IUSI - No 38 1982

Magazine Overview

Title: INTERN UFO-SVERIGE INFORMATION
Issue: 36
Date: 1982
Publisher: RIKSORGANISATINEN UFO - SVERIGE
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of INTERN UFO-SVERIGE INFORMATION, issue number 36 from 1982, is a Swedish publication from the national organization UFO-Sverige. It covers a range of topics, from organizational news and scientific discussions to astronomical phenomena and atmospheric research.

Organizational News and Meetings

The issue begins with an announcement regarding the 1982 national meeting of UFO-Sverige. Due to no local groups volunteering to host, the central group has organized the event at Lersäter's kursgård, about 20 km north of Köping. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 24th, starting at 11:00 AM, followed by the year's first planning conference the next day, also at Lersäter. Participants can pre-register, with costs for food and lodging from Friday to Sunday set at 125 SEK per person. A day pass for Saturday is 70 SEK. Payments should be made to postgiro account 74 51 90 - 9, belonging to Köpings UFO-förening.

UFO-Sverige has expanded, welcoming two new member groups: UFO-Tingsryd TVF and Malmö UFO-jour. The magazine notes a recent radio program about UFOs on January 24th as well-made and informative, featuring both proponents and critics.

An appeal is made to local groups to submit proposals for the central group's election committee, including suggestions for two auditors and a deputy auditor, as well as a new election committee. The deadline for these proposals is April 10th, and they should be sent to UFO- Center Karlskoga, c/o Owe Lewitzki, Bladvägen 25, 691 48 Karlskoga.

The editorial section also addresses an outdated address, reminding members that the current address for IUSI is c/o Bo Roslind, Västmannavägen 2 E, 734 00 Hallstahammar. Mail sent to the old address is being returned.

Article: Hur långt kan man räkna? (How Far Can One Count?)

This article delves into the concept of numbers and counting. It explains that numbers are infinite, and one can always add 1 to any given number to create a higher one. However, the practical challenge lies in articulating very large numbers. For instance, saying 'one billion' is manageable, but reciting 'nine hundred ninety-nine billion, nine hundred ninety-nine million, nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine' would be extremely time-consuming. The article highlights that a year has only 3.5 million seconds, making it impossible to count to a billion within a lifetime.

It discusses how numbers ending in zeros are easy to pronounce, but a number with thirty zeros after a one (a quintillion) is still manageable. However, a 31-digit number with all different digits would take minutes to pronounce. The author mentions having a calculation of Pi from a computer with 20,000 random digits, which takes over forty minutes to recite.

Mathematicians categorize numbers as 'large' if they are greater than one and 'small' if less than one. For practical purposes, extremely large numbers are rarely needed, but mathematicians have a theoretical interest in them. The largest number practically needed is cited as 'Eddington's number,' which is a 1 followed by 79 zeros, representing the estimated number of protons and electrons in the universe, calculated by physicist Sir Arthur Eddington. This is written as 10^79, where 79 is the exponent.

The article also introduces the concept of 'googol,' a number with a million zeros, named by the children of American mathematicians. A 'googolgoogol' (10^googol) is so large that writing it out with one digit per millimeter would require more paper than exists in the universe.

Another large number mentioned is 'Skewes' number,' which is 10^(10^34). If written out with one digit per millimeter, it would span a million billion light-years, far exceeding the known size of the universe.

The article touches upon the concept of infinity in modern set theory, stating that there are different types of infinity, such as the infinity of points on a number line being greater than the infinity of whole numbers, and the infinity of geometric points being even larger. The Hebrew letter 'aleph' is used to denote infinity, with 'aleph-null,' 'aleph-one,' and 'aleph-two' mentioned. The author concludes that while we cannot truly imagine these infinities, we can work with them mathematically.

Article: Slagruta – Svartkonst eller Vetenskap? (Dowsing Rod – Black Magic or Science?)

This article explores the phenomenon of dowsing, also known as water witching or divining. It begins with a quote from Gaspar Schott, a Jesuit from 1659, who was asked to avoid using a dowsing rod, which was associated with invoking the devil.

The article notes that from the 15th to the 18th centuries, dowsing rods were used to discover mineral deposits in Germany, Bohemia, and France. A forked twig, when held by a person, would suddenly move downwards and twist over sources of water or mineral veins. However, not everyone possessed this ability, and some dowsers faced misfortune. Baron de Beausolei, for example, had his property confiscated and was imprisoned with his wife, accused of witchcraft, after using a dowsing rod to find over 150 deposits of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, antimony, iron, sulfur, and anthracite coal in France.

