Klipprunden - 1984 06 28

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO Norge, dated June 28, 1984, with the cover headline 'UFO over Greåker?', presents a collection of UFO sightings and related investigations primarily from Norway. The magazine details witness accounts, ongoing research efforts by UFO Norge, and broader discussions on the nature of UFO phenomena.

Editorial and Financial Situation

The editorial section, written by Odd Gunnar, addresses the magazine's current situation. He mentions a personal injury that affects his writing ability but assures readers that the issue contains interesting information. He highlights issues with the ARGUS detective agency, which failed to provide expected UFO-related clippings. Gunnar details his efforts to rectify this, including direct communication with ARGUS, and states he is forwarding copies received from Erling Strand. He also relays thoughts from Leif regarding 'Project Hessdalen', suggesting a return to the valley in autumn for photographic documentation. The magazine is facing financial difficulties, with an outstanding debt to its printer in Bergen and a need for funds to print new issues and covers due to high demand. Gunnar appeals for suggestions on fundraising and notes the growing list of contacts.

Key Sightings and Investigations

Greåker Sightings:

Several articles focus on sightings in the Greåker area. Two youths reported seeing a strange, luminous object described as cigar-shaped or saucer-shaped near Greåker Fort on the night of June 12, 1984. Despite attempts to photograph it, no image was captured. The report mentions that the object was carefully examined for landing traces, but none were found.

Another report details a sighting from October 1983, where a man and his wife in Greåkerveien witnessed an unexplained light moving at high speed over the Glomma river. This sighting is corroborated by other witnesses, including a woman from Kurland who saw a similar phenomenon.

Hessdalen Report:

A detailed report from an investigation in Hessdalen, conducted by 'Irre' and Leif Havik from June 4-6, 1984, is included. They describe their camp at Fjellbekken and observations of usual lights. A significant part of the report is an interview with Eli Bendos, who on the night of May 31, 1984, observed a cigar-shaped object with red and yellow/white lights moving erratically near Rognefjellet. The investigation team attempted to examine the area where the object was suspected to have landed but found only a metal bucket. They also noted other potential sightings, including a yellow-white flash possibly related to a thunderstorm and a red flash near Hersjøhøgda.

Other Sightings:

Per Agnalt reported seeing an oblong, purple/pink luminous object with a flickering white light from his home in Kulås Terrasse on the night of June 12, 1984. Inger Nord, living in Greåkerdalen, also reported seeing UFO-like objects multiple times from her veranda.

A report by Lars Bjørreid details an unusual daylight observation by Jan Stordahl in Kulås Terrasse. Stordahl described a red and shiny balloon-like object that descended close to the ground and then ascended with extreme speed. He questioned whether it was a balloon due to the lack of engine noise and its rapid acceleration.

UFO Norge's Role:

Elbjørg Fjellberg, leader of UFO Norge's registration office, explains the organization's systematic approach to collecting and analyzing witness reports. She notes that while many past observations could be explained as satellites or planets, recent events, particularly in Hessdalen, are harder to classify. Fjellberg mentions that a scientific group conducted an investigation in Hessdalen, with results expected later in the summer. She highlights a trend of sightings at low altitudes, reminiscent of reports from the 1950s.

Broader Perspectives

An article titled 'Where do UFOs come from?' speculates on the extraterrestrial origins of UFOs. It questions why UFOs would visit Earth and suggests that beings from other parts of the universe might operate on different time scales, making their presence on Earth seem brief. The article also contemplates the intelligence and capability of such visitors, given the vastness of the universe.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO Norge emphasizes the ongoing nature of UFO phenomena and the challenges in explaining them. The magazine actively encourages public participation by soliciting reports and witness accounts. There is a clear stance of open-mindedness towards unexplained aerial phenomena, while also maintaining a critical approach to analysis, as exemplified by Elbjørg Fjellberg's work. The financial struggles of UFO Norge are a recurring concern, highlighting the dedication of its members despite these obstacles. The magazine aims to document and investigate these events, providing a platform for information exchange and public awareness regarding UFOs in Norway.

This issue of UFO magazine, Volume 24, Issue 11, published by UFO, focuses on demystifying sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) by exploring common misidentifications arising from natural phenomena and man-made objects. The content suggests that many reported UFOs are likely explainable by terrestrial or atmospheric events.

Natural Phenomena and Misidentifications

The magazine begins by addressing the common perception of flying saucers, stating that not all are what they seem and that it's important to first consider natural phenomena and happenings that can be mistaken for UFOs.

Meteorites One natural phenomenon discussed is meteorites entering Earth's atmosphere at high speeds. The friction causes them to heat up and burn, creating a light streak across the sky that can appear as an unidentified flying object to an untrained observer.

Satellites Thousands of satellites orbit the Earth, and many of these are also potential sources of misidentification. Larger satellites can reflect sunlight, appearing as moving stars. Those in lower orbits travel swiftly and may appear to twinkle if out of control or spinning. Satellites in higher orbits move at a more sedate pace. The magazine notes that for the unprepared, these too can be mistaken for UFOs.

Specifically, the satellite Anna 1B, launched in October 1962, is mentioned. It was equipped with flashing lights to aid geodetic experiments, making it particularly prone to being mistaken for a UFO.

Man-Made Objects and Misidentifications

The issue also covers how man-made objects, particularly aircraft and spacecraft, can be perceived as UFOs.

VTOL Research Aircraft A diagram illustrates a typical tilt-rotor aircraft, showing its helicopter mode, transition mode, and cruise mode. The text suggests that such VTOL research aircraft could easily resemble a flying saucer.

Spacecraft Re-entry Larger satellites that return to Earth can cause spectacular fireworks displays as they break up in the atmosphere. The article notes that these events, emitting various shapes and colors, could be called UFOs, especially if the craft are making controlled re-entries, like the Apollo, Soyuz, and Space Shuttle, which can resemble slow-moving, multi-colored cigar shapes.

Aircraft Lights Aircraft approaching to land or taking off often have their bright lights turned on full. When viewed directly or at a slight angle, the movement of the aircraft might not be apparent, leading to the eerie sight of a bright light seemingly hovering or moving very slowly. A dramatic example is provided: observing aircraft from Epsom Downs, about twenty miles from Heathrow Airport in London. As aircraft from the northern airlane fly over London and then bank right towards the airport, switching on their lights, their maneuvers can resemble a squadron of UFOs hovering over the capital.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the rational explanation for many UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards conventional UFO reports, advocating for a thorough examination of natural phenomena and technological advancements before concluding an object is truly unidentified. The magazine aims to educate its readers about potential terrestrial explanations for aerial anomalies, thereby reducing the number of unexplained sightings.