Argus - 1979 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: ARGUS
Issue: Nr. 1
Volume: årgång 3
Year: 1979
Publisher: UFO-Gävleborg
Type: Member magazine for UFO-Gävleborg, affiliated with UFO-Sweden.
Frequency: Six issues per year.

Editorial

The editorial section poses a fundamental question: 'Will we ever know what a UFO is, where it comes from, and what it wants?' It acknowledges that despite decades of investigation by governments and private individuals, no definitive answers have been found. The editor suggests that only a voluntary contact from the UFOs themselves could provide clarity. The piece highlights the vast technological gap that might exist, making it difficult for humanity to comprehend such information. It concludes that while UFOs exist, their origin, purpose, and intentions remain a mystery, leading to speculation and theoretical reasoning. The editorial emphasizes that current scientific understanding is insufficient to explain these phenomena and calls for a massive research effort. It also offers advice to UFO enthusiasts to go out into nature and observe, finding solace in shared interest and fresh air even without sightings.

Key Persons Mentioned

• Eskil Nyström: Representing the editorial board.
• O. Nyström: Chairman of UFO-Gävleborg.
• O. Strand: Vice Chairman.
• L. Strid: Secretary.
• O. Holmgren: Treasurer.
• Lawrence Coyne: Captain of a US Army helicopter involved in a sighting.
• Ronald Johnson: Witness to a UFO landing in Kansas.
• Travis Walton: Witness in a controversial abduction case in Arizona.
• Philip Klass: Editor and skeptic known for debunking UFO claims.
• Allen Hynek: Ufologist and professor at Northwestern University.
• James Harder: Professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
• C. E. Gilson: Lie detector operator.
• John McCarty: Lie detector operator.
• Jean Rosenbaum: Psychiatrist who interviewed Travis Walton.
• Grancis Redhead: Grenada's UN Ambassador, advocating for a UN body on UFOs.
• E. V. Däniken: Author of 'Olösta gåtor' (Unsolved Mysteries).
• Sir Fred Hoyle: Professor of Astronomy, proposing a theory on the origin of life.
• Chandra Wickramasinghe: Professor of Astronomy, collaborator with Sir Fred Hoyle.
• Sten Zetterlund: Witness to a UFO sighting in Eskilstuna.
• Henry Mattsson: Witness to a UFO sighting near Norrberg.

Organizations Mentioned

• UFO-Gävleborg
• UFO-Sverige (National organization)
• USA:s flygvapen (US Air Force)
• Northwestern University
• University of California
• Aviation Week & Space Technology
• American Airlines
• APRO (organization for UFO research)
• National Enquirer (magazine)
• FN (United Nations)

Locations Mentioned

• Gävleborg, Sweden
• Mansfield, Ohio, USA
• Delphos, Kansas, USA
• Heber, Arizona, USA
• Eskilstuna, Sweden
• Alingsås, Sweden
• Norrberg, Sweden
• Gobiöknen (Gobi Desert)
• Nevadaöknen (Nevada Desert)
• Sodom and Gomorra
• Grenada (Caribbean island nation)

Key UFO/UAP Incidents

1. Ohio Helicopter Encounter (October 18, 1973): A four-man crew on a US Army helicopter reported a red-glowing object moving at extreme speed towards them. The object stopped approximately 150 meters above the helicopter, described as gray metal, 15-18 meters long, emitting green light. The helicopter's radio malfunctioned during the event. Philip Klass suggests this was likely a meteor.
2. Kansas Ground Sighting (November 2, 1971): 16-year-old Ronald Johnson witnessed a bright, mushroom-shaped object hovering near the ground. The object ascended rapidly with a humming and whining sound. A glowing ring, 2.5 meters in diameter, was found on the ground, with some localized scorching. Klass suggests this was a reflection or a natural phenomenon.
3. Arizona Abduction Case (November 5, 1975): Seven loggers reported a flying saucer-like object. Travis Walton approached it and was struck by a beam of light, disappearing for five days. He later claimed to have been taken aboard the object and subjected to an examination. Lie detector tests were conducted on the witnesses, with mixed results, and Walton's own test after his return was inconclusive according to Klass.