Despite such incidents, the famous German chemist Rudolf Glauber studied the phenomenon for several years. Later, Abbe Vallemont wrote a book titled 'Occult Physics or Treatise on the Dowsing Rod,' while Father Lebrun published a broadside criticizing the 'superstitious, secret conditions that have misled the people and confused scientists.' Vallemont hypothesized that magnetism and electricity caused the twig's movement, whereas Lebrun attributed it to the devil's work. Since then, explanations have ranged from universal magnetism and animal electricity to bodily radiation.

The article then discusses 20th-century perspectives. Dowsing is still discussed at international congresses, with many scientists attempting to understand the mystery. In 1916, engineer and professor Nikolai Kashkarov from the Technological Institute in Tomsk published a thesis suggesting that the dowser themselves reacts more strongly than any instrument to changes in air ionization or atmospheric electricity. Kashkarov claimed these changes occurred over underground water sources or mineral veins. However, he could not explain why the twig pointed downwards.

Engineers Boris Tareyev and Yvegeni Simonov, who studied dowsing rods over underground electrical cables and water sources, found in 1944 that while all freshly cut twigs from living trees possessed this 'magical' ability, only about three out of a hundred individuals had the right knack. In the hands of a skilled dowser, the twig not only moves up and down but sometimes spins, especially when passing over an underground electrical cable or a flowing underground water source. The two researchers concluded that the dowsing rod is the simplest possible electro-physical instrument, with its sensitivity being a million times greater than that of a galvanometer needle. Nothing seems to affect its 'magical' ability, including walking speed, cable tension, or shielding with rubber or lead plates. However, the twig fails to react when water flows through a rubber hose.

The two men believed that dowsing rods could have practical applications, such as locating underground electrical cables or water pipes. They also noted that the twig's sensitivity diminished significantly within two to three days of being cut from a tree. Furthermore, a twig that had been broken and then regrown was unusable.

A Modern Model:

Nikolai Sochevanov, a Leningrad geologist, reported in April 1966 on studies conducted by a group of geologists, geophysicists, and physiologists. Experiments in northern Kirgizia and the Transbaikal region revealed that ore deposits had a greater effect on dowsing rods than water. A river caused the rod to spin twice, a stream once, and a lead and zinc deposit in Arsa caused it to spin 18 times over a 10-meter stretch. Sochevanov's experiments showed that dowsing rods indicated ore veins as thin as 4-6 inches.

To investigate why dowsing rods spin instead of just moving up and down, Sochevanov created a metal dowsing rod in the shape of an inverted U. This device yielded results as good as a twig. This modernized dowsing rod was made of steel wire, 3-4 mm thick, and acted as a sophisticated antenna. Sochevanov provided details: as the travel speed increases above 60 km/h, the number of twists decreases significantly compared to lower speeds. This suggests that the Earth's magnetic field is not responsible, as the number of magnetic field lines passed would be greater at higher speeds. The dowser's speed would then be the determining factor.

Whether the dowser was in an open truck or a small bus with a metal cabin made no difference to the results. This ruled out the electrical field as an explanation. Woolen and rubber gloves had no effect, but leather gloves did. The 'magical' ability of a dowsing rod disappeared immediately when leather gloves were worn. In an attempt to increase sensitivity, a longer rod was used, and 1.5 meters of wire were connected to the operator's wrists, which surprisingly decreased sensitivity tenfold. The operator was required to wear a strong horseshoe magnet attached to the back of their head. When the magnet was brought close to the head, the deflections decreased. However, at a distance of about 8 inches, the dowsing rod suddenly spun in the opposite direction. The reason for this is unclear.

Three dowsers were tested after being hypnotized by Leningrad hypnotist Alexi Zakharov. He attempted to suggest that the spin speed would increase, but this did not happen. Instead, the speed tended to decrease, possibly because the operators' hands became weak. When a sensitive operator touched the hands of someone holding a dowsing rod who was not sensitive, the rod usually came back to life. However, attempting to amplify the effect by having two or more sensitive individuals hold each other's hands resulted in no change; the deflection remained as determined by the most sensitive person.

