Klipprunden - 1986 02 16

Magazine Overview

This issue of Landsstyrenytt, dated February 16, 1986, provides a collection of news and discussions related to UFO phenomena, primarily from Norway but also touching on international cases and scientific perspectives.

UFO Sightings and Local Clubs

The issue opens with a general greeting acknowledging a busy period and the commitment to producing the newsletter. It then presents a series of 'Klipp' (clippings) from various Norwegian newspapers detailing recent UFO-related events.

One significant report is from Rana Blad, announcing the formation of a UFO club in Mo i Rana called 'UFO-Rana' by three thirteen-year-old boys. The club has already made its first observation of a UFO over Rana. The article notes their membership in UFO-Norge and contact with a national reporting center. The boys express their interest in UFOs and the natural progression to forming a club, emphasizing that not all UFO observations are hoaxes. They estimate that out of 1,500 annual observations, one in five might be an unexplained mystery. They also invite the public to contact them with their own observations or to join the club.

Other local reports include:

• Lofotposten's headline about 'Soviet missiles along the coast in the north' being considered a UFO event.
• A report from Borge about a light phenomenon observed over eastern Norway.
• Trønderavisa from Steinkjær detailing a UFO sighting at 11:30 PM on a Saturday, with witnesses ruling out it being an airplane.
• Ringerikes Blad mentioning a play by schoolchildren about oil findings and UFO observations, described as not being of great seriousness.
• Nordlandsposten featuring a reader's letter discussing weather patterns and speculating about UFO influences, referencing the Vesuv eruption. The letter sarcastically suggests the writer might need a head examination.
• A mention of Peder Englund being pursued by a UFO on the motorway, causing his car's speed to drop significantly.
• A follow-up report from Trønder-Avisa on UFO visits in Steinkjær, where witnesses concluded the object might have been a helicopter.

International UFO Events and Investigations

The newsletter also delves into broader UFO topics and investigations:

Project Hessdalen Workshop Cancellation

A letter from the Project Committee of Project Hessdalen, dated February 16, 1986, announces the cancellation of their 'Work shop' scheduled for October 25, 1985. The reason cited is a lack of interest from invited persons and UFO groups worldwide, despite positive responses from Brazil and Australia. The committee expresses disappointment, noting that while Hessdalen has had phenomena for four years, global scientific interest is lacking. They mention completing two large projects with instrumental assistance from NDRE but are hindered by a lack of resources. A fund has been established to support Project Hessdalen, and the bank account number remains active for donations.

Scientific Skepticism and the Condon Report

The issue features an article discussing the scientific skepticism surrounding UFOs. It references the Condon report from the University of Colorado, which concluded that 95% of UFO observations were misidentifications of ordinary phenomena, such as dust on lenses, toys, or Frisbees. The article notes that even respected ufologists like J. Allen Hynek have acknowledged the lack of "watertight" proof for UFOs.

The Travis Walton Case

The Travis Walton case is examined, with details about his lie detector test, which he reportedly failed. The operator, John McCarthy, is described as a fervent UFO enthusiast who allegedly pre-sold a positive result. The psychiatric examinations under hypnosis revealed Walton's strong interest in UFOs and his premonition of being abducted. Philip Klass is credited with exposing the case as a misinterpretation of facts, suggesting it was more about Walton's fascination with UFOs than a genuine alien encounter.

UFO Phenomena and Natural Explanations

The article explores various phenomena that are often mistaken for UFOs:

• Meteor showers: A helicopter pilot reported a green light and a rapid ascent, but Philip Klass attributed this to a meteor shower, explaining the green light as the helicopter's green plexiglass canopy and the perceived ascent as a result of the pilot's reaction to a sudden dive.
• Ball lightning and atmospheric phenomena: Lysende effekter caused by sunlight reflecting off ice particles (bi-soler) and light reflections from car headlights in low cloud cover are mentioned as potential misidentifications.
• 'Hekseringer' (Crop Circles): Klass is also noted for debunking alleged UFO landing sites, identifying them as ordinary 'witch rings' caused by specific mushroom formations.

The 'Elefant-vibrasjoner' (Elephant Vibrations) Article

A separate short article discusses research by Katharine Payne on elephants. It notes that elephants emit very low-frequency sounds, which can be felt as vibrations and used for long-distance communication. These sounds, previously undetectable by human ears, were discovered using sensitive instruments and may help explain how large herds communicate over vast distances.

UFOs and Mental Phenomena

Professor Alvin H. Lawson of California State University proposes a theory that UFO encounters are primarily mental rather than physical experiences. He points to recurring themes in abduction narratives, such as being drawn into a tunnel, and suggests these experiences might be linked to the human birth process. This aligns with psychiatric understanding of 'near-death' experiences, where individuals report similar sensations.

