Internt UFO Forum - 1979 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: INTERNT UFO FORUM
Issue: Nr 4
Volume: 1. Årgang
Date: July - August 1979
Publisher: Norsk UFO Center
Type: Internal information magazine for Norsk UFO Center.

Content Summary

Editorial and Subscription Information

The magazine is an internal information organ for Norsk UFO Center (NUFOC). Contributions are published at the sender's own risk and do not necessarily represent NUFOC's views. The issue is dated July-August 1979, Volume 1, Number 4. Subscription is obtained by sending 50 Norwegian Kroner (annual fee) to NUFOC's main cashier, which includes the subscription to INTERNT UFO FORUM, published 6 times a year. The publication is issued by NUFOC's internal information section, located in Gressvik, Norway. The editor is Terje Hansen, and the editorial secretary is Anne Mostad. Printing was done by V-Trykk in Fredrikstad.

The magazine lists addresses and phone numbers for various NUFOC departments across Norway, including NUFOC Nord, Midt-Norge, Vest-Norge, Øst-Norge, Sør-Norge, and Møre og Romsdal. It also provides contact details for its investigation sections (Utrykningsseksjon A and B), radio/research section, and a report center. The subscription address is NUFOC, Postboks 1155, 5001 BERGEN, with an annual subscription price of 30 Kroner for 5 issues per year.

Table of Contents

• The issue includes the following articles:
• 30 år etter Kenneth Arnold (30 Years After Kenneth Arnold)
• Kan vi tro på nærobservasjoner? (Can we believe in close-up observations?)
• UFO fysiske eller demoniske åpenbarelser? (UFO physical or demonic revelations?)
• "Project Blue Book". Bokanmeldelse (Book review)
• "Situation Red The UFO Siege". Bokanmeldelse (Book review)

Article: 30 Years After Kenneth Arnold

This article is a summary of the UFO situation 30 years after Kenneth Arnold's sighting. It is presented as a translation of personal viewpoints from a highly-ranked French scientist, Dr. Guérien, an astrophysicist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and a member of the official French research team GEPAN. The author states that the article does not add new information but synthesizes existing work to eliminate weak hypotheses and arrive at a more solid conclusion.

The article discusses the remaining UFO cases after a rigorous elimination process, distinguishing them from cases involving known objects, pathological hallucinations, or 'bluff'. It estimates that this 'hard core' represents between 1% and 15% of all reported UFO sightings, amounting to tens of thousands over the past century.

Modern ufology is described as being in a difficult phase. The article highlights three types of articles frequently found in French-language UFO publications:

a) Articles by physicists attempting to explain UFOs as extraterrestrial probes using current scientific understanding, particularly in hydrodynamics and particle physics, anticipating future advancements.

b) Polemical pieces by ufologists convinced of the physical reality of UFOs, emphasizing the flaws in the extraterrestrial hypothesis and often conflating UFOs with parapsychological phenomena or human subconscious projections.

c) Critical studies of inconclusive UFO cases, often presented by ufologists who may not have conducted field investigations. These studies tend to attribute sightings to natural stimuli or psychological effects, effectively denying the existence of unidentified objects.

The author criticizes the tendency to seek 'reductionist explanations' based on accepted ideas, which often involves ignoring data that contradicts these ideas. This leads to conflicting models, none of which fully explain the observed facts.

Article: The Shortcomings of the Classic Extraterrestrial Model (UFO = Spaceship)

This section critiques the initial and still prevalent ufological model that equates UFOs with advanced extraterrestrial spacecraft visiting Earth. The author argues this model is flawed due to its anthropocentric nature, mirroring current human space exploration ambitions. More significantly, it clashes with established scientific facts.

The immense interstellar distances mean that even at speeds less than light, travel would take centuries or millennia. The article cites relativity physics, stating that exceeding the speed of light is impossible without infinite energy. While acknowledging that future discoveries might alter this, the current understanding holds. Therefore, any visits from extraterrestrial civilizations would likely be infrequent, perhaps every five thousand years, and would require massive, self-sufficient vessels, not the small, frequently observed UFOs.

The article contrasts the characteristics of reported UFOs (small, meters in diameter, frequent sightings) with the requirements for interstellar travel. It suggests that if UFOs were indeed probes, their behavior and appearance might be influenced by human technological dreams, as suggested by B. Meheust. This implies that any intelligent entity behind UFOs would already possess profound knowledge of Earth and its inhabitants, making the 'discovery' aspect of the extraterrestrial hypothesis redundant.

The author also discusses the possibility of psychological components in UFO sightings, particularly in 'close contact' cases. However, this is not presented as a complete explanation, citing historical cases like the 1897 'airship' sightings where numerous witnesses, even at a distance, described objects in a manner reminiscent of Jules Verne's fiction, suggesting a shared cultural influence or a phenomenon that transcends simple hallucination.

The article questions the 'kinoshow' aspect of extraterrestrial humanoids collecting samples, arguing that genuine scientific explorers would not behave in such a manner. It concludes that the UFO phenomenon is far more complex than initially thought by early ufologists.

Article: Can We Believe in Close-Up Observations?

This section, commented on by Aimé Michel, presents statistics on UFO sightings. A 1973 Gallup poll indicated that 11% of the US adult population (15 million people) claimed to have seen UFOs. However, the poll does not determine the number of distinct objects or witnesses.

