IUSI - No 11 1979

Magazine Overview

This issue of INTERN UFO-Sverigeinformation, identified as issue number 11 and dated January 15, 1979, is a confidential internal publication from the Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige (The National Organization UFO-Sweden). It is distributed to local groups, district leaders, field researchers, and other active members, with a strict prohibition against sharing its content with third parties. The magazine covers organizational news, upcoming events, and research topics relevant to its members.

Editorial and Organizational Matters

The editorial section, penned by Mats Nilsson, welcomes readers to the new year 1979 and expresses hopes for a productive year with a steady flow of material for the publication. A reminder is issued for members to pay their dues for UFO-Information and to consider donating to the UFO-Sverige support fund. A new feature introduced in this issue is a calendar format for local groups' activities, aiming to foster better connection and communication between them. The editorial team requests that each local group designate a contact person to regularly report their activities to the editorial office to ensure sufficient content for future issues. Due to rising costs, the editorial team states they can no longer maintain extensive phone contact and encourages members to call them instead, providing a specific phone number and preferred calling hours.

Alarmeringsnät (Alert Network)

A new 'alarmeringsnät' (alert network) is being established for UFO-Sverige. Members interested in joining must register within ten days with the Central Group in Köping, providing both home and work phone numbers. The network aims to improve response times and coordination when potential UFO sightings are reported. However, the announcement stresses that participation requires a serious commitment, not just a desire to be the first to see a UFO. Participants are expected to follow the chain of command by contacting the next person on the list before acting. Those unwilling or unable to receive calls, potentially in the middle of the night, are asked not to apply. The organization seeks dedicated members ready to respond at any time.

Conference Reports and Motions

Planning Conference in Ludvika (December 9-10, 1978)

The issue includes minutes from the UFO-Sverige planning conference held in Ludvika. Key points from the conference include:

• Opening: The conference was opened by Guarun Andersson, vice chairman of the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, who welcomed attendees.
• Elections: Gudrun Andersson was elected chairman, Bernt Berglund as secretary, and Mats Nilsson and Thorvald Berthelsen as adjusters.
• Discussion on Bernt Berglund's Letter: A letter from Bernt Berglund to Thorvald Berthelsen was read and discussed. It was clarified that a previous exchange of letters in 'Intern UFO-Information' had stemmed from misunderstandings that were now resolved.
• Organizational Philosophy: Thorvald Berthelsen stated that UFO-Sverige should avoid becoming a heavy and bureaucratic organization. He emphasized the importance of self-governing local groups with delegated responsibilities to protect the organization from internal and external vulnerabilities. The strategy of having backup groups or double functions was highlighted as crucial for quick recovery from any disruptions.

Motions for the National Meeting

Several motions are presented for the upcoming national meeting (riksstämman) on April 7, 1979:

• MOTION 1979/1: Committees within the Board: This motion proposes establishing standing committees to alleviate the workload of the UFO-Sverige board. Suggested committees include a Working Committee (VU) for urgent matters between board meetings, an Administrative Committee (AU) for planned activities, and an Economic Committee (EU) for financial matters. It is suggested that committee members should ideally come from the same locality, though the committees themselves should be spread across different groups and associations.
• MOTION 1979/2: Board Meetings: This motion addresses the lack of defined frequency for board meetings in the statutes. It proposes that the planning conference should suggest a schedule for the national meeting and that the board should hold at least three meetings per year.
• MOTION 1979/3: Planning Conferences: This motion suggests that UFO-Sverige planning conferences should be held in late October/early November each year. The preceding planning conference would propose the exact date. The UFO-Sverige board would be responsible for organizing the conference, which could be hosted by different UFO associations. Proposals from the conference should be sent to groups and associations for feedback before the national meeting. The conference should span two days (Saturday-Sunday).
• MOTION 1979/4: Central Group Composition: This motion proposes that the national meeting decide that local groups wishing to nominate candidates for the central group must present five responsible members, including a chairman and treasurer. This would make the composition of new central groups known before the election at the national meeting. If a local group cannot find five suitable members internally, they can recruit external members who would then need to join that local group.
• MOTION 1979/5: Board Elections: This motion criticizes the current system where national meeting delegates elect the five board members without prior knowledge of who they are. It proposes expanding the UFO-Sverige board from 5 to 9 members: 5 from the central group and 4 from other parts of Sweden. The terms for these positions are also specified (Chairman 2 years, Treasurer 1 year, 3 members 2 years, 4 members 1 year, with 7 personal alternates).
• MOTION 1979/6: Instructions for Working Groups: This motion proposes that the national meeting decide to establish working groups for specific functions, including a UFO-Sverige report and alert center, an information and marketing unit, the editorial office for the magazine 'UFO-Sverigeinformation', and a unit for printing and distribution. These groups would operate according to previous practice, with the printing and distribution group also deciding on the subscription price for 1980.

