any particular viewpoint or organization. The focus is on practical details like addresses and subscription costs, facilitating communication and access to resources for UFO enthusiasts.