Argus - 1978 No 5

Magazine Overview

Title: ARGUS
Issue: 5
Volume: 2
Year: 1978
Publisher: Gävleborgs UFO förening (Gävleborgs UFO Association)
Type: Member magazine
Frequency: Six issues per year

Editorial: Reflections on Time Travel and Extraterrestrial Life

The editorial section features thoughts from Roland Östlund on the possibility of time travel and the existence of life in the universe. He contemplates the vastness of the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies, each containing billions of stars, and the immense distances involved. Östlund suggests that to overcome these distances, travel might occur through another dimension, possibly by exceeding the speed of light, enabling instantaneous arrival at distant locations like the Andromeda galaxy.

The Sirius Mystery: Dogon Knowledge and Alien Visitors

This section delves into the book 'The Sirius Mystery' by Robert K G Temple, which explores the ancient Dogon tribe's knowledge of the star Sirius. The article highlights the Dogons' detailed understanding of Sirius B, a white dwarf star orbiting Sirius, including its orbital period and density, information that predates Western astronomical discoveries. Temple's work suggests that these ancient myths and astronomical observations point to possible visits from extraterrestrial beings, referred to as 'nommers,' who arrived from Sirius and played a role in human history, even influencing early religious concepts.

Astronomical Phenomena: Flares and Surges

This part of the magazine provides information on solar phenomena. 'Flares' are described as intense, short-lived eruptions in the sun's chromosphere, often appearing as bright points or structures, primarily studied in the red line of hydrogen. Their duration is typically around 15 minutes but can extend to an hour. Flares are associated with sunspots and follow the sun's 11-year cycle. 'Surges' are described as intensely luminous gas tongues ejected from the sun's limb at high speeds, reaching tens of thousands of kilometers in altitude before accelerating back to the solar surface. The entire process for surges usually takes less than 20 minutes.

Constellation List

A comprehensive list of constellations is provided, including Andromeda, Aquarius, Aries, Auriga, Boötes, Camelopardalis, Cancer, Canes Venatici, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Cetus, Corona Australis, Corona Borealis, Crater, Cygnus, Delphinus, Draco, Equuleus, Gemini, Hercules, Hydra, Lacerta, Leo Minor, Lepus, Libra, Lynx, Lyra, Microscopium, Monoceros, Musca, Norma, Octans, Ophiuchus, Orion, Pavo, Pegasus, Perseus, Phoenix, Pictor, Pisces Austrinus, Pisces, Puppis, Pyxis, Reticulum, Sagitta, Sagittarius, Scorpius, Scutum, Serpens Caput, Serpens Cauda, Sextans, Taurus, Telescopium, Triangulum, Triangulum Australe, Tucana, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Virgo, Volans, Vulpecula, and Vulpecula.

Field Research Course in Köping

This section reports on a field research course organized by the Central Group for UFO researchers in Köping on September 9-10, 1978. Two members from the Gävleborgs UFO association attended. The course included lectures on health and cell structure by Anders Gernant, musical entertainment, and a magic show. Military representatives demonstrated light phenomena by launching flares and signal pistols. The course also involved a simulated UFO landing scenario and discussions on future course dates.

UFO Sightings Reports

Several UFO sighting reports from November 1976 are detailed:

• November 16, 1976 (Gävle): Eva Emmoth observed a mysterious, luminous object in the sky that moved and disappeared quickly. Her mother also reported seeing something unusual.
• November 16, 1976 (Luleå): Olle Rostmark encountered a powerful light beam from above that seemed to target his car, causing him physical distress and temporary vision impairment.
• November 19, 1976 (Hudiksvall): A woman witnessed three bright red orbs forming a triangle that moved silently over the treetops.

'Mysko?': A Witness Account

This section features an interview with Kurt Nilsson, who claims to have seen three beings from space near Örnsköldsvik. He describes them as approximately three meters tall, appearing as a gray mass in spacesuits, emerging from a teacup-shaped craft. Nilsson recounts being initially curious but then frightened, and he wishes to encounter them again.

Ancient Civilizations and Extraterrestrial Influence

Drawing from Erich von Däniken's work, this part of the magazine discusses ancient sites and artifacts that suggest advanced technology and possible extraterrestrial involvement in early human history. It mentions the ruins of Tiahuanaco in Bolivia, with its enigmatic stone carvings and structures, and Sacsayhuaman in Peru, featuring massive, precisely cut stone blocks that challenge conventional explanations of ancient engineering capabilities. The text questions how such colossal stones could have been quarried, transported, and worked with the tools available to ancient peoples, hinting at the involvement of 'titanic forces' or extraterrestrial intervention.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena, ancient mysteries, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The editorial stance appears open to speculative theories, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional scientific understanding, particularly concerning ancient civilizations and unexplained aerial phenomena. There is a recurring theme of questioning established historical and scientific narratives in favor of exploring alternative explanations rooted in mythology, ancient texts, and witness accounts.

This issue of "L-I-T-T-E-R-A-T-U-R-S-I-D-A" (Issue 10, dated 1978) focuses on literature related to UFOs, astronomy, and science fiction, alongside a technical project for a UFO detector. The cover prominently features "von Däniken GUDARNAS" and "TILLBAKA TILL STJÄRNORNA", indicating a theme of ancient astronauts and space exploration.