Sochevanov concluded: "We still do not know what use the dowsing rod can be in the geophysical field. However, we have found that it constantly begins to work near geophysical anomalies, similar to changes in the Earth's electric field."

Anna-Nita Nilsson/SAT, citing Sökaren Nr 3-4 1969, Year 6, concludes that to solve the mystery of the dowsing rod, many partial answers are still needed. However, it is clear that the dowsing rod is a system composed of a living organism and a living body, which is simply another scientific problem. Nilsson suggests that humanity may be on the verge of rediscovering one of the oldest research methods, which, on a scientific basis, could help solve problems currently beyond the reach of the most effective methods used by geophysicists.

Article: Stjärna Vederlägger Einstein (Star Refutes Einstein)

A group of British scientists reported that the immense power of a shattered star on the edge of outer space might refute natural laws. A research team led by Dr. J S Allen and Geoffrey Endean at Oxford University's Faculty of Engineering Science concluded that the electromagnetic fields in the swirling Crab Nebula travel at a speed of 588,500 km/sec. Their report, published in the latest issue of 'The Nature' journal, appears to contradict calculations made by Albert Einstein in 1905, who stated that no particle can travel faster than the speed of light (300,000 km/sec).

The Crab Nebula is located 5,000 light-years from Earth. The distance in kilometers is equivalent to the number of seconds in 5,000 years multiplied by the speed of light: 157,680,000,000 x 300,000.

The British researchers studied the incredibly violent processes within the nebula. At its center lies the core of a former supernova, a star that suddenly exploded. The core itself is only 16 km in diameter but radiates 100 times more energy than our solar system's sun. It is so compact that a sugar-cube-sized piece weighs 100 million tons. The star rotates 33 times per second. This rotation has created a fantastic vortex that pulls in everything within a 1,500 km radius. Inside this circle, all electromagnetic fields move at speeds less than light. Outside, the speed is greater than light. The star's immense magnetic force prevents the magnetic fields from dissipating into space.

(Source: Arbetet 70 10 26)

Article: Regnväder i rymden när protoner träffar jorden (Rain in Space When Protons Hit Earth)

Rain has long been considered part of the water cycle on Earth, but some water in the upper atmosphere is formed by cosmic forces. When strong proton streams from the sun reach Earth, they collide with free electrons, forming hydrogen atoms. These, in turn, react with atmospheric oxygen atoms to become 'space water,' according to the news agency APN.

(Source: UFO-nytt 1/78)

Article: Övre atmosfären utforskas (Upper Atmosphere Explored)

An ambitious international project called EISCAT is underway to study the Earth's upper atmosphere, involving Finland, Norway, Sweden, France, Great Britain, Spain, Germany, and potentially the Soviet Union. Using two powerful radar transmitters located in Tromsö and receiving stations in Tromsö, Kiruna, and Sodankylä, the project aims to explore the upper atmosphere at altitudes between 85 and 2,000 km. The project, named EISCAT after the European Incoherent Scatter Facility, is estimated to cost approximately 70 million SEK, with Sweden contributing about 7 million SEK.

Sweden's contribution to the exploration of the upper atmosphere has a long history, with Norwegians making significant contributions to the study of the aurora borealis in the late 19th century. Names like Störmer and Birkeland are prominent in geophysical research history. It is natural that Nordic countries have historically focused on this area, as the so-called aurora zone, where auroras are most intense, passes across the northernmost parts of Scandinavia at latitudes of 65-70° North. Aurora activity decreases both to the north and south.

Natural centers for upper atmosphere research have emerged in the polar cap region, including the Northern Lights Observatory in Tromsö and geophysical observatories in Kiruna and Sodankylä.

The Aurora Zone:

There are two zones on Earth where auroras appear: the northern and southern lights, forming oval shapes around the geomagnetic poles. However, only in northern Scandinavia do these pass through areas with ancient culture and well-developed social infrastructure and communication.

The geophysical explanation for the location of the aurora zone is that Earth's magnetic field lines transition from being closed to open in this region. This has numerous consequences for the chemistry and physics of the upper atmosphere. The area within the aurora zone, surrounding the polar cap, is geophysically distinct from the rest of the Earth, making the border region particularly interesting.