Object Characteristics

• Shape: Disc-shaped, mushroom-shaped, egg-like formation, cigar-shaped.
• Color: Red-glowing, green light, white light, red-green flashing.
• Size Estimate: Approximately 15-18 meters long.
• Behavior: Hovering, moving at high speed, ascending, stationary, moving in defined directions, stopping at certain points, moving away with incredible speed.
• Speed Estimate: Immense speed, extreme speed.
• Altitude Estimate: Observed at 750 meters, descending to 500 meters, then ascending to over 1000 meters.
• Electromagnetic Effects: Radio malfunctioned during encounters.
• Physical Trace Evidence: Glowing ring on the ground, scorched ground up to 35 cm deep.

Themes

• UFO Sightings
• Extraterrestrial Encounters
• Scientific Skepticism vs. Belief
• Theories on the Origin of Life
• Witness Testimonies

Tags

UFO, Unidentified Flying Object, Extraterrestrial, Alien, Space, Sweden, USA, Witness accounts, Scientific investigation, Philip Klass, Allen Hynek, Travis Walton, Fred Hoyle, Comets, Life origin, Astronomy, Ufology, 1979, UFO Gävleborg, UFO-Sweden.

Time Period

1970s

Page Title

ARGUS 1979: UFO Sightings and Theories

Meta Description

Explore UFO sightings from Sweden and the USA in 1979, including witness testimonies, scientific investigations, and theories on the origin of life.

Key Facts Synopsis

This issue of ARGUS, a UFO Gävleborg publication from 1979, delves into several UFO sightings and related phenomena. It features detailed accounts of encounters in Ohio, Kansas, and Arizona, including the controversial Travis Walton case. The magazine also discusses scientific perspectives on UFOs, referencing reports from the US Air Force and the work of ufologists like Allen Hynek and James Harder. Additionally, it explores theories on the origin of life, particularly Sir Fred Hoyle's hypothesis that life originated in space and was brought to Earth by comets.

Notable Quote

"På vetenskapliga grunder, kan vi inte idag förklara detta flygande, lysande föremål, benämt UFO".

Notable Quote Speaker

REDAKTIONEN (The Editorial Board)

FAQ

• Q: What is the purpose of the magazine ARGUS? A: ARGUS is a member magazine for UFO-Gävleborg, which is a member of the national organization UFO-Sweden. It is published six times a year and is included with the membership fee.
• Q: What are some of the UFO cases discussed in this issue? A: This issue details a helicopter crew's encounter near Mansfield, Ohio in 1973, Ronald Johnson's sighting in Kansas in 1971, and the Travis Walton abduction case in Arizona in 1975.
• Q: What is Sir Fred Hoyle's theory on the origin of life? A: Sir Fred Hoyle theorizes that life originated in cosmic dust clouds and was brought to Earth by comets, potentially explaining historical epidemics and the origin of humanity.
• Q: What is the stance of Philip Klass on UFO sightings? A: Philip Klass, an editor at Aviation Week & Space Technology, is dedicated to debunking supernatural claims and suggests meteorological phenomena or misinterpretations for many UFO sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of ARGUS revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs), witness testimonies, and scientific inquiry into these events. The magazine presents a mix of detailed accounts of alleged sightings and encounters, alongside critical analysis and skeptical viewpoints, particularly from Philip Klass. There's a clear editorial stance that UFOs are a real phenomenon that science currently cannot fully explain, necessitating further investigation. The issue also broadens its scope to include speculative scientific theories, such as Sir Fred Hoyle's hypothesis on the extraterrestrial origin of life, suggesting a connection between cosmic phenomena and life on Earth. The overall tone is one of open inquiry, presenting evidence and counter-arguments, and encouraging readers to consider the mysteries of the universe and the possibility of life beyond Earth.

This issue of "OBSERVATIONER ÖVER GÄVLEBORGS LÄN" (Observations over Gävleborg County), dated October 7, 1978 (issue 78 10-07), focuses on UFO sightings and related activities in Sweden. The magazine is published by the Gävle UFO-förening (Gävleborgs UFO-förening).

Major UFO Event of October 6-7, 1978

The central part of the magazine details a significant UFO observation event that occurred on October 6 and 7, 1978, spanning Gävleborg County and reportedly reaching as far as Stockholm and Dalarna. The event triggered a massive response, with the Gävleborg UFO Association receiving approximately 150 calls from individuals who had witnessed the phenomenon.

