IUSI - No 21 1980

Magazine Overview

This is an internal document titled 'INTERN UFO-Sverigeinformation' (Internal UFO-Sweden Information), issue number 21, dated February 18, 1980. It is published by the organization UFO-Sverige and is intended exclusively for its local groups, district managers, field researchers, and active members, with a strict prohibition against sharing its contents with third parties. The magazine is priced at 40 kronor for an annual subscription and is published approximately 10 times a year.

Key Articles and Content

Farewell to Thorvald Berthelsen

The issue begins with a heartfelt thank you to Thorvald Berthelsen for his effective work in UFO-Sverige over several years. His contributions are credited with significantly advancing the UFO cause in public perception and media relations, providing well-balanced and factual statements. He is also recognized for his role in helping to start up and guide many affiliated UFO-Sverige groups and for his efforts in maintaining unity within the organization despite past divisive tendencies. His work in training field researchers at Lersäter and his dedication to organizing national meetings are also highlighted. The article concludes with best wishes for his new endeavors.

Election Committee for UFO-Sveriges Riksstämma 1980

The Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening is serving as the election committee for the UFO-Sveriges National Assembly (Riksstämma) in 1980. Local groups are urged to submit their proposals for the Central Group (both first and second choice), treasurer for the support fund, two auditors and a substitute, and the election committee for 1981. Suggestions must be sent promptly to the Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening.

Norsk UFO-Center Special Publication

Norsk UFO-Center has released a special A4-format booklet detailing strange events and unexplained imprints in the Namsenfjorden area. The booklet covers mysterious triangular marks on the shoreline, a soundless, bus-like object crashing into the fjord, flying objects that pursued cars and directed spotlights, and the disruption of a TV broadcast. The publication, consisting of nine text pages and two photo pages, can be purchased for 30 Norwegian Kroner from Norsk UFO-Center in Trondheim, Norway.

UFO-Sveriges Riksstämma 1980 Program

The program for the UFO-Sveriges National Assembly, held on March 22, 1980, at Sandbroskolan in Enköping, is detailed. The day's agenda includes opening remarks by the chairperson Birgitta Andersson, a talk by founder C. A. Jon-zon, a presentation by Gösta Carlsson on 'The Pollen King' and 'My Encounter with Aliens', a film screening of 'Ancient Riddles', a coffee break, and lectures by Professor Jens Tellefsen on 'Physics and Ufology', Ing. Henry Svensson on 'Ufology and Democracy', and space journalist Eugen Semitjov on 'The Future in Space'. The event concludes with a question and debate panel. Smoking is prohibited in school facilities, and refreshments will be sold in the cafeteria.

Call for Exhibition Material for UFO-80

Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening is requesting exhibition material for UFO-80. They note that despite previous requests, no UFO-Sverige associations have responded. They emphasize that this is the last chance to submit material, with a deadline of April 28th. If no response is received, they will seek assistance from other organizations.

Internal Document: INTERN DEL KL:10.00

This section announces an internal meeting starting at 10:00 AM at Sandbroskolan in Enköping, providing a map and parking information. It also details a pre-sale for tickets to the Riksstämma at 25 kronor each, with payment to be made to Enköpings UFO-förening via postgiro. Those wishing to sell items at the Riksstämma are asked to contact the organizers.

Report Central

The 'Rapportcentralen' (Report Center) has a new address: Stig Aggestad, Bryggartorgsgatan 4, 633 58 Eskilstuna. The phone number provided is 016/134957.

Checklist for Field Investigations

A checklist for field researchers, proposed by the DRAM group of the Stockholm UFO association, is presented. It covers actions and equipment for alarming, defining the site, taking measurements, collecting samples (water, solid matter, metals, magnetic/non-magnetic substances), and making casts. The checklist includes sections for 'ÅTGÄRD' (Action), 'UTRUSTNING' (Equipment), and 'ANVÄNDNING' (Usage).

Motion to the Riksstämma 1980

A motion from the Enköpings UFO-förening proposes that one krona from each local member's fee should go to the UFO-Sverige support fund.

DIY Altitude Meter

Stig Olsson from Vetlanda contributes a design for a low-cost altitude meter, suggesting it can be made from readily available materials like a plastic ruler, protractor, screws, and a spirit level.

Consumer Report: 'Roger-method' for Mercury in Fish

A humorous consumer report from Brumunddal describes a method to make mercury-laden fish edible by refrigerating it and then removing the head where the mercury supposedly concentrates. The report is attributed to 'Flåklypa Nyheter'.

