Internt UFO Forum - 1981 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: INTERNT UFO FORUM
Issue: 2
Volume: 1981
Date: 2 1981 (January 1981)
Publisher: NORSK UFO CENTER
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian
Cover Headline: NUFOC en papirtiger? (NUFOC a paper tiger?)

This issue of Internt UFO Forum, published by Norsk UFO Center, focuses on significant internal organizational changes and a major governmental release of UFO documentation. The cover question, "NUFOC a paper tiger?", sets the tone for an article detailing the internal struggles and restructuring of the organization.

Redaktørens Ord (Editor's Word)

The editor announces an increase in the magazine's page count from 22 to 26 pages, attributing this to cost-cutting measures and an influx of interesting material. The editor expresses hope that the expanded content will be well-received by readers and encourages them to submit their own findings and tips, emphasizing the magazine's role as an internal exchange for the organization.

Innhold (Contents)

• The table of contents lists several articles and topics, including:
• NUFOR - a paper tiger?
• The Spanish government lifts the veil.
• My religion - growing following
• UFO-religion for the Directorate of Fisheries
• Regarding contributions: UFO-religion for plate-believers?
• NUFOC's 1980 accounts
• Astroarchaeology: Mythology's hidden language of technology
• Gravity and its nature
• Summary: UFO and science
• Life in the Universe, Part 1
• The world's first flying saucer
• News from the organization
• Message from the Committee

Melding fra Komiteen (Message from the Committee)

The committee announces that due to increased engagement in other fields, the administrative leader has requested to be relieved of their duties within the central administration and NUFOC, specifically the Midt-Norge (Mid-Norway) department. The committee, in a meeting on January 20th, accepted this request and decided to temporarily suspend the central administration. Administrative tasks will be handled by the committee. Leif Havik is appointed as the new head of the Midt-Norge department. The committee expresses gratitude to Kolbjørn Stenødegård for his eight years of service.

NUFOC - en papirtiger? (NUFOC - a paper tiger?)

This lengthy article delves into the reasons behind the recent organizational upheaval at NUFOC. It begins by referencing a committee letter from February 2, 1981, informing members of the decision to dissolve the central administration in Trondheim. This decision was prompted by the resignation of the administrative leader, Kolbjørn Stenødegård, who had been a driving force in NUFOC for many years. The article expresses surprise and confusion among members, especially since Stenødegård is also involved in promoting the "Norsk Institutt for vitenskapelig forskning og opplysning" (NIVFO), suggesting a potential shift in focus or a new direction for those seeking "truth-seekers."

The author aims to shed light on the background and motives behind the committee's actions. The original intent of NUFOC, founded in 1972, was to be a serious organization adhering to scientifically acceptable standards. This included collaborating with scientific institutions and other UFO organizations, collecting press clippings, and seeking advice from scientists. The goal was to gather and process UFO material scientifically.

• However, the article points out several shortcomings:
• NUFOC's publications primarily featured standard UFO material without significant scientific analysis.
• Membership numbers remained relatively low, between 150 and 220.
• The collection of UFO reports was slow, partly due to ineffective national press clipping routines.
• Contact with international scientists and organizations was not evident.

This led to the perception of NUFOC as a "paper tiger." Attempts to improve the organization and its routines were made, including a "democratization" process. At a summit in Vinstra in November 1980, various proposals were discussed to improve NUFOC. However, the administrative leader reportedly left the meeting abruptly.

The article also touches upon past collaborations, such as discussions in 1969 between Trondheim UFO-Forening (led by Stenødegård) and Norges UFO-Informasjon (NUFOI, led by Hans Kr. Moe) to form a nationwide organization. This collaboration resulted in a UFO magazine, "Norsk UFO Tidsskrift."

Due to Stenødegård's public statements and internal conduct, NUFOI became hesitant about the planned nationwide organization's seriousness. The article suggests that NUFOC itself decided to "put itself on ice" to avoid conflicts and because establishing a nationwide organization alone would require too much effort.

