Arecibo - 1996 Vol 1 No 8-9-10

Magazine Overview

This issue of ARECIBO, Volume 1, Number 8-10, dated November/December 1996, is a Swedish-language publication focusing on UFO phenomena and related mysteries. The cover prominently features the headline "Största UFO-fönstret!" (Biggest UFO Window!) and an image of two silhouetted figures observing a bright light in the sky, suggesting a focus on significant UFO sightings.

The Hessdalen Phenomena

The magazine dedicates a significant portion to the Hessdalen phenomena in Norway. The article "Hessdalenfenomenen" by Odd-Gunnar Roed, Clas Svahn, and Barbro Magnusson details the events that began in December 1981, when the Hessdalen valley was filled with light phenomena of various colors and shapes. Residents reported seeing craft so close they could throw stones at them. The article notes that while local newspapers were filled with reports, the population was initially met with skepticism, with some suggesting the sightings were due to inbreeding.

Historical records suggest the phenomena are not new, with church books mentioning similar occurrences generations prior. The article highlights the formation of a joint committee by UFO-Norge and UFO-Sverige in 1983 to investigate. The "Project Hessdalen" involved research institutes and the Norwegian military, with two major projects conducted in the winters of 1984 and 1985. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, described as the "modern UFOlogy's father," visited Hessdalen in 1985. Despite the phenomena waning by 1985 and poor weather, Hynek was impressed by the volunteer efforts.

Local residents reported seeing UFOs daily, with 70-80% of the population having witnessed them. The article mentions that the Norwegian authorities were outwardly passive, with the Norwegian Air Force not fully acknowledging the phenomenon. However, the NIVFO (Norwegian Institute for Scientific Research and Information) managed to register a UFO using measuring instruments, detecting a 100-volt voltage difference in the atmosphere.

Barbro Magnusson, chairwoman of Nyköping's UFO Association, visited Hessdalen in November 1982 and reported seeing four UFOs, even taking photographs. She interviewed locals who had seen phenomena before 1981 but were hesitant to speak about them. The intensity of sightings increased significantly after December 1981.

One account from Bjarne Lillevold, a mine worker, describes seeing three objects on January 15, 1982, near Lerdalen. These objects, initially mistaken for stars, moved, landed, and then ascended. Another witness, August Holen, reported seeing three "hat-shaped" craft near Skottvångs gruva in September 1980, which then rapidly ascended.

Hjördis Håkstad, a resident of Brekken, described seeing a landing craft and a person in a bulky suit in 1981. She expressed her disbelief and concern, stating that her lifelong skepticism had been shattered. The local population has united to demand action from the authorities, who have stated they cannot intervene as no illegal activity was observed.

Majestic 12 and Government Secrets

The issue also explores conspiracy theories, particularly concerning the alleged "Majestic 12" (MJ-12) group. The article "Något att hugga in på för konspirationsteoretiker" (Something to sink your teeth into for conspiracy theorists) discusses rumors of secret agencies and "shadow governments." It references documents suggesting MJ-12 was a top-secret group formed by President Harry S Truman in 1947 to investigate the Roswell crash and its occupants. The group supposedly comprised well-known politicians, military figures, researchers, and intelligence agents.

However, the article questions the authenticity of some MJ-12 documents, noting that a signature attributed to Harry S Truman appears to be a forgery due to its size and similarity to other documents. It raises the question of whether earlier UFO investigations like Sign, Grudge, and Blue Book were merely public-facing operations, while a more clandestine group handled sensitive information.

Anders Liljegren, a Swedish ufologist, is quoted stating that the significant resources invested in creating and disseminating MJ-12 documents suggest a deliberate effort to mislead. The concept of disinformation is explained as a mix of truth, half-truth, and lies.

Another section discusses "Mount Weather," a large underground complex in the USA reportedly under government control since 1903. It is described as a self-sufficient "city" with apartments, streets, a hospital, power station, and communication systems, intended to protect the government during national crises or nuclear war. Former Air Force General Leslie W. Bray reportedly stated he could not reveal details about the "base."

Ancient Mysteries and Other Sightings

The magazine also features a segment on the Great Sphinx of Giza. A documentary on TV4 presented a new theory suggesting the Sphinx is much older than previously thought, with evidence of erosion by water rather than wind. This theory, supported by geologists like Robert Schoch, challenges the traditional view that Pharaoh Khafre built it around 2500 BC. The article mentions that seismic instruments have detected cavities under and around the Sphinx, one measuring 9x12 meters at a depth of 5 meters. It also references Edgar Cayce's prediction from the 1940s about finding a cavity revealing the inspiration for Egyptian culture, suggesting a connection to the lost continent of Atlantis.