Local Group Membership Fees

Information is provided regarding membership fees for local groups. To facilitate the counting of mandates for the national meeting and the creation of a new directory, local groups must pay a membership fee of 85 kronor (A-membership) to postgiro account 8 43 25-0 (UFO-Information). Of this amount, 60 kronor covers the 'UFO-Information' magazine for the group, and 25 kronor is the membership fee for the national organization, which includes a subsidized subscription to 'UFO-Sverigeinformation' for the group's designated representative. Local groups must also submit their activity report for 1978, including the number of members as of December 31, 1978, to receive a mandate at the national meeting. The 1979 national meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 7, in Köping, with internal proceedings beginning at 10:00 AM. B-members (other members of local groups) are also permitted to attend the internal proceedings.

Debates and Research

'Debate Article': What is Time?

Reinhold Carleby contributes a lengthy article questioning the scientific understanding of time. He argues that time, as described by science, is a difficult-to-define fluid that flows from and disappears into an incomprehensible void, causing aging. Carleby posits that time does not exist; what we perceive as time is actually movement, and movement is energy, which is life. He challenges the concept of relative time, asking for the reference point for movement. He suggests that if a particle's movement in its orbit achieved the speed of light, time would stand still according to Einstein. Carleby further questions the constancy of the speed of light, suggesting it might be relative to the light source and affected by factors like Earth's rotation and galactic movements. He concludes that the speed of light could be any value and that the universe lacks a universal reference point for measurement. He also touches upon the implications for black holes if relativity theory is correct and questions whether E=MC² represents scientific truth or delusion.

'Word from the Free': Reflections on Perception and UFOs

Tomas Wikström of Norrköping offers a piece titled 'ORDET FRITT' (Word from the Free), reflecting on fundamental questions about existence and perception. He urges readers to consider the long-term consequences of their actions and uses the example of a single matchstick potentially causing a large fire. Wikström criticizes the dismissal of UFOs as a hoax, suggesting that those who do so haven't formed their own informed opinions, relying instead on sensationalist media. He touches upon the vast distances in space and the difficulty of comprehending them, comparing it to a Stone Age person's inability to grasp space travel. He also notes the human tendency towards egoism and ignorance, even when discussing intelligent signals from space. Wikström believes that humanity remains mentally in the Stone Age and that our brains function like computers that need to be programmed correctly for a better future. He suggests that understanding alien visitations requires a transdisciplinary approach, moving beyond the narrow focus of many scientists. He observes that children and young people are increasingly interested in UFOs, ancient Indian culture (yoga), and mystical archaeological finds like pyramids, while parents often dismiss these interests as unprofitable or dangerous. Wikström concludes that society must change radically and that UFO occupants will not intervene; instead, humanity must discover its own flaws and correct them. He recommends reading the editorial page in 'UFO-Information'.

'Pyramid Effect!'