The article notes that Norsk UFO Center has been active since 1972. Despite democratization efforts, dissatisfaction with the central administration's claims of NUFOC's excellence led to a split in 1978, forming "Riksorganisasjonen UFO-Norge." The reasons cited were dissatisfaction and personal disagreements with Stenødegård. Similar issues arose with NUFOC members in Trondheim.

The article concludes that Stenødegård bears significant responsibility for NUFOC's current state. Following the Vinstra meeting, NUFOC leaders realized drastic measures were needed. The NUFOC congress committee was notified, and in a meeting on January 20, 1981, they suspended the administrative leader, intending to take over management and revive the organization.

Rent humant fikk administrerende leder er valg mellom to onder (Humanely, the administrative leader had a choice between two options):

1. He could be temporarily suspended until an extraordinary congress in May 1981, where a motion for exclusion might be made.
2. He could resign voluntarily.

Stenødegård chose the second option. The article suggests he has been trying to recruit NUFOC members to his new organization, NIVFO, portraying it as the solution for "truth-seekers." The author views this as a "bear's service" to the UFO cause, despite Stenødegård's acknowledged expertise as a ufologist.

The article summarizes the situation: Stenødegård was "fired" due to incompetence and poor conduct. He then formed NIVFO, which aims to represent what NUFOC was supposed to be on paper but failed to achieve. Any criticism from Stenødegård towards NUFOC is seen as self-criticism.

The author, who has been with NUFOC since 1979 and initially skeptical, expresses respect for Stenødegård's knowledge of UFOs but criticizes his organizational involvement. The author believes that NUFOC's core principles and active members provide a foundation for it to become what it was intended to be, but this requires collective effort.

The committee is actively seeking new members and information contacts. They are also planning a recruitment campaign and printing new informational brochures and posters. The article urges readers to recruit new members and consider gifting NUFOC memberships.

NUFOC trenger nye medlemmer - verv de du kommer over! (NUFOC needs new members - recruit those you come across!)

This is a call to action for members to recruit new individuals to NUFOC, emphasizing the need for collective effort to make the organization successful.

"Ordet fritt" (Word Free)

Starting with the next issue, a "Word Free" column will be introduced where readers can express their personal opinions. It will be clearly stated that these contributions represent the writer's own views and not necessarily the official stance of NUFOC.

Den spanske regjering løfter på sløret.. (The Spanish government lifts the veil..)

This article reports on a significant event on October 20th: the Spanish government, through Air Force General Don Felipe Galarza, officially released a valuable documentation comprising 12 registered UFO incidents within Spanish territory. This information, previously considered confidential, was given to journalist Juan Jose Benitez of the Bilbao daily "La Gaceta del Notre." Benitez was rewarded for his dedication and extensive travel in investigating UFO cases.

The documentation, consisting of 78 pages with sketches, maps, calculations, and photographs, originated from military pilots, control personnel, and ground crew. Some cases are described as sensational.

This official release by Spain is compared to the data released by the French defense minister, Robert Galley, to journalist Jean-Claude Bourret. Spain is now counted among the six countries providing concrete data on unidentified objects.

General Galarza made Juan Jose Benitez promise not to reveal the names of witnesses or the direct sources of information without official permission. The author, however, states that as they are not bound by this promise, they will mention sources found through journalistic colleagues in Spain, especially for cases that have already been made public.

• Due to space limitations, not all 12 cases are detailed. However, specific incidents are highlighted:
• A UFO landing in Poligono di Tiro Las Bardenas Reales (Navarra) on January 2, 1975, followed by a reappearance three days later.
• On November 24, 1974, pilots of an IBERIA flight to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria nearly collided with a UFO detected by radar.
• A report of a strange, strong light observed at 6000 meters by pilots of a "Mirage" III-DE aircraft near Valencia on September 26, 1973.
• An object observed by soldiers at 06:00 on January 1, 1975, near Villafria (Burgos), initially dismissed by the military but later confirmed by an official note. The object was described as conforming, with a strong yellow-white light.
• A case involving a traveling salesman, Don Adrian Sanchez, who saw a giant spool-shaped craft on the ground near Aznalcoller (Sevilla) on March 20, 1974. A disk-shaped object emerged from the craft and pursued him.

