Klipprunden - 1985 10 07

Magazine Overview

This issue of Tønsberg magazine, dated October 7, 1985, focuses heavily on UFO sightings and related phenomena reported in Norway, alongside an article on astronomy and Halley's Comet. The publication appears to be a local Norwegian magazine, with content primarily in Norwegian.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The magazine features several articles detailing UFO observations. One prominent piece discusses a UFO sighting near Rauøy on Sunday evening, September 22, 1985. Four individuals in Lervik observed a large, red, oval object moving slowly across the horizon. Harald Engen, who first spotted the phenomenon, initially thought it might be a weather balloon. He contacted the Rygge weather station, which suggested that a weather balloon illuminated by the low evening sun could appear as a large, red object. Engen also noted that the object was silent and seemed to have discernible contours.

Another article, titled "Mystisk på E18 og 310: UFO lekte sisten med Borre-bilist," recounts a UFO observation made on E18 between kl. 22 and 22:30 on a Saturday night. The object was described as luminous and changed colors between red and green, moving back and forth. This observation is considered particularly interesting by Torild Bjørndal of the Vestfold UFO association, as she had a similar experience on September 21st of the same year. The sighting involved byggmester Reidar Haugestad and his passengers, who reported the object moving erratically and illuminating their car.

"Gjengangeren" newspaper reported on an interview with Torild Bjørndal regarding her UFO experiences. She explained that members of the UFO association are often reluctant to share their sightings due to potential disbelief, but she felt compelled to speak out after the recent observation by Haugestad.

The magazine also includes a report from Grimstad Adressetidende about "mystiske lys på himmelen" observed on Sunday evening, September 22, 1985. Grethe Helle reported seeing three lights in the sky near Homborsund that changed color (red, green, white) and moved up and down. While initially thought to be an aircraft, the stationary nature of the lights was puzzling. The Kjevik air traffic control suggested it could have been a plane flying at high altitude, possibly from Copenhagen, appearing stationary from certain angles.

An article from Fredriksstad Blad discusses the possibility of the "red fireball" seen over Rauøy being a weather balloon. It also mentions other witnesses who saw the object, including Hilde Martinsen and Synnøve Glosli, who initially mistook it for the moon but noted its movement.

Astronomy and Halley's Comet

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to astronomer Jakob Lingås, who is eagerly awaiting Halley's Comet. The article, written by Alf Gjørlihagen, highlights Lingås's passion for astronomy and his home-built telescope. Halley's Comet, famous for its 76-year orbital period, was last seen in 1910 and is expected to be visible again. Lingås discusses the comet's historical significance, including past fears of doomsday prophecies associated with its return. He notes that the comet contains ice, dust, and gases, which expand when heated by the sun, creating its visible tail. The article mentions that European, Japanese, and Soviet satellites are being used to study the comet. Lingås also touches upon the theory of the universe being curved and boundless, and the potential for new discoveries with upcoming space telescopes.

Editorial and Letters

The magazine includes a section with reader contributions and editorial notes. Finn from Tønsberg acknowledges criticism regarding spelling errors in the previous issue of "UFO" magazine and promises to improve proofreading. There is also a mention of a committee meeting scheduled for October 20th.

Other Content

There are brief mentions of other topics, including a humorous anecdote about a child eating a property tax bill, and a note about the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) potentially needing new talent, with a reference to advertising-funded TV2.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, and the public's fascination with them. There is a clear effort to present witness accounts and explore potential explanations, ranging from the mundane (weather balloons, aircraft) to the unknown. The magazine also seems to encourage public participation in reporting sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards UFO phenomena, while also valuing serious investigation and factual reporting, as indicated by the UFO association's commitment to checking and controlling information. The inclusion of astronomical content, particularly regarding Halley's Comet, suggests an interest in celestial events and the broader mysteries of the universe.

This issue of "Kronikken" from "Tønsbergs Blad", dated Monday, September 30, 1985, focuses on the phenomenon of precognition, with a particular emphasis on predictions related to the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The main cover headline proclaims "Forutsigelser om "Titanic"s forlis" (Predictions of the "Titanic"s Sinking).

The Titanic Disaster and Precognition

The article begins by referencing a Tønsbergs Blad report on September 3, 1985, about the discovery of the Titanic's wreck. It then introduces the concept of precognition, defined as "extra-sensory perception" (ESP), which includes clairvoyance and telepathy. Scott Hill, in his work "Parapsykologi i dag," is cited for his discussion of precognition, particularly in relation to the Titanic. Hill notes that certain dramatic events, like the Titanic's sinking, seem to attract precognitive signals.