UFO-BÖCKER (UFO Books)

• The magazine reviews several books on UFOs:
• Fry Daniel: Utvecklingens kurva. (Parthenon 1960)
• Kjellson Henry: Försvunnen teknik. (Nybloms 1973)
• Pauwels S. & Bergier: De omöjliga möjligheternas planet. (Berghs 1970) - This book explores the possibilities of other planets.
• Répits Lehel: Kreativitet - en outnyttjad resurs. (Hermods 1974) - Focuses on creativity as an untapped resource.
• Semit jov Eugên: De otroliga tefaten. (A.& Kärnek.1974) - Deals with incredible flying saucers.

ASTRONOMI-BÖCKER (Astronomy Books)

• Reviews of astronomy books include:
• Nilsson Karin: Astronomi från början. (Hermods Skola) - A basic book for amateur astronomers.
• Urey C. & Hall Tord: Solsystemet. (Brombergs) - Features rich illustrations describing planets and the solar system, including recent discoveries.
• Taylor John: Rymdens svarta hål. (Berghs) - Discusses black holes, their nature, and their implications for humanity, written for a lay audience.

SCIENCE FICTION

• Reviews of science fiction books:
• Bester Alfred: Ensam mot universum. - A story about crime in the solar system in a future where crime is unthinkable.
• Blish James: Flykt mot framtiden. - A collection of eight science fiction novellas about humanity and the universe.
• Brown Fredric: Vilken vanvettig värld. - Features monsters from space, space heroes, and interstellar wars, fulfilling the dreams of a young space enthusiast.
• Brunner John: Stjärnfall. - Depicts a decadent humanity facing a comically terrible threat in the distant future.

These reviews are attributed to Ove H.

"TEFATEN" I PRESSEN 1947 - 1951 ("Saucers" in the Press 1947-1951)

• This section chronicles UFO sightings reported in the press:
• October 1, 1948: Lieutenant George F. Gorman engaged in a 27-minute aerial pursuit with a flying disk over Fargo, North Dakota. Two air traffic controllers and civilians witnessed the event.
• April 8, 1949: Los Angeles Times reports park workers in Griffith Park saw a flying disk moving rapidly in a zigzag pattern, leaving a white smoke trail at an estimated altitude of 1,500 meters and a diameter of 15 meters. The Griffith Observatory reported nothing unusual.
• April 27, 1949: Los Angeles Times reports that the U.S. Air Force is investigating the possibility of flying saucers being alien aircraft. Of 240 American and 30 foreign reports, 30% were explained by meteorological balloons or meteors, another 30% had natural explanations, but 40% remained a mystery. The "Journal Herald" noted it was unlikely any other nation had advanced so far.
• April 30, 1949: The Saturday Evening Post features an article by Sidney Shalett, "Vad kan man tro om de flygande tefaten" (What can one believe about flying saucers?), quoting aviation leaders who downplayed the reports, while also describing cases that could support hallucination theories.
• July 25, 1949: Los Angeles Times reports a "winged, burning celestial wonder" observed by air traffic controllers near Atlanta. It was described as a colossal aircraft emitting a forty-foot long jet of flame, shining like a fluorescent light, and moving at 800-1,000 km/h.
• August 21, 1949: Los Angeles Times reports that two old aircraft found in a Maryland tobacco warehouse were not related to flying saucers, dismissing them as old scrap and false alarms. A photo of a 1940 rotor aircraft by Jonathan Cladwell was included.

INFORMATION från Gävleborgs UFO förening (Information from Gävleborgs UFO Association)

The Gävle UFO association has changed its name. The new name was proposed by the board and approved at a meeting on September 20, 1978. The association has held regular observation evenings at Kungsberget, which were well-attended, though UFOs did not appear. They hosted visitors from the Falu Ufo förening on September 9th. Since September 29th, there has been a significant increase in UFO sightings, with approximately 150 observation reports received from the public and members in just three weeks. This is noted as a very interesting development after a quiet period. A detailed report is promised for the next issue. The association encourages interested individuals to join and seriously investigate the phenomenon.

UFO DETECTOR Project

This section details the design and construction of a "UFO Detector" circuit. The device aims to detect magnetic disturbances associated with UFO activity. It presents a circuit diagram (Fig. 1) and foil patterns for the printed circuit board (Figs. 2 & 3). The detector uses two systems: one based on a sensitive compass and a phototransistor, and another that monitors a solenoid (L1) for magnetic field changes. The article explains the "How It Works" section, detailing the components like LM4250CN op-amps and LM3909 flashers. It emphasizes the need for a stable, noise-free environment for accurate readings and mentions that the device is designed to detect magnetic anomalies, but refrains from claiming it can consistently detect UFOs due to the lack of calibration standards.

• Key Components: Resistors, potentiometers, capacitors, semiconductors (op-amps, flashers, transistors, diodes), LEDs, a solenoid (from a Post Office type 3000 relay), a switch, and a compass.
• Construction: The article provides guidance on building the unit, suggesting the use of a printed circuit board and offering tips for assembling the compass mechanism.
• Setting Up: Instructions are given for adjusting the sensitivity (RV2) and optimizing the 50 Hz rejection filter (RV1).
• Buy Lines: Information is provided on where to obtain electronic parts, including advertisers offering complete kits.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the UFO phenomenon from multiple angles: book reviews covering ufology, astronomy, and science fiction; historical accounts of sightings; and practical projects like the UFO detector. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting information and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, particularly evident in the cautious claims made about the UFO detector's efficacy. There's a clear interest in both the theoretical and practical aspects of UFO research, as well as in promoting local UFO investigation groups.