GICOFF-Information - 1975 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: GIGOFF INFORMATION
Issue: Number 1, Year 6
Date: 1975
Publisher: GIGOFF (Göteborgs Informations Center för Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål)
Content: This issue of GIGOFF INFORMATION focuses on presenting a "sensational discovery" by their research team: the world's first three-dimensional photograph of a UFO. It also delves into various UFO investigations, witness accounts, and attempts to find explanations for these phenomena.

Editorial and Cover Story: The First 3D UFO Photo

The cover boldly announces the "Sensational discovery by our research team - the world's first three-dimensional photo of a UFO." The main article, "GIGOFF PRESENTERAR ETT VÄRLDSUNIKT BILDMATERIAL - TREDIMENSIONELLT FOTO AV ETT UFO," details this groundbreaking claim. The 3D effect is achieved using anaglyph technology, which requires special glasses (provided as a supplement with the magazine) to view the depth in the images.

The article explains that the 3D photo is derived from two "tefat" (saucer) images taken by Lars Thörn in May 1971 near Skillingaryd, Sweden. The process involved significant experimentation, particularly by Lasse Svennberg and Mats Weidel, to make the anaglyph image printable. While the authenticity of the original photos is not definitively proven, the 3D presentation is highlighted as a new way to analyze the material. The editorial notes that the effectiveness of the 3D effect was only fully realized recently, and the method of publishing it with glasses was chosen over a more complex method involving lenses.

"Redaktionellt" (Editorial)

Written by Sven-Olof Fredrikson, the editorial elaborates on the 3D photo and the associated anaglyph glasses. He mentions that the images are based on Lars Thörn's two "tefat" pictures from May 1971. Fredrikson discusses the challenges of publishing such material and the artistic effort involved in creating the anaglyph version. He also touches upon the ongoing "URD-projektet," which aims to gather more information and involve more people in UFO research. The editorial criticizes resistance from some UFO Sweden groups, advocating for a renewed approach to reach a broader audience. It highlights the need for field investigators, especially in sparsely populated areas like Norrland, and acknowledges the limitations of the magazine's staff as journalists, striving to present UFO observations clearly.

"SENSATIONELL UPPTÄCKT" (Sensational Discovery)

This section further details Lars Thörn's UFO sighting on May 6, 1971. Thörn, a 25-year-old truck driver, was with his 4.5-year-old son when he spotted a shining object moving horizontally near Skillingaryd. He managed to take two photos with a Minolta 16 spy camera. The article states that Kodak AB, Hultins foto, and Colorfoto examined the negatives and confirmed their authenticity, ruling out copying. The issue of how to present this evidence to both believers and skeptics is discussed. A recent development involved measuring distances on the photos to confirm parallax, supporting the idea of a stereoscopic effect. The article explains the principle of stereoscopic vision and introduces anaglyph images as a method for achieving this in print, noting its decline in popularity but its utility in photogrammetry.

"Det skulle bli '1974 års NÄROBSERVATION' men den gick vi inte på" (It was supposed to be '1974 Close Observation' but we didn't go for it)

This article recounts a sighting by a 15-year-old boy from Värnamo on March 21, 1974. He reported seeing a hovering object that moved erratically. He took five photos with a simple camera. The GICOFF photo analyst, Gunnar Bunker, examined the photos and concluded they were likely a hoax, possibly a paper cutout of a saucer taped to a window. Bunker's analysis points to flaws like scratches, fingerprints, and overexposure, suggesting the images were easily faked.

"Rymd-Teknik-Forskning" (Space-Technology-Research)

Lasse Svennberg explains the principles of stereoscopic imaging and anaglyph techniques. He details how two photos taken from slightly different angles can create a 3D effect when viewed correctly. He discusses the challenges of anaglyph production, including the need for precise color separation and alignment, and mentions its use in photogrammetry. He also lists two books on the subject: "FOTOGRAMMETRI" by Bertil Hallert and "Stereobild i foto och film" by Harold Zettersten.

"Vad är att vänta?" (What to expect?)

