Argus - 1977 No 2

Magazine Overview

This issue of ARGUS, volume 1, number 2, from 1977, is the member magazine for UFO Gävle, which is affiliated with the national organization UFO Sverige. The magazine is published six times a year and is included with the membership fee. The editorial board is led by the board of directors, with Ove Strand as chairman. UFO Gävle's address is provided, along with contact information for Ove Holmgren and Ove Strand. Membership costs 30 SEK per year, with family and reduced rates available. Payments are to be made to postgiro 21 45 89-4.

Editorial Statement

The editorial, titled "REDAKTIONELLT," introduces the magazine ARGUS shortly after its premiere issue. The editors state that while calling it a "magazine" might be an overstatement, it aims to serve as an information sheet for members. The primary focus will be on UFOs, including information from mass media reports, local sightings in the Gästrikland region, and articles by scientists and authors. However, the magazine will also explore other areas, reflecting the organization's cross-disciplinary interests. Specific sections planned include:

• Radio: A regular section on private radio, including listening and transmission methods, and radio astronomy, managed by Eskil Nyström and Anders Åkerberg.
• Astronomy: A section covering celestial phenomena from Earth to the cosmos, overseen by district chief Roland Östlund.
• Ancient Events and Interpretations: Exploring historical events and their interpretations, drawing from literature and potentially including biblical interpretations related to UFOs.
• Literature: A section presenting new and older books, with reviews.

The editors also mention plans to cover topics such as technology, parapsychology, psychokinetic effects, and general science, all related to UFOs and their implications.

Member Contributions and Magazine Operations

The magazine emphasizes the importance of member participation. Members are encouraged to submit articles, news, or materials they find interesting, addressing them to the address provided on the first page. The goal is to make the magazine engaging and informative, fostering a sense of community among members. The editors acknowledge their limited resources compared to mass media and other UFO publications. They also recommend UFO-Sverige's magazine, "UFO-Information," urging members to subscribe to support the UFO cause, which is facing financial difficulties despite being run by volunteers.

The editorial concludes with holiday wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, signed by "The Editorial Staff" represented by Ove Holmgren. A photograph shows individuals identified as Roland, Ove, Maud, and Ove working on the first issue of the magazine.

Historical Backlook: Flying Objects

The article "FLYGANDE TEFAT – EN VIKTIG FRÅGA" (Flying Saucers – An Important Question) addresses the phenomenon of UFOs, asserting their reality and intelligent control. It argues that the media often dismisses or ridicules these sightings, contributing to a negative or indifferent public attitude. The article highlights that UFOs are observed not only by ordinary people but also by specialists like pilots, astronomers, police, and military personnel. It criticizes the tendency to treat UFO sightings as isolated curiosities rather than part of a global pattern. The piece suggests that extraterrestrial intelligences are visiting Earth, citing numerous baffling events worldwide, including in Sweden. It posits that the problem is directly relevant to everyone but that insufficient and misleading information prevents widespread awareness. The article contrasts the media's attention to mundane events with the minimal coverage given to well-documented UFO sightings, even those with physical evidence like ground traces. It suggests that an authoritarian society discourages independent thinking, leading people to rely on official explanations, which are often inadequate. The article mentions that thousands of UFO researchers worldwide are working to convince scientists, politicians, and the public of these visits. It references former UN Secretary-General U. Thant's 1967 statement that UFOs were the most important issue facing humanity after the Vietnam War. The authors believe that acknowledging UFOs would challenge current worldviews and expose flaws in science and religion, drawing parallels to historical instances where new ideas faced resistance before acceptance.

Historical Backlook: Ancient Maps

The article "HISTORISK TILLBAKABLICK" (Historical Backlook) explores the possibility of extraterrestrial visits in ancient times, citing legends and artifacts from various cultures that describe aerial craft and beings from the sky. It mentions an indigenous legend from Peru about ancestors interacting with sky people. Drawings found in the Altmira cave in Spain are presented as potentially depicting objects resembling modern UFOs, with features like legs, antennae, and ladders, which are deemed unlikely to have been imagined by primitive humans. The article also references biblical accounts, such as Ezekiel's vision of a "great cloud, flashing with fire, and in the midst of it, as it had the appearance of amber" (Ezekiel 1:4), and the pillar of cloud that led the Israelites through the desert. It then provides a chronological list of historical sightings:

