GICOFF-Information - 1973 No 2

Magazine Overview

This issue of GICOFF INFORMATION, Volume 4, Number 2, dated 1973, is published by the Göteborgs Informations Center för Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål (GICOFF). The cover prominently features a dramatic image of a Saturn V rocket launch, hinting at the magazine's coverage of space exploration alongside its primary focus on UFO phenomena.

Key Articles and Features

The Apollo Project and its Aftermath

The magazine dedicates significant space to the Apollo program, beginning with President John F. Kennedy's pivotal 1961 speech setting the goal of landing a man on the Moon. It details the Mercury and Gemini programs as precursors to Apollo. A major focus is the tragic Apollo 1 mission, where astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffe perished in a fire during a launch rehearsal on January 27, 1967. The article describes the investigation into the fire, attributing it to an electrical fault igniting the pure oxygen atmosphere, and the subsequent redesign of the Apollo capsule for fire safety.

Following this tragedy, the magazine highlights the successful Apollo 7 mission, which launched on October 11, 1968, with astronauts Walter Schirra, Don Eisele, and Walter Cunningham. This mission spent 11 days in Earth orbit, testing the spacecraft's systems and performing maneuvers. It also marked the beginning of regular TV broadcasts from space.

The issue then covers the historic Apollo 8 mission, which launched on December 21, 1968. This mission was the first manned flight to orbit the Moon. The astronauts, Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders, orbited the Moon ten times, conducting tests and capturing iconic images, including the famous 'Earthrise' photograph. Their journey provided valuable data for future lunar landings and included a Christmas Eve broadcast from lunar orbit.

UFO Encounters and Observations

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to UFO reports and analysis. One of the most detailed accounts involves police constable Herbert Schirmer, who reported a UFO encounter in December 1967. Under hypnosis, Schirmer recounted being taken aboard an alien craft, describing the beings, their technology, and their questioning of him. The aliens reportedly warned him not to reveal the true nature of his encounter and stated they would return.

Another featured UFO sighting is from Sweden. Pilot Hans Gunnar Falk reported observing an elliptical, self-luminous object with extreme acceleration capabilities in September 1961. The object was described as having sharp contours when stationary but becoming blurred during its rapid ascent.

Additionally, the magazine includes a report from Bodil Svensson in Vellinge, Sweden, who, along with her mother, witnessed a bright, disc-shaped object with a corona on November 5, 1972. The object moved rapidly and disappeared. The report includes a detailed questionnaire and commentary, noting the witness's credibility.

Space Exploration Beyond Apollo

The issue also touches upon other space-related topics. It discusses the Soviet Lunokhod 2 lunar rover, which began its mission in January 1973, following the success of Lunokhod 1. This robotic exploration is presented as the Soviet counterpart to the Apollo program.

The planet Mars is also featured, with an article discussing recent findings from the American Mariner 9 mission. It highlights the planet's topography, potential volcanic activity, and the significant role of dust storms. The article mentions the upcoming Viking project in 1976, aimed at searching for microbial life on Mars.

Scientific and Technical Aspects

Technical details are provided regarding the UFOs, including descriptions of their construction (e.g., magnesium), propulsion systems (reversible electromagnetic energy), and potential electromagnetic effects on terrestrial devices. The physical characteristics of the alleged alien beings are also described, including their height, build, and facial features.

Editorial and Recurring Themes

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of unexplained aerial phenomena with scientific endeavors like space exploration. It emphasizes witness testimony, often supported by hypnosis or detailed interviews, and attempts to correlate these accounts with known scientific principles or technological capabilities. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting evidence and analysis without outright dismissal, while also covering significant developments in space technology and exploration.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of GICOFF INFORMATION demonstrates a clear editorial stance of investigating and reporting on UFO phenomena with a degree of seriousness, often juxtaposing these reports with credible scientific and technological advancements, particularly in space exploration. The magazine seems to value detailed witness accounts, including those obtained through hypnosis, and explores the technical and physical characteristics of reported UFOs and their occupants. The inclusion of articles on the Apollo program and Mars exploration suggests an editorial interest in the broader context of humanity's reach into the cosmos, perhaps seeking parallels or contrasts between known space missions and unexplained aerial phenomena. The publication aims to inform its readers about both the mysteries of the skies and the frontiers of human scientific achievement.

This issue of GICOFF-Inf., dated December 1972 and identified as volume 1973, issue nr 1, focuses on UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings primarily within Sweden. The cover prominently features an illustration of a disc-shaped object and highlights a report about a weather observer seeing a 'luminous stav' (luminous staff or rod) near a power line.

Key Articles and Reports

UFO Sightings in Sweden

The magazine presents several detailed witness accounts of unidentified aerial phenomena. A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to a series of observations that occurred around November 27, 1972, in the Västerbotten region of Sweden, including Umeå, Nordmaling, and Strömsör.