The CSICP and UFO Skepticism

The issue mentions the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICP), which includes specialists like Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, and B.F. Skinner. This committee views the world as being deceived by 'professional bluffers' and highlights the unreliability of human observation. Philip Klass is presented as a key figure in this skeptical movement, having contributed significantly to demystifying UFO reports.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting of local and international UFO sightings, the scientific investigation and skepticism surrounding these phenomena, and the debunking of alleged UFO encounters through natural explanations or psychological interpretations. The editorial stance appears to lean towards skepticism, highlighting the work of Philip Klass and the Condon report, while still acknowledging the ongoing public fascination with UFOs and the efforts of UFO research organizations like UFO-Norge and Project Hessdalen.

This issue of VI MENN, dated January 23, 1986, is a special edition titled "UFOer!" (UFOs!) and focuses extensively on UFO sightings and encounters, particularly those involving astronauts and cosmonauts. The magazine aims to shed light on phenomena that have long been shrouded in secrecy and speculation.

Astronauts and Cosmonauts as Witnesses

The core of the issue is dedicated to presenting evidence and accounts of UFO observations made by individuals who have traveled to space. The magazine highlights that "20 American astronauts and several Soviet cosmonauts have observed and filmed UFOs." NASA, the American space agency, has reportedly released previously classified documents, photographs, and films related to these incidents.

The Travis Walton Case

The issue opens with a detailed account of the Travis Walton incident, which allegedly occurred on November 5, 1975, near Heber, Arizona. Seven young people witnessed a UFO hovering over a field. When Travis Walton approached the craft, he was struck by a beam of light and disappeared, only to reappear days later with a fragmented memory of his experience, which was later elaborated upon through hypnosis. Professor James Harder is quoted as finding the account highly convincing.

Lunar Encounters

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to UFO sightings during lunar missions. The article "USAS astronauts reveal" details Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin's filming of two round objects flying in formation during the Apollo 11 mission on July 19, 1969. This footage, kept secret for ten years, reportedly shows two objects that moved horizontally at high speed before disappearing. Later, two more objects appeared, one larger than the other, which descended towards the lunar surface, emitted a halo-like light, and then ascended vertically.

Further accounts from the Apollo missions include:

• Apollo 10 (May 22, 1969): Astronauts Thomas Stafford and Eugene Cernan, aboard the lunar module "Snoopy," observed a bright UFO fly from the lunar surface like a fighter jet, pass their module, and disappear into space. This event was filmed by pilot John Young from the command module "Charlie Brown."
• Apollo 12 (October 14, 1969): Observatories across Europe detected two unidentified "lights" near Apollo 12's trajectory. The objects behaved as if under intelligent control, blinking and moving erratically. Astronauts Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon, and Alan Bean also reported seeing two UFOs.
• Apollo 13 (April 1970): Astronauts reported seeing a strongly glowing object approaching the capsule shortly before an explosion occurred on board.

Other Space Missions

Beyond the Apollo program, the magazine details UFO observations from other space missions:

• Mercury, Friendship 7 (February 20, 1962): Astronaut John Glenn reported being accompanied by a "giant disc" orbiting the Earth.
• Mercury 8 (October 3, 1962): Walter Schirra reported a large, glowing UFO over the Indian Ocean.
• Mercury 9 (May 16, 1963): Gordon Cooper observed a greenish UFO with a red tail and reported other mysterious objects over South America and Australia.
• Gemini 4 (June 3, 1965): Jim McDivitt photographed several mysterious objects, including a cylinder-shaped craft with protruding arms and an egg-shaped UFO.
• Gemini 7 (December 4, 1965): Frank Borman and Jim Lovell took photos of two oval UFOs with glowing undersides.
• Gemini 10 (July 18, 1966): John Young and Mike Collins photographed a large cylindrical object followed by two smaller, brighter ones.
• Gemini 11 (September 12, 1966): Richard Gordon and Charles Conrad observed a yellow-orange UFO about 1.2 kilometers away.
• Gemini 12 (November 11, 1966): Jim Lovell and Edwin Aldrin saw four unknown objects near the capsule, forming a chain.

Soviet Cosmonaut Reports

The magazine also includes reports from Soviet cosmonauts:

• Voschhod I (October 12, 1964): Three cosmonauts reported being surrounded by a formation of disc-shaped objects making rapid positional changes.
• Voschhod II (March 8, 1965): Cosmonauts on this mission reported being "attacked" by UFOs.

Skylab Observations

Astronauts from the Skylab missions also reported UFO sightings. Owen Garriott and Alan Bean in Skylab II saw and photographed a UFO for ten minutes. Edward Gibson from Skylab III reported his crew being followed by "small red lights." However, NASA reportedly refused to release these images, classifying them as "scraps" from space, a claim disputed by NORAD.

The "Condon Report" and Government Secrecy

The issue mentions the "Project Blue Book" or "Condon Report," a 1969 US Air Force study that concluded UFO phenomena were not a threat to national security. The magazine implies that this report, and NASA's general stance, has been dismissive of UFO evidence. It quotes space expert George H. Leonard, who theorizes that extraterrestrial intelligences may have established secret bases on the moon and are monitoring human space activities to prevent us from conquering the universe. Leonard suggests that NASA's release of some documents is a deliberate attempt to distract from more significant discoveries on the moon itself.