This section presents an article on the 'pyramid effect,' exploring whether phenomena occur and what causes them. While not offering definitive answers or theories, it provides practical examples and suggestions for simple experiments that readers can conduct. Key advice includes keeping detailed notes, documenting progress through photography, and ensuring experiments are repeatable. The article instructs on how to build a simple pyramid from cardboard and suggests experiments involving:

1. Razor Blades: Testing if old razor blades remain sharp after being placed in a pyramid for two weeks.
2. Plant Growth: Placing half of a packet of seeds inside a pyramid and the other half outside for two weeks to compare growth.
3. Water: Placing water in a pyramid and using it to water plants after a week to see if it promotes faster growth and better flowering. It is suggested that these experiments can be combined.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of 'INTERN UFO-Sverigeinformation' strongly emphasizes internal organizational development and member engagement. The recurring themes include:

• Organizational Structure and Efficiency: The motions and conference reports highlight a desire to streamline UFO-Sverige's operations, making it less bureaucratic and more responsive. The establishment of committees, clear meeting schedules, and defined roles are central to this theme.
• Member Participation and Communication: The importance of active local groups, clear communication channels, and dedicated members for initiatives like the alert network is repeatedly stressed. The call for members to contribute material and participate in discussions underscores this.
• Research and Investigation: The inclusion of articles on the nature of time and the 'pyramid effect' indicates an ongoing interest in exploring unconventional scientific and pseudoscientific topics. The magazine encourages members to conduct their own research and share their findings.
• Critical Thinking and Perception: The 'Debate Article' and 'Word from the Free' sections encourage readers to question established norms, think critically about scientific theories, and form their own informed opinions, particularly regarding UFO phenomena and broader societal issues.

The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting a more organized, efficient, and participatory UFO-Sverige, while also fostering a spirit of open inquiry and critical thinking among its members regarding both UFO phenomena and fundamental questions about reality.

This issue of Kvällsposten, dated December 14, 1978, focuses heavily on UFO phenomena, astronomical observations, and the activities of UFO organizations in Sweden. The cover prominently features a police report about radar-detected UFOs and a diagram related to pyramid experiments, hinting at the diverse topics within.

UFO Reports and Investigations

Radar UFOs in Italy: A report from Rome details an increase in UFO activity over Italy, with fishermen and shepherds reporting sightings of shiny objects. The police are investigating, and the phenomenon is described as a serious concern. The objects are noted to vary in shape from oval to round and in color from white to yellow and blue, with a strong light.

Grenada's UN Initiative: Grenada's Prime Minister, Eric Gairy, has urged the UN to establish an expert group to investigate UFO phenomena, citing 60,000 reported sightings worldwide. He believes many more sightings go unreported due to fear of ridicule. The UN's political committee discussed the issue, but Grenada's previous proposal was deferred.

Dr. Diaz's Extraterrestrial Encounter: The magazine recounts a story from Dr. Leopold Diaz, a respected academic in Mexico, who claims to have been visited by an extraterrestrial being. The being reportedly explained that humanity's development is linked to nuclear energy and warned of Earth's imminent end. It also claimed there are 12 planets in our solar system and that aliens are trying to guide humanity away from destruction. Dr. Diaz has been trying to spread this message, reportedly contacting members of the UN's UFO committee, including Sir Eric Gairy.

UFOs in Sweden: Several articles detail UFO-related activities and discussions within Sweden.

• UFO in Köping: The UFO organization in Köping is facing challenges in securing a permanent exhibition space. Despite a successful exhibition the previous summer, which attracted many tourists, the municipality has not provided a suitable venue. The organization had hoped to use the old KUJ building but was offered a school cafeteria or the museum's hall for the upcoming summer exhibition. Thorvald Berthelsen, the organization's chairman, expresses disappointment but notes the municipality's role in promoting the exhibition.
• Planning Conference in Björsjö: A planning conference for the Riksorganisationen UFO (Unidentified Flying Objects) was held in Björsjö, attended by about 30 members from across central Sweden. The conference, led by chairman Thorvald Berthelsen, discussed various organizational matters, including the structure of the national assembly, training, finances, the UFO-information magazine, and report follow-up procedures. A public film screening about UFO phenomena was also held.
• UFO Interest Group in Alingsås: An interest group was formed in Alingsås to study UFO phenomena. The group heard a presentation by Ulf Hörnfeldt, who discussed UFOs and showed a film. The group aims to deepen its understanding of the subject, with discussions about forming a study circle or a formal association. The next meeting is scheduled for January 18th.
• "Tefat" Radar Sighting: A report from Vestmanlands Läns Tidning details a radar sighting of a UFO, described as a shiny, triangular object moving at high speed, with color variations. This incident is linked to a broader 'UFO fever'.

