Klipprunden - 1984 08 08

Magazine Overview

This issue of VG's UFO supplement, dated Tuesday, August 7, 1984, focuses heavily on UFO sightings and investigations in Norway. The main cover headline is "UFO? (Underlig Foto-Objekt)" (Strange Photo-Object), with the issue being an "OL-extra" covering pages 17-24.

Editorial and Correspondence

The editorial section, written by "0-G" from Tønsberg, discusses the workload involved in producing the UFO newsletter, including creating an "UFO" follow-up letter to the Central Catalog, writing a leader for the next issue, and summarizing a national meeting in Moelv. The editor mentions modernizing a flyer to include updated UFO theories and seeking free printing services in exchange for advertising space, noting that over 5000 potentially interested individuals will receive it.

The editor also addresses the time-consuming nature of analyzing and composing UFO-related materials, emphasizing the need for thorough examination to avoid misunderstandings. He references a "fantastic" and seemingly genuine photo published in VG on August 7-8, taken by Pål Kristian Vaag on June 19 of the previous year. Vaag initially wished to remain anonymous due to fear of ridicule but later allowed the photo to be published. Unfortunately, Vaag sold the rights to the photo to a friend for 500 kroner, with the condition that his name not be revealed. The editor expresses hope that this agreement was not written, as the friend has allegedly broken the terms by attempting to profit from the image. The photo was taken with a Kodak Disc 4000 camera at an estimated distance of 150-250 meters, with no houses nearby.

A brief mention is made of a story from "Akers avis" on July 20, which is dismissed as a "summer joke" and criticized for creating "direct fantasies" that undermine the credibility of serious UFO research.

Another clipping from "Arbeidets Rett" is mentioned as a "harsh little gem," but the editor requests the original article from Leif. A two-sided document from Leif Havik about a photo week in Hessdalen is also included, detailing requirements for participants to stay for the entire week due to the remote location and limited accommodation (only six beds available, with cabins already booked for the hunting season).

There are requests for specific clippings from "Agderposten" from Hans Aass, as ARGUS has not provided them. The editor also proposes a meeting in the Arendal district and offers to come down to talk, asking if their previous meeting venue is still available. He suggests a Friday would be best due to travel time.

An update is given on a meeting with a new, large group in Sandnes, near Stavanger. The meeting was described as pleasant and lasted 6.5 hours, covering the history of NUFOC/UFO-NORGE since 1972 and discussing how to best integrate the new group. An agreement was reached to establish a sub-division under Finn Kalvik, responsible for the entire Rogaland county, ensuring proper follow-up.

The editorial section continues with information about the group's focus on UFO observations and the development of new groups, with more details promised in the next issue of "UFO," due out in late August. The rights and responsibilities will be formalized after the next committee meeting on Sunday, August 26, at 2:00 PM at the editor's location in Tønsberg.

Finally, the editor notes that he is adding any last-minute information before copying the document, acknowledging that readers might be busy with the Olympics.

UFO Sighting in Groruddalen

A significant report details multiple sightings of an oval, disc-shaped object over Groruddalen on a Wednesday. The object was reportedly visible on radar and to the naked eye for several minutes before disappearing. Eivind Sjåstad, an over-watchman at Oslo Airport's radar station in Haukåsen, confirmed the radar detection and managed to take a photograph of the object. The photograph shows a metallic, possibly scorched surface. Sjåstad described the object as descending slowly, appearing to hover before changing direction, and then either disintegrating or accelerating to an immense speed. The photo is presented as potentially sensational if genuine.

Ingeniør Rolf Forbo of the Norwegian Ufological Society stated that while most UFO sightings occur at night, this daytime observation is interesting. He noted that the object was clearly visible and its metallic surface reflected sunlight. However, he also mentioned that their fixed UFO detectors, which monitor changes in the Earth's magnetic field, did not register anything unusual, suggesting a need to re-evaluate the system's capabilities, as UFOs might not use magnetic propulsion.

The Norwegian Air Force stated that no test flights were conducted in the area during that period and that they had received inquiries from the public but offered no further comment.

