Klipprunden - 1986 07 24

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Varden" (Avisen for Telemark), dated July 19, 1986, focuses heavily on a UFO sighting and subsequent video recording that occurred in Hallingdal, Norway. The cover features a photograph of people watching a television screen displaying a UFO, with the headline "UFO expert at Skotfoss: - A fantastic recording of UFO!". The price was KR 4.50.

Articles and Reports

"Et fantastisk opptak av UFO!" (Cover Story)

The main story details the video recording made by Torfinn Tonning in Hallingdal. UFO expert Odd Gunnar Røed from Tønsberg, who has studied UFOs since 1973, viewed the footage and described it as "fantastic." He stated that the object was clearly not a star, planet, airplane, or helicopter, and that the phenomenon was "completely unexplainable for now." The report includes a photograph of Torfinn Tonning and others viewing the video, along with UFO expert Odd Gunnar Røed. The article notes that the video was filmed on July 12, 1986, and that the object exhibited unusual movements.

"Video-film av UFO?" (Dagbladet, July 21, 1986)

This article from Dagbladet interviews Torfinn Tonning, who admits to being scared during the sighting, fearing the UFOs might land. He describes the objects as ellipse-shaped with three circles in the middle and a white, radiant arc like a dome. The sighting lasted for two hours. The article also mentions that the video, though filmed with a 20x zoom lens, has details that are difficult to discern due to the camera's zoom capabilities.

"UFO i Hallingdal?" (Tønsbergs Blad, July 21, 1986)

This report from Tønsbergs Blad discusses two identical rings found burnt into the ground near Synningen, north of Torpo in Hallingdal. Local residents believed it was a UFO landing. The rings were approximately seven meters in diameter and 30 centimeters wide, with the ground completely burnt to a depth of about four centimeters. The military (Heimevernsmoen) took soil samples. Major Odd Kolstadbråten of the military stated that while he couldn't confirm what happened, there was no reason to dismiss the event as not being "something strange."

"<<UFO-svimerker>> var kun kumøkk" (Varden, July 21, 1986)

This Varden article clarifies that the "svimerker" (burn marks or rings) found in the ground were not related to the UFO sighting but were actually "kumøkk" (cow dung) from a manure spreader. Odd Gunnar Røed explained that the rotating manure spreader could create such marks. However, he emphasized that this finding did not diminish the value or interest of Torfinn Tonning's video recording, which he still considered "fantastic" and unexplainable by conventional aircraft.

"Er UFOen bare filtriksing?" (Varden, July 19, 1986)

This article presents a skeptical viewpoint, with Sigurd Haugan from Mælum questioning whether the Hallingdal sighting was a "sommerspøk" (summer prank). He suggests that it is easy to fake UFO footage and photographs using techniques like remote control and close-up/distant shots. He also proposes that a bright light over a patient in an operating room could be mistaken for a UFO when photographed.

"UFO og mikro-sopp"

Another skeptical explanation suggests that the bright rings observed might be caused by "mikrosopper" (micro-fungi) that form regular rings, some up to 10-12 meters in diameter. The planet Jupiter is also mentioned as a possible explanation for some UFO sightings.

"UFO-NORGE" and "Rapports Kjema"

The issue includes information about UFO-NORGE, a national investigation organization dedicated to registering and investigating UFO phenomena. A "Rapports Kjema" (Report Form) is included for witnesses to fill out, requesting details about their observations. The form is addressed to UFO-NORGE's report center in Rognes.

"UFO-eksperten på Skotfoss: - Et fantastisk opptak av UFO!" (Varden, July 25, 1986)

This article, likely a continuation or related piece, reiterates the excitement surrounding Torfinn Tonning's video. It mentions that the video was examined by UFO-Norge experts who found it "fantastic" and unexplainable as any known aircraft. Tom Eriksen, chairman of the Grenland and Omegn Astronomical Society, offers a more cautious perspective, suggesting Jupiter might be a candidate due to its current brightness, or that the movement could be due to camera shake. However, he doesn't rule out the possibility of a genuine "unidentified flying object" (UFO) in the sense of an object whose nature is unknown, rather than an extraterrestrial craft.

"UFO-svimerker" var kun kumøkk" (Rundt i Telema, Varden, July 21, 1986)

This article, also from Varden, reiterates the finding that the rings in Hallingdal were cow dung, not UFO evidence, but confirms the video footage itself remains of high interest.