UFOs in Norway

The magazine also features several reports of UFO sightings within Norway:

• Lofoten: Reports from Lofoten in January 1986 suggest that some UFO sightings, described as rocket-like objects, might be explained by Soviet submarines launching test missiles from international waters off the coast. However, Chief of Staff Arne Vik of Forsvarskommando Nord-Norge expressed doubt that these missile tests fully explain all observations, though he acknowledged that lights from such launches could be visible.
• Steinkjer (January 28, 1986): Two residents observed an orange, round object with a sharp white light that moved silently, stopped, and then rapidly moved northwest.
• Ringerikes Blad (January 30, 1986): A strange, brightly lit object was observed in the sky over Eastern Norway, blinking in multiple colors and remaining stationary before moving rapidly.
• Aftenposten (January 23, 1986): A similar report of a strange, brightly lit object observed in the sky over Eastern Norway.
• Lofotposten (January 22, 1986): A luminous object was observed in the Borge area and reported to the police.
• Peder Englund (Ytre Enebakk): Englund reported being followed by a luminous sphere that caused his car's engine to fail. After the sphere disappeared, the car resumed normal function. He subsequently sold his car due to superstition.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is the prevalence and significance of UFO phenomena, particularly as witnessed by credible sources like astronauts and cosmonauts. The magazine strongly implies that governments, specifically NASA, have engaged in secrecy and downplayed the reality of UFOs and potential extraterrestrial visitation. The editorial stance is one of advocating for greater transparency and acknowledging the possibility of advanced non-human intelligences interacting with or observing humanity, both in space and on Earth. The article suggests a shift in public and scientific opinion, with more people believing in UFOs than in God, indicating a growing acceptance of these unexplained phenomena.

This document is a collection of clippings from Norwegian newspapers, compiled by NORSKE ARGUS A-S, a press clipping service. The clippings are dated January and February 1986 and focus on topics related to weather phenomena, astronomical cycles, and UFO sightings.

Nordlandsposten Clipping (January 31, 1986)

This section, originating from the "Nordlandsposten" newspaper in Bodø, discusses weather patterns and their potential cyclical nature. The author questions the reasons for record-cold years, noting that the moon is currently in the Meton cycle, a period of approximately 59 years with a small margin of error. The article posits that this cycle has had significant influence on historical events, citing the colonization and subsequent abandonment of Greenland and Iceland during similar cold periods, and the decline of the Mayan civilization. It also suggests a link between planetary positions, warm ocean currents (like the Gulf Stream), and the 'El Nino' phenomenon, which can affect fish migration patterns, such as the cod in Lofoten.

The author proposes that understanding weather requires considering the entire universe, drawing parallels between the 59-year cycle and phenomena like tides (flo and fjære) and climate shifts. Furthermore, it suggests a similar 59-year rhythm in human biology, affecting cell renewal and personal life cycles. The article concludes by expressing anticipation for UFO sightings in Northern Norway, speculating that such phenomena might have occurred in the Mediterranean region due to volcanic activity (Mount Vesuvius).

Trønder-Avisa Clipping (February 5, 1986)

This clipping from "Trønder-Avisa" in Steinkjer, with a political tendency towards the Centre Party and Venstre, reports on a potential UFO sighting in Steinkjer. The main article, titled "UFO-besøk i Steinkjer?" (UFO Visit in Steinkjer?), details an encounter experienced by John Sandvik, his wife, and a passenger.

According to the report, while driving from Bogen towards Valhallen around 11:30 PM on a Saturday night, they observed an object described as a "yellow light" moving at a constant altitude and direction directly towards them. The object passed directly overhead as they drove onto Lundflata, and they heard no sound. Initially, they concluded it was a helicopter. However, Sandvik's certainty wavered after reading in the newspaper that several other people had reported similar observations, leading him to reconsider the possibility that it was not a conventional aircraft.

Sandvik expresses his unease, stating, "I have never believed in UFOs, but it is scary if it wasn't a helicopter we saw coming straight at us." The article is attributed to "Joar-".

Værprofet (Weather Prophet) Clipping (February 3, 1986)

This brief clipping, likely from a newspaper with a conservative (Høyre) political leaning, responds to a previous article about a "weather prophets." The anonymous letter writer questions the scope of "the entire universe" mentioned by a weather prophet in a prior article. The writer also references the same UFO sightings in Steinkjer and the activity of Mount Vesuvius, posing the question: "What forces do UFOs have on Vesuvius?"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in these clippings are the cyclical nature of weather and its potential astronomical or cosmic influences, and the reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs). The editorial stance, as represented by the compilation and the brief "Værprofet" response, appears open to exploring these unconventional topics, linking meteorological events with broader cosmic cycles and unexplained sightings. The "Nordlandsposten" article, in particular, delves into historical precedents and scientific speculation, while the "Trønder-Avisa" piece focuses on a specific eyewitness account of a potential UFO encounter.