Klipprunden - 1983 04 08

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO-NORGE, dated April 1983, is a compilation of articles and letters related to UFO phenomena, primarily focusing on Norwegian UFO organizations and sightings. The magazine presents a mix of news, personal accounts, and discussions within the UFO community.

Key Articles and Content

Letter from the Editor (Page 1)

The issue begins with a letter dated 8/4-83, noting a lull in 'Argus clippings' but anticipating more information for the next committee meeting in Moelv. Hauskristinn is mentioned as providing information to local newspapers. The letter also touches upon financial matters ('innbetalinger') and thanks contributors. It mentions the passing of Xavier Paul Madsen, a Danish 'brainstone' in SUFOI, on March 30th. A deadline of April 30th is set for submissions, and an upcoming UFO Congress in England is scheduled for August 27-28, with the location to be determined (between London and Oxford).

Personal Reflections (Page 2)

A section titled "Ja, hei igjen" reflects on the transition to spring and summer, noting a decrease in UFO sightings, possibly due to other interests. It laments the decline in 'Argus clippings' and expresses a desire for unity within the UFO community, criticizing a person from Trondheim for creating 'malicious and useless debate'. The writer emphasizes that such arguments harm the UFO cause and the individual. A correction is made regarding the subscriber count, which should be 1477, not as previously stated. There's a mention of an upcoming committee meeting in Tønsberg on May 22nd, featuring English author Hilary Evans. The section ends with a humorous cartoon and a note about a PS regarding membership numbers.

Newspaper Clipping: Adresseavisen (Page 3)

This clipping from January 25, 1983, titled "Ikke enig i UFO-avsløringer" (Not agreeing with UFO revelations), reports on a disagreement between Kolbjørn Stenødegaard from NIVFO Norge and astrophysicist Rolf Brahde. While Stenødegaard agrees that Brahde's explanations fit many UFO sightings, especially older and foreign ones, he disputes Brahde's theory that Hessdalen phenomena are caused by Rørosbanen trains. NIVFO has been observing Hessdalen for a year and dismisses this explanation. The clipping includes a cartoon with the caption "Hei, Ta i mot KOLBJØRN." and another with a bird saying "KVÆK!".

Newspaper Clipping: Hamar Dagblad (Pages 6, 7, 8)

This extensive clipping from April 23, 1983, titled "Ringsaker UFO-forening er overbevist: Naivt å tro vi er alene i universet" (Ringsaker UFO Association is convinced: Naive to believe we are alone in the universe), introduces the four founders of the Ringsaker UFO-forening: Hans Petter Halvorsen, Eddy Elstrøm, Roger Olsen, and Wolfgang Michelson, all from Moelv. They are members of the national organization UFO-Norge. The article discusses reports of strange phenomena, physical marks on the ground, and unexplained disappearances. The group believes it's naive to assume humans are alone in the universe, citing the vastness of the cosmos. They are committed to a scientific approach, focusing on verifiable evidence and technical measurements, and are not interested in the occult. The article details their efforts to gather information, their use of advanced equipment like telephoto lenses, video cameras, and Geiger counters, and their goal to make people aware of where to report unexplained sightings. It also mentions a seminar held in Moelv, which attracted participants from around the country and included presentations and films.

Another article from the same newspaper (April 26, 1983), titled "UFO-jakt i Moelv" (UFO hunt in Moelv), features an interview with Eivind Grønstad. It highlights the Ringsaker UFO-forening's two-year existence and their focus on tangible evidence and technical measurements. The seminar in Moelv is described as an effort to increase public awareness and introduce the organization. The article mentions the use of advanced equipment for investigation and the importance of collecting witness accounts. It notes that while most sightings can be explained, the group takes all reports seriously. The article also includes a photo of Wolfgang Michelson, Roger Olsen, and Hans Petter Halvorsen with their equipment.

