UFO-ene

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO-ene" is a collection of newspaper clippings and a personal account related to UFO sightings and investigations in Norway, primarily from January 1984. The magazine features reports from various regions, including Northern Norway, Alta, and Hessdalen, and includes perspectives from both skeptical scientific institutions and dedicated UFO enthusiasts.

NIVFO's Skeptical Report

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the critical stance of NIVFO (Norsk Institutt for Vitenskapelig Forskning og Opplysning) regarding UFO phenomena. In an article from Harstad Tidende, NIVFO, through Jan S. Krogh, dismisses the idea that UFOs were prevalent in Northern Norway in 1983. NIVFO claims that all observed phenomena had natural explanations, ranging from fraud to misinterpretations of celestial bodies and rockets. They intend to continue monitoring 'unidentified atmospheric phenomena' in 1984.

Hessdalen Project and Phenomena

The issue extensively covers the "Project Hessdalen," a gathering focused on investigating UFO-related phenomena in the Hessdalen valley. A detailed account by Odd-Gunnar Røed describes the practical arrangements and observations during a test weekend from January 21-23, 1984. Participants from Sweden and Norway gathered, setting up observation posts at various locations like Litjfjellet, Finnsåhøgda, and Fjellbekkhøgda. The observations included various light phenomena, described as blinking lights, yellow and red lights, and objects moving erratically. Some of these were photographed and filmed. The report notes that while some phenomena were observed, many were not captured on film due to conditions. The project also involved contacting J.A. Hynek, who was reportedly enthusiastic.

Explanations for Hessdalen Phenomena

Within the Hessdalen coverage, there's a discussion about potential explanations. One hypothesis suggests that seismic movements in the earth's crust create electrical fields in crystalline rock, leading to phenomena like plasma or ball lightning. The article references physicist P. Kapitza's theory that plasma phenomena might be caused by strong electromagnetic fields induced by lightning. The Hessdalen phenomena are described as 'plasmoids' that can appear as metallic spheres or discs, sometimes with a glow or halo, fitting descriptions of ball lightning. The text also touches upon the 'mythology' being created around Hessdalen, fueled by organized UFO culture.

UFO Sightings and Investigations Across Norway

Alta and Evald F. Larsen

Evald F. Larsen, an UFO observer from Alta, is featured as someone who believes in extraterrestrial life and is working to establish the northernmost UFO-forening in Finnmark. He is described as a sober observer who doesn't believe in 'green men' but is convinced of life beyond Earth. Larsen collects reports systematically, cross-referencing them with information from the military, police, and weather services to find natural explanations. He has personally witnessed UFOs and even filmed a phenomenon in 1983. The article mentions that UFO-Norge has local chapters throughout Norway, with one being started in Finnmark.

Bøverbru School Sighting

Two newspaper clippings, one from Arbeiderbladet and another from Gjøvik, report on a UFO sighting by schoolchildren in Bøverbru on January 13, 1984. Lars Erik Evensen, an 11-and-a-half-year-old student, described seeing a large, strong, yellowish-white light that blinked like a plate and followed them to school. The light was described as having a smell like gasoline and diesel, accompanied by loud banging and cracking sounds, though they couldn't confirm if the sounds came from the UFO.

UFO Reports in Nord-Norge

An article from Vesteraalens Avis highlights that UFO-Norge, Nord-Norge, received 45 reports of unexplained phenomena in 1983. While many had natural explanations, a significant number remained unexplained. The reports included descriptions of objects with sausage-like shapes, windows, cigar shapes, and formations of spheres. Only one sighting was described as a classic flying saucer. A specific incident over Bodø on January 16, 1983, involved five civil servants and two air traffic controllers observing a cylindrical object 30-50 meters long with condensation trails.

Svalbard UFO Photo

Svalbardposten reports on an investigation into a "UFO-bilde" taken by Terje Nubdal. Two organizations have examined the photo, with a preliminary conclusion that it might be a reflection from a mirror-reflex camera. However, the explanation is not considered final, and NIVFO and UFO Norge, Nord-Norge, are continuing to investigate. The image shows a light phenomenon near a power station in Longyearbyen.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO phenomena in Norway, the scientific community's skepticism versus the public's interest, and the detailed documentation of specific sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, presenting both skeptical viewpoints (like NIVFO's) and the accounts of believers and observers. There's an emphasis on seeking natural explanations while acknowledging that some phenomena remain unexplained. The issue also highlights the organizational efforts within Norway to collect and analyze UFO reports.