INTERNATIONAL UFO REPORTER

Magazine Overview

Title: INTERNATIONAL UFO REPORTER
Issue: March/April 1984
Publisher: International UFO Reporter, Inc.
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the International UFO Reporter focuses on the ongoing mystery of the "Norway Lights" in Hessdalen and provides a comprehensive overview of various UFO types and historical sightings.

The Hessdalen Phenomenon

The magazine reports on the "Norway Lights" in Hessdalen, Norway, detailing recent observations and the scientific efforts to study them. Odd-Gunnar Roed, coordinator of Project Hessdalen, reports that during the first week of February, two radar-visual events were recorded, with the lights moving at astonishing speeds of 28,000 and 16,000 km per hour. Roed describes the sightings as frequent and localized, leading to much discussion in the press about whether they are natural phenomena. Project Hessdalen has acquired observing equipment, including cameras, a spectrograph, a magnetometer, a radio-frequency spectrum analyzer, and a seismograph. The Norwegian Defense Research Establishment and the Norwegian Air Force have shown interest, and local support, including Bingo games, is contributing to the project. The article notes that while the government's interest is logical due to the phenomenon's tangible and repeatable nature, the solution might be mundane. However, the cause, speed, and specific location of these lights remain a mystery.

Jan Krogh, regional manager of NIVFO North Norway, is quoted regarding the organization's stance and the challenges of ufology. He emphasizes that ufology should be studied because people are interested in what they see in the sky, not solely because of potential alien visitation. The article touches upon the "Persinger effect" theory, which suggests UFOs might be linked to piezo-electric fields from crustal strains, but notes that seismological data from the Hessdalen area does not strongly support this.

Historical UFO Sightings and Contactees

The issue revisits prominent figures and cases in UFO history. George Adamski is discussed, particularly his claim of meeting a Venusian on November 20, 1952. The article questions the plausibility of this encounter, given the extreme surface conditions on Venus (900°F temperature, ninety times Earth's atmospheric pressure), and suggests Adamski may have been a hoaxer, despite his financial success from his claims. The article also mentions astronomer Cedric Allingham's claim of meeting a Martian in Scotland on February 18, 1954.

UFO Types and Recognition

Two pages are dedicated to a UFO recognition chart, illustrating various shapes of UFOs observed two or more times. These include "Adamski-type" saucers, cigar-shaped objects, globe-shaped objects, cone or top-shaped objects, winged craft, rhombus-shaped objects, cylinder-shaped objects, disk-shaped objects, and "Saturn"-shaped UFOs. The chart provides dates and locations for some of these sightings, such as a "Cigar w. Jet Exhaust" in 1952 and a "Winged, Cigar Shaped Obj." in 1952.

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

Einar Larsen, editor of "Tid og Rom," is featured in an article discussing his mobile stand in front of the Storting (Parliament) in Norway, promoting his magazine and organization, "Fremmedvidenskapelig Informasjon" (Unconventional Scientific Information). His stand advertises information on space travel, UFOlogy, astronomy, parapsychology, and pyramid power. Larsen clarifies that his organization focuses on the "beyond the normal" rather than the "supernatural" and does not endorse astrology. The magazine aims to broaden people's worldview beyond their immediate experiences.

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the historical context of UFO sightings and contactee claims, and the challenges of approaching ufology with scientific rigor. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the scientific study of UFO phenomena while acknowledging the potential for misinterpretation and wishful thinking among the public. The magazine also highlights its own publication history, reprinting an article from its first issue in November 1976.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The International UFO Reporter consistently explores unexplained aerial phenomena, historical UFO cases, and the scientific investigation of these events. The magazine promotes a balanced approach, encouraging rigorous study while cautioning against excessive speculation or credulity. It emphasizes the importance of documenting and analyzing UFO reports, suggesting that such investigations can lead to a broader understanding of reality. The editorial stance is one of open-minded scientific inquiry, seeking to understand the UFO phenomenon without necessarily jumping to extraterrestrial conclusions.