Klipprunden - 1983 12 28

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO-magasinet, published by EB/UB on Saturday, November 26, 1983, focuses heavily on the mysterious "Feiring stone" and the ongoing investigations into its origin. It also provides updates on Project Hessdalen and discusses recent UFO sightings.

Project Hessdalen

The magazine announces a test weekend for Project Hessdalen scheduled for January 21-23, 1984. The event will include equipment checks, station manning, and information sessions. Jon A. Aspaas is the contact for the test weekend, and Leif Havik is the contact for accommodation. Roar Wister is also mentioned as looking to rent a house in the area for six months and is seeking others to share costs and living space.

The Feiring Stone Mystery

The central theme of this issue is the mysterious object found in Feiring, Norway, on June 4, 1981. The article "Den mystiske steinen i Feiring – Hvor kom den fra?" (The mysterious stone in Feiring – Where did it come from?) details the discovery and the subsequent conflicting analyses.

Discovery and Initial Observations:

The object fell into a garden near a house in Sør-Feiring. Children playing nearby reported smoke coming from a hole in the ground. Torunn Setaas discovered the object, which was hot to the touch and emitted steam when picked up with a wet cloth. The object was described as having a circumference of a 5-krone coin, weighing 40 grams, being magnetic, but not radioactive. It had an irregular, somewhat burnt surface.

Conflicting Scientific Conclusions:

Various institutions examined the stone, leading to contradictory findings:

• Mineral-geologisk museum (Tøyen): Ruled out a meteorite due to the presence of lead, and noted that its appearance was not typical of a meteorite.
• Norges Tekniske Høgskole (Trondheim): An initial metallurgical expert called it a "pure mystery." Later, civil engineer Erling P. Strand concluded it was most likely an iron meteorite, stating it contained 96.4% iron, with traces of silicon, manganese, titanium, sulfur, and chromium. Notably, this analysis did not find lead.
• Erik Tandberg (Space Expert): Doubted the object came from a spacecraft, questioning how lead content could survive atmospheric entry without melting.
• Astrofysisk institutt (Blindern): Observer Rolf Brade could not provide a definitive explanation but suggested that lead might not vaporize depending on its placement within the object.
• Geolog Michael Heim: Analyzed the Trondheim results and concluded it was not a meteorite but a steel fragment, likely from a rocket or satellite, due to its low nickel and high manganese content.

Psychic Interpretation:

Anna Elisabeth Westerlund, known for her psychic abilities, was consulted. Without prior information, she accurately described the location where the stone was found, including details about the house, a nearby stream, and the landscape. She also sensed the time of discovery and predicted future increased activity related to mining for ore and precious metals in the area. Crucially, she stated that the stone was not of earthly origin but came from the "tail end of a comet" that had passed Earth. She suggested it was a remnant of a large comet that entered Earth's atmosphere on a trajectory from east to west, passing over Russia and Norway, before continuing into another solar system.

Summary of Conclusions:

The issue presents a spectrum of possibilities: meteorite, spacecraft debris, rocket/satellite fragment, or a piece of a comet, with the psychic's interpretation offering a unique extraterrestrial explanation.

UFO Sightings in Polar Regions

The magazine also reports on a "wave of UFOs" observed in the polar regions of Svalbard and Greenland in the preceding months. Svalbardposten published a photo of a strange light over Longyearbyen, sparking interest in Greenlandic newspapers. Reports came from both larger towns and smaller villages, with one instance of an unexplained light being observed over Julianehåp for several hours. However, experts remained cautious, noting that initial reports can sometimes lead to a cascade of similar sightings.

Commentary on UFO Documentaries

An article by Tom Egeland critiques a recent hour-long BBC report on UFOs. While acknowledging the existence of intelligent life in space, the report suggested that UFOs were unlikely to be visitors from distant planets. Egeland found the program focused too much on individual, often sensationalized, UFO accounts (like those from the "National Enquirer") rather than addressing the broader issues. He questioned the feasibility of interstellar travel, the reasons for non-contact, and the lack of concrete evidence for extraterrestrial visitation. He noted that while astronomers like Carl Sagan believe in extraterrestrial life, they consider interstellar travel to be too difficult. J. Allen Hynek, however, found the idea of extraterrestrial visits not entirely improbable. Egeland concludes that skeptics, while open-minded, are still seeking answers.

Another piece includes a commentary by Thor C. Conradi, who, regarding a UFO program, suggests that anyone still believing UFOs come from distant planets must possess a faith that can move mountains without dynamite.

Other Mentions

Arne W. Wisth's book "UFO-mysteriet i Hessdalen" was featured on Swedish television. He received a grant to take young members of his club on a bus trip to Hessdalen.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue reflects a strong interest in unexplained aerial phenomena, particularly the Hessdalen events and the Feiring stone incident. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting various theories and expert opinions while acknowledging the public's fascination with the unknown. There is a clear effort to investigate and report on these phenomena, even when conclusions are conflicting or speculative. The inclusion of a psychic's interpretation alongside scientific analysis highlights a willingness to explore unconventional explanations. The magazine also seems to serve as a hub for UFO enthusiasts, as evidenced by the call for participation in Project Hessdalen and the mention of UFO-Norge.