GICOFF-Information - 1975 No 4

Magazine Overview

This issue of GIGOFF INFORMATION, volume 6, number 4, from 1975, is published by GIGOFF, a Swedish organization for unidentified flying objects. The cover prominently features the question, "Why did the UFO hover over the power lines?" and an illustration depicting a UFO above power lines with two observers.

Editorial and Organization Information

The editorial section features a letter from Sven-Olof Fredrikson, the chairman and editor, apologizing for the delay in publication and noting the usual summer scarcity of UFO reports. He also discusses the ongoing Projekt URD, which trains UFO investigators, highlighting the need for more volunteers, particularly in areas outside of major cities. The cost of the URD course is mentioned as 120 Swedish kronor.

The magazine lists its editorial team, including Sven-Olof Fredrikson as editor and responsible publisher, along with other members of the editorial board and illustration staff. Contact information for various GIGOFF departments, including information centers in Göteborg and Stockholm, and URD information, is provided. Subscription details are also included: 50 kronor per year for membership (which includes the subscription) or 39 kronor for a year's subscription only. The magazine is published 6 times a year.

Cover Story: UFO Over Power Lines

The main article details a UFO sighting in Haverö, Sweden, on April 18, 1975. A family of four observed a bright, oval object hovering over a power line for 5-10 minutes. The object emitted an intense, blinding yellow-white light, described as brighter than the sun. The witnesses also reported strong interference on their televisions during the observation. GICOFF comments that this incident is likely a UFO phenomenon, with the circling over power lines and TV interference strengthening this theory.

Other UFO Sightings and Reports

UFO in Håbol, Sweden

Another report describes a sighting in Håbol, Sweden, on May 5, 1975. A family witnessed a strange, bright yellow light, the size of a star, near a forest. The light later reappeared, stronger and larger, moving towards their house before stopping behind a tree. The family, along with their dog, became frightened and called the police. The police investigated but found no anomalies. The incident was also reported to the Torslanda air traffic control, which had no record of any aircraft in the area.

UFO in Maxton, North Carolina, USA

An article details an incident on May 13, 1974, where a police officer and a farmer observed a triangle-shaped UFO, described as being as large as a bus, with multiple orange and yellow lights. They followed it to a cornfield where it landed, then took off and disappeared. Notably, no tracks were found in the cornfield.

UFOs Over Nebraska, USA

This section reports on UFO sightings over Nebraska on August 15 and 16, 1974. Police officers and residents observed multiple UFOs, described as pulsating lights in a triangular formation. The objects displayed red, green, and white lights and exhibited erratic movements. One officer described the experience as seeing objects from other worlds.

UFOs Over Laconia, USA

On August 12, 1974, two police officers in Laconia observed a football-shaped object that responded to their car's flashing lights by changing color. The object then retreated and was joined by two smaller objects, forming a luminous triangle in the sky. The officers called for backup, and other officers also witnessed the phenomenon.

UFO Over Wisconsin, USA

Three police officers in Wisconsin observed a cone-shaped UFO on September 24, 1974. The object, described as longer than an Apollo capsule, had green light at the narrow end and flashing lights at the wider end. It performed rapid maneuvers at an estimated altitude of 34,000 meters.

UFO Over Maine, USA

Another report from September 24, 1974, describes two pilots observing a bright, oval, metallic object with red and green lights near a nuclear power plant in Maine. Two smaller lights detached from the main object and accelerated away. The main object then ascended rapidly and disappeared.

UFOs and Police Authorities

Several articles highlight the involvement of police officers in UFO investigations and sightings, emphasizing their credibility as witnesses. The magazine notes that police reports are often crucial in documenting these events.

Project URD and Field Reports

Information is provided on how to update field reports for Projekt URD, including details on coding light phenomena and blended colors. A tip for field reporters suggests modifying the wording regarding metal detectors to include radioactivity from neutron radiation.

Special Offer

An advertisement offers the complete 1973 issue of GICOFF-Information for sale, including postage.

Bermuda Triangle

This section, part 2, by Alf Tollhag, revisits the Bermuda Triangle. It begins by discussing the possibility of bioluminescence from marine organisms (havsborstmasken) as a cause for unexplained lights at sea. The article then presents a chronological list of historical incidents in and around the Bermuda Triangle, dating back to 1800, including the disappearances of ships like the USS Pickering, USS Insurgent, USS Wasp, Wild Cat, Rosalie, James B Chester, and the famous Mary Celeste. It notes that the Mary Celeste was found adrift with its crew missing, but its cargo intact, with signs of a barricade in the cabin.

Space Technology and Research

An article titled "Swedish Space Technology Expands" discusses Sweden's growing involvement in space projects through ESA, mentioning collaborations with companies like LM Ericsson and Saab-Scania. It highlights projects like Marots, Cos-B, Geos, and the Ariane rocket. The article also mentions the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS) in 1976-78, based at Esrange and Kiruna, which will involve extensive measurements of atmospheric phenomena.

Another piece, "A New and Unified, Fantastic Worldview is Taking Shape," explores advancements in biology, medicine, and physics, suggesting a move towards a more integrated understanding of the universe. It touches upon Kirlian photography, the concept of an astral twin, and the theories of Lyall Watson regarding consciousness and life after death. The article also briefly mentions the work of Viktor Schauberger on 'living water' and the potential for advanced technology to capture aspects of the soul and stars.

