IUSI - No 27 1980

Magazine Overview

This document is an internal bulletin from Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige, titled 'INTERN UFO-Sverigeinformation', with issue number 27 dated December 8, 1980. It is intended exclusively for local groups, district leaders, field researchers, and other active members of the organization, with a strict prohibition against sharing its contents with third parties. The cover features a 'Happy New Year!' greeting and the UFO-Sverige logo, along with a festive illustration.

Editorial and Greetings

The issue opens with a greeting from the editorial team (Gunne, Bosse, Leif, Bert), wishing readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. They reflect on the recent planning conference in Karlskoga on October 25th, which was attended by about 30 people despite poor weather. Discussions at the conference included dividing Sweden into three regions, each with its own planning conference, standardizing meeting agendas, exploring the use of data for research, and introducing a new report form that requires translation.

The editors express disappointment with the lack of material submissions from readers, urging them to be more active in sending in contributions to ensure the continued quality and length of the publication. They emphasize that they cannot solely rely on chasing down content for a 20-page magazine.

UFO-Sverige Activities and Campaigns

Operation Sparad Slant: A fundraising campaign for the UFO-Sverige support fund is launched, running from the current date until July 30, 1981. Participants who deposit funds into the support fund's postgiro account (23 90 52-4) will be entered into a lottery to win a new stereo cassette radio. Each deposit earns a new lottery number, increasing the chances of winning. The draw is scheduled for August 1981. The stereo cassette radio has been donated by a local UFO-Sverige group. The campaign encourages readers to save small amounts of change and deposit them into the fund to support the development of 'UFO-Sverige Aktuellt' and enhance the rapid response section's ability to investigate reported UFO landings.

Support Fund (PG 239052-4): The issue details the UFO-Sverige support fund, managed by an independent person. Funds are made available upon request from the central group or the national meeting, provided the need is clearly defined. The fund primarily supports costs related to the member magazine and administration, as well as other UFO-Sverige initiatives. Contributors have the right to full transparency regarding fund usage.

Local Groups and Events: Several pages are dedicated to listing the local groups of Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige as of the 1979 National Meeting, including their addresses and contact persons. A calendar section for December 1980 and January 1981 highlights various meetings, courses, and events organized by different UFO-Sverige branches, such as 'Drop-in' sessions, observation evenings, and 'U-Sekt. MÖTE' (UFO-Sect. Meeting).

Articles and Features

Life Under Ice: This article reports on the discovery of life, specifically red or violet algae, under a 5.5-meter thick ice sheet in Antarctic freshwater lakes by divers from the National Science Foundation in the USA. Professor George M. Simmons Jr. expresses astonishment at how these organisms survive and photosynthesize in near-freezing temperatures and minimal light. The article also mentions findings of life in the Arctic Ocean under thick ice, including crustaceans, mollusks, starfish, and fish, and notes the kelp's growth spurt during the dark winter months, posing a scientific puzzle.

Are Comets Giving Us the Flu? This article explores astronomer Fred Hoyle's theory that comets and meteors seeded Earth with organic molecules, leading to the origin of life and the spread of diseases. Hoyle suggests that this cosmic invasion continues, with living organisms being dispersed by comets. He points to the spread of the Asian flu as an example of a pattern that doesn't fit traditional human-to-human or animal transmission, suggesting a 'shower' from the atmosphere.

What Extinguished the Mammoths 20,000 Years Ago? This feature delves into the mystery of mammoth extinction. It discusses the discovery of remarkably well-preserved mammoth carcasses in Siberian ice, leading to theories about rapid, extreme temperature drops caused by geological events like massive volcanic eruptions or crustal rifts. The article contrasts this with earlier theories of drowning or gradual freezing. It also touches upon the disappearance of dinosaurs, exploring various hypotheses including extraterrestrial intervention, disease, or a cosmic radiation event. A more recent theory suggests the evolution of primitive mammals that preyed on dinosaur eggs.

The Paluxy River Mystery: The article mentions the discovery of fossilized footprints in Texas, USA, that appear to be human, found in the same geological layers as dinosaur footprints, dating back 100 million years. This finding is presented as a significant historical and biological mystery with no serious scientific explanation.

Energy from the Earth's Interior: This section discusses geothermal energy as a power source, explaining that the Earth's internal heat can be harnessed. It describes phenomena like volcanic eruptions and geysers as manifestations of this heat, and mentions hot springs as popular health resorts. The article notes that the Earth's crust cooled while its interior remained hot, with heat escaping over time, further increased by radioactive decay. Examples of geothermal power utilization in Larderelle, Italy, and Geyserville, California, are provided, highlighting the potential for large-scale energy production.

UFO-Sverige Book Recommendations: A section lists books by Swedish UFO authors available from Zindermans Förlag, including titles by Boris Jungkvist, Sven Magnusson, and K. Gösta Rehn, covering topics like flying saucers, UFO challenges, and new facts about UFOs.

Future Content: The 'UFO-Sverige Aktuellt' upcoming issue is previewed, promising articles on a mysterious metal fragment from Väddö, an analysis of a UFO photograph, a Swedish police UFO incident, new kidnapping cases, and a review of Swedish UFO cases from autumn.