Connections Between the Sun and Earth:

Strong connections exist between the sun and Earth, maintained by electromagnetic radiation and particle flows. The solar wind acts as a crucial link, transporting solar matter and various types of disturbances to Earth. When the solar wind hits Earth's magnetic field, it creates the highly asymmetric shape of Earth's magnetosphere. Information transfer from the sun occurs either indirectly through the magnetosphere's influence or directly when solar particles enter the magnetosphere and are trapped or guided by magnetic field lines, as well as through electromagnetic radiation that penetrates deep into Earth's atmosphere. This process generates a rich flora of energy transformations, creating new particles and radiation forms, and triggering chemical reactions.

These often very complex chemical and physical processes are not yet fully mapped. The sun and its multifaceted activities have a dominant influence on Earth's magnetic field and its upper atmosphere, and scientists are beginning to realize that these connections are "stronger" than previously thought.

Figure 1: Earth's Magnetosphere

Figure 1 provides a simplified sketch of Earth's magnetosphere. The solar wind 'pushes' against the Earth's magnetic field, giving it a strongly asymmetric form. The article explains that within the aurora zone, the field lines are open, while outside they are closed. A closed field line connects a point in the northern hemisphere to another in the southern hemisphere.

Charged particles, such as electrons and protons, coming from the sun generally have difficulty 'crossing' these closed field lines. They become trapped in closed systems formed by the field lines. They spiral around these lines, oscillating between the northern and southern hemispheres. This forms the radiation belts, a term coined before measurements confirmed that the entire zone was filled with particles of various types and energies.

When charged particles enter at the poles, where the field lines are open, the magnetic path leads directly to Earth's surface. They rush down in spiral paths, and only the atmosphere's braking and absorbing effect prevents intense particle radiation from reaching the Earth's surface. By placing a geostationary satellite above the equator on a magnetic field line at an altitude of 36,000 km, it is possible to study what happens on a geophysical link. The European Space Agency's (ESRO) planned magnetosphere satellite, GEOS, is tasked with monitoring events on a field line that reaches Earth's surface near Tromsö in Northern Norway. This is of great interest to the EISCAT project.

Article: Atmosfärens Uppbyggnad (Structure of the Atmosphere)

The lower atmosphere, where weather and meteorological phenomena occur, is closest to the Earth's surface. At altitudes of 10-15 km, the upper atmosphere begins and extends far into space. The upper atmosphere is typically divided into several layers, with the division often based on the specific properties of the atmosphere. For EISCAT, the ionosphere is of greatest interest. It extends from about 60 km altitude and hundreds of kilometers into space. This layer contains free electrons and positive ions in such quantities that its electrical properties are particularly pronounced.

Measurements:

Our limited knowledge of the upper atmosphere's chemistry, physics, and dynamics is largely due to the difficulty of taking measurements. Space technology has created new possibilities. Since the 1950s, sounding rockets have made great progress. However, a rocket launch can only provide a snapshot of a medium characterized by rapid changes.

Satellites:

In recent years, satellites have begun to be utilized, offering possibilities for measurements over longer time intervals. Difficulties arise, however, when trying to establish satellite orbits that allow observation in the lower ionosphere, i.e., at altitudes as low as 100-200 km. Below 200 km, satellites are rapidly slowed down by the atmosphere. In 1973, the Americans launched the ionosphere satellite Atmospheric Explorer 3 with such observational capabilities. It will be followed by two new Explorer satellites in 1975.

Despite these advancements, ground-based observations of the upper atmosphere will continue to bear the brunt of information gathering for a long time to come. This is especially true for the crucial studies of the upper atmosphere's often highly dynamic variations and their connection to the sun.

Radio Technology:

Several methods exist for studying the upper atmosphere from the ground. A large and important group of these methods relies on radio technology. Radio waves of various frequencies can be transmitted from the ground and their reflections in the ionosphere's electrically conductive layers can be studied, similar to radar technology. The absorption of cosmic radio noise as it passes through the ionosphere can also be registered. These methods are currently used at many observatories and form a global network.

As the transmitted radio frequency increases, the radio waves reach higher into the ionosphere. The waves are reflected entirely or partially by the charged electrons and ions, as shown in Figure 2.

The Principle of EISCAT:

The technology behind EISCAT offers radically new possibilities for observing a range of parameters at different altitudes within the ionosphere. It was first presented and theoretically proven to be effective in late 1958. By transmitting radio waves at significantly higher frequencies than other technologies utilize, the waves will pass through the atmosphere relatively unimpeded, heading straight into space. On their journey through the ionosphere, they will cause the free electrons, which form the ionospheric plasma, to oscillate. These electrons will then act as tiny microscopic radio antennas, transmitting radio waves in various directions.