The article also mentions a case involving soldiers observing a luminous object, and a report from the VI military region confirming its reliability.

The author notes that cases 9, 10, and 11 were omitted due to being less interesting, while case 12 is extensive and will be covered later. The source is "Notiziario UFO, Antonio Ribera, July/August 1979," and "UFO-SVERIGE AKTUELLT nr. 2 1980." The translation is by Eva Harling-Svensson, and the Norwegian version is by K. Stenødegård.

Ny religion - økende tilhengerskare (New religion - growing following)

This article, originating from Agderposten and written by Gunnar Christensen (Directorate of Fisheries), discusses the rise of "UFO-religion" in the USA and Europe. Adherents believe that beings from other planets will help humanity in the event of a nuclear war, viewing these extraterrestrials as more advanced and acting as saviors.

The article references Ernst Benz's book "Neue Religionen," which describes this phenomenon. UFO-religion has seen significant growth in the USA over the past 15-20 years, but its roots are much older.

Historical figures like astronomers, natural scientists, and theologians from the 16th century onwards speculated about intelligent life on other planets. Fredrik Christopher Detinger compared the modern scientific worldview to Christianity, influencing German Pietism and Theosophy. Bernard Fontenelle's 1686 book explored the concept of inhabitants on distant planets, and Immanuel Kant also extensively discussed beings in other solar systems, believing them to possess greater spiritual and technical capacity.

The modern UFO phenomenon gained traction in 1947 when pilot Ken Arnold reported seeing nine glowing objects flying in formation. This event, followed by numerous similar reports across the USA, led to a UFO "hysteria." A US commission investigated these reports but concluded that flying saucers did not exist as alien visitors. However, Major Donald E. Keyhoe, in his book "Flying saucers from outer space," challenged the commission's findings.

Georg Adamski is presented as a key figure, claiming to have met a Venusian pilot in the desert near Palomar Mountain in 1952. He shared his experiences at a UFO congress in Wiesbaden. Adamski, along with Desmond Leslie, co-authored "Flying saucers have landed," which detailed encounters with extraterrestrials and proposed a theory that ancient human cultures received assistance from beings from other worlds.

UFO-materiale til salgs (UFO material for sale)

Norsk UFO Center offers two collections of UFO materials:

SAMLING I: Includes 15 black and white UFO photos (15x24 cm), 1 color photo (9x13 cm), and 1 color photo (13x18 cm), all printed on photo paper. It also includes a booklet on current Norwegian UFO cases from the 1970s (with photos) and a NUFOC sticker. Price: 90,- NOK plus postage.

SAMLING II: Features 4 black and white UFO photos (15x24 cm), 1 black and white photo (21x26 cm), and 2 color photos (9x13 cm), all printed on photo paper. It includes a booklet on imprints at Namsen-fjorden (with photos) and a NUFOC sticker. Price: 70,- NOK plus postage.

A combined offer for both collections is available for 150,- NOK plus postage.

UFO FARGEPOSTER (UFO Color Poster): A poster featuring Paul Villas' most famous UFO image in color print (30x40 cm) is available for 20,- NOK plus postage. Additional posters cost 15,- NOK each.

Orders should be sent to UFO Rama, P.O. Box 14, 3133 Duken. The postgiro account is 3 24 37 30.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue grapples with internal organizational challenges, particularly the perceived ineffectiveness and leadership issues within NUFOC, leading to its restructuring. It also explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with religious beliefs, highlighting the emergence of "UFO-religion." Furthermore, the magazine demonstrates a commitment to documenting and disseminating information on UFO sightings, exemplified by the detailed reporting on the Spanish government's declassification of UFO incidents. The editorial stance appears to be one of seeking scientific rigor while acknowledging the public's fascination with UFOs, and encouraging active participation and information sharing among its members.