A third clipping from Hamar Dagblad (April 27, 1983), titled "UFO-forening: Vi er seriøse" (UFO Association: We are serious), addresses a previous article's headline and montage, which the members felt was sensationalist and made them appear foolish. They clarify that they do not 'hunt' UFOs but hold seminars on unidentified flying objects. They also correct a detail about their equipment, stating they use photographic equipment with telephoto lenses, not a telephoto transmitter. The article reiterates their belief in extraterrestrial life and the vastness of the universe, citing billions of stars and galaxies. They discuss the possibility of more advanced civilizations and the ongoing research in fields like gravity manipulation. The organization collects interesting reports and sends them to a central body in Denmark for further analysis.

Newspaper Clipping: Sandefjords Blad (Page 9)

This clipping from April 20, 1983, titled "Innslag om UFO på Barnas Radiodag" (Feature on UFOs at Children's Radio Day), reports on Nils Chr. Eckhoff from Sandefjord participating in NRK's 50th-anniversary children's radio day. Eckhoff, a member of FI (Fremmedvidenskapelig Informasjon), will present a segment on ufology. He believes it's important to spread information about UFOs and that many people have seen things they cannot explain. He and his friends in the FI club are convinced of extraterrestrial life and recall an experience of seeing a bright green light, which they believe was a UFO. The FI club publishes a magazine called "Tid og Rom" (Time and Space).

Letter to the Committee (Page 10)

A letter from UFO-NORGE, dated April 22, 1983, addressed to the committee, mentions receiving an excerpt from Agderposten regarding W. Jognsen (Region Sør of NIVFO). The writer expresses suspicion that Jognsen and another individual may be the same person due to their similar writing styles. The letter questions why an article intended for Agderposten was returned without explanation, suggesting it might be part of an anti-UFO-NORGE campaign. It also references a book by Arne Wisth, "UFO-fenomenene i Hessdalen."

Article: UFO-forskning (Page 10)

This article discusses UFO research, criticizing some articles in Agderposten for being inaccurate and personal attacks rather than focusing on the subject. It states that NIVFO has been studying UFOs since the early 1960s and possesses extensive material. They aim to understand what UFOs are, not to satisfy hypotheses. The article acknowledges that a small percentage of phenomena remain unexplained. It mentions that some experienced UFO investigators have become more skeptical over time. It references Willy Wegner in Denmark, a prominent expert who publishes the magazine SKEPTIKA, which exposes 'humbug and UFO-naivisme'. The article concludes by stating that the Norwegian Institute for Scientific Research and Information, Region Sør, is involved in this field.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the activities of Norwegian UFO organizations, particularly the Ringsaker UFO-forening and UFO-Norge, their methods of investigation, and their beliefs about extraterrestrial life. There is a strong emphasis on a scientific and evidence-based approach to UFO research, with a clear rejection of sensationalism and hoaxes. The magazine also highlights the challenges faced by UFO enthusiasts, including skepticism from the public and media, and the importance of unity within the community. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, advocating for a rational and well-documented approach, while firmly believing in the possibility of life beyond Earth.

This collection of newspaper clippings from April 1983 focuses heavily on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and related discussions across Norway and Sweden. The articles showcase a range of perspectives, from eyewitness accounts and active research groups to skepticism and attempts at natural explanations.

UFO Sightings and Eyewitness Accounts

Ringsaker, Norway: A prominent article from *Hamar Arbeiderblad* highlights reliable individuals in Ringsaker who have witnessed UFOs. The Ringsaker UFO Association, formed by Hans Petter Halvorsen, Eddy Elstrøm, Roger Olsen, and Wolfgang Michelson, is organizing a seminar to share these experiences. They emphasize the importance of credible, non-fabricated accounts of strange phenomena.

Holum, Norway: *Lindesnes* reports on farmer Olav Flystveit and his neighbors observing a peculiar luminous object in the sky over Holum for several consecutive evenings. The object appeared to ascend, descend in an arc, and then reappear, moving in a straight line. The witnesses describe it as a bright, star-like object that moves in a manner inconsistent with a natural celestial body.

Spiraltoppen, Norway: Several articles from *Drammens Tidende Buskeruds Blad* detail an incident at Spiraltoppen where a family reported seeing a UFO. They discovered a circular depression in the snow, about half a meter deep, with marks and a lingering smell of sulfur. Later, Willy Pettersen, a field researcher for NIVFO, investigated and found 18 holes of varying sizes, some with a diameter of up to two meters and a depth of one meter, all containing a soot-like residue. The phenomenon remains unexplained, with speculation ranging from UFOs to natural causes.

