GICOFF-Information - 1974 No 1

Magazine Overview

This issue of GICOFF INFORMATION, Volume 5, Number 1, dated 1974, is published by the Göteborgs Informations Center för Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål in Sweden. The cover prominently features two lead stories: one detailing a UFO photographed by a scientist aboard a Concorde over Africa, and another about schoolchildren in Sweden who witnessed flying saucers. The magazine is primarily in Swedish.

Editorial and Organizational Information

The editorial section, written by Sven-Olof Fredrikson, apologizes for the delay in publication due to illness at the printing house. Fredrikson also addresses what he describes as a 'shameful and foul campaign' against GICOFF, stemming from its formation by former members of UFO-Göteborg. He clarifies that the material taken when GICOFF was formed was personal property and not stolen from UFO-Göteborg. He also mentions that members are being contacted by individuals trying to elicit negative information about GICOFF and other organizations. The magazine aims to spread information and has printed an informational leaflet, with members encouraged to distribute copies.

The magazine lists its organizational structure, including board members like Chairman Björn Högman, Vice Chairman Alf Tollhag, and Secretary Sven-Olof Fredrikson. It also details contact persons for information and PR in Gothenburg and Stockholm, as well as departments for photography and distribution. Membership details are provided, costing 39 SEK for a full year or 21.50 SEK for a half-year, payable to postgiro number 42 85 03-7. Foreign correspondents are listed for Denmark, Finland, and Norway.

Cover Stories

UFO Over Africa

On June 30, 1973, a group of French scientists aboard a Concorde aircraft flying at 17,000 meters over Tchad, South Sahara, were studying a solar eclipse. Among them was Jean Begot, an electrical engineer from the astrophysical institute in Paris. After developing hundreds of photos, one taken by Begot with a standard Agfa-Silette camera revealed a mysterious luminous dot. This dot, when enlarged, showed a distinct contour and varied in color from yellow-white to red and green-black. The photograph underwent extensive investigation and was only made public in February 1974. Astrophysicists estimated the object to be 15 km away with a diameter of at least 200 meters. Investigations ruled out camera or window reflections. Possible explanations considered included atmospheric refraction (deemed unlikely due to altitude) and condensation phenomena, but these were not fully convincing. Two scientists, Serge Kautshmy and Claude Poker, considered the possibility of a flying saucer, while Concorde's chief pilot, Andrée Turcat, dismissed the idea, suggesting the colors indicated high temperature consistent with a falling satellite or meteor.

UFO Over Sweden

On October 15, 1973, a group of schoolchildren in Vittangi, Sweden, witnessed a flying object. The event was reported in the newspaper Norrländska Socialdemokraten (NSD) with the headline "This is what it looked like. Everyone ran in panic." The article describes how the children were playing on the ice of the Torne River when they saw a strange object. Bengt Waaranperä, one of the witnesses, described it as a dark, triangular object moving at high speed in a straight line towards the north, approximately 300-400 meters above the ground. He estimated its speed to be near supersonic, around 4200 km/h, and noted the object was silent. The object was visible for about 5 seconds before disappearing behind trees. The witnesses were terrified, with Bengt remaining frozen on the ice for a while. Investigations by parents found no unusual tracks on the ice. Meteorologists indicated that the weather conditions at the time were likely cloudy with low cloud bases, which contradicts the witnesses' perception of clear skies. Docent Ludwik Liszka from the Kiruna Geophysical Observatory expressed skepticism, suggesting it might be a satellite burning up in the atmosphere, but the witnesses insisted the object was much closer. A follow-up report in the magazine 'Allers' mentioned a circular burnt mark on the island where the object was seen, approximately half a meter in diameter, but this was not observed by the initial witnesses.

Space Exploration and UFOs

Skylab Astronauts See UFO

On October 18, 1973, reports emerged that Skylab 2 astronauts had observed a mysterious reddish object in space. Dr. Owen K. Garriot described it as brighter than any planet and located more than 60 km from the spacecraft. The astronauts saw it once during their 59-day mission. A different news agency reported that crews on both Skylab 1 and 2 had seen numerous UFOs during their missions.

Apollo 13 Mission

This section details the dramatic events of the Apollo 13 mission in April 1970. During the launch, one engine failed, but was compensated for by extending another. Later, a critical failure occurred in the service module, causing a loss of power and oxygen. The astronauts, Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and John Swigert, were forced to use the lunar module 'Aquarius' as a lifeboat. The narrative describes the tense situation, the efforts to conserve power, and the eventual successful return to Earth. The article includes technical details about the spacecraft and the astronauts' communications with Houston.

Other UFO Reports

Low-Flying UFO Over Norway

On July 24, 1973, student Jan Lernefalk observed a UFO while riding a cable car up Fjellheisen mountain near Narvik, Norway. He described a dark, wingless object moving silently at high speed over the water, estimated to be about 7-8 km away. He calculated its speed to be approximately 4200 km/h, noting that it was much faster than any known aircraft and that there was no sound. He compared its size to a Draken-plan. The weather was clear, but synoptic charts indicated fog and clouds in the coastal area. Lernefalk ruled out optical illusions and reflections, emphasizing the object's silent passage at high speed.

