SVALBARDPOSTEN

Magazine Overview

This issue of Svalbardposten, dated November 11, 1983, focuses heavily on reports and photographic evidence of unidentified aerial phenomena (UFOs) observed in Norway, with a particular emphasis on sightings in Svalbard. The main cover story, "Clear weather and moonlight tempted a nighttime hike," highlights a photograph taken by Terje Nubbdal in Longyearbyen.

UFO Sighting in Longyearbyen

Terje Nubbdal, an employee at Longyearbyen, captured a photograph of an unusual light phenomenon on the evening of October 20th. He was on a nighttime photography excursion with his Olympus OM camera and a 50mm normal lens when he noticed the strange light over the coal power plant. He aimed his camera at a cable reel at the end of the pier and took the picture. The resulting image shows a distinct, luminous object against the night sky. Nubbdal described the light as unusual and began to wonder about its nature. The article notes that the phenomenon was photographed for the third time in recent history on Svalbard. The image has been shown to various experts and individuals in Longyearbyen, none of whom could offer an immediate explanation. Svalbardposten also contacted experts on the mainland without success. Journalist Arne Børche, who has extensively studied UFO observations, stated that the description of the Longyearbyen phenomenon aligns with numerous reports from Norway and abroad, often described as funnel-shaped or like an old-fashioned spinning top. He also mentioned that two similar objects were photographed in Ny Ålesund in the 1970s. Dagbladet photographer Sverre Heiberg confirmed that while he has photographed UFOs from aircraft, those images typically show reflections or are cigar-shaped, unlike Nubbdal's photo.

Other UFO Sightings and Related News

Langeland School Sighting

Kristian Soltvedt, an 11-year-old from Eldøy, reported that his entire class at Langeland school witnessed a strange object in the sky for about fifteen minutes around 8:25 AM. The object was described as circular, dancing up and down and back and forth, emitting a very strong light similar to sunlight reflecting off metal. It ascended and disappeared from view. Kristian stated it was definitely not an airplane.

Porsgrunn Sighting

A man from Porsgrunn reported seeing a flat, disc-shaped object hovering about 2000-3000 meters above the city. The object was silver-colored with a luminous belt and remained stationary for about ten seconds before disappearing at high speed. It reappeared briefly before ascending rapidly and vanishing into a sort of mist.

Svea Carpenter's Experience

In the late autumn of 1978, a carpenter named Andreas Østlund in Svea was startled by a peculiar light phenomenon. While working near Svea Saloon, he saw a strange light moving silently from northeast to northwest over the mountain. The object's shape was described as flame-like, thickest in the middle and tapering at the ends, with a bright white light that shifted to other colors. Pilot Alfred Thiefentahl was also in the air at the time, flying from Svea to Longyearbyen, and confirmed seeing the phenomenon. He contacted Østlund, who had hidden under the saloon.

UFO Interest and Media Coverage

The issue also touches upon media coverage of UFOs. There's a mention of NRK's attempt to cater to UFO enthusiasts and a forthcoming program on Swedish TV.2 called "Levande Livet" on November 29th, which will feature Janne Fjellander discussing the Hessdalen project and UFO phenomena. The author expresses a willingness to record the program for those without TV.2 and seeks interest in organizing a viewing event.

Hessdalen Project Meeting

A meeting for the Hessdalen project was held in Hessdalen, attracting about 50 attendees. Participants viewed slides and heard about the project. A raffle, which included a year's subscription to UFO magazine from 1984 as a prize, raised 80 kroner after covering expenses like venue rental and advertising. The next meeting of the Hessdalen Committee is scheduled for December 16-18 in Tønsberg. The article also asks for individuals who might be in Hessdalen on January 1st to make contact.

Expert Opinions

Civil engineer Erik Tandberg, known for his commentary on space travel, expressed interest in Nubbdal's photo but declined to comment without studying it. He noted that the shape of an object in a photograph can be influenced by the object's form and light effects, and that the actual object might not perfectly match its photographic representation. Tandberg believes most unusual light phenomena have explanations, but some remain unexplained due to gaps in knowledge. He distinguishes between accepting unexplained phenomena and asserting the presence of extraterrestrial intelligence, stating he does not believe in visits from outer space.

Journalist Arne Børche emphasized the importance of taking UFO witnesses seriously. He stated that while many UFO sightings are explainable, the term UFO itself signifies unidentified phenomena. He confirmed that the description of the Longyearbyen phenomenon fits a pattern of similar observations, making the image unsurprising to him.

Technical Notes

The article includes a note about the poor quality of the clipped articles from Svalbard, attributing it to distance and the fact that the clippings were received in copied form.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and the investigation into these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena while refraining from jumping to conclusions about extraterrestrial origins. There is an emphasis on collecting witness accounts and photographic evidence, and a desire to provide a platform for discussion and further investigation through the newspaper. The publication actively encourages readers to share their own experiences and observations related to UFOs and other unusual atmospheric events.