Klipprunden - 1984 02 22

Magazine Overview

Title: Arbeidets Rett
Issue Date: February 10, 1984
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Main Cover Story: Unexplainable UFOs on Radar Screens

The cover of this issue of Arbeidets Rett prominently features the headline "UFOrklarlige UFO'er på radarskjermene" (Unexplainable UFOs on Radar Screens). The lead article details the experiences of Leif Havik from UFO-Norge, who spent the first week observing radar screens at Aspåskjølen in Hessdalen with no activity. However, in the subsequent week, significant radar echoes began appearing, sometimes coinciding with visual sightings. Havik reports that the most recent week saw increased activity, with multiple daily radar echoes, often moving in circles around the observation post, yet remaining invisible to the naked eye. One particular radar echo registered an astonishing speed of 1620 kilometers per hour (approximately 450 meters per second).

Hessdalen: A Hotspot for UFO Activity

The articles delve into the ongoing UFO phenomena in Hessdalen, a remote mountain village in Norway. Leif Havik, chairman of UFO-Norge, states that hundreds, possibly thousands, of observations have been reported in the area. While two to fifteen daylight observations have been logged, the majority occur in darkness. During daylight, observers have reported seeing craft described as 25-30 meters long and cigar-shaped without wings, and smaller 5-6 meter long oval objects with flat bottoms. In darkness, the phenomena appear in various forms, most commonly as large, elongated objects or smaller, spherical ones. A common characteristic across all observations is that these objects move without making any sound.

Personal Accounts and Investigations

Several individuals share their experiences and perspectives on the Hessdalen UFOs. Leif Havik recounts a challenging week of observation in -28 degree Celsius temperatures, but notes that conditions have improved. He expresses satisfaction with the Hessdalen Project, which has garnered attention from across Norway. Despite the efforts, significant financial support from private or public sectors has been lacking. Havik spends up to eight hours daily monitoring the radar, a task he finds taxing but is committed to. He mentions that reinforcements from Norwegian and Swedish UFO organizations have arrived to provide relief.

Havik notes that while there was much ignorance about the phenomena initially, the radar detections have only increased the mystery. He believes that the lack of direct evidence has not diminished his suspicion of intelligent control.

Local Perspectives and Skepticism

The issue includes a section titled "Dagens Tema" (Today's Topic) featuring brief interviews with local residents of Hessdalen regarding their beliefs in the Hessdalen Project.

• Eivind Lillevold finds it difficult to say whether the phenomena can be explained, but has witnessed unusual things himself.
• Idar Folde expresses neither belief nor disbelief, hoping for an explanation for the sake of the community and those involved.
• Kjell Granlund is skeptical, believing that any lights seen in the sky are unlikely to be UFOs.
• Eivind Brattås believes there is something extraordinary at play, ruling out conventional explanations like trains or planes, and hopes for an explanation.

NIVFO's Response and Analysis

An article from "Adresseavisen" features a response from the Norsk Institutt for Vitenskapelig Forskning og Opplysning (NIVFO), addressing points raised in a previous letter to the editor. NIVFO clarifies that they have not claimed the sightings are Northern Lights. They propose a specific plasma theory but do not rule out other explanations. NIVFO emphasizes that systematically investigated cases often have natural explanations, while others remain unexplained. They acknowledge that reports can become distorted through multiple channels, citing the Hessdalen UFO book as an example.

NIVFO also addresses a case from England, explaining that an Ipswich incident involving a meteor observed on December 26, 1980, was initially thought to be related to a crop circle case but was later identified as a separate event. They note similarities between the two cases, including difficulties in identifying individuals and the presence of ground marks. NIVFO states that the full report will be published in their next bulletin.

Regarding rumors about British military involvement with school children, NIVFO denies this, but points to sensationalist press in Britain paying for stories. They suggest that social hardship in Britain might lead people to seek financial gain through fabricated stories.

NIVFO concludes by noting that Hessdalen was not mentioned in a specific newspaper article, implying that some parties may not desire an explanation for the phenomena.

"Over Kaffekoppen" Interview: Ole Lillevold

In a feature titled "Over Kaffekoppen" (Over Coffee Cups), Ole Lillevold, a 65-year-old bachelor with extensive experience in construction work across Norway and Australia, is interviewed. He is known as one of the most prolific UFO observers in the district, having registered 16 UFO sightings himself. He recounts his first and most remarkable sighting in mid-December 1981: an illuminated, helicopter-shaped object that appeared to hover, change direction, and then move away at incredible speed.

Lillevold notes that while UFO observations were initially met with much jest and skepticism, there is now more belief as serious individuals, both local and from elsewhere, have witnessed the phenomena. He expresses hope that the Hessdalen Project will yield answers but believes that significant public resources are needed for a resolution.

He also discusses his interest in cultural matters, collecting clippings, and maintaining contact with author Arnljot Eggen. Regarding the Gaula river development, he believes it's possible to build without causing significant environmental damage.

When asked about why some people see UFOs consistently while others never do, Lillevold suggests that it requires a certain mindset – looking beyond the immediate surroundings and observing the horizon. Once someone has seen a UFO, they become "UFO-frelst" (UFO-saved) and are driven to understand it.

The Lillevold Family's UFO Experiences

The article highlights the Lillevold family's extensive involvement with UFO observations in Hessdalen. Lars Lillevold recounts a particularly vivid experience on January 18, 1982, when he witnessed a 30-40 meter long, metallic, red, silent object hovering over his barn. The object emitted a blinding light and moved away at high speed. He describes the event as profoundly impactful, leading him to believe it was not a terrestrial phenomenon.

Lars and his wife Liv have hosted numerous visitors interested in the Hessdalen phenomena. Their son, Eivin, works as a guide, transporting visitors via scooter to observation points. The family also rents out a mountain seter (shepherd's hut) to UFO enthusiasts.

UFO Enthusiasts and International Interest

Arne and Tone Thomassen, described as "bitten by the UFO bug," are featured as avid UFO enthusiasts who have traveled to Hessdalen with photographic equipment. Tone recounts a frightening experience in September 1982 when a UFO approached rapidly, emitting powerful beams of light, but this fear was replaced by a strong desire to see more. They have since taken numerous photos, hoping to capture evidence of a solid object rather than just light phenomena. The Lillevolds report that the Thomassens' photos of the Hessdalen UFOs are being analyzed by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt) at Kjeller.

An international journalist from Swedish Radio is staying with the Lillevolds to produce a report on the Norwegian UFO phenomenon, indicating the growing global interest in the Hessdalen events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently highlights the Hessdalen phenomenon as a subject of significant local and growing international interest. There is a clear emphasis on radar detection as a key tool in investigating these events, alongside visual observations. The articles convey a sense of ongoing mystery and the challenges faced by researchers and witnesses, including skepticism and a lack of substantial funding. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on the phenomena and the investigations, while acknowledging the unexplained nature of many sightings and the need for further scientific inquiry. The inclusion of local perspectives and the detailed accounts from UFO-Norge and NIVFO suggest a balanced approach to covering the complex and often controversial subject matter.