Klipprunden - 1984 05 10

Magazine Overview

This issue of Arbeider-Avisa, dated April 27, 1984, is primarily focused on the ongoing investigation and debate surrounding the UFO phenomena in Hessdalen, Norway. It features a prominent cover story titled "Er UFO'n plasma?" (Is the UFO plasma?). The magazine also includes reports on a national meeting of UFO organizations, a peculiar case of a giant bird attacking children in Texas, and a UFO sighting in Svanøy, Norway.

Hessdalen UFO Phenomenon: Plasma vs. Scientific Rigor

The central theme revolves around the conflicting perspectives of two organizations: the Norwegian Institute for Scientific Research and Information (NIVFO) and UFO-Norge. NIVFO, represented by meteorological observer Jan S. Krogh and physicist Arve E. Fredriksen, conducted a month-long study in Hessdalen. They propose that the observed phenomena are primarily atmospheric, likely plasma phenomena or fata morgana mirages, and not extraterrestrial in origin. Krogh dismisses the idea of alien visitors as utopian and emphasizes the need for scientific investigation, stating that while they have found unusual atmospheric conditions like strong air currents, they have not encountered any unidentified flying objects that lack a natural explanation.

NIVFO's findings suggest that the lights could be reflections from car lights, the moon, or snow, possibly enhanced by atmospheric conditions. They also mention collecting fiber particles for analysis, potentially related to air pollution or unusual light phenomena. Krogh notes that lights have been reported in Hessdalen since the 1870s, with descriptions evolving over time.

In contrast, UFO-Norge, led by Leif Havik, strongly criticizes NIVFO's approach. In a letter to the editor, Havik accuses NIVFO of being a self-proclaimed institute with a history of contradictory statements and a lack of published scientific reports. He questions their brief seismic analysis and their dismissal of other potential explanations, such as seismic activity. UFO-Norge argues that NIVFO's conclusions are premature and that the Hessdalen mystery remains unsolved. They also highlight that the local population finds it difficult to accept explanations from a radio amateur with weather balloons.

The "Godbiten" Case: A Mysterious Giant Bird

Another significant article, titled "GODBITEN," details the alleged attacks of a mysterious, large, black bird on children in Texas. The case of nine-year-old Robert Armando, who was reportedly attacked and injured by such a creature in September 1981, is highlighted. Sheriff George Bywaters confirms hearing similar stories for years. Ornithologist Curt Sutherly, along with researchers Jerome Clark and Loren Coleman, are investigating the possibility that these sightings could be related to a prehistoric giant bird known as "Teratornis," believed to have gone extinct 10,000 years ago. Reports of similar large birds have also come from other parts of the USA and historically, with accounts dating back to the 1800s.

Landsstyremøte (National Board Meeting) Report

The magazine provides a detailed account of the UFO-Norge Landsstyremøte, which was delayed due to check-in and other logistical issues. Despite a smaller turnout than expected, attributed to confirmation Sunday and the Eurovision festival, the meeting proceeded with approximately 30 attendees. The agenda included the annual report, financial statements, and guidelines. Knut Aasheim presented the financial report, which was described as not very positive but expected to improve. Leif Havik discussed his department's challenges with workload and the need for more volunteers. The meeting also featured a screening of the film "Collision in Space" and discussions among the board members to refine the organization's guidelines. The report notes that this was the first Landsstyremøte, and future meetings would be more structured.

Other Sightings and Reports

• Svanøy UFO Sighting: Kari Svanøy from Svanøy reported seeing a bright, rotating object on the night of Maundy Thursday. The object, described as round with a diameter of about two meters, hovered near her house before disappearing. She also observed a similar green light near Stavanger.

• NIVFO's Work: The article mentions that NIVFO has been conducting meteorological observations in Hessdalen for about a month. They have used various instruments, including a Geiger counter, radar, magnetometer, and spectro-analyzer.

• UFO-SVERIGE Collaboration: Leif Havik and Leif Normann Solhaug from UFO-Norge were joined by "Irre" Lindström from UFO-SVERIGE, highlighting cooperation between the organizations.