Title: Internt UFO Forum
Issue: 2
Volume: 1981
Date: 1981
Publisher: NUFOC (Norwegian UFO Center)
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of Internt UFO Forum from 1981 is a Norwegian-language publication focusing on UFO phenomena, ufology, and related topics. It features a mix of articles discussing UFO sightings, theoretical physics, ancient history, and organizational matters of the NUFOC.

UFO-Religion for Fiskeridirektoratet

This article, referencing an opinion piece by Gunnar Christensen from Fiskeridirektoratet, discusses the concept of 'UFO religion.' It highlights how some authors, like Eric van Daniken, have popularized the idea of extraterrestrial beings influencing human history and culture, citing the Egyptian pyramids as an example. The article points out that 'UFO religion' often involves fantastical descriptions of alien encounters, often channeled through spiritual mediums, and attempts to reconcile these with Christian beliefs, suggesting alien beings are akin to Christ.

A study by sociologists at the University of Minnesota, titled 'When Prophecy Failed,' is referenced. This study examined a UFO-believing group in Lake City, USA, led by Marian Keech, who predicted a flood on December 21, 1954, and that believers would be rescued by a flying saucer. When the prophecy failed, the group did not disband but rather intensified their efforts, with Keech claiming new directives from a spirit being named Sananda.

The article criticizes the tendency to dismiss UFO phenomena as mere religiosity, arguing that it is unfair to those who seriously research the topic. It suggests that the Fiskeridirektoratet's involvement in commenting on UFOs is unusual and questions the reliance on foreign religious scholars for analysis. The author, Alf Thommassen, recommends contacting Swedish ufologist K. Gøsta Rehn for serious UFO research.

NUFOC's Financial Report 1980

This section presents the financial statement for NUFOC for the year 1980. The report details expenses such as internal publications (Internavisen), postage, office supplies, printing, envelopes, and copies, totaling kr 19,900. Income sources include membership fees (kr 19,400), donations (kr 230), and sales of magazines (kr 270), also totaling kr 19,900. The statement shows a balance of kr 3089.48 as of January 1, 1981, categorized as 'Postgiro innestående' (outstanding giro account) under 'AKTIVA' (Assets) and 'Ren formue' (Net worth) under 'PASSIVA' (Liabilities).

Editorial on NUFOC's Direction

An editorial, likely a response to a previous article, expresses strong agreement with Hans-Kurt Karlsen's critique of NUFOC's direction. The author argues that NUFOC, as a serious and objective organization, should not make unsubstantiated claims, such as the sighting of a 'humanoid' in the USA, in its publications. Such claims, it is argued, attract members interested in sensationalist science fiction rather than serious scientific research, hindering the organization's goal of gaining support from the scientific community. The editorial criticizes NUFOC for becoming a 'spaceship-believing' organization, focusing on 'little men from planets' and suggesting this is easily observable by outsiders. It calls for a shift towards objective investigation, aiming to explain 100% of reports, not just 93-95%, and to avoid making claims without evidence, particularly regarding humanoids.

Astro-Archaeology: The Hidden Technological Language of Mythology

This article by Bjarno Finderup explores the concept of 'Astro-Archaeology,' suggesting that ancient sculptures, drawings, reliefs, and myths contain hidden technological information. The author posits that symbols like the serpent, often associated with divinity or the devil, actually represent ancient technology, specifically electricity. He proposes that oracles in ancient Greece were essentially radio receivers and transmitters for 'heavenly messages.'

The article draws parallels between ancient myths and scientific understanding, particularly the idea that electricity initiated life on Earth. It interprets the serpent symbol as representing electricity, the force that powers devices like radios, lamps, and machines. The author references the work of chemist and technician Werner B. Isen, who analyzed Greek mythology and concluded that the shield of the goddess Pallas Athena was a 'solar mirror generator' capable of producing electricity.