"UFO i Torpo" (Tønsbergs Blad, July 21, 1986)

This report confirms the video recording of a UFO over Torpo in Hallingdal by a man from Skien (Torfinn Tonning). It describes the film as good, showing bright lights on a dark, disk-like object that moved erratically. The article also mentions the two large ring marks found on the ground.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The dominant theme is the investigation and reporting of a significant UFO sighting in Hallingdal, Norway. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, with a focus on witness accounts, expert analysis, and media coverage. While some skepticism is presented through alternative explanations like Jupiter or micro-fungi, the primary narrative leans towards the unexplained nature of the filmed phenomenon. The role of UFO-NORGE as an investigative body is highlighted, and the issue serves as a platform for disseminating information and soliciting further reports from the public. The coverage emphasizes the visual evidence (video, photographs) and the reactions of both believers and skeptics.

This issue of "fremtiden" from July 16, 1986, prominently features a series of articles detailing a significant UFO sighting and related ground phenomena in Hallingdal, Norway. The main cover story, "UFO-filmen er helt fantastisk!", highlights the excitement and bewilderment surrounding a video recording of luminous objects by Torfinn Tonning.

The Skotfoss UFO Film

The central narrative revolves around Torfinn Tonning, a seemingly down-to-earth individual from Skotfoss, who, along with his family and friends, witnessed and filmed unusual aerial phenomena on a seter (mountain pasture) in Hallingdal on the night of Sunday, July 13, 1986. The family observed two luminous objects for approximately two hours. Torfinn Tonning, using a super-powerful Bushnell binoculars and a video camera, managed to capture footage of these objects.

Tonning describes the objects as ellipse-shaped with a dome-like top and three intensely luminous points on the side. He emphasizes that their movements were unlike anything he had ever seen, defying gravity and air resistance. The objects moved up and down and back and forth with incredible speed, eventually disappearing into the horizon. Tonning admits to feeling scared, fearing the objects might land.

Mysterious Ground Rings

The day after the aerial observation, on Monday, July 14, Alf Berntsen discovered two identical circular marks, approximately seven meters in diameter and about 30 cm wide, burned into the ground near Synningen, north of Torpo in Hallingdal. The ground within these rings was completely scorched to a depth of about four centimeters. Berntsen, who had never seen anything like it, reported the finding to the local police.

Expert Analysis and Reactions

UFO experts from UFO Norge, particularly Odd Gunnar Røed, were highly impressed by Tonning's video-optic. Røed stated that the footage showed something entirely unexplainable, ruling out natural explanations like stars, planets, or conventional aircraft. He noted that while many UFO reports can be explained naturally, Tonning's video-optic was significant.

Representatives from the Norwegian military (Heimevernsskolen) also investigated the ground marks, taking soil samples. Major Oddvar Kolstadbråten, while not speculating, acknowledged the strangeness of the findings. The Norwegian Institute for Scientific Research and Information (NIVFO), led by Sten Ødegård, also began investigating the reports, aiming to analyze the soil samples and the video footage.

UFO researcher Oddvar Eriksen from Steinberg, who studied Tonning's video, stated that the movements of the objects clearly indicated they were not aircraft or helicopters. He estimated the objects to be about 20 meters in diameter and recognized similar phenomena from his extensive research into UFOs. He dismissed natural explanations like planets or satellites.

Alternative Theories and Skepticism

While the primary focus was on the unexplained nature of the sightings, some alternative theories were mentioned. One article from "fremtiden" on July 21, 1986, suggested that the ground rings might have been caused by cow dung, citing a local resident who claimed to know the farmer responsible for emptying a slurry tank. Another theory mentioned was that the rings could be caused by a type of mushroom. However, these explanations were largely dismissed by those who witnessed the events or analyzed the evidence, particularly the video footage.

Astrophysicist Prof. Rolf Brade from the Astrophysical Institute at Blindern offered more conventional explanations, suggesting the luminous objects could have been planets or meteorological balloons. He argued that the apparent movement in the video could be due to camera shake. However, the article notes that the Tonning family and UFO experts were not satisfied with these explanations.