An initial report comes from Mo in Ockelbo, where a witness, Sigfrid Larsson, described being woken by a strong light at around 3:30 AM on October 6th. He saw a large, disc-shaped object in the air, brighter on the top and bottom, with a darker middle and a light ring around it. The object moved horizontally southwards, emitting light for a few seconds before disappearing. The light was so intense it illuminated the surrounding trees. The phenomenon repeated twice more, with the object being further away each time. No sound was heard, and the conditions were clear and windless.

The magazine then describes the larger event on Saturday night, between 8:30 PM and midnight, which was also covered by mass media and local radio stations. The Gävleborg UFO Association began investigating by categorizing the incoming reports and re-contacting witnesses for more details. The compiled testimonies described a strong, blue-white, luminous object, the size of a full moon, that traveled from north to south, then west, and finally east before disappearing.

Specific Witness Reports:

• October 4, 1978, 11:00 PM, Valbo: Kennet Bognesand reported seeing a dark mass, about one-third the size of the moon, moving from north to south with a whistling sound. It had a spotlight effect that swept the ground. The observation lasted 20 minutes.
• October 5, 1978, 2:00 AM, Gävle: Kjell Forström, a taxi driver, observed a stationary object in the east that blinked intensely green-white for 3 seconds at a time, repeating this four times over 3-4 seconds.
• October 5, 1978, 7:00 PM, Gävle: Two schoolchildren saw a white light moving west, with an observation time of 2 minutes.
• October 5, 1978, 7:00 PM, Norrsundet: A person reported seeing a light that circulated and blinked at intervals of one to two seconds, observed for a few minutes.
• October 7, 1978, 8:30 PM, Österfärnebo: An object was seen 5 degrees above the horizon in the southwest (137 degrees compass direction). It was stationary, about 1 meter in size (appearing as 1 cm at arm's length), with a white light resembling a round spotlight. The observation lasted about 5 seconds.
• October 7, 1978, 10:15 PM, Storvik: A stationary, white-green object, the size of a full moon, was observed 5 degrees above the horizon in the south. The observation lasted 5-6 seconds.
• October 7, 1978, 11:30 PM, Storvik: An object moved from north to south at a rapid speed, with a light green color and the size of a full moon. The observation lasted several seconds.
• October 7, 1978, 11:20 PM, Norrala: A strongly pulsating, blue-white light, oval in shape, was observed 75 degrees above the horizon, moving from southeast to west. The observation lasted 7 seconds.
• October 7, 1978, 11:30 PM, Rengsjö: A blue-white light, the size of a full moon, was observed 5 degrees above the horizon, moving from northwest to east. The observation lasted a few seconds.
• October 7, 1978, 11:20 PM, Mora: A blue-white light was observed about 5 degrees above the horizon, moving from northeast. The observation lasted 2-3 seconds.
• October 7, 1978, 11:00 PM, between Rättvik and Leksand: A blue light was observed moving from west to east at a low speed, 25-40 degrees above the horizon.
• October 7, 1978, 11:20 PM - Midnight, Mölntora (between Västerås and Köping): A blue-green object was observed moving from south to northeast, 45 degrees above the horizon.

Astronomy Article: Spectral Classes

Page 3 features an article titled "SPEKTRALKLASSER" (Spectral Classes) by an unnamed author, discussing spectral analysis of stars. It explains that spectral lines, caused by electron transitions, are crucial for determining a star's temperature and chemical composition. The article outlines the standard spectral classification system (O, B, A, F, G, K, M) and mentions additional classes (WR, R, N, S). It also introduces the concept of luminosity classes (I-V) which supplement spectral classes to provide a more complete picture of a star's characteristics. The article notes that this is a continuation from a previous issue.

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

Pages 4 and 5 present a chronological compilation of news reports about UFOs from 1947 to 1951, primarily from American newspapers:

• August 31, 1949 (Los Angeles Times): An article by Marvin Miles reports an American officer at White Sands, New Mexico, observing flying discs, suggesting they might be spaceships rather than weather balloons. The object was described as egg-shaped, large, and flying at an estimated 3-4 miles per second.
• October 12, 1949 (Variety, New York): An article by Frank Scully details a landed flying saucer in New Mexico, measuring 30 meters in diameter, with a 5.5-meter high cabin. It reported finding sixteen charred but undeformed men inside and two unknown metals.
• October 31, 1949 (Los Angeles Daily Mirror): Reports a "spooky phenomenon with a kilometer-long streak of fire." William B. Stout, an aircraft designer, is quoted stating there's no reason to dismiss flying discs and spaceships.
• November 23, 1949 (Variety, New York): Another article by Frank Scully suggests that UFOs follow magnetic field lines and might originate from another planet, possibly Venus. It claims these spacecraft have been demonstrated by the Air Force.
• December 27, 1949 (Los Angeles Times): Refers to a Donald Keyhoe article in "True Magazine" that identifies flying saucers as spies from other planets. Associated Press reportedly accepts the article as reliable.
• December 28, 1949 (Los Angeles Daily News): Reports that the Air Force has closed its investigation into flying saucers, concluding that 375 reports could not confirm the claims and were likely due to misinterpretations, mass hysteria, or newspaper hoaxes.