• Financial Support: A collection was organized at the Landsmøte, raising nearly 1100 kroner for Leif Havik, who is associated with the "PH" phenomenon (likely referring to Hessdalen).

• Departmental Reports: Reports from various departments within UFO-Norge were presented, including avd. Vest (represented by Mentz Kaarbø), avd. Sør (currently lacking active leadership due to Hans Aass's illness), avd. Øst (Elbjørg Fjeldberg), and avd. Nord (Leif Normann Solhaug), which was noted for its high report submission rate.

• Media Coverage: The issue notes that UFO-related stories are being prepared for publication in Norsk Ukeblad and Allers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing mystery of the Hessdalen phenomena, the scientific vs. skeptical approaches to UFO investigation, and the organizational dynamics within the Norwegian UFO community. The editorial stance appears to favor a critical examination of claims, emphasizing the need for verifiable evidence and scientific methodology, as seen in the critical portrayal of NIVFO's methods by UFO-Norge, and the cautious approach to the 'giant bird' case. The magazine also highlights the importance of public reporting and the challenges faced by researchers and organizations in this field.

This issue of Norske Argus, dated April 17, 1984, features a cover story titled "UFO-gåten blir oppklart" (The UFO Riddle is Solved), suggesting a scientific explanation for the mysterious lights observed in Hessdalen, Norway. The magazine also delves into historical accounts of giant birds and other alleged UFO sightings.

Hessdalen UFO Mystery Solved

The main article, by Arne R. Dahl, reports on the investigation conducted by Jan S. Krogh and Arve E. Fredriksen from the Norwegian Institute for Scientific Research and Information (NIVFO) in Trondheim. They spent time in Hessdalen, a remote area known for UFO sightings, collecting meteorological data. Their findings indicate that the strange lights are likely a result of atmospheric conditions, specifically plasma phenomena created by temperature differences and the valley's unique shape. NIVFO's goal is to study pseudoscience and act as a bridge between science and the general public. The researchers emphasize the importance of local cooperation and have collected data on precipitation, temperature, wind, and light types. They also discovered unusual black particles in precipitation samples, which were sent for laboratory analysis. The article concludes that theories involving extraterrestrial beings are unlikely, and the phenomena can be explained by natural atmospheric processes.

Historical Accounts of Giant Birds

The magazine also includes several articles detailing historical sightings of large, bird-like creatures and other unexplained aerial phenomena. One article discusses the Teratornis, an extinct giant bird from South America, with a wingspan of up to 3.3 meters, and its fossil record dating back millions of years. It also mentions the Pterodactylus, a flying reptile with an 8-meter wingspan that existed 140 million years ago.

Another section recounts alleged encounters with giant birds in North America. One incident from April 25, 1890, describes Marlon Lowe (10 years old) being attacked by a bird with a 3.3-meter wingspan. Reports from the 1940s to the 1970s mention mysterious black birds terrorizing areas in Canada and the USA, with specific accounts from Ramore, Ontario, and Glendale, Illinois. A sighting in Illinois in 1949 described a bird as large as a Piper Cub airplane flying at a high altitude.

Further reports include a sighting in Pennsylvania in 1959 of a creature with a 9-meter wingspan, and an incident in Texas in 1973 where a large bird attempted to steal a pig. The article by Curt Sutherly highlights the vast, uninhabited wilderness in the USA where such creatures might exist.

Sighting on Svanøy

A separate report details an encounter by Kari Svanøy on Svanøy, Norway, on the night of March 29, 1984. She observed a bright, round object, about two meters in diameter, with a rotating light system emitting yellow, white, and green lights. The object hovered about 150 meters from her house before disappearing. Svanøy initially feared it was an alien craft but later joked about being nicknamed "Kafo" and dismissed the idea of green men. She also noted that military sources denied any activity in the area.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance appears to be one of rational explanation for unexplained phenomena. While acknowledging the existence of sightings and mysterious lights, the primary focus is on scientific investigation and debunking sensationalist theories, particularly concerning UFOs. The articles emphasize natural explanations, such as atmospheric conditions and misidentification of known phenomena, over extraterrestrial or supernatural causes. The Hessdalen case is presented as a prime example of how scientific inquiry can demystify what was once considered a major UFO mystery.