Astronomy and Misidentification

Planet Venus as a Morning Sighting: An article from Göteborgs-Posten clarifies that the bright, intense object observed in the eastern sky during clear mornings is not a UFO but the planet Venus. The article explains that Venus is currently in a position that makes it appear exceptionally bright, visible even during the day. It details the astronomical factors contributing to its luminosity, such as its relative size and the illuminated portion visible from Earth. The author, Robert Malmström, recommends using binoculars to observe Venus.

Film and Cultural Events

Temakvällar (Themed Evenings): A section lists various film rental companies in Stockholm that offer films for themed evenings, covering genres like defense, history, technology, education, and entertainment. Addresses and phone numbers are provided for companies such as Armé, Marin- och Flygfilm, Cinema International Corporation (CIC), Esselte Science, AB Europa-film, Filmcentrum, Föreningsfilmo AB, Postfilm, Sandrews, AB Starfilm, Swedish Film AB, and SF.

Calendar of Events: The magazine includes a detailed calendar for January and early February 1979, listing various meetings, themed evenings ('Temakväll'), study circles, and events organized by UFO groups in different locations across Sweden, including Hallstahammar, Sala, Köping, Västerås, Gävle, Enköping, Sundsvall, and Ludvika.

International News

"Flying Saucer" Scare in Rome: A fabricated report in the Italian satirical magazine 'Il Male' claimed a flying saucer had landed in Mexico, causing widespread panic and numerous phone calls to Roman newspapers and news agencies. The report, presented as a facsimile of the 'Corriere della Sera', included a fictional statement from UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim about intergalactic peace. This incident occurred amidst a period of increased UFO reports in Italian media.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue demonstrates a strong focus on UFO phenomena, reflecting a growing public interest and the active engagement of UFO organizations in Sweden. There's a clear effort to distinguish between genuine astronomical observations (like Venus) and unexplained aerial phenomena. The magazine also highlights the organizational efforts within the UFO community, including planning, information dissemination, and the challenges of public outreach and exhibition. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious reporting on UFO claims while also providing scientific explanations for common misidentifications. There's also an emphasis on the potential for UFO phenomena to attract tourism, as seen in the discussions surrounding Köping's exhibition efforts.

Title: FOLKET
Issue Date: Friday, December 22, 1978
Content Focus: This issue of FOLKET primarily focuses on a mysterious aerial phenomenon observed in the Mälardalen region of Sweden, debating whether it was a falling satellite, space debris, or a meteorite. It also touches upon UFO sightings in New Zealand and the broader context of UFO research in Sweden.

Falling Satellite in Mälardalen?

The main cover story, "Störtade satellit i MÄLARDALEN? Flygspaning idag" (Falling satellite in Mälardalen? Aerial search today), details the events of Thursday morning, December 21, 1978. Numerous reports flooded the FOLKET editorial office from people who witnessed a bright, descending object. The initial theory was a falling satellite, possibly radioactive, prompting investigations by the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOA) and the military staff in Strängnäs.

Lars Glitze, an aviation authority expert, described seeing a "blue-green, intense light" and an "oblong, dark body" that was "definitely something solid that hit." He noted it was unlike the light emitted by a meteorite and suggested it was heading south of Sigtuna.

Overstelöjtnant Anders Hjulström of the military intelligence and security service stated that if a sufficiently small and "hot" sector could be identified, an aerial search would commence. He later confirmed that the object had burned up at high altitude and never reached the ground, noting that about ten similar incidents had occurred since the end of October.

Witness accounts varied. Sigismund Rindhoff from Katrineholm saw a "bright object" with a "pipe-like body" and "flames" in Strångsjö. Matti Murtomäki from Nyköping described a "bright point" at a 40-degree angle that descended to 20 degrees, then flared up again with a "reddish hue" before disappearing, possibly over the Baltic Sea.