Media Coverage and Public Interest

The events generated considerable media attention, with multiple newspapers, including "fremtiden," "Varden," "Dagbladet," "Oppland," and "Tønsbergs Blad," covering the story extensively. The fact that the phenomenon was captured on video was seen as a crucial piece of evidence, making it harder to dismiss than mere witness testimony.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overall stance of the articles is one of fascination and serious consideration of the UFO phenomenon. While acknowledging that some UFO sightings can be explained naturally, the evidence presented in this case – particularly the video footage and the ground traces – is treated with significant weight. The articles highlight the efforts of UFO organizations and researchers to investigate and understand these events, suggesting that there are indeed unexplained phenomena occurring. The editorial tone leans towards presenting the facts and expert opinions, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, but clearly indicates that the reported events are considered highly unusual and potentially significant.

The issue also touches upon the broader context of UFO research, mentioning Erich von Däniken's theories about ancient alien visitations and the ongoing interest in the subject. The recurring theme is the persistent mystery of unidentified flying objects and the human drive to seek explanations for the unknown.

This issue of 'fremtiden', dated July 2, 1986, is primarily focused on UFO phenomena, featuring a mix of local news, historical interpretations, and commentary on the field.

Police on UFO Hunt in Drammen

The main cover story, "Politiet på UFO-jakt" (Police on UFO Hunt), details an incident on July 1, 1986, in the Drammen area of Norway. Following numerous public reports of a large, unidentified object, three police officers were dispatched to investigate. They located the object, which turned out to be a large, approximately two-and-a-half meter long bag made of very thin plastic, printed with "Solar Power." The object had apparently floated due to the sun heating the air inside the bag. The police recovered the 'toy,' and the article humorously notes that it's unlikely to be prosecuted. The report is attributed to Olav Myklebust, with mentions of police prosecutor Ole Petter Parnemann and police constable Trond Unæs.

"It's My UFO" - A Personal Account

Another article, titled "Det er min UFO" (It's My UFO), features Richard Moe from Åskollen in Drammen. He claims the UFO that caused a stir in the city was his own hot air balloon, which had gotten loose and ended up with the police. He has since gotten his 'toy' back.

Brazilian Support for Hessdalen UFOs

An article from 'Arbeidets Rett' (Røros), dated May 28, 1986, reports that according to the American newspaper USA TODAY, the Brazilian Air Force will be conducting investigations into UFO sightings. These observations in Brazil reportedly share significant similarities with those that occurred in Hessdalen, Norway, over several years. The Hessdalen sightings often involved inverted Christmas tree-like phenomena with white, green, and red lights, and eyewitness accounts from Brazil are said to be very similar to those reported from Hessdalen.

Erich von Däniken Criticized

A piece from 'Arbeidets Rett' (Røros), dated June 2, 1986, titled "N FORVRENGER» (Distorts), features an interview with Kolbjørn Stenødegård, leader of the Norwegian Institute for Scientific Research and Information (NIVFO). Stenødegård strongly criticizes Erich von Däniken, accusing him of being uncritical, distorting facts, and misrepresenting statements to support his theories about ancient astronauts. Stenødegård specifically refutes Däniken's interpretation of a Mayan tomb carving, stating it depicts a Mayan priest in a religious ceremony, not an astronaut. He also mentions that Däniken's translations of ancient Sanskrit texts are questionable and require further investigation. NIVFO, a privately funded organization, aims to debunk pseudoscientific claims.

Declining UFO Interest in Scandinavia

Several articles from June 1986, sourced from NTB and published in 'Arbeiderbladet' and 'Varden,' report a significant decline in UFO interest in Scandinavia. Torben Birkeholm, chairman of Skandinavisk UFO-informasjon, states that the organization has lost half its members over four years. The number of reported UFO sightings has also fallen sharply. Birkeholm suggests that the organization itself has contributed to this decline by successfully explaining 95% of reported sightings as natural phenomena. The remaining 5% are thoroughly documented for future reference.

UFOs - The Greatest Mystery of Our Time?

An article by Tormod Hagen from 'Farsunds Avis' (dated June 30, 1986) explores the growing interest in UFOs over recent decades, attributing it to their mysterious nature and advanced capabilities. Hagen questions whether these are secret weapons from superpowers. He then delves into historical interpretations, referencing the Old Testament (Genesis and Ezekiel) and suggesting that biblical figures like God's sons and the prophet Elijah's 'fiery chariot' could be interpreted as evidence of ancient UFO encounters. He also mentions the concept of 'vimanas' (flying machines) from ancient Indian texts, powered by atmospheric energy, and questions if ancient cultures possessed advanced technology or knowledge of phenomena like solar energy.

