Ekstern - 1980 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: EKSTERN
Issue: NR. 3
Volume/Year: 1980
Publisher: SAF-BULLETIN/Ufo Aspekt
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of EKSTERN magazine, dated 1980, prominently features a cover story detailing a significant UFO event that reportedly baffled 30 police officers. The magazine also includes articles discussing the scientific aspects of extraterrestrial civilizations and early attempts at interstellar communication.

"En hilsen fra Jorden!" (A Greeting from Earth!)

This section, continuing from a previous issue (NR. 2 1980), explores the concept of extraterrestrial civilizations and humanity's place in the cosmos. It references the Russian researcher Kardashev's classification of civilizations based on energy consumption. Humanity is described as a very young civilization, far from reaching Type-1 (harnessing planetary energy for communication), Type-2 (harnessing stellar energy), or Type-3 (harnessing galactic energy).

The article highlights that humanity's first weak radio signals, sent into space about 40 years prior, would likely take around 100 light-years to reach potential Type-1 civilizations. The vastness of space means that even if intelligent life exists, the chances of contact are slim due to the immense distances and the possibility of missing each other in time or on different frequencies. It is suggested that other civilizations might already be communicating, with their signals perceived by us as mere physical phenomena.

Early serious attempts to listen for extraterrestrial signals are mentioned, including "Project Ozma" in 1961, where a radio telescope in the USA listened for two weeks towards Epsilon Eridani and Tau Ceti. The Russians attempted a similar listening effort in 1968, targeting the Andromeda galaxy. Both efforts reportedly yielded only "usual static." The article posits that systematic listening to millions of stars with advanced instruments might be necessary to detect a civilization with an inhabited planetary system. The proposed "Cyclops" project in the USA, costing six billion dollars, aimed to build a "giant ear" composed of over a hundred radio telescopes to increase the chances of detection.

Despite the low probability, the article suggests that the chances of finding an intelligent civilization are not necessarily smaller than finding a needle in a haystack. It also raises the possibility that "the others" might contact us first, perhaps with communication methods unknown to us, or even during a holiday season like Christmas.

UFO Astonishes 30 Police Officers in North Carolina

This article details an extraordinary series of UFO sightings that occurred over four days, from April 3rd to April 6th, 1975, in the area around Lumberton, North Carolina, USA. Reports flooded local police departments and sheriff's offices, describing a strange, silent, glowing, triangular object seen repeatedly in the sky.

Sheriff Ray Strickland of Robeson County described the event as "unbelievable" and "shaking." He recounted witnessing the object descend to about 100 meters above the ground near his home on Sunday, April 6th, at 5:15 PM. His family watched, captivated, as the craft moved towards a farmhouse before disappearing silently behind buildings.

The flurry of reports began shortly after 1:00 AM on April 3rd. Ronn Thompson, a radio operator for the Lumberton Sheriff's office, noted that most callers had seen the UFO over the northern part of Lumberton. Officer Phil Stanton reported seeing the object hovering about 20 meters above the town's water tank. He described it as triangular or V-shaped, with a red light on one side and a blue or green light on the other, estimated to be about the size of a Cadillac. He emphasized the complete lack of noise and noted a massive hull with a single large spotlight.

Stanton described the object suddenly accelerating away with incredible speed. The UFO was reportedly seen flying west, where Hoke Sheriff George McGuire observed it moving at speeds comparable to a fighter jet but at a much lower altitude.

Nysgjerrig, radio operator Ronn Thompson went out to look for the object after his shift on Friday evening and spotted it about 30 kilometers southwest of Lumberton. He described the UFO appearing less than 50 meters from his car. He reported that a light beam emerged from the craft, and when he flashed his headlights, the beam flashed back in response. After a second exchange of light signals, the object rapidly accelerated and vanished.

Early on Saturday, April 5th, Police Director Gary Moore of White Lake, NC, observed a similar triangular UFO with pulsating red light. On Sunday morning, April 6th, State Police Director McGee also saw a UFO between Lumberton and St. Pauls, providing a description consistent with the others.

Authorities at the nearby Fayetteville airport were reportedly perplexed, using a Boeing 737 for reconnaissance. An employee at Fort Bragg Air Station near Fayetteville admitted to being as astonished as civilian aviation representatives.

The article cites National Enquirer, October 9, 1975, and Ufo Aspekt, Issue 1/1976, as sources.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial life, and related scientific inquiries. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting witness accounts and scientific theories without overt skepticism, while also acknowledging the vastness of space and the challenges of detecting or contacting other civilizations. The inclusion of scientific discussions alongside detailed sighting reports suggests an aim to provide a comprehensive view of the UFO subject matter.