IUSI - No 23 1980

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO-Sverigeinformation, number 23, dated April 21, 1980, is an internal publication from the Swedish UFO organization UFO-Sverige. It is primarily in Swedish and focuses on internal organizational matters, including leadership changes, the launch of a new publication, and discussions about the direction of the organization.

Internal Conflicts and Leadership Changes

The magazine details a period of internal turmoil within UFO-Sverige. A significant event is the departure of Carl-Axel Jonzon, described as a founder, and his publication 'UFO-Information.' The reasons cited for his departure include feeling sidelined and a motion from UFO-Center Karlskoga being rejected. The editorial expresses a desire for transparency and direct criticism, contrasting it with past 'cowardly creeping behind the back.'

Launch of New Publication: UFO-Sverige Aktuellt

Due to the departure of Carl-Axel Jonzon and the cessation of 'UFO-Information,' UFO-Sverige is launching a new publication titled 'UFO-Sverige Aktuellt.' This new magazine is intended to be the organization's official organ, with Håkan Ekstrand listed as the editor and responsible publisher. The first issue is anticipated in late May 1980. The organization is seeking financial support for this new venture, with contributions directed to UFO-Sverige's support fund.

Planning Conferences and Future Events

The issue announces an upcoming planning conference to be held from May 30 to June 1 in Lersäter, Köping. This conference aims to discuss the future direction of UFO-Sverige and will include presentations and discussions on various organizational points. A separate announcement mentions an international planning conference planned for week 27 in Västerås, involving participants from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. Kalmar-Ölands UFO-förening is slated to host a planning conference in October-November 1980.

Financial Matters and Membership

The magazine includes a financial report (Kassarapport) for the UFO-Sveriges stödfond covering the period January 1 to December 31, 1979. The report shows an income of 17,615.00 SEK and expenditures of 19,439.68 SEK, resulting in a deficit for the year. However, a carry-over from 1978 provided a positive balance. The subscription price for the new magazine is set at 40 SEK per calendar year.

Motions and Decisions from the Riksstämma (Annual Meeting)

Several pages are dedicated to the minutes (protokoll) of the UFO-Sveriges Riksstämma held on March 22, 1980, in Enköping. Numerous motions were discussed and voted upon. Key decisions included:

• Motion 10: A motion to allocate one krona per member to the UFO-Sveriges stödfond was approved.
• Motion 11: A motion regarding the appointment of a working group to investigate information leadership issues was approved.
• Motion 12: A motion to establish a working group to explore changes in mandate distribution was approved.
• Motion 13 & 14: Motions from UFO-Information regarding centralizing communications and a unified address were rejected.
• Motion 17: A motion from Stockholms UFO-förening concerning the handling of UFO-Sveriges material was approved, leading to the formation of a working group.
• Motion 19: Sala Amatörförening för Tvärvetenskap was appointed as the Central Group until April 4, 1981.

The minutes also detail the composition of the new Central Group, with Crister Nordin as chairman, Mats Nilsson as treasurer, Annika Nordin as secretary, and Håkan Ekstrand and Karl-Olov Pettersson as members. The meeting also elected auditors and a nomination committee.

Letters and Criticisms

A letter from Falun (dated December 10, 1979) expresses strong criticism of the state of the Swedish UFO movement, particularly the perceived incompetence of the current central group and actions taken by Thorvald. The letter suggests that Carl-Axel Jonzon was unfairly targeted. The author of the letter, who has been appointed as the UFO-Sverige's Information Leader, seeks support from local groups and members for his work.

Technical Column and Resume

The 'Tekniska Spalten' (Technical Column) addresses a reader's question about obtaining a UFO detector coil, suggesting contacts within UFO-Sverige and providing advice on troubleshooting biltändspoles. A 'Resume' section provides a summary of the meeting in Enköping, addressing points raised in Niels Nielsen's letter and defending the actions of the Central Group and Thorvald Berthelsen against accusations of egoism and mismanagement.

Other Content

Additional sections include a report on the star Sirius, a discussion on the concept of exponential growth using paper folding, and a review of the organization's financial status. The issue emphasizes the importance of unity and constructive work within the UFO-Sverige organization.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are internal organizational dynamics, the challenges of managing a national UFO organization, the transition to a new publication, and the importance of member participation and constructive criticism. The editorial stance appears to be one of striving for professionalism, transparency, and unity within UFO-Sverige, while also acknowledging and addressing internal disagreements and criticisms.