• 1450 BC: Pharaoh Thutmose III reportedly saw "mighty circles of fire" in the sky.
• 99 BC: A spherical or circular object was seen moving across the sky.
• 1269 AD: A cross-shaped light was observed over Krakow, Poland.
• 1619: A long, luminous object was seen flying over a lake in Flüelen, Switzerland.
• 1752: Fire globes emerged from a long, pipe-shaped object in Ångermanland, Sweden.
• 1772: A "fireball" the size of a tea-fat was observed in Norrköping, Sweden, which grew larger and moved horizontally before disappearing, leaving smoke.
• 1845: An enormous "fire-disc" larger than the moon hovered over Florence, Italy.
• 1880: A gleaming white cigar-shaped object with pointed ends was observed by M. Trecul in the French Academy, with a smaller object detaching and leaving a trail of sparks.
• 1904: A steamship sighted three luminous discs, four times the size of the sun, flying in formation at an altitude of 1,500 meters before ascending into the clouds and disappearing.

The article "11000 ÅR GAMLA KARTOR" (11,000-Year-Old Maps) questions whether ancient civilizations were visited by extraterrestrials and if modern archaeology is based on false premises. It introduces the Piri Reis maps, discovered in Istanbul in the early 18th century. These maps, along with two map books in the Berliner Staatsbibliothek, contain detailed charts of the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. American cartographer Arlington H. Mallery examined these maps and noted their accuracy, including depictions of coastlines and topography of North and South America, and even Antarctica, which were not discovered or mapped in detail until much later. The article highlights that the mountain ranges in Antarctica shown on the Piri Reis maps were discovered only in 1952. It cites the work of Professor Charles H. Hapgood and mathematician Richard W. Straschan, who suggest that the original maps must have been based on aerial photographs taken from extremely high altitudes, posing the question of how this was possible for ancient civilizations.

The Tierp Incident

The article "TIERP-FALLET" (The Tierp Incident) details an event that occurred on Saturday, June 12, 1976. Stig Myrin contacted Ove Strand by phone to report that a small object had made a hole in a window of a family's home in Tierp. The incident was reported in the local newspaper "Arbetarbladet." The family sought an explanation for the unusual occurrence. Members of UFO Gävle, including Ove Strand, Arne Jansson, Ove Holmgren, and Stig Myrin, investigated the incident. Arne Jansson spoke with the Zetterberg family, who reported the incident. The object was found to be at the police station in Tierp. Mrs. Zetterberg was very interested in learning what the object was. Ove Strand interviewed her. The object was described as hazelnut-sized, dark brown with black threads, odorless, and weighing about 5 grams. Mrs. Zetterberg discovered the hole in the window and found the object in the flowerbed around 2:30 PM, believing it came from above. A neighbor, Lena and Tord Pettersson, also reported a hole in their kitchen window but did not find the object. The UFO Gävle team traveled to Tierp, retrieved the object from the police station, and examined it. They also visited the Pettersson's home. The analysis of the hole in the Zetterberg's window suggested it was caused by something entering from above. The object itself was described as having a sharp point and a larger, rounded part. The team interviewed the Zetterbergs and the Petterssons. The Zetterbergs reported hearing a sound around 2-3 PM on Friday, June 11, 1976. They initially thought something had been shot through the window. The object's point was described as soft and rusty. The hole was small, about the size of a pinhead, with two rosettes on the upper edge. Fragments were found in the flowerbed. The Petterssons also had a hole in their window, but no object was found. The weather on Friday afternoon was described as northerly wind, cloudy, and cold, with rain earlier in the morning. The team concluded that the object likely entered from above and struck the inside of the window. They also noted that the object's point seemed to have caused the initial entry, while a larger part of it may have caused the hole. The investigation concluded with the team returning to Gävle late at night. A photograph shows the Zetterberg's house and a view from the kitchen window.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of ARGUS revolve around the investigation and documentation of UFO phenomena, both contemporary and historical. The magazine aims to provide a platform for members to share information and discuss sightings, theories, and related scientific and historical topics. There is a clear stance that UFOs are a real phenomenon, and the magazine seeks to inform the public and challenge conventional explanations. The articles delve into historical accounts, ancient mysteries, and the potential implications of extraterrestrial contact. The editorial emphasizes a cross-disciplinary approach, integrating various fields of study to understand the UFO phenomenon. The magazine also serves as a tool for community building among UFO enthusiasts, encouraging active participation and information sharing.