This short section previews future content, mentioning the launch of over 180 geostationary satellites in the 1980s, the concept of a second per year, and the discovery of a new elementary particle with a very short lifespan by Japanese researchers.

"Identifierbara föremål på väg ner!" (Identifiable objects on their way down!)

This piece reports on two incidents: a Swissair plane crew sighting a luminous object over the Adriatic Sea in January, which later landed in the Indian Ocean, and concerns raised by the Bochum Observatory about NASA's practice of letting rocket stages fall back to Earth, with one piece of Saturn debris landing in the Atlantic.

"-ufo-nytt Sverige-" (UFO News Sweden)

This section, divided into two parts, details investigations into UFO sightings in Sweden.

"ETT UPP OCH ETT I MINNE" (One Up and One in Memory)

This part summarizes previous reports and presents new findings. It focuses on a sighting on August 30, 1974, involving a luminous sphere seen from a ship in the Gulf of Bothnia, and similar sightings in the Sundsvall area. The GICOFF team contacted military authorities (Milo N N, Försvarsstaben, FOA) to inquire about potential military exercises or explanations. While FOA suggested a Russian rocket launch, Major Lundholm from Milo N N found the Sundsvall case highly interesting and not easily explained as a rocket. The investigation into the Norrbotten and Bergö ferry sightings also pointed towards a possible rocket launch, possibly a Soviet ionospheric research rocket.

"Raketuppskjutning" (Rocket Launch)

This subsection details the investigation into the possibility of a rocket launch. Satellite experts Björn Gimle and Sven Grahn from Stockholm checked satellite lists for August 1974 and found no launches that correlated with the observed time and location. However, they noted that witness reports from Norrbotten closely matched previous observations from the Plesetsk launch site, suggesting a possible Soviet ionospheric research rocket or a submarine-launched missile. Esrange confirmed no launches on that date.

"Slutkommentar" (Final Comment)

The conclusion suggests that the Norrbotten and Bergö ferry observations likely involved the same object, possibly a Soviet rocket. However, the sightings by the ship's crew and near Sundsvall remain difficult to explain, with the possibility of UFOs being considered. The article notes the unusual electromagnetic interference (phone ringing, power outage) reported during the Sundsvall sighting, which is often associated with UFO phenomena.

"UFO-fenomenet och polismyndigheterna" (The UFO Phenomenon and Police Authorities)

This section, part 3 of a series, details two separate police encounters with UFOs.

"Förvånade polismän såg flammande UFO" (Surprised policemen saw a flaming UFO)

This incident occurred on February 19, 1974, on Highway 52 near Rochester, Minnesota. Police officer Jim Preiss and several motorists observed a strange object with jet-like flames emanating from its underside. Preiss pursued the object, which moved at high speed and disappeared within seconds. Another witness, Jim Kuhlman, described the object as having a square base and a dome, approximately the size of three semi-trailers, and emitting six beams of bright orange light from each of five rows of what appeared to be afterburners. No sound was heard.

"Tre förbluffade poliser ser UFO utföra flygkonster" (Three baffled policemen see UFO perform aerial stunts)

This report from June 12, 1973, describes three police officers, including a former radar observer and his wife, witnessing multiple UFOs performing extraordinary maneuvers over eastern Missouri. Pete Bishop, one of the officers, described the objects as having a sharp, star-like light. Bob Baumbach, the former radar observer, and his wife Patricia, first saw a single object moving rapidly, which was then joined by three more, totaling four. These objects were described as ice-blue, silent, and capable of incredible speed and sharp turns, moving between clouds. The article suggests these were UFOs due to their unprecedented maneuvers.