Historical UFO Accounts and Modern Interpretations

Continuing the historical theme, Hagen discusses how ancient texts and artifacts might be interpreted as evidence of UFOs. He mentions the "Uzbekistan 'Space Traveler'" depicted in a cave painting, which Russian researchers suggest might be a depiction of a cosmonaut visiting ancient ancestors. He also refers to the Roman historian Tacitus's account of "shining triangles" over Rome in 65 AD and Egyptian reports of "shining spheres." Hagen posits that these historical accounts, along with the frequent mention of loud noises in older UFO reports (contrasting with modern silent UFOs), suggest a technological evolution of these craft. He concludes by suggesting that the increased UFO activity in modern times, especially since humanity reached a high technological level, might be due to extraterrestrial beings fearing humanity's potential for self-destruction, referencing the Chernobyl disaster.

Reader Correspondence

The issue includes two letters from readers. The first, addressed "To Whom It May Concern," requests information and prices for various English-written UFO journals, newsletters, and publications, including "Nordic UFO Newsletters," "Tidings," "Norsk UFO Forum," and "Rapportnytt." The second letter, from Peter Kondiles (US Navy), expresses gratitude for service and asks a question: "Do most of the UFO occupants (abductees) confront in the Scandinavian countries speak ENGLISH OR GERMAN?" He requests elaboration or direction to material that might answer this question.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings (both contemporary and historical), the investigation of these phenomena, and the critical examination of theories, particularly those presented by Erich von Däniken. There's a notable focus on debunking sensational claims, as seen in the Drammen police report and NIVFO's critique of Däniken. The magazine also touches upon the declining public interest in UFOs in Scandinavia. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, balancing the reporting of UFO events with a critical and skeptical approach, particularly towards pseudoscientific interpretations and historical revisionism.

This issue of MORGENAVISEN fremtiden, dated July 16, 1986, features a prominent cover story titled 'UFO i Hallingdal?' (UFO in Hallingdal?). The magazine is published by A-S BYRÅET FOR AVISUTKLIPP and covers news and events in Norway.

UFO Sighting in Hallingdal

The main focus of the issue is a series of events in the Hallingdal region of Norway, suggesting a possible UFO presence. The article details the discovery of two identical, unexplained rings found burned into the ground near Synningen, north of Torpo. These rings are described as having a diameter of seven meters, a width of approximately 30 cm, and burn marks in the soil reaching a depth of four cm. The rings are located about 30 meters apart.

Alf Berntsen, a 70-year-old resident of Torpo, discovered the rings while with his brother-in-law. He expressed that the phenomenon is "completely unexplainable and strange" and that he has never seen anything like it before. He refrained from speculating on the cause but noted that similar burned marks had been found in the area years prior.

Official Investigation

Major Oddvar Kolstadbråten from the Heimevernskolen (Home Guard School) on Torpo collected soil samples from the burned areas. These samples are to be analyzed to determine the cause. Representatives from the Home Guard, who have jurisdiction over the area adjacent to the mysterious rings, were contacted by the local sheriff's office for assistance. Major Kolstadbråten stated that while he cannot speculate on what happened, there is no reason to hide the fact that it is "strange." He did not rule out natural explanations but acknowledged the unusual nature of the rings.

Video Evidence from Torpo

In a separate but potentially related event, Torfinn Tonning and his family, while vacationing at a seter (mountain farm) in Torpo, Hallingdal, observed luminous objects in the sky for two hours around 1:00 AM on a Sunday night. They described the objects as having clear forms and moving in the sky at an altitude of three to four hundred meters. Torfinn Tonning managed to film the phenomena with a video camera and also used binoculars that magnified 20 times. He described the objects as "elliptical" with three circles in the middle and a white, radiant arc resembling a dome.

Expert Analysis of Video Footage

Odd Gunnar Røed, a UFO expert from Tønsberg who has studied UFOs since 1973, reviewed the video footage. He described the recording as "fantastic" and stated that it clearly shows a luminous object with a distinct form. Røed asserted that it is impossible for the object to be a star or planet, and that no aircraft or helicopter could perform such maneuvers. He concluded that the footage captures something "completely unexplainable for now."

Members of the UFO Norge organization also examined the video recording. They echoed Røed's assessment, finding the video "fantastic" and stating that it shows a luminous object with a clear form, moving in a way that rules out natural explanations like stars, planets, or conventional aircraft.