Gävleborg UFO Association Meeting Minutes (February 16, 1979)

Pages 5 and 6 contain the minutes from the Gävleborg UFO Association's annual meeting held on February 16, 1979, in Sandviken. Key decisions and appointments include:

• Officers elected for 1979: Eskil Nyström (Chairman), Ove Holmgren (Treasurer), Stig Myrin, Roland Östlund, Ove Strand, Arne Forslund, and Lennart Strid (Board members). Benny Ohman and Jan Wall were elected as substitutes.
• Auditors for 1979: Åke Svensson and Bertil Göransson, with Bengt Olov Bratter as substitute auditor.
• The meeting approved the 1978 activity report and financial statements.
• The question of membership fees for 1980 was postponed.
• Ove Holmgren was tasked with investigating the possibility of Gävle Skrivbyrå printing the association's magazine, "Argus," at a lower cost.
• It was noted that the Gävle UFO Association had changed its name to Gävleborgs UFO-förening.
• The meeting concluded with thanks to the outgoing chairman, Ove Strand.

Activity Report for 1978

Pages 7 and 8 present the Gävle UFO Association's activity report for 1978. The board consisted of Ove Strand (Chairman), Stig Myrin (Vice Chairman), Maud Myrin (Secretary), Ove Holmgren (Treasurer), and board members Eskil Nyström, Roland Östlund, Jan Wall, and Lennart Strid, with Anders Åkerberg and Dan Eriksson as substitutes.

• Meetings: 15 board meetings were held. There were four general member meetings. Two meetings were joint observation events with other UFO organizations. Six meetings involved youth groups at the Gävle City Library. Five observation meetings took place at Kungsberget, and ten around Gästrikland.
• Membership: 41 membership cards were sold, with 9 being family memberships.
• Finances: The financial status is detailed in the audit report.
• Investigations: Approximately 150 reports were received from the public. The board was responsible for investigations. Three "Rikslarm" (national alerts) were received, two of which were practice alarms.
• Public Outreach: The association's information film was shown at Vasaskolan during "astronomical week." The association's activities were also featured in local radio and the press.
• Study Activities: Representatives participated in a field researcher course in Köping.
• Magazine: The association's magazine, "Argus," was published in five issues in 1978, with the board as the responsible publisher.

Concluding Remarks for 1978:

The report notes an increased public acceptance of the UFO concept and a growing interest from the public and media worldwide. It expresses a desire for serious, interdisciplinary research into the UFO phenomenon, particularly from countries outside the Eastern Bloc. The board thanked the members for their trust and cooperation.

Audit Report and Financial Statements for 1978

Pages 9 and 10 contain the audit report and financial statements for 1978. The auditors, Åke Svensson and Ove Holmgren, found the accounts to be in order. The financial statements show:

• Income (1978): Total income was 3575.17 SEK, primarily from membership fees (1370:00), lotteries (1232:00), and municipal grants (305:00).
• Expenses (1978): Total expenses were 3575.17 SEK, with significant costs for membership magazines (809:37), lotteries (659:25), and rent (675:50).
• Profit/Loss: The year resulted in a loss of 265.17 SEK.
• End of Year Balance (Dec 31, 1978): The association had a negative cash balance of -25.64 SEK and 0.85 SEK in Postgiro, totaling -24.80 SEK.
• Debts: Unpaid invoices amounted to 270.00 SEK, and the year's deficit was 294.80 SEK.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings and related phenomena, presenting eyewitness accounts and the activities of a local UFO organization. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of these events, advocating for more scientific research into the UFO phenomenon. The inclusion of historical UFO reports from the 1940s and 1950s suggests an interest in the broader context and history of UFOlogy. The organization's activities report highlights a commitment to public outreach and education.