Professor Peter A. Sturrock of Stanford University studied UFO reports among 1,175 members of the American Institute of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineers (AIAA), considered highly qualified to assess object identifiability. His study found 20 unidentified cases among these members, with only 2 deemed to have high credibility. This suggests that the likelihood of seeing a UFO is similar across different population groups.

The article explores potential reasons for the findings, including the possibility that AIAA members might be more observant. However, it emphasizes that for high-credibility sightings, observation is unavoidable. The article focuses on close-up observations (landings or near-ground sightings).

Sturrock's results are extrapolated to the general population. Based on a US population of approximately 136 million in 1973, the study suggests about 2,312,000 'real' UFOs and 231,000 with high credibility. When applied to technologically developed countries worldwide (with a combined population of less than 1.3 billion), the estimates rise to 22.1 million 'real' UFOs and 2.21 million with high credibility. The article concludes that there are likely over 2 million high-credibility UFO cases in technologically developed countries.

The discussion section notes that nearly all high-credibility cases involve landings or close-up observations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the UFO phenomenon from a scientific and analytical perspective, questioning simplistic explanations like the extraterrestrial hypothesis. It emphasizes the need for rigorous data analysis and acknowledges the complexity and multifaceted nature of UFO sightings. The publication appears to lean towards a critical, evidence-based approach, while still acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance encourages detailed investigation and discourages hasty conclusions, as evidenced by the detailed statistical analysis and critique of existing models.

This issue of INTERNT UFO FORUM (nr. 4/1979) is a Norwegian publication focusing on UFO phenomena. The magazine explores various aspects of UFO sightings, evidence, and interpretations, including scientific, psychological, and religious perspectives. It features articles, book reviews, and discussions on the lack of photographic evidence, potential explanations, and the implications of UFO encounters.

The Enigma of UFO Photography

The lead article, attributed to Aimé Michel, critically examines the paradox of UFO sightings occurring in technologically advanced countries with millions of cameras, yet yielding virtually no photographic or film evidence. The author argues that the absence of such concrete proof is highly improbable if UFOs are purely physical phenomena. Michel suggests that the lack of documentation might be due to a form of psychological control exerted by the UFOs over witnesses, preventing them from using their cameras or preserving evidence. He posits that this 'unexplainable' forgetfulness is a rule rather than an exception in UFO encounters.

Explanations for the Lack of Evidence

Two main explanations, labeled "FORKLARING NR. 1" and "FORKLARING NR. 2," are presented. The first dismisses the idea that UFOs don't exist and that all reports are fabrications, as this would imply millions of swindlers. Instead, it focuses on the lack of physical evidence. The second explanation suggests that it might be impossible to take close-up photos of UFOs, either because the phenomenon is not purely physical or because witnesses are somehow prevented from using their equipment, possibly through psychological manipulation.

Statistical Analysis of UFO Landings

Ted Phillips' statistical analysis of 831 landing cases is discussed. The findings indicate that the average duration of a UFO landing on the ground is approximately five minutes. Based on an estimated two million landings in technologically advanced countries, this translates to a total duration of about 19 hours per day that UFOs are present on Earth. This statistic further emphasizes the inexplicable lack of photographic documentation.

UFOs as Demonic Manifestations?

Another significant section, titled "UFO - fysiske eller demoniske åpenbarelser?" (UFO - Physical or Demonic Manifestations?), draws from an article in the newspaper Buzz. This perspective interprets UFOs through a religious lens, suggesting they are tools used by Satan to deceive humanity and lead them away from truth. The article cites research by Dr. David Sanders, who has collected over 40,000 UFO reports and claims thousands of sightings of alien beings and their craft. It notes the widespread belief in UFOs among scientists and the public, yet acknowledges the fundamental mystery: "We don't know what a UFO is!"

Occult and Religious Interpretations

The magazine explores the idea that UFOs might be manifestations of beings from other dimensions or even demonic entities, drawing parallels to ancient religious beliefs. Some believe contact with these beings is possible through spiritualist channels, and that they deliver messages about impending dangers to Earth. The article quotes John Keel and John Weldon, who suggest that UFO phenomena may be part of a deliberate plan to subvert the world and usher in an era related to the Antichrist, aligning with a Christian perspective that warns against deception.

Book Reviews

The issue includes reviews of two significant books on UFOs:

• "PROJECT BLUE BOOK" by Brad Steiger: This review highlights the declassification of the US Air Force's UFO archives, which were subject to intense, secret investigations despite public claims of their insignificance. The book covers famous cases like Kenneth Arnold's sighting and the Lubbock lights, and includes photographic evidence.
• "SITUATION RED - THE UFO SIEGE" by Leonard H. Stringfield: This book is described as a meticulously documented account of UFO encounters, including cases involving physical injuries, abductions, and strange interventions. It frames the UFO phenomenon as a 'crisis situation' for humanity and suggests that authorities might soon reveal more about the truth behind UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the profound mystery of UFOs, the persistent lack of concrete evidence (particularly photographic), and the various attempts to explain the phenomenon. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from scientific and statistical analyses to more esoteric and religious interpretations, including the idea of demonic influence. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, acknowledging its complexity and the need for further investigation, while also considering the implications of the evidence (or lack thereof) from multiple viewpoints, including a critical examination of official narratives and a nod to religious warnings.