Skepticism and Alternative Explanations

Sigurd Haugan from Mælum expressed skepticism, suggesting the events might be a "summer prank" and that it is relatively easy to manipulate filming and photography. He proposed that images could be altered to appear as UFOs, citing an example of a lamp in an operating room potentially being mistaken for a UFO.

Another perspective offered suggests that the planet Jupiter might be mistaken for a UFO. However, the explanation for the burned rings points to a type of mushroom known as "micro-sopps" (micro-fungi) which can create fairly regular rings, sometimes quite large, up to 10-12 meters in diameter. These fungi are common in Southern Norway.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly leans towards the possibility of UFO activity in Hallingdal, presenting both the physical evidence of the burned rings and the video footage as compelling, albeit unexplained, phenomena. The involvement of the Home Guard adds a layer of official interest. While skepticism is briefly mentioned, the overall tone emphasizes the mysterious and unexplainable nature of the events, particularly highlighting the expert opinions on the video evidence. The magazine appears to be open to UFO theories and presents the findings in a way that encourages further investigation and public interest.

This document is an excerpt from the Norwegian newspaper 'Varden', featuring an article about a significant UFO sighting and video recording by Torleif Tonning. The report highlights the analysis of this evidence by experts from UFO Norge, discusses the implications of the sighting, and touches upon related theories.

UFO Sighting and Video Evidence The main focus of the article is the video recording made by Torleif Tonning, a resident of Skotfoss, of an unidentified flying object (UFO) in the mountains between Hemsedal and Hallingdal. According to UFO-expert Odd Gunnar Røed, the video captured a luminous object with a distinct shape that moved in ways not explainable by conventional aircraft, stars, or planets. Røed described the phenomenon as 'something completely inexplicable' and stated that further analysis might bring them closer to an answer. The experts from UFO Norge were reportedly 'completely impressed' by the quality and content of the video.

Torleif Tonning, along with other witnesses, observed the phenomenon through a powerful telescope and his video camera for about an hour. The sighting involved two objects that performed 'most incredible maneuvers' before disappearing at 'a tremendous speed' into space. The article notes that Tonning's family has been under considerable pressure since the story became public, and Røed emphasized the need for calm to allow for proper investigation.

Physical Trace Evidence Adding to the mystery, the day after the sighting, a person 'stumbled upon' four-centimeter deep scorch marks on the mountain where the UFOs were observed. These marks have been examined by military experts, though no official findings have been released yet. Members of UFO Norge planned to investigate the site further, testing for radioactivity, fungi, and acidity to potentially uncover more clues about the nature of the landing site.

UFO Norge's Investigation and Theories Odd Gunnar Røed, a member of a six-person Norwegian committee within UFO Norge dedicated to meticulously examining UFO reports, images, and films, has been interested in the subject since he was young and particularly engaged since 1973. He possesses a substantial collection of materials on UFO phenomena at his home in Tønsberg. Røed considers Tonning's video recording to be 'fantastic,' even though other individuals have also filmed UFOs.

The article mentions that the interest in UFOs remains high in Norway. For most people, UFOs are synonymous with manned spacecraft from unknown worlds, capable of speeds and maneuvers beyond human understanding. Numerous accounts of UFO encounters exist, including some involving military fighter jets, though public information on these is often scarce. Some individuals claim to have been taken aboard alien craft and later released.

Erich von Däniken's Theories The article briefly touches upon the theories of Swiss author Erich von Däniken, who has published numerous books suggesting that Earth has been visited by extraterrestrial beings multiple times throughout history. Von Däniken posits that biblical accounts, such as descriptions of angels traveling in fiery chariots or Jesus himself, could be interpreted as encounters with beings from an advanced, unknown civilization. He bases his theories on ancient texts and rock carvings depicting figures with helmets resembling modern space gear. While his theories are unique, his books have achieved significant global sales.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The article reflects a stance of serious investigation into UFO phenomena, giving significant weight to photographic and video evidence. The experts from UFO Norge are presented as credible sources, emphasizing the inexplicable nature of the observed events. The editorial stance appears to be open to the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation, as evidenced by the inclusion of Erich von Däniken's theories, while also acknowledging the existence of natural explanations for some sightings. The overall tone is one of intrigue and a commitment to uncovering the truth behind unexplained aerial phenomena.