Hessdalen, Norway: The phenomenon in Hessdalen is frequently mentioned. Arne W. Wisth, a journalist and photographer, has written a book titled "UFOmysteriet i Hessdalen" and shared his experiences and photographs. He describes being 'attacked' by a UFO and notes that the military has admitted to detecting unexplained objects on radar, some traveling at extremely high speeds.

Vetlanda, Sweden: *Vetlanda-Posten* covers a national UFO conference (riksstämma) held in Vetlanda. The event, organized by UFO-Sverige, attracted about a hundred participants from Sweden and other Nordic countries. Leif Havik, chairman of UFO-Norge, gave a presentation on the Hessdalen phenomena, suggesting that quartz and energy released from geological faults might play a role. The conference also touched upon parapsychology and the psychological impact of UFO experiences.

Organizations and Research

Several organizations are actively involved in UFO research:

• Ringsaker UFO-forening: A local group focused on collecting eyewitness accounts.
• UFO-Norge: An organization that Leif Havik is associated with, though some, like Krogh from NIVFO, view their approach as less scientific.
• NIVFO (Norsk Institutt for Vitenskapelig Forskning og Opplysning): This institute, represented by Wenche Hochak and Willy Pettersen, emphasizes a scientific approach to UFO research. They are conducting a survey of relevant organizations and have investigated the Spiraltoppen incident.
• UFO-Sverige: A larger organization with over 3,000 members, which held its national conference in Vetlanda. They are adopting computer technology for their data registry to improve the acceptance of UFO research.

Skepticism and Alternative Explanations

Not all articles present a pro-UFO stance. Several individuals express skepticism:

• Jan Skeie, a student, finds it difficult to confirm UFO existence without personal experience, though he acknowledges the possibility due to numerous eyewitness accounts.
• Øivind Halvorsen, a section manager, believes most phenomena have natural explanations.
• Osvald Lyngstad, an operations manager, is not convinced but doesn't rule out the possibility, suggesting people need something to believe in.
• Hilde Bjørnes, a bank employee, and Arvid Jellum, a daily manager, both believe in natural explanations for UFO phenomena.
• Bente Svarstad, a student, dismisses UFOs as nonsense, questioning the feasibility of extraterrestrial travel.

Notable Figures and Perspectives

• Arne W. Wisth: A journalist and photographer who claims to have had a UFO encounter. He advocates for seeking the 'extremes' in life and has documented his experiences and the Hessdalen phenomena. He distances himself from UFO organizations he deems too religious.
• Wolfgang Michelson: A member of the Ringsaker UFO Association, who emphasizes the need for credible reports and defines UFOs as "unidentified flying objects."
• Krogh: A member of NIVFO, who defends his cautious approach to UFO explanations and criticizes what he perceives as pseudo-science in some UFO circles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout these articles include the prevalence of UFO sightings across Scandinavia, the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics, the efforts of various organizations to research and document these events, and the search for scientific explanations. The editorial stance varies by publication, with some presenting UFO reports straightforwardly, others including skeptical viewpoints, and some focusing on the investigative efforts of research groups. There is a clear interest in the topic, evidenced by the multiple clippings from different newspapers and the active participation of individuals and organizations.

This issue of Nordlandsposten, dated March 17, 1983, features a prominent article titled "UFO-Flap over Nord-Norge," which serves as a commentary on a previous piece by Jan Krogh. The publication's political tendency is noted as 'Høyre.'

UFO-Flap over Nord-Norge: A Commentary

The article addresses Jan Krogh's commentary on UFO sightings in Northern Norway. The author, Leif Normann Solhaug from UFO-NORGE, clarifies the organization's investigation process, refuting Krogh's suggestion that they only rely on phone calls. Solhaug details a rigorous procedure involving contacting media, obtaining witness details, conducting interviews, sending out detailed report forms, and submitting the data for analysis in Denmark. He highlights several well-known UFO cases (Trent, Socorro, New Zealand, Hopkinsville, Trinidad) and invites anyone with observations to contact UFO-NORGE.