Analysis of the "Blinkskuddet" Photo

Lieutenant Colonel Einar Smedsvig of the Norwegian Air Force's staff at Huseby in Oslo, after a preliminary review, described the photo taken by Pål Kristian Vaag in Aure, Nordmøre, as potentially the most interesting UFO observation in years. He stated that if it is a forgery, it is extremely skillfully done. Smedsvig, with his experience as a pilot, is accustomed to assessing aerial situations and objects. He shared the photo with several colleagues, and the conclusion was unanimous: the picture could not be immediately dismissed as a fake. Smedsvig admitted he was surprised and initially did not realize the photo might have been staged. Experts believe that if the photo is genuine and the perspective is correct, the object is larger than a standard fighter jet and was flying at a considerable height.

Further analysis was to be conducted by photo interpretation experts at the Air Force's special unit at Rygge. Arne Børcke, a prominent Norwegian UFO expert, called the photo "very interesting." He noted that most UFO photos are revealed as fakes due to poor execution, but this one appears genuine even after brief scrutiny.

Experts Baffled by UFO Photo

Captain Kåre Kvamme from the photo department at Rygge Air Station stated that the Air Force's photo analysts were unable to detect any flaws in the UFO photo taken by Pål Kristian Vaag. "Technically, we cannot find anything wrong with it," Kvamme said. He noted that the lighting, proportions, and angles appear correct, and the sharpness of the image is remarkable, ruling out a photomontage. Kvamme admitted that while he remains skeptical, he cannot technically prove the photo is a forgery. He suggested that the only possibility for a fake would be if something was thrown into the air and the photographer perfectly tracked it, which would require exceptional skill or luck. Kvamme mentioned he could create a similar UFO photo himself, but it would require advanced photographic equipment.

The issue remains "unresolved" (Uoppklart). Kvamme and his colleagues are not entirely dismissive of UFOs, citing instances where unknown aircraft have been detected by military and civilian radar systems. These were confirmed not to be conventional aircraft or helicopters, but their true nature was never clarified.

Public Opinion on UFOs

A section titled "Tror du på UFO'er?" (Do you believe in UFOs?) presents opinions from several individuals:

• Maj Britt Nilsen, a philosopher from Bærum, does not believe in UFOs but does believe in other supernatural phenomena.
• Tore Njå, an engineer from Horten, believes in UFOs but not in "Martians," suggesting the existence of intelligent life on other planets.
• Kari Nielsen, an unemployed teacher from Lørenskog, is skeptical, stating she believes more in God than in UFOs, and not very much in God either.
• Øystein Namseid, an expediter from Oslo, dismisses UFOs as "bluff and charlatanism."
• Grete Moen, an unemployed teacher from Lørenskog, is also skeptical, believing in intelligent life elsewhere but doubting their willingness to visit Earth.

Miscellaneous Items

• Kaleidoscope Section: Discusses the Indian "Tau Trick," where a fakir makes a rope stand upright, a boy climbs it invisibly, and is then dismembered, with his body parts falling down before being reassembled. The trick is attributed to hypnosis or mass suggestion, and no one has been able to perform it under scientific control, despite a large reward being offered in 1902.
• Soviet Union First Again?: Reports that the Soviet Union claims to have been the first in space with a fly. The communist party organ "Pravda" stated that a "cosmo-fly" was smuggled aboard Soyuz T-12 and adopted by the crew.
• Interesting Facts: Includes brief facts about meteors (average size of a grain of sand), the speed of Jupiter's fastest moon (113,000 km/h), Venus's atmosphere (90 times lighter than Earth's), and the extreme gravity in black holes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO sightings, particularly photographic evidence. There's a strong emphasis on the scientific and military analysis of these phenomena, with the Norwegian Air Force playing a central role in examining the "blinkskuddet" photo. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, acknowledging the possibility of genuine phenomena while remaining critical of potential hoaxes and misinformation. The publication aims to inform the public about UFO events and ongoing research, while also soliciting contributions and fostering a community of interest. There is a clear effort to distinguish between serious inquiry and sensationalism, as seen in the critique of "Akers avis."

This issue of FOTOUKE from VG, dated September 9, 1984, focuses heavily on the topic of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), featuring photographic evidence and eyewitness accounts. The main cover story highlights a UFO photograph taken by Pål Kristian Vaag, with the headline "PÅL TOK UFO-BILDET" (Pål Took the UFO Photo).