These radio waves can then be registered using sensitive antenna systems on the ground. This technique is known as incoherent scattering. By studying the characteristics of the received signal, detailed information can be obtained about various properties of the ionosphere, such as electron density, electron temperature, composition of positive ions, plasma drift velocity, incoming electron flux, electric current density, electric field strength, and the composition of neutral gases, etc.

Article: Kraven på EISCAT (Requirements for EISCAT)

These parameters can be studied within a broad altitude range of 85-2000 km, which cannot be covered by any other single technique. Incoherent scatter technology has been used at several observatories in the USA, Peru, France, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. Compared to EISCAT, these facilities are located at lower latitudes. Within the aurora and sub-aurora zones, there is currently only a small facility in Alaska.

To implement incoherent scatter technology, large antenna arrays tuned for high frequencies, high transmitter power, and computers capable of advanced signal analysis are required. So far, existing facilities have had their transmitting and receiving equipment at the same location. To achieve three-dimensional sounding of the ionosphere, mobile antenna systems and/or reception at multiple geographical locations are necessary. For high altitude resolution, a narrow, well-defined radar pulse and a high frequency exceeding 50 MHz are required.

The currently planned project aims to meet these requirements by having reception at three locations: the three established geophysical observatories in Tromsö, Kiruna, and Sodankylä. Additionally, very high frequencies will be used: 224 (VHF) and 933 (UHF) MHz (VHF stands for Very High Frequency, and UHF for Ultra-High Frequency).

International Cooperation Project

The construction of the facility is illustrated in Figure 3. Naturally, a project of this magnitude is expensive. As early as the first discussions about the project in the late 1960s, it was assumed that it would be an international cooperative project, both in terms of financing, operation, and analysis of the vast amounts of data to be collected. It is now planned to be a joint project between various scientific organizations in Finland, France, Norway, Great Britain, Sweden, and Germany. There is also a stated interest from the Soviet Union to participate with a receiving station in Murmansk. The decision-making status in each country as of April 1975 is as follows:

• Finland: Decision to be made by the government in spring 1975.
• France: Centre National de Recherche Scientifique is the managing body. All decisions made, costs covered.
• Norway: The Norwegian Research Council for Science is the managing body. All decisions made, costs covered.
• Great Britain: The Science Research Council is the managing body. Decision made, contingent on government funding. SRC is conducting a project study on the VHF transmitter. The VHF component is entirely dependent on British participation.
• Sweden: The Swedish Natural Science Research Council is the managing body. The government had not yet made its decision at the time of writing.
• Germany: The Max Planck Society is the managing body. All decisions made, costs covered.
• Soviet Union: The Soviet Academy of Sciences has made a positive principal decision. The further processing was not yet clear at the time of writing.

There is a strong indication that the EISCAT project will proceed. Scandinavia will then have a unique facility for studying the upper atmosphere. EISCAT's location near the two rocket launch sites at Andöja in Northern Norway and ESRANGE at Kiruna, along with the three involved geophysical observatories already conducting extensive ionosphere studies, offers unique opportunities for close coordination of various types of observations. Furthermore, ESRO plans to launch a geostationary satellite placed on a magnetic field line whose conjugate points are located near Tromsö. New calculations show that under calm conditions, this lies midway between Tromsö and Kiruna but shifts with solar disturbances.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of INTERN UFO-SVERIGE INFORMATION demonstrates a clear interest in both unexplained phenomena (UFOs) and scientific inquiry. The magazine bridges the gap between the speculative and the empirical, featuring articles on UFO sightings alongside detailed scientific reports on physics, astronomy, and atmospheric science. There's a recurring theme of seeking rational explanations for phenomena, whether it's dowsing being examined as a potential scientific instrument or the complex processes in the upper atmosphere being studied through advanced technology like EISCAT. The publication also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in scientific research, as highlighted by the EISCAT project. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness, encouraging readers to engage with both the mysteries of the unknown and the advancements of science.

This issue of "Forskning och Framsteg" (Research and Progress), dated April 1975, explores a variety of scientific and unexplained phenomena. The cover story, "PÅVERKAR SOLSTÖRNINGAR KLIMATET?" (Do Solar Disturbances Affect Climate?), investigates the potential link between solar activity and Earth's climate, suggesting that disturbances in the upper atmosphere might influence weather patterns and even agricultural productivity. The article highlights that the mechanisms connecting the upper and lower atmosphere are not yet fully understood but could open new perspectives for long-term climate forecasting.