It is suggested that the myth of Perseus slaying Medusa, whose head with snake-hair was placed in Athena's shield, represents the creation of electricity. The blood from Medusa's head supposedly generated electricity, leading to the winged horse Pegasus, which is interpreted as a drilling machine. The article also mentions similar examples of electricity generation from ancient Egypt and Peru, citing the goddess Neftys.

UFOs Behind the Iron Curtain

This section reports on UFO activity and research in the Soviet Union. It notes that Russians have been quiet about UFOs but have recently stated they are intercepting radio signals from space, possibly from a highly developed civilization. A report from Moscow suggests these signals are not mere interference. Professor Samuel Kaplan of Gorki University stated that the signals are unlikely to be from Earth satellites.

The article compares Soviet UFO cases to American ones, referencing Dr. Felix Y Zigel, a prominent Soviet UFO researcher. Zigel reportedly stated that flying saucers do occur and have caused harm, even death, to astronauts. The article speculates this might refer to the Soyuz 11 mission, where cosmonauts Dobrovolski, Patsayev, and Volkov encountered a mysterious magnetic field. The official explanation was a forgotten hatch closure and acid leakage. Other cosmonauts, like Pavel Belyayev and Alexei Leonov, also reported UFOs during their return to Earth in 1965.

Theories of Gravity

This extensive section delves into various theories attempting to explain the nature of gravity, acknowledging that classical physics has not fully explained it. The article categorizes theories into several groups:

Mechanical Theories

These theories propose gravity as a stream of particles flowing through space. When these particles interact with matter, they lose some energy, causing objects to be pushed towards celestial bodies. Particles are referred to as gravitons, neutrinos, radions, or mitrons, though only neutrinos have been experimentally confirmed.

Geometric Space-Time Curvature

Based on Einstein's theories of relativity, this view posits that gravity is a result of the curvature of space-time around celestial bodies. The more massive the body, the greater the curvature and thus the stronger the gravitational pull. The article notes that while light follows a curved path near massive objects, photons themselves, lacking mass and charge, are not directly affected by gravity, suggesting the curvature of space itself is the cause.

Free Energy Theories

These theories suggest gravity arises from streams of homogeneous, non-quantifiable energy forms. Similar to mechanical theories, energy streams weaken as they pass celestial bodies, pushing objects towards them. This energy is then converted into heat or kinetic energy, explaining the rotation of celestial bodies.

Static Field Theories

These theories are similar to the space-time curvature model but propose that it is the 'ground field' that has a different value near celestial bodies, rather than space itself being curved. The geometric space is considered a calculation tool and is inherently empty.

The article concludes that none of these theories have been definitively proven, but they all offer potential explanations. It highlights that research into gravity is ongoing, with various centers like CERG working on experimental verification.

Book Review: UFO and Science

This section reviews a book titled 'Scientific Study of Identified Flying Objects,' published in 1969 by the US Air Force. The book, based on an extensive investigation by Professor E. U. Condon, concluded that flying saucers did not exist and that further scientific work on the topic was a waste of time. This report led the Air Force to cease its UFO data collection policy. The review notes that the Condon report was heavily criticized by the scientific community for its methodology. The review also mentions that concurrently, two professors, Thorton Page and Carl Sagan, were organizing a scientific conference on UFOs, which faced significant opposition from older scientists.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently advocates for a serious, objective, and scientific approach to ufology, distinguishing it from sensationalism and pseudoscience. There is a clear critique of organizations or publications that promote unsubstantiated claims or 'UFO religions.' The publication also shows an interest in ancient history and mythology as potential sources of information about advanced ancient technologies, particularly electricity. The financial report indicates a focus on maintaining the organization's operations and publications. The overall stance is one of critical inquiry, seeking evidence-based understanding of UFO phenomena and related scientific and historical questions.