Another article, "MARS-KVINNOR BYGGDE SFINNXEN?" (Mars Women Built the Sphinx?), explores a theory from anthropologist James J. Hurtak. He suggests that the Zulu people once lived in the Sahara and that their myths speak of spaceships from Mars carrying their most beautiful women to Earth due to a war on their home planet. Hurtak notes a linguistic similarity between the Zulu word for spaceship and the Hebrew word for the divine vessel used by angels.

The issue includes a report on Kaj Klarin's experience near Skottvångs gruva in Sweden in March 1967. His moped stopped inexplicably near a mine dump. He later found a grey metallic piece and observed a glinting powder on a plateau. The powder was analyzed to be 100% silicon, and the powder itself was identified as pure bismuth, which Kaj claimed does not exist in nature.

Finally, the magazine touches upon "crop circles" or "formations," noting their appearance in various locations in Sweden during the summer of 1996, including Harplinge, Hamringe, Hammarstrand, Norrköping, Lidköping, and Norrtälje. One formation from Sanda is mentioned, with the film of it focusing on a powder found within the "great circle," described as fine ash from a home fireplace.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, government secrecy, and ancient mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and witness accounts without necessarily endorsing any single explanation. The publication encourages readers to consider different possibilities and to investigate phenomena thoroughly, as exemplified by the quote from Henrik Esperi: "Better to control and delve deep into events once too often than to fantasize and believe in something that may have a completely logical explanation."

The magazine aims to provide a platform for discussing these topics, encouraging critical thinking while acknowledging the possibility of extraordinary explanations for observed phenomena.

This issue, identified by its cover headline 'WITNESS TELEVISION'S MOST EXPLOSIVE SEASON FINALE!', appears to be a magazine focused on the television series 'The X-Files.' The cover prominently features the show's logo and a tagline: 'It's not human...but its hiding place is.' The issue provides a chronological listing of plot points or episode summaries from the latter part of a season, dated from late November to late December.

The X-Files Season Finale Coverage

The magazine details several key events from 'The X-Files' season. Beginning on November 21st, a serial killer case is introduced, with Mulder suspecting demonic possession after his former handler is arrested. By November 28th, the plot thickens with the discovery of a WWII plane in the Pacific, threats against Skinner related to the investigation of Scully's sister's murder, and Mulder uncovering an FBI agent selling state secrets. The narrative continues on December 5th with a 'suspenseful continuation.'

Moving into December, the issue highlights a case on the 12th involving a psychic murderer who engages in a 'cat and mouse' game with the FBI. On December 19th, agents are drawn to a 'curse, murder, and blood' beneath a natural history museum. The final summarized incident, dated December 26th, takes place in a 'Chinatown' setting, involving further murders and the discovery of a secret room with a surgeon, assisted by local police.

Behind the Scenes: Producing 'Arecibo'

Beyond the 'X-Files' content, the magazine includes a detailed article titled 'Så görs Arecibo' (How Arecibo is Made), written by Thomas Klasson. This section provides an inside look at the production of the magazine itself. Klasson explains that the magazine hasn't always looked as it does now and that he handles the overall work, with Michael Nilsson responsible for most of the texts and images. Nilsson also contributed to the layout for this particular issue.

The production process begins with Nilsson bringing texts and images to Klasson. Klasson then meticulously edits the texts for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical correctness in Swedish. Images are converted to PCX format and adjusted to grayscale. All content is saved in a special library on the hard drive for easier file management.

The layout phase is described as 'difficult' but manageable with the right software. Klasson uses Microsoft Publisher 2.0, acknowledging it's not the most complete program but sufficient for 'Arecibo.' He starts by loading the previous issue, clearing out all content except the 'loggan' (logo), magazine header, and fact box. A suitable image is then selected for the front page before texts are incorporated. Formatting the texts according to specific typographical rules for headlines and body text, and controlling hyphenation, is identified as the most time-consuming part. Any leftover space is filled with small images.

Before printing, an original is created. This is typically printed on an inkjet printer, less commonly on a laser printer. The article explains that laser printers build images from small dots, resulting in a rasterized image, similar to what is seen in daily newspapers. However, the small size of these dots can make the image quality less satisfactory after photocopying. Inkjet printers spray ink, creating a pixel-based image where more ink results in darker areas.

Michael Nilsson then takes the finished original to the printing press, where a 'million copier' produces the copies that readers hold. The article concludes with a note that the future of 'Arecibo' is uncertain.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is clearly the popular television series 'The X-Files,' focusing on its dramatic season finale with elements of mystery, conspiracy, supernatural phenomena, and alien encounters. The magazine also dedicates significant space to an internal topic: the detailed process of its own creation, highlighting the technical and artistic efforts involved in producing a publication. The editorial stance, as inferred from the 'Arecibo' article, values meticulous work, attention to detail in both content and presentation, and transparency about the production process. The mention of 'Arecibo's' uncertain future suggests a potential underlying concern for the publication's longevity.