Solar Disturbances and Climate

The article "PÅVERKAR SOLSTÖRNINGAR KLIMATET?" posits that solar disturbances can affect the upper atmosphere, which in turn may influence climate. It references claims from England about a connection between agricultural productivity and variations in the upper atmosphere. The text emphasizes that understanding these connections could lead to improved long-term climate predictions. A diagram illustrates the sun's emissions (X-rays, UV light, visible light, infrared, radio waves, and charged particles) and their interaction with different layers of the atmosphere, including the ionosphere with its D, E, F1, and F2 layers, characterized by free electrons and positive ions.

The EISCAT Project

"Bild 2" explains that the ionosphere, extending from about 60 km to several hundred kilometers altitude, is electrically conductive due to free electrons and ions. These are formed by solar radiation and charged particles interacting with the atmosphere. The ionosphere is divided into D, E, F1, and F2 layers. Measuring the ionosphere can be done via rockets, satellites, or ground-based radio techniques. The article describes how radio waves of different frequencies interact with the ionosphere. Specifically, it mentions the EISCAT project, which uses radar technology to study the ionosphere by transmitting radio waves (around 10 MHz to 1000 MHz) and analyzing the reflected signals and the subsequent emissions from free electrons when frequencies above 50 MHz are used.

"Bild 3" details the planned EISCAT facility in northern Scandinavia, comprising two transmitters in the Tromsö region (one for 933 MHz UHF with a 45m parabolic antenna, and another for 224 MHz with 5 MW power) and receiving stations in Kiruna and Sodankylä. The receiving antennas are parabolic and movable (25-30m diameter). The facility aims for precise time synchronization using cesium clocks (accuracy within 0.000001 seconds). The central computer and data processing will be located in Kiruna, managed by a council with representatives from participating organizations and a scientific committee.

Tutankhamun's Curse

The article "TUTANCHAMONS FÖRBANNELS" (Tutankhamun's Curse) revisits the legend following a recent event where a member of an archaeological expedition died shortly after a tomb opening. Professor George Harrison of Liverpool University led the expedition to the Valley of the Kings, located 480 km from Cairo. The tomb, discovered by Howard Carter in 1923, is considered the most valuable find in Egyptian history and dates back to the 1340s BC. The legend of the curse gained prominence after Lord Carnarvon, the expedition's financier, died three weeks after the opening from a mosquito bite and subsequent pneumonia. The article notes that Tutankhamun was a minor pharaoh who ruled for only six years and died at age 18. His tomb's significance lies in its undisturbed state, which preserved his mummy and burial artifacts. The article also raises the question "VAR DET MORD?" (Was it murder?), as Professor Harrison's team took X-ray images of the mummy, hoping to determine the cause of death, suspecting murder.

Other Articles

"Ljushåriga och blåögda indianer" (Light-haired and Blue-eyed Indians) reports on the discovery of such indigenous people in the Amazon by the Brazilian Indian Foundation (Funai). These individuals were from a different tribe than those who assisted Funai's researchers, and communication was not possible. The existence of these tribes has long been known, but contact was difficult.

"Väderprognos förutser cyklon innan den bildas" (Weather Forecast Predicts Cyclone Before It Forms) describes an Australian project led by Dr. Angus McEwan. They have developed a simulator using a transparent tank filled with water and polystyrene beads to replicate the conditions under which tropical storms form, aiming to understand why they develop into cyclones.

"Stuttgart bygger planetarium" (Stuttgart Builds Planetarium) announces the construction of a modern planetarium in West Germany, donated by the firm Zeiss. This facility will allow for the visualization of satellite and comet orbits, and even solar eclipses from 1000 years ago.

UFO Club Activities

The latter part of the magazine details the activities of various Swedish UFO organizations in their annual reports for 1981 and early 1982.

Stockholms UFO-Förening (Stockholm UFO Association): Reported 79 members at the end of 1981, an increase of 20 from the previous year. They held various meetings, including an annual general meeting, 12 general meetings, and 8 board meetings. The association hosted the national UFO-Sweden conference. They noted a desire to encourage more active participation from members.