Title: HÄGRINGAR (Mirages)
Issue: Bilaga 2, Volume 5
Date: May 1975
Publisher: VÄSTERÅS TVÄRVETENSKAPLIGA FÖRENING
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of 'Hägringar' is a supplement (Bilaga 2) to Volume 5, published in May 1975. It focuses on the phenomenon of mirages and their potential connection to UFO sightings, alongside broader discussions on extraterrestrial life and interstellar communication.

Mirages and Optical Illusions

The lead article, "Hägringar," explains the scientific basis of mirages, attributing them to the refraction and reflection of light between layers of air with different temperatures and densities. It provides simple home experiments, like observing a spoon in water, to illustrate light bending. The article details common mirages, such as the appearance of wet roads on hot days and the inverted images of objects seen in deserts (like palm trees resembling reflections in water), explaining these as 'Fata Morgana' phenomena.

It also describes how atmospheric conditions near coastlines can cause distant objects like ships and islands to appear high in the sky, noting that the air is colder near the water surface and warmer higher up, reversing the typical desert mirage effect. The text suggests that many UFO sightings, particularly those involving 'flying saucers,' might be misinterpretations of light phenomena, such as car headlights reflecting back towards the observer, creating the illusion of multiple craft performing unusual maneuvers.

The article traces the origin of the term 'Fata Morgana' to Arthurian legend and Italian folklore, where 'fata' means fairy and 'Morgana' was King Arthur's sorceress sister. Local populations near Sicily and Calabria adopted the term to describe the wondrous illusions seen in mirages.

Interstellar Communication and Extraterrestrial Life

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the concept of interstellar communication and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The article "Mot Gränserna" (Towards the Frontiers) posits that any developing conscious life form will eventually become aware of the possibility of other conscious beings elsewhere in the universe.

It discusses the vastness of the universe, estimating billions of star systems and galaxies. The text explores the probability of other solar systems forming planets and the conditions necessary for life to arise and evolve, suggesting that even with conservative estimates, there could be numerous planets capable of developing life, and some with the potential for conscious life.

The article delves into the hypothetical process of interstellar communication, suggesting that signals could be exchanged using mathematical sequences, prime numbers, and elemental compositions to establish contact and exchange information about planetary conditions and life forms. It contemplates the challenges of such communication, including vast distances and the time required for signals to travel, but maintains that with advanced technology, such as ion or photon propulsion, interstellar travel and communication are conceivable.

UFO-80 Event in Västerås

The magazine prominently features information about the "SVENSK UFO-80" event held in Västerås, Sweden. This was a week-long program of activities, including lectures and film screenings, covering various interdisciplinary areas related to UFO phenomena. The event was organized by the VÄSTERÅS TVÄRVETENSKAPLIGA FÖRENING (Västerås Interdisciplinary Association) and VÄSTERÅS KULTURNÄMND (Västerås Cultural Committee).

The schedule for UFO-80, spanning from Monday, June 30th to Saturday, July 5th, lists numerous speakers and topics:

• Monday: Opening by the chairman of UFO-Sverige, film screenings, and lectures by Carl-Axel Jonzon on UFO information and Jan Fjellander on parapsychology.
• Tuesday: Film screenings and lectures by engineer Henry Svensson on compelling UFO cases and Carl-Anton Mattsson on new material regarding the Keops Pyramid and ancient Egyptian technology.
• Wednesday: Film screenings and lectures by meteorologist Anders Nylund on weather forecasting and Håkan Blomqvist from the Archive for UFO Research (AFU) on their work and current UFO research theories.
• Thursday: Film screenings and lectures by astronomy docent Aage Sandqvist on the conditions for life in the universe, and Willy Wegner from Denmark on Danish UFO research and incidents.
• Friday: Film screenings and lectures by Kolbjörn Stenödegård from the Norwegian UFO Center on Norwegian UFO research and incidents, and Fil. lic. Arne Groth on the interplay of parapsychology and life, including practical demonstrations.
• Saturday: Film screening followed by a large question and debate panel.

Information on entry fees (15 kronor for a day ticket, 60 kronor for a week pass) and how to order week passes via postgiro is also provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine adopts a stance that seeks to explain seemingly anomalous phenomena, such as UFO sightings, through scientific principles like atmospheric optics and light refraction. While acknowledging the possibility of extraterrestrial life and communication, it grounds much of its discussion in scientific inquiry and the vastness of the cosmos. The extensive coverage of the UFO-80 event indicates a commitment to exploring UFO phenomena from multiple perspectives, including scientific, parapsychological, and historical angles, encouraging public engagement and discussion.