Book Review: 'Messengers of Deception' by Jacques Vallée

This extensive review discusses Jacques Vallée's book 'Messengers of Deception', which proposes that UFO phenomena are largely the result of activities by unknown terrestrial groups with advanced technology and psychic abilities. The reviewer contrasts Vallée's evolving theories with his earlier works and explores the implications of his 'control system' hypothesis. The review also touches upon the potential for manipulation within UFO organizations and the influence of certain historical figures and movements. The reviewer acknowledges the importance of Vallée's work in posing critical questions but expresses concern about the potential for paranoia arising from the 'fifth column' hypothesis. The book is noted for its discussion of physical, psychological, and social aspects of the UFO problem.

Supernova 'Ignited' the Sun

This article explores the theory that the formation of our solar system was triggered by supernova explosions. It discusses the rarity of supernovae, the process of stellar evolution leading to them, and how shockwaves from these events could have compressed interstellar gas and dust clouds, initiating the condensation process that led to the formation of planets and the Sun. The article references studies of meteorites and lunar samples to support the idea that material from supernovae influenced the early solar system.

Hypnosis and UFO Encounters

This section delves into the controversial use of hypnosis in investigating UFO close encounters and alleged abductions. It discusses the Betty and Barney Hill case as a prominent example where hypnosis was used to recover memories of an alleged abduction. The article highlights the similarity of experiences reported by individuals under hypnosis and questions the reliability of such accounts, suggesting that memories could be influenced by suggestion, fantasy, or a desire to please the hypnotist. It also references experiments conducted by UFO investigators in the USA that aimed to control for suggestibility, with results that mimicked genuine UFO abduction narratives. The author expresses a personal ethical dilemma regarding the potential for fabricating UFO events to test hypnotic recall.

UFO Contactee Experiences and Potential Misinterpretations

A case is presented where a woman reported a UFO sighting and subsequent close encounter. However, further investigation, including hypnosis and psychological testing, suggested that her experience might have been influenced by seeing a charter flight advertisement. The woman's psychological profile indicated a need for attention and a tendency towards fantasy, which could explain her vivid 'UFO experience' under hypnosis. The article concludes that UFO experiences reported under hypnosis may sometimes be more a product of modern mythology than actual encounters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, research, and investigations. There is a strong emphasis on internal communication and organization within UFO-Sverige. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, exploring various theories and methodologies, including the use of hypnosis, while also acknowledging potential misinterpretations and psychological influences. The publication aims to inform its members about ongoing research, events, and organizational matters within the UFO community in Sweden and internationally.

This issue of UFO Magazine, identified as Volume 1, Issue 9, dated March 22, 1980, is published by UFO-Sverige and focuses on a variety of intriguing topics related to unexplained phenomena and scientific inquiry. The cover headline is "VAD HAR MAN SETT" (What Has One Seen?), and the main visual is a stylized illustration of a UFO.

SS 433: A Celestial Enigma

The lead article delves into the astronomical mystery of SS 433, a star of 14th magnitude located 11,000 light-years away in the constellation Aquila. Discovered in the 1960s and named after astronomers Stephenson and Sanduleak, SS 433 gained significant attention when British astronomers found it to be a powerful radio source, unusual for a star. Further study by Bruce Margon and colleagues at the University of California and Lick Observatory revealed peculiar spectral lines, particularly those associated with hydrogen, that varied in intensity and shifted dramatically towards red and blue ends of the spectrum. These shifts indicated that material was simultaneously moving away from and towards Earth at speeds exceeding 50,000 km/s, far too fast for a star within the Milky Way. The phenomenon was observed to cycle over approximately 160 days, with speeds reaching 80,000 km/s. Scientists are debating whether SS 433 is a black hole, drawing in surrounding matter, or a neutron star, ejecting gas like a rotating sprinkler. Radio astronomical observations have placed SS 433 within the remnants of a supernova, adding to the complexity of its nature.

The Legend of Mount Shasta

Another section explores the persistent legend surrounding Mount Shasta in California. Professor Edgar Lucin Larkin of the Mount Lowe Observatory claimed to have seen marble buildings with golden domes and trees illuminated by blue light on the mountain's slopes. Local residents in the town of Weeds shared stories of white-robed figures and an unexplained force that prevented people from approaching a certain point. The article mentions an expedition organized by Professor Larkin that had to turn back due to difficult terrain and weather, leaving the mystery of the observed phenomena unresolved. The legend of a lost continent, Lemuria, and its survivors seeking refuge on Mount Shasta is also touched upon.