Enköpings UFO-förening (Enköping UFO Association): Had 55 members and participated in a local carnival and an exhibition. They completed two field researcher study circles and noted progress in gaining acceptance from authorities and the press. They planned to build a telescope.

UFO SUNDSVALL: Saw a decrease in membership from 85 to 63 paying members. They received 15 reports, with only one classified as a UFO phenomenon after investigation. The association faced challenges with finding a new location due to building demolition but secured a new, though not permanent, space. They also experienced difficulties with printing their newsletter, "UFO RADEN," due to municipal funding cuts.

Kiruna Tvärvetenskapliga Förening UFO NORD (Kiruna Interdisciplinary Association UFO NORD): Increased membership to 42. They discussed changing the association's name and statutes, raising the minimum age for membership to 15. They held 9 monthly meetings and 7 'Drop In' evenings. The association engaged in outreach activities, including school presentations and newspaper articles about UFO sightings.

Hallstahammars UFO-förening (Hallstahammar UFO Association): Experienced a decrease in membership to 22. They held 18 meetings and organized themed evenings with guest speakers. They trained two field researchers and participated in planning conferences and the national UFO-Sweden conference. They also published an internal newsletter, "UFO-flight."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers a broad spectrum of scientific inquiry, from atmospheric physics and meteorology to archaeology and astronomy. It also dedicates significant space to UFO phenomena, reporting on sightings, investigations, and the activities of UFO organizations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various topics and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also highlighting scientific advancements and research projects. There is a clear interest in exploring the unexplained, as evidenced by the coverage of Tutankhamun's curse and UFO reports alongside more conventional scientific topics.

This issue of Norrbottens Kuriren, dated Monday, January 18, 1982, features a prominent cover story about a Russian rocket sighting over Northern Sweden and includes articles on archaeological discoveries, a new theory about the origin of life on Earth, and the annual report of the UFO organization UFO-Sverige.

Archaeology and Early Humans

The first article, "DET FANNS INGA 'GROTTMÄNNISKOR'" (There Were No 'Cavemen'), reports on excavations by researchers at the University of Tübingen. These findings challenge the traditional image of 'cavemen' as solely rough, wild hunters. New evidence suggests that caves may have served as summer residences, and that these early humans used decorative items like bone beads and buttons, indicating a sense of aesthetics and possibly more sophisticated clothing than previously assumed. Kitchen waste suggests a diet of eggs, fish, and birds, with hunting of large game like mammoths being rare. The discovery of ivory figures, possibly representing powerful animals, leads to speculation that early humans revered these creatures.

A New Theory on the Origin of Life

Another significant article, "Människorna inplanterade från rymden" (Humans Planted from Space), presents a new theory by British astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle. Hoyle, a former Cambridge professor, challenges both traditional religious and Darwinian evolutionary explanations for the origin of life. He argues that the complex chemical processes required for life are too intricate to have arisen by chance. Instead, he posits that life on Earth was deliberately introduced by intelligent beings from another part of the universe. These beings, facing extinction in their own environment, may have sent microorganisms to Earth to ensure the continuation of intelligent life. Hoyle and his colleague Professor Chanda Wickramasinghe have previously published works suggesting that microorganisms from space could be responsible for diseases and that they might represent missing links in evolution.

Russian Rocket Sighting

The cover story, "DET VAR EN RYSK RAKET - men Sovjet tiger..." (IT WAS A RUSSIAN ROCKET - but the Soviets are silent...), details a sighting of a rocket over Northern Sweden. Civil engineer Sven Grahn of the Swedish Space Corporation notes the unusual silence from Soviet authorities, who normally announce such launches. The rocket was likely launched from Plesetsk, a Russian space base. The phenomenon was unusually bright, with a distinctive triangular tail that persisted for half an hour, unlike previous observations. Grahn speculates it could be a new type of rocket, a test of an intercontinental missile, or a rocket using solid fuel, which can produce metallic powder, potentially creating artificial auroras.

UFO-Sverige Annual Report

The latter part of the magazine is dedicated to the annual report of UFO-Sverige, a Swedish organization for UFO enthusiasts. The report covers the activities of the Sala Amateur Association for Trans-Science (S.A.T.) for the year 1981. It details board meetings, membership numbers (19 active, 65 supporting members), financial status, and various activities including 17 meetings, one observation night, and lectures by several speakers. The association has been active in investigating UFO and aerial phenomena, and has engaged in public outreach, including presentations and visits to other UFO groups. The report also outlines plans for upcoming conferences and the national assembly (Riksstämma) for 1982, including details on membership fees, proposed statute changes, and organizational structure.