UFOs in South Africa

This section, part 3 of a series on the 1972 South African UFO wave, discusses various reports. One report, from The Argus newspaper, describes 'Die Lig' (The Light), an orange light phenomenon observed annually in the Mariendal and Keetmanshoop area. It hovers low and causes vehicles to stop when approached. The article also touches upon media coverage of UFOs in South Africa, including skeptical remarks from Professor Bleksley and a defense of UFO witnesses by the Daily Dispatch newspaper. Two specific sightings are detailed: one near Vryburg on July 5, 1972, where a witness described a large, colored sphere that emitted sparks, and another near King William's Town on the same date, involving a bright red object rising from the ground.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings across different continents (Africa, Europe, North America via space missions, and South Africa), the challenges of identifying these phenomena, and the role of media and scientific skepticism. GICOFF positions itself as an information center dedicated to investigating and reporting on UFOs, often presenting witness accounts with detailed analysis and attempting to debunk or explain potential misidentifications. The editorial stance is one of open investigation, acknowledging the possibility of genuine unexplained aerial phenomena while also addressing public campaigns and skepticism directed at UFO research organizations like GICOFF itself.

This issue of the magazine, identified as issue number 2 and likely from January 1974, features a prominent cover story titled "TILL KOHOUTEKS LOV" (To Kohoutek's Love), which discusses the comet Kohoutek's disappointing appearance. The magazine also includes articles on space exploration, specifically Soviet and US missions to Mars, and a review of the book "Tefatsfolket ser oss" by Staffan Stigsjöö. Several UFO sightings and related phenomena are reported from Scandinavia.

Comet Kohoutek

The article "TILL KOHOUTEKS LOV" expresses disappointment with the comet Kohoutek, noting that it did not live up to expectations and was merely a faint dot. Despite the anticlimactic visual, the comet did yield scientific discoveries, with American scientists detecting molecules of hydrogen cyanide and methyl cyanide in its tail. The article humorously notes the comet's name, meaning "little rooster," and includes a quote from a photographer asking not to be photographed from behind, referencing the moon's already well-photographed far side.

Mars Exploration

The section "MÅNGA MARS VID MARS I MARS" (Many Mars by Mars in Mars) details the Soviet Union's ambitious Mars probe launches during the summer of 1973. Four probes, numbered 4 through 7, were sent, with one designed for a soft landing. The objective is to explore Mars and its environment, with a hint of future attempts at soft landings. Soviet probe No. 3, which landed in December 1971, transmitted TV images for only 20 seconds, though its radio transmissions continued for a few days. Mars probe 6, launched later, is set to study solar radiation and plasma upon reaching Mars in March 1974. The article also mentions the US plan for soft landings around 1975-76 with the Viking program, which aims to investigate the conditions for life on the planet.

UFO Sightings and Phenomena

"VÄSANDE" (The "VÄSANDE" Phenomenon)

This section continues a report on a UFO observation, detailing the temperature at +18 degrees Celsius and noting that cloud base was at 600 meters. The witness, Lindvall, could not recall the object passing behind or in front of any clouds. The object was deemed unidentified, and the report was compiled by Anders Liljegren. Sources for this report include GICOFF's report form from September 1973 and telephone interviews with the witness.

Ljusfenomen över Lofoten (Light Phenomena over Lofoten)

Reports from Norway describe luminous objects observed in October 1973. On October 14th, a man in Leksnes saw a round, blue-yellow object moving fast in a straight line. A few days later, on October 22nd, children in Leitebakken observed a yellow light moving fast westward. Similar observations were made in Svolvaer on October 22nd and 23rd, where a light behaved like a helicopter. Another report from October 23rd describes a bright light, brighter than stars, moving slowly down a mountainside near Vittangi, Sweden, and disappearing.

APOLLO

This brief section references the Apollo missions, mentioning that after contact was broken, minutes turned into hours, and there was concern about the heat shield's integrity. Astronaut Swigert's famous line, "Houston, we have a problem," is alluded to, followed by the successful deployment of parachutes for the Apollo capsule, which was met with cheers in Houston.

TEFATSFOLKET (The UFO People)

This section discusses the difficulty of accepting UFO phenomena within a rigid scientific framework. It suggests that the current scientific worldview does not easily accommodate phenomena like parapsychology or the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation. The article questions the effectiveness of cover-ups if UFO debris has indeed been found. It also touches upon the idea that such events could be seen as hopeful signs of not being alone in the universe. The text implies that further research and acceptance of UFO reports are necessary, mentioning an upcoming book by Staffan on the topic.

Book Review: "Tefatsfolket ser oss"

Bertil Nilsson reviews Staffan Stigsjöö's book "Tefatsfolket ser oss" (The UFO People See Us). The book is described as a catalog of UFO observations, with Stigsjöö, a young journalist, having compiled extensive material. The review notes that the book challenges the official attitude of ignoring UFO phenomena and presents a different perspective on the Condon report. It highlights chapters on mysterious disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle and unusual experiences of Apollo astronauts. The reviewer suggests the book is valuable for those new to the UFO subject. Stigsjöö is portrayed as critical of authorities, particularly FOA, for their perceived passivity on UFO issues.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of the magazine appears to maintain a strong interest in UFO phenomena, space exploration, and astronomical events. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into anomalous phenomena, encouraging the examination of witness testimonies and challenging official dismissals. There is a clear focus on presenting information from various sources, including scientific reports, witness accounts, and book reviews, to inform readers about the UFO subject and related scientific endeavors. The magazine also touches upon the broader implications of potential extraterrestrial contact and the need for international cooperation in addressing such issues.