Despite the widespread reports, the military and police were attempting to locate any potential impact sites. The possibility of radioactive material was a concern, referencing a past incident with a satellite in Alaska. However, the prevailing theory among some, including Anders Hjulström, began to shift towards a meteorite, especially after NORAD confirmed no satellite had fallen.

Meteorite or Space Debris?

Another article, "Meteorit eller rymdskrot? Många FOLKET-läsare såg rymdföremålet" (Meteorite or space debris? Many FOLKET readers saw the space object), further explores the Mälardalen incident. It reiterates that the object did not crash near Sigtuna but continued south over Lake Mälaren, Eskilstuna, and the Nyköping area. Military aerial searches over Kungsängen, Sigtuna, and Bålsta yielded no results, leading to the conclusion that the object had likely disintegrated.

Sigismund Rindhoff described the object as a "bright light" with a "pipe-like body" behind it. Matti Murtomäki recounted seeing a bright point that descended, flared up with a reddish color, and then vanished, suggesting it might have been over the Baltic Sea.

The article questions the likelihood of finding any remnants, given the object's disintegration. It also mentions a frightened witness who, after seeing the phenomenon, ran home and got drunk.

Radioactivity Concerns

"Har radioaktiv satellit störtat i Salas närhet?" (Has a radioactive satellite crashed near Sala?) delves deeper into the radioactivity concern. Dagny Johansson from Ransta described seeing an object with a "blue, purple, and red" tail, suggesting it could be a metallic object. She also raised the possibility of it being radioactive.

Anders Hjulström, chief of Milo Öst, believed it could be satellite parts and that there was a risk associated with them. He emphasized that the incident needed to be taken more seriously due to the large number of witnesses. Helmer Olsson in Lånsta also reported seeing a "red ball with a tail." Dagny Johansson, however, did not believe it was a UFO, stating, "I don't believe in flying saucers."

UFO-Sverige's Perspective

Thorvald Berthelsen from UFO-Sverige stated that they were convinced it was a meteorite that burned up intensely in the Earth's atmosphere over western Västmanland and parts of Sörmland for five to six seconds. He found the public's reaction to be disproportionate, noting that similar events had occurred frequently since October, involving meteorites, rocket stages, and satellites.

He suggested that the color of the light indicated it might have been a rocket stage or satellite, but not necessarily one that crashed in Uppland. UFO-centralen in Köping also received numerous reports from the Mälardalen area, but dismissed the idea of a satellite crash.

New Zealand UFO Sighting

A Dagens Nyheter article, "Tefatsfeber i Nya Zeeland sedan ung flygare försvunnit" (Saucer fever in New Zealand since young pilot disappeared), reports on events in New Zealand. The Royal New Zealand Air Force placed a jet fighter on standby after an Australian TV crew filmed a UFO. The aviation authority reported that the UFO was also detected by radar.

An Australian TV station in Melbourne claimed to have filmed a UFO for the first time. The object was seen flying over the Kaikoura region in eastern New Zealand. The TV team was following up on a UFO report from a New Zealand pilot when the camera captured the object.

Around the same time, an unknown radar blip appeared on the aviation authority's screens in Wellington. Captain Bill Startup, piloting an Argosy plane, described seeing a "very bright white light" moving around his aircraft. He observed the object performing "definite movements" relative to his plane.

Flygledare A Causer in Wellington noted that over the past ten days, there had been observations from six pilots on three Argosy planes and numerous radar observations, indicating unusual phenomena that needed investigation.

George Wilson, a spokesperson for the TV station, stated that the UFO was clearly visible on the film, describing it as an "oval object with three bands around it," a classic UFO shape. He mentioned that the film group saw 25 UFOs at one point.

The New Zealand UFO reports followed the disappearance of a young Australian pilot, Frederick Valentich, over the Bass Strait in October. His parents believed he might have been taken by an extraterrestrial craft. Valentich had sent a cryptic radio message about a large object approaching his plane before disappearing.