Statutes of UFO-Sverige

Following the annual report, the proposed statutes for UFO-Sverige are presented. These statutes define the organization as a national body for UFO groups and individuals, aiming to document UFOs, study their phenomena, act as an information source, and foster interest in UFOs in Sweden. The statutes detail membership categories (group, individual, youth), membership fees, and the procedures for national assemblies, including voting rights and the election of board members. The role and responsibilities of the central group and local groups are also outlined.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue highlights a blend of scientific inquiry, speculative theories, and organizational reporting. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards unconventional ideas, such as extraterrestrial influence on human origins and the investigation of UFO phenomena, while also grounding reporting in factual accounts like the rocket sighting and the detailed organizational report. The magazine aims to inform its readers about current research, theories, and the activities of the UFO community in Sweden.

This document, comprising pages 5(6) and 6(6) of a publication likely titled 'UFO-Sverige', details the organizational structure, bylaws, and operational procedures of the UFO-Sverige organization. The content is primarily textual, outlining the functions of various committees and decision-making bodies, and includes signatures from key personnel dated February 20, 1982.

Organizational Structure and Responsibilities

The 'riksstämman' (general assembly) is presented as the supreme decision-making body. Its key responsibilities include:

• Agenda and Organization: Preparing the agenda for the general assembly and organizing the event itself.
• Decision Implementation: Executing the decisions made by the assembly.
• Publication Management: Appointing the responsible editor for the organization's publication, 'UFO-Sverige aktuellt'.
• Financial Management: Being accountable for the organization's financial records.
• General Business: Addressing any other matters that do not require a specific resolution from the general assembly.

The 'Planeringskonferens' (planning conference) serves as an advisory organ. It can be initiated by member groups in coordination with the 'c-gruppen' (central group), and all members have the right to attend its deliberations.

Financial and Administrative Procedures

Accounts (Räkenskaper): The organization's accounts are finalized annually based on the calendar year. These must be submitted to the auditors one month prior to the general assembly. The financial statements must include a balance sheet and a profit and loss statement for the past fiscal year. Auditors are required to provide a written report to the general assembly, either recommending or rejecting the approval of the 'c-gruppen's' financial accountability.

Signatories (Firmatecknare): The authority to sign on behalf of the organization rests with the chairperson of the Central group and the Treasurer, each acting independently.

Support Fund (Stödfond): A separate regulation, approved by the general assembly, governs UFO-Sverige's support fund.

Minutes (Protokoll): Minutes must be kept for all meetings involving both decision-making and advisory bodies within the organization. These minutes must be promptly sent to local groups and the members of the c-group after they have been officially approved (justered).

Dissolution and Statute Amendments

Dissolution (Nedläggning): UFO-Sverige cannot cease its operations unless three-quarters of the voting members (mandates) at the general assembly agree to it. In the event of dissolution, the general assembly will decide how to manage the organization's collective assets.

Statute Amendment (Stadgeändring): Amendments to the statutes can only be made following a decision at the general assembly. A minimum of three-quarters of the voting members (mandates) must consent to any proposed change. The document includes a specific section on statute amendments, dated February 20, 1982, from Karlskoga and Kiruna. An 'Arbetsgruppen för ändring av UFO-Sveriges stadgar' (Working group for the amendment of UFO-Sverige's statutes) thanks the organization for the trust placed in them and submits their proposal for review by all local groups and the c-group. They indicate that if the proposal is accepted in its current form by the local groups, it will be put to a vote at the 1982 UFO-Sverige general assembly.

The document is signed by Carl F. Micu and Owe E. Lewitzki from UFO-Center Karlskoga, and Gunnar Thorén from Kiruna TV F, UFO Nord, all dated February 20, 1982.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this document is organizational governance and legal framework. It emphasizes structured decision-making, clear lines of responsibility, and formal procedures for financial management, record-keeping, and potential dissolution or amendment of bylaws. The editorial stance appears to be one of formal documentation and procedural clarity, aiming to ensure the stable and legal operation of the UFO-Sverige organization. The inclusion of a specific proposal for statute amendments suggests an active effort to update or refine the organization's foundational rules in 1982.