This issue of 'FÖRHANDSANALYS' (Preliminary Analysis), dated September 17, 1976, focuses on the scientific examination of a suspected extraterrestrial object and compiles various UFO sightings. The magazine also includes articles on astronomy and radio communication.

Analysis of a Suspected Extraterrestrial Object

The issue details a multi-stage investigation into a found object. On June 13, 1976, Ove S. photographed an object in Oppala that was initially found to be non-conductive but later influenced a compass and attracted a flame without burning. Later tests indicated it was magnetic on one side.

Subsequent efforts involved contacting Roland Östlund and Eskil Nyström for laboratory analysis. Initial findings from a preliminary analysis conducted by Eskil Nyström in Sandviken, using a microprobe and scanning electron microscope, revealed that the object was chemically negative. The spectra showed numerous units within the sample, with the upper image representing the porous mass of the object and the lower image showing the thread. The analysis identified aluminum, silicon, calcium, and iron as known elements, but indicated that the mass contained two unknown elements and the thread contained four unknown elements. The thread's primary component was iron, with a nearly equal amount of an unknown substance. The object was noted to be free of hydrazine, described as a highly unusual alloy not found in metallurgy.

Further analysis on September 1, 1976, by Eskil Nyström indicated an unusually high-interest iron compound, described as a combination not found on Earth. Researchers had contacted space research organizations to inquire about similar combinations from comets and satellites, but no connection was found. The alloy was deemed absolutely unknown. These were preliminary analyses, with further lab work planned.

A separate report, dated September 17, 1976, titled 'Analys av rymdföremål' (Analysis of Space Object), provides a preliminary analysis of fragments from an object believed to have fallen from space. This analysis, using a microprobe and an energy-dispersive spectrometer on a scanning electron microscope, found the fragments to be approximately 85% iron oxide, with roughly equal amounts of aluminum, calcium, and silicon oxides. The composition did not match typical meteorites. A small fragment, about 0.2 cm², and a 5mm long piece from a thread-like protrusion were examined. The fragments resembled rust, and both yielded similar analysis values.

UFO Sightings and Reports

The magazine includes several reports of UFO sightings:

• Avesta, Sweden (December 3, 1976): Following a newspaper article about a sighting, many people contacted the Borlänge editorial office with their own experiences. Gudrun Andersson, chairperson of Berke UFO-förening, noted that similar objects, resembling a small bus in size and shape, had been observed in the area.
• Sundsvall, Sweden (May 9, 1977): Loy Solli, chairperson of UFO:s i Sundsvall, reported that the organization received about 20 UFO reports in the previous year, with approximately two-thirds explained as natural phenomena, but 6-7 cases were considered more serious. Solli himself had changed his view on UFOs and now believed in them.
• Ljusdal, Sweden (May 29, 1977): Military personnel observed a bright light moving rapidly in a west-east direction near Nore Camping. The object, described as having the brightness of a double star, was observed for about an hour.
• Early UFO Reports (1947-1951): The magazine reprints several historical UFO reports:
• June 26, 1947: Kenneth Arnold reported seeing nine luminous objects flying at 2,000 km/h over the Cascade area in Washington, USA.
• June 29, 1947: Reports from White Sands, New Mexico, confirmed Arnold's sighting, with other witnesses and a pilot suggesting the objects might be reaction aircraft.
• July 4, 1947: The US Air Force was investigating the 'flying disk' mystery. Press officer Lt. William C. Anderson stated that they had found no evidence to support the existence of the disks and believed they were either supernatural or the result of imagination.
• July 4, 1947: A pilot and co-pilot reported seeing a swarm of three to five flying discs at an altitude of 3,500 meters near Ontario, Oregon. A photograph was taken, and the pilot estimated their speed at 800 km/h.
• Venezuela (September 7, 1976): Larry Ågren reported observing a spherical or disk-shaped object moving at high speed over La Guaira, Venezuela. The object lacked the usual lights of an aircraft and was estimated to be the size of an orange at arm's length. The observation lasted about one minute.

Astronomy: The Sun

An article by N. Roland Östlund discusses the Sun's fundamental importance for life on Earth, its role in holding the solar system together, and its physical characteristics. The Sun is described as a G-type dwarf star with a surface temperature of about 6,000 degrees Celsius, giving it a yellow-white color. It is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Its diameter is approximately 1.39 million km, and its volume is 1.3 million times that of Earth, while its mass is 333,400 times that of Earth. The Sun's central temperature is estimated at 15 million degrees Celsius.