Cover Story: Pål Kristian Vaag's UFO Photo

The issue presents a photograph taken by Pål Kristian Vaag, a young man who is not particularly interested in photography but owns a simple Kodak 4000 camera. The photo, taken on August 19th of the previous year, reportedly shows a UFO. Vaag describes the event, stating that the large aerial vehicle moved slowly down a mountainside. He rushed to get his camera and managed to capture the object just before it disappeared like lightning. His mother was present but did not witness the event. Vaag claims the object was between 150-250 meters away and was initially silver before turning matte gray and moving off rapidly. He estimates its size to be between 10 to 15 meters in diameter, a size consistent with what Forsvarets (the Norwegian Armed Forces) experts believe would be the size of the object if the photo is genuine. Vaag waited until Easter to develop the film, fearing ridicule, but eventually showed it to friends.

The article contrasts Vaag's photo with another image presented as "VG's own UFO," which is described as a helmet being thrown in the air. This 'VG UFO' is noted as being blurry despite being taken by a professional photographer with advanced equipment, whereas Vaag's photo, taken with a simple camera, is sharper than its background.

Unexplained UFO Observation in Bodø

Another significant report details an unexplained UFO sighting in Norway. On January 16, 1983, five employees from the weather forecasting office and the flight control at Bodø airport observed an oblong, cylindrical object. The object reflected sunlight and appeared to be moving in a south-southwest direction. The witnesses, using binoculars, initially thought it was a plane approaching at a sharp angle. However, they realized it was not a plane because the object remained stationary in the air for two to three minutes before disappearing behind a cloud bank.

The Hessdalen Photo Week

Pages 4 and 5 are dedicated to the organization of a "Fotouke" (Photo Week) in Hessdalen, Norway, scheduled for week 36 (September 2-8, 1984). The event is organized by L. Havik from Rognes. The announcement urges interested participants to contact the organizer by August 15th. The goal is to plan the week effectively, encouraging participants to stay for the entire duration. Several observation posts are detailed, including "Rognefjell" (relocated to Romundhaugen), "Vårhuskjølen," and "Finnsåhøgda Syd." Specific participants are listed for some posts, and details about accommodation (tents, limited space) and logistics are provided. Participants are advised to bring appropriate clothing for winter conditions, food supplies (especially for posts with no provisioning options), a compass, and a camera with a 50mm lens, tripod, and light screen. The use of Walkie-Talkies is restricted to daytime due to potential interference with UFO phenomena, as experienced during a previous observation event in February.

Explaining UFO Sightings

The magazine includes a section discussing the explanation of UFO reports. It states that approximately nine out of ten UFO reports have a natural explanation when investigated thoroughly, and the rate of clarification is increasing with new technology. The article acknowledges that many sightings are reported by people who are genuinely disturbed by what they have seen, not just those seeking attention. It also mentions that the number of reported UFO sightings tends to increase when the media covers the topic more frequently. The publication notes that Skandinavisk UFO Information in Denmark received 171 reports in the previous year, with only 15 remaining unexplained.

Speculation on the Nature of UFOs

Page 6 presents a more speculative discussion on UFOs. It suggests that many sightings can be attributed to optical illusions, natural phenomena, or hoaxes. However, it poses questions about the remaining 10% of sightings: Do they originate from other planets, distant galaxies, or are they secret military vehicles? The article considers the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors from a highly intelligent race, questioning their intentions – whether they seek to help, conquer, or destroy. It highlights the potential for mass hysteria if governments were to reveal knowledge of such beings and discusses the difficulty of communicating with alien intelligences, especially regarding their intentions of peace.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly leans towards the reality of UFO phenomena, dedicating significant space to photographic evidence and eyewitness accounts. While acknowledging that most sightings have mundane explanations, the magazine emphasizes the unexplained 10% and encourages further investigation, as evidenced by the detailed planning of the Hessdalen Photo Week. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting evidence and posing questions rather than dismissing the topic outright. The focus on photographic evidence and organized observation activities suggests a belief in the importance of empirical data in understanding UFOs.