Nordmaling and Strömsör Observations (November 27, 1972):

Ewa Marie Westerlundh reported seeing an object that initially appeared as a bright light, changing its form and color. It seemed to pulsate, becoming intensely white and then reddish-orange, appearing as an elongated object and later a horizontal ellipse. The light concentrated and dimmed, then reappeared with increasing intensity. She described the object as not solid, but 'swaying' and appearing 'loose.' The observation lasted for a considerable time, and she noted that the object eventually faded, leaving only cloud veils before total darkness.

Her mother, Gunbritt Westerlundh, corroborated the event. While speaking to her daughter, she saw a luminous point in the south, low on the horizon. Using binoculars, she observed a luminous streak with shimmering stripes, moving southwest. She described it as a yellow, steady, luminous glow, similar to molten metal. She estimated the object's duration of observation to be about 12 minutes. She also recalled hearing a faint humming sound prior to her daughter's call.

Norrbyn Observation (November 27, 1972):

Dane Jansson, a driver near Nordmaling, observed a yellowish light in the southwest, about 30 degrees above the horizon. He initially mistook it for a sun reflection but soon realized it was something else. He described the object as long and narrow, about a quarter of the moon's apparent diameter, with no sharp contours. It moved southwest and disappeared behind trees. He estimated the observation time to be 5-6 minutes.

Mauriz Berggren and his son Sven-Erik Berggren also reported seeing a similar object around 14:40 in Norrbyn. They described it as a luminous point that made a turn and disappeared in the southwest.

Umeå Observation (November 27, 1972):

Rune Norberg in Umeå observed an object moving slowly southeast. He described it as disk-shaped with sharp contours and a fiery yellow color, similar to the sun at sunset. Something brighter than the object itself emanated from its rear. He estimated its length to be slightly longer than the moon's apparent diameter. The observation lasted about 7-8 minutes.

Hallsberg Observation (December 6, 1972):

Artur Appring, a weather observer for SMHI, reported seeing a luminous object near Hallsberg. He described it as a 'light-emitting tube' about 1.5 meters long, moving towards the horizon in the southwest. The object was far away and disappeared behind a cloud bank. He noted its significant tilt relative to the horizon. He also observed faint light trails and described the object as a solid body with sharp contours, emitting a warm white light. He estimated the object's speed to be slow and its size to be significant given its distance.

Torskinge Observation (December 28, 1972):

Siblings Märta and Bernt Svensson saw an unusual, shimmering object in the sky near Torskinge. They described it as a colorless, bright object that appeared reflective rather than self-luminous. Its brightness was comparable to stars, and its length was similar to the moon's diameter. It moved like a jet plane with constant speed before disappearing in a northerly direction.

UFO Incident and Animal Reactions

Calgary Incident (August 1970):

The magazine recounts a famous UFO incident involving a horse named SNIPPY in Colorado, where its flesh was surgically removed. It also details an account from a Calgary chiropractor who experienced a close encounter with a UFO while riding his horse. The horse became extremely agitated and uncontrollable. The chiropractor observed a low-flying, disc-shaped object with wavy contours, approximately 20 meters in diameter. The object was described as solid, with a blue glow on its leading edge and rotating vents on its underside. The horse's distress was so severe that it was difficult to observe the object. After the object departed, the horse showed signs of distress, including what appeared to be burn marks. Later, a dead horse was found nearby, with one side severely burned, suggesting a possible connection to the UFO event.

Book Review: "DET KOMMER EN DAG....." by Eugen Semitjov

This section reviews Eugen Semitjov's book, which explores the possibility of intelligent life in the universe and potential contact with extraterrestrial beings. The book discusses the challenges of vast cosmic distances, the potential for radio contact, and the possibility of alien visitations. It references research on Mars and Jupiter, the Tunguska event, and theories about 'astronaut dolls' from Japan. The review highlights Semitjov's contact with Russian scientists and his speculation about the origins of life and development in the cosmos.

Other Sections

Comments and Analysis:

Several comments analyze the reported sightings, noting the temporal proximity of events and the consistent observation of a tilted object. The possibility of weather balloons or conventional aircraft is largely dismissed due to the observed characteristics and flight patterns. The article also mentions that the dog of one witness showed no reaction during the sighting, while the horse in the Calgary incident reacted violently.

Messages and Information:

A section titled "MEDDELANDE" (Message) seeks members who can translate UFO articles from French and Spanish. Another section, "Bokmalen" (Book Review), features the review of Semitjov's book.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and analysis of UFO/UAP sightings, witness testimonies, and the investigation of potential extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting witness accounts and offering some analysis while acknowledging the unexplained nature of many events. The magazine aims to document and inform its readers about UFO-related incidents, particularly those occurring in Sweden. There is a clear emphasis on detailed descriptions of the objects, their movements, and the reactions of witnesses and animals.