"SENSATIONELL UPPTÄCKT" (Sensational Discovery) - Continued

This continuation discusses the significance of the 3D UFO photo. It argues that 3D images are harder to manipulate than flat, 2D photos, making them more convincing evidence. The article acknowledges that hoaxes are still possible but require a high level of technical sophistication. It addresses the question of whether the reader believes Lars Thörn, stating that GICOFF must maintain a cautious stance due to the burden of proof required for such controversial subjects. They hope the new 3D findings will encourage further analysis and discussion, inviting readers to share their reflections.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the investigation of UFO phenomena, presenting witness accounts, photographic evidence, and attempts at analysis. There is a clear stance of seeking explanations, whether natural or potentially extraterrestrial, while maintaining a critical and cautious approach, particularly regarding photographic evidence. The publication seems to advocate for a more open and proactive UFO research community, criticizing internal resistance and encouraging broader participation. The use of anaglyph technology for the cover story highlights an interest in innovative methods for presenting evidence. The editorial tone is informative and investigative, aiming to present facts and encourage reader engagement, while acknowledging the difficulty in definitively proving the nature of many reported sightings.

Title: GICOFF-Information
Issue: nr 1/1974
Date: February 24, 1974
Publisher: GICOFF
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of GICOFF-Information focuses on UFO reports, particularly those from law enforcement, and includes a review of a book on the subject. It also features a science fiction short story and information about GICOFF's membership and subscription options.

Police UFO Reports

Los Angeles Incident (November 12, 1973)

The magazine details an incident where Los Angeles police officers John Wynkoop and C C Smith responded to a report of a strange flying object. While observing the object, which was described as oval, glowing, and capable of incredible maneuvers, Smith managed to take a photograph. However, a forgotten flash cube caused a reflex that partially obscured the image. The object was later seen to ascend rapidly and disappear.

Georgia and Alabama Wave (November 8-9, 1973)

Another significant section reports on a wave of UFO sightings over Georgia and Alabama in early November 1973. At least 11 police officers reported seeing strange aerial phenomena, often described as fast-moving, basketball-like objects illuminated by red, green, and orange lights. These sightings occurred primarily in the early morning hours and were not detected by radar.

Other Witness Accounts

Polisman Roy Clarke and Pete Bishop reported seeing a UFO that matched the speed of a passing airplane, catching up to it in two seconds. They also noted that the pilot of the airplane did not appear to see the UFO. Later radar at a nearby airport tracked the airplane but did not detect any anomalous echoes near it.

Polismannen Sam Taylor described an object as oblong but not narrow enough to be cigar-shaped, appearing solid and emitting a sharp white light. Polismannen Billy Clayton and James Smith of Alabama were convinced they had seen an extraterrestrial craft.

Short Story: 'Nattligt Besök' (Night Visit)

This section features a science fiction short story by Leif Andersson, who is noted for his astronomical knowledge. The story is a personal reflection on observing a silent, silver, disc-shaped object hovering over Monte Solaro. The narrator, an astronomer, grapples with the reality of the sighting and contemplates why such craft do not land openly among humans, concluding that perhaps the visitors fear the hostility and egoism of humanity, viewing Earth as a 'hell'. The story ends with the object departing rapidly as dawn approaches.

Book Review: 'Tefatsfolket - vänner eller fiender?' (The Saucer People - Friends or Foes?)

Alf Tollhag reviews Staffan Stigsjöö's new book, 'Tefatsfolket - vänner eller fiender?'. While acknowledging Stigsjöö's knowledge of UFOs, the reviewer finds the book to be a disorganized collection of reports lacking a clear narrative thread, index, and proper source citations. The book is described as a 'giant catalog' of UFO events. However, the final chapters, 'Friends or Foes' and 'Does Earth Have a Future?', are praised for presenting a logical and unconventional hypothesis that deviates from the rest of the book.

GICOFF Membership and Subscriptions

An announcement clarifies the distinction between full GICOFF membership (which includes the magazine) and a subscription to the magazine alone. Full membership costs 50 kronor per year, while a magazine subscription is 39 kronor for a full year or 21:50 for a half-year. The organization encourages members to opt for full membership to support their work, offering a small additional fee for existing subscribers to upgrade.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features reports of UFO sightings, often from credible sources like police officers, suggesting a serious interest in unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs, presenting evidence and encouraging discussion, while also critically evaluating related literature. The inclusion of a science fiction story and a book review indicates a broader interest in the cultural and speculative aspects of ufology.