Radio Communication: Private Radio Band 27 MHz

An article by Eskil Nyström and Anders Åkerberg discusses the explosion in popularity of private radio (CB radio) in Sweden since Televerket opened the 27 MHz band in 1963. The number of registered devices has exceeded 100,000, with an annual growth rate of about 40%. The article emphasizes the legal requirement for a license for each station and outlines the application process. It also notes frequent violations of traffic regulations among users.

DIY UFO Detector

The issue includes a schematic diagram and parts list for a "RELALOS 12volt UFO- DETEKTOR" (RELALOS 12volt UFO-DETECTOR), suggesting a DIY project for enthusiasts.

Observations at Kungsberget

Photographs depict activities during an observation night at Kungsberget, showing Eskil Nyström communicating with an observation group, Anders Åkerberg preparing a barbecue, a group of young people studying the night sky with instruments, and Marina and Siv warming up before their observation shift.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the scientific investigation of anomalous phenomena, particularly UFOs and their material composition, alongside a compilation of historical and contemporary sightings. There's a clear interest in documenting and analyzing these events, with a focus on scientific methods where possible. The inclusion of a DIY UFO detector and astronomical information suggests a broad interest in the unexplained and the cosmos. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting findings and reports for the reader's consideration, while also acknowledging the challenges and limitations of such investigations.

Title: UFO-Aktuellt
Issue: 1
Volume: 1978
Date: 1978
Publisher: UFO-Sverige
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-Aktuellt, published in 1978, focuses on providing resources and information for UFO enthusiasts in Sweden. It features a comprehensive list of suggested reading materials and updates from local UFO associations.

Suggested Reading List

The magazine presents a list of recommended books for those interested in UFOs and related mysteries. The list includes:

• "Det levande vattnet" by Olof Alexandersson (Proprius 1973)
• "På jakt efter det oförklarliga" by Robert Charroux (Berghs 1972)
• "Länder bortom verkligheten" by Charles Fort (Larson 1971)
• "Resa med flygande tefat" by Daniel Fry (Parthenon 1968)
• "Forntidens under" by J.A. Hammerton (Bonniers 1932)
• "Flygande tefat - observatörer från världsrymden" by Donald Keyhoe (Forum 1955)
• "Några fakta om rymdfarkosterna" by Silas Newton (Parthenon 1970)
• "Den glömda civilisationen Vimaana I" by Lehel Revits (UFO-Tryck 1972)
• "Kontakt med rymdmänniskor" by Ray & Rex Stanford (Parthenon 1959)
• "Tefatsfolket - vänner eller fiender" by Staffan Stigsjöö (Larson 1974)

This curated list aims to guide readers towards significant works in the field of ufology.

UFO-Information Subscription

The issue includes an announcement encouraging readers interested in UFO topics to subscribe to the national organization's magazine, "UFO-information." The subscription costs 50 SEK per year and includes 6 issues annually. The magazine is printed and published by the UFO-Sverige office. Subscription details are provided:

• Address: BOX 16, 596 01 SKÄNNINGE
• Postgiro: 8 43 25 - 0

This section highlights the importance of staying informed through dedicated publications.

Gävle UFO Association News

The Gävle UFO association reports on its activities since October. They have been screening UFO-Sverige's informational films for various organizations, including the Gävle police, with great success and positive feedback. The demand for these screenings is high, and the association plans to show the film to more interested groups. They currently have the UFO film available during January.

The association also announces their upcoming annual meeting, which is preliminarily scheduled for February 18, 1978, at 18:00 at the Börshuset in Gävle. Further information will be sent by mail, but the meeting is intended to be a pleasant event with potential for music and dancing afterward. Readers are urged to support the association on this date.

Two individuals, O. Strand and O. Holmgren, are pictured struggling to carry a film projector up Kungsberget, illustrating their dedication to showing films regardless of weather conditions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the promotion of UFO literature and the dissemination of information through organized groups like UFO-Sverige and local associations such as the Gävle UFO association. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging public interest and engagement with UFO phenomena through reading and informational events. The magazine serves as a platform for sharing resources and coordinating activities within the Swedish UFO community.