American Journalist Reports on UFO Fear in Norway

A report by American journalist Len Stone, published in the magazine 'Globe,' suggests that Norwegians are "paralyzed by fear" of a massive UFO blitz, potentially signaling an extraterrestrial invasion. Stone's report focuses on sightings near Røros, 200 miles north of Oslo, and includes interviews with residents. The article notes that the Norwegian UFO-Watch force commander, Leif Havik, has reported seeing at least 30 flying saucers since the previous spring.

Hessdalen Phenomenon and Official Reactions

The reports connect the UFO activity to the Hessdalen valley, a known UFO hotspot. While Stone does not mention the commercialization of Hessdalen due to UFO tourism, he notes that residents have appealed to the military for help. The Norwegian Ministry of Defense has assured the public that they are investigating and working to resolve the situation. The Norwegian Air Force has reportedly failed to track the objects on radar, though the Ministry of Defense has photographed "intense light points" over the valley. There is speculation that the UFO activity might be linked to a top-secret NATO maneuver, possibly the 'Viking-83' exercise.

UFO-Bildene er ikke juks! (UFO Pictures are not fake!)

This section features a strong statement from photographer Rolf Tønset, who refutes claims that his UFO photographs are fake. He asserts that he has been observing UFOs since 1965 and has taken around 25 usable pictures, with witnesses to attest to their authenticity. He challenges Arne Wisth and others to prove their claims of fakery and notes that many others have also taken UFO pictures, making them less of a sensation.

Correction Regarding Arne Wisth Criticism

An article from 'Arbeider-Avisa' includes a correction from Kolbjørn Stenødegård of NIVFO, clarifying that he did not intend to criticize Arne Wisth's book "UFO-mysteriet i Hessdalen." Stenødegård acknowledges Wisth's significant journalistic work and states he has no concrete criticism of the book.

UFO Activity in Eidsvoll and Porsgrunn

Reports from 'Eidsvold Blad' and 'Porsgrunns Dagblad' detail UFO sightings in Eidsvoll and Porsgrunn. In Eidsvoll, a 10-year-old boy reported seeing a UFO, and the local UFO-Norge representative is seeking more witnesses. In Porsgrunn, UFO-Norge suggests that observations on February 16th and 17th were likely due to the planet Venus, which is very bright in the sky during that period. They encourage continued observation.

Military Radar Incident Near Bodø

A report from 'Nordlandsposten' details an incident on March 15, 1983, where military radar near Bodø detected an unidentified "object" operating at an altitude of 6000-7000 feet with a slow speed of 100 knots. Two pilots from SAS and Widerøe were directed to investigate but did not visually confirm the object. The object disappeared from radar as it moved west of Fleinvær. The report questions why the Air Force did not react more swiftly to intercept the object, given its proximity to the flight path and Norwegian territory.

Commentary on Humanity's Place in the Galaxy

An article titled "Vår plass i galaksen" (Our place in the galaxy) by Knut Rønning discusses the implications of UFO existence and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. Rønning argues that the evidence for UFOs is overwhelming and that advanced civilizations likely know of humanity's existence. He speculates on why these civilizations remain hidden, drawing parallels to historical colonization and the impact of advanced cultures on less developed ones. Rønning suggests that humanity's own technological advancement and internal conflicts (war, pollution) might be reasons for this distance. He concludes that humanity must achieve global peace and unity, becoming a "gudebarn" (child of God) traveling through space, before it can be accepted into an interstellar coalition.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently highlights UFO sightings and investigations across Norway, with a particular focus on the Hessdalen phenomenon. There's a clear effort to present UFOs as a serious subject worthy of investigation, countering skepticism and promoting information dissemination through organizations like UFO-Norge. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards the UFO phenomenon, encouraging public participation in reporting and investigating sightings, while also acknowledging the need for scientific rigor and the potential for misidentification (e.g., Venus). The articles collectively suggest a growing public interest and concern regarding UFO activity in Norway during this period.