UFO-Sverige Planning Conference

The issue also includes a section detailing responses to questions from a planning conference held by UFO-Sverige in Ludvika on December 9-10, 1978. Key points include:

• Contact: UFO-Information and internal UFO-Information are considered sufficient for contact between the C-group and member associations.
• Information Flow: Associations should have a contact person to ensure information flow.
• Assistance to Magazine: Associations can help by providing translations and articles for the UFO-Information magazine.
• Activities: UFO-Sverige should focus on field research rather than general courses. Member associations can organize their own courses.
• Conferences: Two-day planning conferences are preferred, with two such events per year. General public should not be invited, and the price should be high.
• Finances: UFO-Sverige's economy is poor and needs strengthening through voluntary contributions, a support fund, more subscribers, and PR.
• Board Structure: A single C-group with representatives from the rest of Sweden is favored.
• Material: Information on available materials for purchase or promotion can be found in internal bulletins and UFO-Information.
• Magazine Content: There is a desire to remove parapsychology content and focus on scientific and astronomical material with Swedish content.
• National Meeting 1980: Suggestions for the location and format of the 1980 national meeting were discussed.

Other Sections

• Telephone Conferences: A proposal for telephone conferences was discussed as a way to include members who live far away and cannot attend physical meetings. The cost per hour was noted as 84 kronor.
• Svensk-UFO-1979 and 1980: Plans for future Svensk-UFO events were mentioned. Svensk-UFO-79 was planned for Stockholm but moved to Medborgarhuset due to the controversial nature of UFO topics. Svensk-UFO-80 would be announced through Intern UFO-Information.
• Alarm System: Suggestions for a new alarm system included an address list for ringing contacts, a map to indicate the direction of sightings, and a dedicated alarm list for field researchers.
• Report Follow-up: A proposal for a reporting form (red) from Cosmos in Markaryd was considered useful for reporting and as internal stationery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the distinction between scientific inquiry and sensationalism, and the organizational aspects of UFO research in Sweden. The editorial stance appears to favor a scientific approach, as indicated by the desire to remove parapsychology from the UFO-Information magazine and focus on scientific and astronomical content. There is a clear effort to provide factual reporting on sightings while also addressing public concern and speculation, particularly regarding potential radioactive threats from space debris.

This document is an annual astronomical ephemeris table for the year 1979, titled "ARS TIDTABELL FOR MISSTOLKNINGSFENOMEN (Hänen och planeterna)". The title translates to "ARS Annual Table for Misinterpretation Phenomena (Moon and Planets)". It is published by ARS and appears to be in Swedish, originating from Sweden. The document consists of detailed tables listing astronomical data for each day of 1979.

Content

The core of the document comprises monthly tables that provide daily ephemeris data for the Moon and several planets: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. For each celestial body, the tables list:

• Upp I merid. / Ned I merid.: Times of upper and lower culmination (when the celestial body reaches its highest point in the sky or crosses the meridian).
• Dekl.: Declination (the angular distance of a celestial object north or south of the celestial equator).
• tm / t m: These likely refer to specific time measurements or positions within the day.

The data is presented chronologically, month by month, from January 1979 to December 1979. Each month is further divided by day and day of the week.

Specific astronomical events or phenomena are also noted within the tables, such as:

• förmörk. (eclipse)
• vårdagjämn. (vernal equinox)
• höstdagjämn. (autumnal equinox)
• vintersolst. (winter solstice)
• sommarsolst. (summer solstice)
• längst (longest day/night, likely referring to solstices)
• östl. fr. / västl. fr. (east/west elongation, likely for Venus)
• närmast / fjärmast (closest / farthest, possibly referring to lunar or planetary distances)
• i undre / i övre (lower / upper, possibly referring to conjunctions or transits)

Symbols are used to denote the celestial bodies (e.g., ♀ for Venus, ♂ for Mars, ♃ for Jupiter, ♄ for Saturn).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this publication is precise astronomical data presentation. The title's inclusion of "Misinterpretation Phenomena" suggests a potential underlying interest in phenomena that might be misinterpreted, possibly hinting at UFOs or other unusual sightings, though the content itself is purely factual astronomical data. The publication's stance is purely informational and scientific, providing raw astronomical data without interpretation or commentary on potential misinterpretations.