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AFU Newsletter - No 48 - 2004
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Title: AFU NEWSLETTER Issue: 48 Volume: 2004 Date: December 2004 Publisher: Archives for UFO Research Foundation (AFU) Country: Sweden ISSN: 0283-6378
Magazine Overview
Title: AFU NEWSLETTER
Issue: 48
Volume: 2004
Date: December 2004
Publisher: Archives for UFO Research Foundation (AFU)
Country: Sweden
ISSN: 0283-6378
This issue of the AFU Newsletter focuses on the foundation's acquisitions and research activities, including a detailed investigation into a historical UFO sighting and reviews of recent books.
Donations and Acquisitions
The newsletter highlights significant donations received by AFU in 2004. Through an exchange with Rod B. Dyke of the American counterpart Archives for UFO Research, AFU acquired 60 kilos (659 items) of new acquisitions, primarily American-published magazines such as those from the UFO Newsclipping Service and early issues of 'Fate Magazine'.
Clas Svahn, Mikael Sjöberg, and Anders Persson from UFO-Sweden traveled to the UK to collect more materials. This delivery from Hilary Evans and his Mary Evans Picture Library (MEPL) included a complete bound collection of 'US UFO Magazine' (volumes 1-12), publications by Loren Gross, and thousands of original photos. The UFO-Sweden team also visited John Rimmer, editor of 'Magonia', securing a large collection of UFO-related magazines.
Additionally, AFU board member Håkan Blomqvist donated five 'banana boxes' full of UFO-related materials in January 2005.
The 1965 Swedish 'Sky Train' Incident
A significant portion of the newsletter is dedicated to re-examining the October 29, 1965, 'sky train' sighting over Sweden. Thousands of Swedes witnessed a glowing object likened to a train with lighted windows. The event, initially a mystery, is now explained by a 1966 report from the Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory (Special Report #214).
The report identifies the object as the American spy satellite 1965-79A, weighing 1500 kilos, which entered Earth's atmosphere and disintegrated over northern Europe. The satellite's trajectory and short lifespan suggest it was a spy satellite intended to photograph Soviet military installations from an altitude of 203 kilometers.
The report details the satellite's descent, first sighted over Zurich, Switzerland, then over Rodewisch, Germany, and Berlin. It was observed glowing strongly with a tail, reaching an altitude of 91 kilometers over Berlin. At 7:00 p.m. Swedish time, it passed Copenhagen, breaking into at least ten pieces and consumed by fire at an altitude of 82 kilometers, heading towards Sweden.
The phenomenon lasted approximately four minutes, with the satellite's altitude decreasing from 79 to 20 kilometers. Possible parts of the satellite are believed to have fallen into the Gulf of Bothnia. The TRW Space & Electronics group confirmed that a satellite known as 1965-79A weighing 1.5 tons burned up in the atmosphere on October 29, 1965, with a trajectory matching the observed event.
Swedish Media Coverage of UFOs in 2004
The newsletter reports that the Swedish news media published 215 articles related to UFOs in 2004, a decrease from 259 in 2003. The number was slightly higher than the all-time low of 208 articles in 2002. The most active newspapers were Nordvästra Skånes Tidningar, Dagens Nyheter, Helsingborgs Dagblad, and Värmlands Folkblad.
Book Reviews
The issue features several book reviews:
- Debunked! ESP, telekinesis, and other pseudosciences by Georges Charpak & Henri Broch: Reviewed by Stefan Isaksson, this book is described as a rational explanation of paranormal phenomena from a skeptical viewpoint. While acknowledging the authors' expertise, Isaksson criticizes the book for being dry at times and for its perceived ridicule of believers.
- Dreamland: A novel of the UFO cover-up by Hilary Hemingway & Jeffry P. Lindsay: Also reviewed by Stefan Isaksson, this novel is criticized for its lack of originality and uninspired writing, despite covering common UFO tropes.
- Exopolitics – Political Implications of the Extraterrestrial Presence by Michael E. Salla: Reviewed by Stefan Isaksson, this book is described as a strange work that claims extraterrestrials influence global politics. Salla's reliance on questionable sources and lack of critical analysis are highlighted.
Recent and Upcoming Books
A substantial section lists recent and upcoming books relevant to UFO research and related topics, providing titles, authors, publishers, page counts, ISBNs, and brief descriptions. This list covers a wide range of subjects including alien abduction, conspiracy theories, ancient astronauts, and specific UFO cases.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The newsletter consistently promotes rigorous research and critical analysis of UFO phenomena. The explanation of the 1965 'sky train' incident as a satellite re-entry exemplifies this approach. The book reviews also reflect a critical stance, evaluating works from both skeptical and believer perspectives. The AFU's mission to build an international UFO library and encourage scientific discussion is a recurring theme.