Title: Internt UFO Forum
Issue: No. 2 1981
Date: 1981
Publisher: støttefond
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of Internt UFO Forum delves into various aspects of the UFO phenomenon and related scientific and philosophical questions. It features a review of a significant 1969 conference on UFOs held in Boston, Massachusetts, which brought together scientists to discuss the topic. The magazine also explores the scientific debate surrounding the existence of extraterrestrial life and the origin of life on Earth, touching upon theories like panspermia and the chemical processes that might have led to life.

Conference on UFOs in Boston (1969)

The issue highlights a conference organized by AAAS that faced attempts at cancellation. Despite opposition, the conference took place on December 26-27, 1969, in Boston. The magazine's reviewer considers it a crucial scientific evaluation of the UFO phenomenon. A book titled "UFO's: A Scientific Debate" by Carl Sagan and Thornton Page, containing contributions from the conference, is presented. The book's structure is detailed, covering background, historical perspectives, observations, social and psychological aspects, and retrospective analyses of UFOs. The reviewer notes that while some scientists found evidence of a strange phenomenon, others dismissed it. The book's value lies in presenting diverse expert opinions, making the UFO issue accessible from various scientific viewpoints.

The Nature of Life and its Origins

Another significant section explores the question of life in the universe. It begins by reflecting on humanity's space exploration achievements, such as the Apollo 11 moon landing, and the ongoing study of planets in our solar system. The fundamental question of whether life exists beyond Earth is posed. The article traces the historical contemplation of life in the universe, from ancient cultures to Greek philosophers like Anaxagoras and Metrodoros. It discusses the scientific acceptance of the idea of other inhabited worlds.

The article then delves into the definition of life itself, examining the complexities of distinguishing between living and non-living matter, using viruses as an example. The tobacco mosaic virus is discussed in detail, explaining its mechanism of infection and its role in cell growth, potentially leading to cancer. The work of biochemists H.F. Conrat and R. Williams in synthesizing virus components is mentioned, highlighting the potential for creating life-like structures.

Further theories on the origin of life are presented, including the panspermia theory, which suggests that life originated elsewhere and was transported to Earth. This theory, championed by figures like Svante Arrhenius and Fred Hoyle, posits that life's building blocks might have formed in interstellar clouds and been carried by light pressure or comets.

Astronomical Perspectives on Extraterrestrial Life

The magazine also examines the astronomical evidence for other planetary systems. It explains that planets themselves are difficult to observe directly due to their faintness compared to stars. However, indirect methods, such as observing the gravitational influence of unseen bodies on stars (e.g., Barnard's Star), suggest the presence of exoplanets. The article touches upon stellar rotation and the transfer of angular momentum to orbiting bodies, further supporting the idea of planetary systems.

A Historical Flying Saucer Article (1958)

A curious inclusion is a reprinted article from 1958 titled "World's First Flying Saucer." This article describes a project by the US Air Force to build a flying saucer in Canada, capable of high speeds and advanced maneuverability. The craft is described as 20 meters in diameter, made of titanium, and powered by an internal fuel tank and eight explosion chambers. The article recounts a test flight where the craft reached 16,000 meters and achieved speeds of 2600 km/h. The sender of this article questions whether it was a genuine technological advancement or a deliberate tactic by the US military to confuse the public about UFOs.

Organizations and Sections

The issue also announces the establishment of a photo section within the organization, led by Kjell Risholm, which will offer advice on photography and undertake photographic tasks. It also notes the relocation of Erling P. P. Strand, the former head of the research section in Trondheim, and introduces Johan Hjelvik as the new head.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the UFO phenomenon from both scientific and speculative angles. It encourages critical thinking and presents diverse viewpoints, from established scientific theories about life's origins to historical accounts of alleged UFO sightings and technological developments. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting information and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also acknowledging the complexities and ongoing debates within the field of ufology.