The Devil's Footprints

The issue recounts the curious incident of the "Devil's Footprints" in Southern Devon, England, in February 1855. Residents awoke to find the freshly fallen snow marked with strange, hoof-like footprints stretching over 160 km. These tracks were found on rooftops, meter-high walls, and within locked gardens, indicating an ability to traverse obstacles with ease and maintain a consistent speed. The footprints were uniformly spaced 21 centimeters apart and always in a straight line, leading to various explanations, including marine animals, spirits, extraterrestrial messages, and ultimately, the devil.

A Historical Perspective on Libraries

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the history of libraries. The term 'library' is traced back to its Greek origins, meaning a place for books. The article highlights early collections such as King Assurbanipal's clay tablet library in Nineveh (600s BCE), which contained thousands of fragments of ancient knowledge, including the Gilgamesh epic. The Egyptian library in Memphis, founded by King Osymandyas, is mentioned with the inscription "Healing for the soul." The great Library of Alexandria, a center of learning connected to the university, suffered destruction in 47 BCE and again in 389 CE. The article also touches upon private libraries, such as Aristotle's, and the importance of medieval libraries in monasteries and universities. The Vatican Library is noted as one of the world's largest. The invention of the printing press revolutionized libraries, making books more accessible. The article discusses the challenges of managing vast collections and the role of modern technology like microphotography and computers in cataloging. It mentions the Bibliotheque nationale in Paris and the British Museum as contenders for the world's largest libraries, and the "Det store konglige" in Copenhagen as the largest in the Nordic region. In Sweden, Carolina Redeviva at Uppsala University is highlighted, along with the Royal Library, which suffered losses from a fire in 1697. The development of public lending libraries, originating in England in 1850, is also covered.

UFO-Sverige's Information Program and Fieldwork

The magazine announces an information program organized by UFO-Sverige in conjunction with their national meeting in Enköping on March 22, 1980. The program includes talks by Director Gösta Carlsson ("My encounter with aliens"), Professor Jens Tellefsen ("Physics and UFO-login, where do we stand?"), Engineer Henry Svensson ("UFO-logic and democracy"), and journalist Eugen Semitjov ("The future in space"), followed by a film and a debate panel. The entry fee is 25 SEK, with tickets available via postal giro.

A separate section addresses the operational aspects and challenges of UFO-Sverige's fieldwork. It describes the process of investigating UFO reports, with field researchers filtering out misinterpretations and routine cases. The article highlights the time-consuming and often tedious nature of this work, including writing reports, redrafting, and preparing them for publication in UFO-Information. The magazine also discusses the need for illustrations and the costs associated with obtaining photographs. The article emphasizes that field researchers are unpaid volunteers who often incur significant personal expenses for travel, equipment, and lost work time. The organization is appealing for donations to its support fund to help cover these costs and to enable the continuation of UFO investigations. The current level of donations is described as very low, with only a few members regularly contributing.

Reader Engagement

UFO Magazine solicits feedback from its readers regarding the presentation of UFO investigations. It asks whether readers prefer detailed, standalone articles that include technical details like sketches, weather conditions, and wind speed, or a more concise summary format like "Hänt sen sist" (What's Happened Lately). Readers are also invited to share their opinions on other article topics, such as more general articles on UFO research worldwide, new hypotheses, or scientifically oriented pieces, especially in light of a potential lack of domestic close-encounter cases.

Safety Advice for Falling Elevators

An unusual piece offers advice on what to do in the event of a falling elevator. The author, Sten Söderberg, advises against jumping up, as it does not significantly reduce impact speed. Instead, the recommendation is to lie down quickly on the floor, preferably on one's back, and to use any available items like a briefcase or coat to protect the head. The article explains that the primary danger is concussion, and while serious injuries are possible, fatal outcomes are rare, especially for younger individuals. It mentions a historical incident where a falling elevator shaft in the Empire State Building created an air cushion that cushioned the impact for the elevator operator.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO Magazine demonstrates a commitment to exploring both astronomical anomalies and unexplained phenomena on Earth, while also engaging with historical and scientific contexts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging scientific investigation into UFO reports while also acknowledging the challenges and dedication required from volunteer researchers. The magazine actively seeks reader participation, indicating a desire to tailor its content to audience preferences and to foster a community around the study of UFOs and related mysteries. The inclusion of diverse topics, from deep space objects to historical legends and practical safety advice, suggests a broad scope of interest within the UFO research community.