Letters to the Editor: A letter from Sten Hemming of Kiruna criticizes Gary Engman's reporting on the 'Väddö-fallet' metal object in the Expressen newspaper, accusing him of sensationalism and lack of objectivity. Hemming urges Engman to reveal his knowledge about solving the UFO problem, emphasizing the years of research by UFO-Sverige and other international efforts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing efforts to organize and advance the UFO research community in Sweden through planning conferences and local group activities. There is a strong emphasis on the need for member participation, both in terms of contributing material and financial support through the UFO-Sverige support fund. The publication also engages with broader scientific and historical mysteries, linking them to potential extraterrestrial or unconventional explanations, such as the origin of life from comets and the extinction of prehistoric creatures. The editorial stance appears to be one of dedicated, albeit sometimes frustrated, pursuit of UFO phenomena and related mysteries, encouraging a proactive and informed membership.

This issue of UFO-SVERIGE-AKTUELLT, dated December 18, 1980, is a Swedish publication focusing on UFO phenomena, unexplained events, and related topics. The magazine features articles on ball lightning, the situation of Buddhism in Tibet, archaeological theories about ancient Swedish monuments, and various UFO sightings and encounters.

Ball Lightning: A Scientific Mystery

The lead article, "Klotblixten - en vetenskaplig gåta!" (Ball Lightning - a scientific mystery!), by Anders Palm with illustrations by Sune Envall, explores the enigmatic phenomenon of ball lightning. It describes the appearance of a luminous, spherical object falling from the sky, hovering, and sometimes exploding without a trace. Witnesses have reported ball lightning of varying sizes, from 20 cm to as large as 20 meters in diameter. The phenomenon can exhibit different colors, from orange to white-blue, and can move at speeds of 3-4 m/sec. While its exact cause remains unknown, one theory suggests it forms when a regular lightning bolt 'curls up' into a ball. The article notes that ball lightning can be mistaken for UFOs due to its appearance but is associated with thunderstorms. It also mentions unusual behaviors, such as rolling on the ground, and instances where it has caused physical harm, like burning clothes, and even reportedly chased aircraft.

Buddhism in Tibet Under Suppression

An article titled "Buddismen i Tibet kuvas" (Buddhism in Tibet is Suppressed) reports on the dire situation of Buddhism in Tibet following the communist Chinese occupation in 1951. According to a New York Times report, the once-dominant lamaist theocracy has been reduced to a "museum piece." The number of lamas has plummeted from 110,000 to just 2,000, and the number of Buddhist monasteries has decreased from 2,464 to only 10. The article highlights the plight of monks at the Drepung monastery, who now have to work in the fields for sustenance, with one monk expressing the belief that the religion will eventually die out.

Ales Stenar: A Stone Age Calendar?

"Ales stenar på Kåsebergaåsen - en skånsk stenålderskalender?" (Ales Stenar at Kåsebergaåsen - a Scanian Stone Age Calendar?) presents new theories about the purpose of this well-known prehistoric monument in Sweden. While traditionally dated to the late Iron Age (400-1050 AD), evidence suggests it might be much older, possibly from the late Stone Age (3000-1500 BC). The article discusses the immense effort required to transport and erect the 59 large stones. Unlike typical Iron Age ship settings, no graves have been found at Ales Stenar. Astronomer Curt Roslund proposes that the monument functioned as a giant calendar, precisely tracking the summer and winter solstices and allowing for the calculation of days before and after these events, using the sun and a horizon marker aligned with the parabolic shape of the stones.

Other Articles and Reports

• Pluto's Reputation Saved: Astronomers at the University of Arizona have discovered a thin methane atmosphere on Pluto, confirming its status as a planet and dispelling theories that it might be a comet or other celestial body.
• Cosmonauts Grow in Space: Soviet cosmonauts Vladimir Popov and Valerii Ryumin reportedly grew 3 cm taller during their six-month stay in space due to muscle and spine stretching, though they later returned to their normal height under Earth's gravity.
• Strange Encounter in Lubin: A story recounts an encounter where a 71-year-old farmer met two beings in black uniforms resembling "frogmen" who took him aboard a bus-shaped UFO. They examined him with a device similar to an X-ray machine before releasing him.
• UFOs in Västervik: Carl-Anton Mattsson from UFO-Sverige presented a slideshow and shared experiences about UFO phenomena, sparking interest in forming a local UFO association.
• Unusual Lights Reported: Several reports detail sightings of unusual lights and phenomena in the sky in various Swedish locations, including Mellerud, Vänersnäs, and Lillsjöhögen. These sightings are often described as round, luminous objects that are difficult to explain as known natural phenomena.
• UFO at Postmuseum: Stockholm's Postmuseum hosted an exhibition titled "UFO-fantasy or reality?" featuring stamps, images, and objects related to UFOs and space exploration.
• Satellite Surveillance for Nessie: A British businessman, Roger Parker, proposes using satellites equipped with sensors to search for the Loch Ness Monster, "Nessie."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained, particularly UFOs and related phenomena like ball lightning, and the intersection of science, history, and belief. The magazine presents information from various sources, including scientific reports, witness testimonies, and archaeological theories, often framing these topics as mysteries to be explored. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting evidence and theories without necessarily endorsing definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to consider the possibilities of phenomena beyond conventional understanding. The publication also serves as a platform for UFO-Sverige to promote its activities, such as gift subscriptions and film screenings.