Miscellaneous

"Rymd-snack" (Space Talk) briefly mentions the US-Soviet Apollo-Soyuz space mission and some minor incidents during the mission. It also notes that NASA has no plans for manned spaceflights before 1979 with the reusable space shuttle.

"Världstoppen" (World Peaks) contrasts Mount Everest with Chimborazo, explaining that while Everest is the highest above sea level, Chimborazo is further from the Earth's center due to the planet's equatorial bulge.

"Kina-Smått" (China Small) reports on the discovery of two new minor planets by Chinese astronomers.

"En längre utblick" (A Longer Outlook) mentions the photography of a star system eight billion light-years away by astronomers at the Lick Observatory.

"Vad är att vänta?" (What to Expect?) poses a philosophical question about how space travel might change a technician into a philosopher.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include UFO sightings, investigations, and the need for organized efforts like Projekt URD to study these phenomena. The magazine maintains a stance of open inquiry, presenting witness accounts and official reports while acknowledging the lack of natural explanations for many incidents, often concluding they are UFO phenomena. There's also an interest in broader scientific and technological advancements, particularly in space exploration and new understandings of the universe. The historical context of the Bermuda Triangle adds a layer of mystery and unexplained events to the publication's scope.

This issue of GIGOFF, Volume 1, Issue 1, published in 1973, focuses on the mysteries surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, with a particular emphasis on a puzzling satellite photograph. The magazine presents a blend of historical accounts of disappearances, scientific commentary, and speculative theories.

Historical Disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle

The issue details several unexplained disappearances that have occurred in or near the Bermuda Triangle:

• March 4, 1918: The USS "Cyclops," a large naval ship measuring 542 feet and weighing 19,000 tons, vanished without a trace while en route from Barbados to Norfolk with 309 crew members and a cargo of manganese ore. A remarkable claim is made that in November 1968, during a search for the lost submarine "Scorpion," a wreck believed to be the "Cyclops" was found and marked. However, when divers returned in 1970, the wreck had disappeared again.
• October 1902: The German bark "Freya," sailing from Manzanillo, Cuba, to Chile, was found abandoned and adrift. The logbook pages were torn out, leaving the circumstances of its abandonment unknown.
• 1909: Joshua Slocum, renowned for being the first person to sail solo around the world, disappeared with his boat "The Spray" while entering the Bermuda Triangle on a voyage to Australia.
• Winter 1924: A desperate distress call was received from the Japanese freighter "Raifuku Maru," stating, "It is very dangerous here now - come quickly and help us - we have no way to escape." The nature of the danger was not specified, and the ship was never heard from again.
• 1925: The large freighter "Cotopax" disappeared on its journey from Charleston to Havana. The Swedish bark "Lotta" also vanished in the same area during this year.
• 1926: The freighter "Suduffco," sailing south from Port Newark, disappeared and never reached its destination.

Satellite Photo and Extraterrestrial Theories

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a satellite photograph that has sparked new theories about the Bermuda Triangle. Locke M Stuart, information chief at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, discovered a unique circular anomaly in a satellite image. This anomaly was confirmed by other sources, ruling out equipment malfunction or simple reflections. Scientist Henry T Rogers proposes that this circular object could be evidence of an extraterrestrial underwater base located within the Bermuda Triangle, suggesting that such bases might also exist in Arizona and California, with the Bermuda base being the headquarters.

Scientific Commentary and Analysis

The magazine includes a commentary that approaches Rogers' theory with skepticism, labeling it as "science fiction." The commentator points out the unlikelihood of a massive underwater base remaining undiscovered and suggests that the circular object in the satellite image could have been a much smaller object at a high altitude. The specific satellite image was taken by the weather satellite Essa 8 in August 1972 during orbit number 16734. Interestingly, orbits 16733 and 16735 did not show the circle, and the image has not been officially explained or released to the public.

Featured Experts and GICOFF's Work

The magazine introduces two civil engineers from Stockholm, Björn Gimle and Sven Grahn, who are associated with GICOFF. While not self-proclaimed UFO enthusiasts, they maintain a scientific approach, keeping "all possibilities open." Gimle has access to satellite data, including launch times and crash predictions, and has helped explain observations as rocket launches or satellite debris. Grahn possesses advanced radio equipment for monitoring Soviet spacecraft and has contacts in the USA and England, including Jeff Perry in Northampton. Grahn has been able to identify cosmonauts by their recognition signals, such as Pavel Popovitj from the Soyuz 14 mission.

Other Articles and Features

• Book Review: A book titled "Flygande tefat... vad säger vetenskapen?" by Sven Magnusson is reviewed, described as a valuable and informative account of the UFO phenomenon.
• Time, Space, and Money: An article discusses the idea that extraterrestrial civilizations might also grapple with concepts of time, space, and financial priorities. It references research by laboratory Tage Eriksson at FOA, which investigated UFO reports between 1946 and 1965, concluding they were not of extraterrestrial origin and held no interest for defense.
• GICOFF Information: The magazine includes information about GICOFF, encouraging readers to notify them of address changes and to recommend the publication to friends. It also announces upcoming content, including a feature on a "Mysterious antenna on the seabed."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained phenomena of the Bermuda Triangle, the possibility of extraterrestrial life and technology, and the role of scientific investigation and data analysis in understanding these mysteries. GICOFF positions itself as a platform for exploring these topics with a scientific, yet open-minded, approach, presenting both historical evidence and contemporary findings like the satellite photograph. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained events, encouraging reader participation and providing a platform for experts to share their knowledge and theories.