Dr. Ian Stevenson from the University of Virginia has collected material on apparent precognitions of the Titanic disaster, some of which are also found in the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research. Scott Hill recounts examples from Stevenson's material, most notably the 1898 novel "Titanens forlis" by Morgan Robertson. This novel, published 14 years before the actual event, contained striking similarities to the Titanic, including its size, its claim of being unsinkable, its maiden voyage, and the cause of its demise.

"Titanic"s Similarities to Robertson's Fictional Ship

The article details the parallels between the fictional "Titan" and the real "Titanic." Both were described as gigantic ocean liners on their maiden voyages, built to be unsinkable. The "Titan" had watertight compartments that could be closed from the bridge, leading to a reduced number of lifeboats. The fictional ship had 3000 passengers, while the Titanic had 2207. The speed at collision with an iceberg was also noted, with the "Titan" traveling at 300 knots and the "Titanic" at 21.5 knots. The length and displacement of the ships were also remarkably similar.

Witness Accounts and Precognitive Dreams

Further examples of precognition are presented. One account describes a passenger's dream on the night before the Titanic sailed, where he saw hundreds of people struggling in the icy water. He initially kept silent but later canceled his trip, providing evidence in the form of his ticket and a telegram. Another account comes from a letter by J. O'Conner, who booked passage on the Titanic but had a dream ten days before his departure depicting the ship sinking. He also canceled his trip.

The Seer "Lebesbymannen"

A significant portion of the article is dedicated to Anton Johansen, known as "Lebesbymannen" (The Lebesby Man), a Norwegian seer. Born in Sweden and later moving to Lebesby, Finnmark, Norway, Johansen was described as an honest and respected man. His life was deeply influenced by his strong faith and his extensive reading of the Bible and other literature. The article notes that while other Norwegian seers like "Vis-Knut" and Marcello Haugen have been documented, "Lebesbymannen" has received less in-depth analysis regarding his parapsychological abilities.

Johansen's visions were reportedly dictated to Swedish engineer Anton Gustavsson in 1918. Gustavsson published these visions in books such as "Syner och uppenbarelser om världens framtid" (Visions and Revelations about the World's Future) and "Nya syner om världens framtid" (New Visions about the World's Future), which achieved considerable success and were translated into multiple languages. Albert Hiorth also wrote a book about him titled "Mannen som forutså krigen" (The Man Who Foresaw the War). Inge Stoltenberg's 1984 book, "Vor verdens fremtid" (Our World's Future), also features Johansen as "the great Nordic seer."

Johansen's first vision occurred at age 16, predicting the drowning of two brothers. Over the years, he foresaw numerous disasters, including the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and the Messina earthquake of 1908. He described his visions as coming like a veil lifting from his eyes, allowing him to see events with great clarity.

Major World Events Predicted by Johansen

Johansen's most significant vision occurred on the night of November 13-14, 1907. This vision encompassed future events including the First, Second, and a predicted Third World War, a volcanic explosion in the North Sea followed by a devastating flood that would heavily impact England (especially London) and coastal areas of Norway down to Bodø, as well as parts of Northern Germany and Holland.

The Titanic and "Lebesbymannen's" Vision

Johansen's vision of the Titanic disaster included seeing the ship hit an iceberg and sink. He also mentioned the name "Astor," referring to John Jacob Astor, a wealthy passenger who perished in the sinking. The article notes that Johansen's precognitive abilities gained him more credibility after the Titanic disaster. He attempted to warn against the outbreak of World War I, facing significant challenges due to his lack of influence and inability to express himself fluently in other languages.

Accuracy and Limitations of Precognition

The article acknowledges that there are inaccuracies and errors in "Lebesbymannen's" predictions, particularly regarding specific dates. However, it also highlights the precision of some of his forecasts. The issue of whether a foreseen catastrophe can be avoided is raised. The "London Evening Star" is mentioned as having collected numerous precognitive dreams and warnings after the Aberfan disaster, with 487 out of 668 predictions being found correct within a two-year period.

Scientific and Philosophical Perspectives on Precognition

Precognition is presented as a concept that challenges conventional understanding of causality and free will. The article touches upon attempts to explain precognition scientifically, referencing theories from physicists and mathematicians like Adrian Dobbs, and psychological explanations from Arthur Osborn and others. The concept of the "extended moment" and the "eternal now" are mentioned as potential frameworks for understanding how precognition might operate, suggesting that all past, present, and future exist within this eternal present, accessible through a state of absolute inwardness or inspiration.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are precognition, parapsychology, and the uncanny ability of certain individuals to foresee future events, particularly disasters. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into these phenomena, presenting documented cases and research without outright dismissal, while also acknowledging the challenges in explaining them within current scientific paradigms. The article aims to inform readers about the historical accounts and ongoing research into precognitive abilities, using the Titanic disaster as a central, compelling case study.