Klipprunden - 1987 03 08

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO-Nytt, dated February 20, 1987, is heavily focused on a surge of UFO and unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings reported across Norway during February 1987. The magazine compiles numerous witness accounts, expert opinions, and news clippings from various regional newspapers.

Editorial and Committee News

The editorial section begins with a greeting from Nøtterøy on March 8th, acknowledging the recent increase in UFO reports. The author mentions a committee meeting that included a Christmas dinner and a subsequent meeting on February 21st. Key points from this meeting include:

• Advertising Exchange: An agreement for advertising exchanges between the magazine "UFO" and four new books in the "Det Ukjente" series, as well as with the newly started magazine "Det Ukjente." The magazine "UFO" hopes to secure advertising space in upcoming issues of "Det Ukjente" for a reduced price.
• Free Subscriptions: A proposal to provide free subscriptions to "UFO" for active contributors was approved for one year, with provisions for others who feel they have earned it.
• Project Hessdalen Presentation: Project Hessdalen was scheduled to be presented at the Fourth International Congress in London on July 10-12, with a presentation and update by Odd-Gunnar Røed and potentially Erling Strand. The article notes that they were invited to participate, not just attend.
• Swedish Committee Request: The Norwegian Project Hessdalen committee decided to postpone a decision on a 1000 NOK contribution request from the Swedish committee. The funds were intended for a 12-channel radio recorder, which could be useful for Hessdalen projects, but the immediate need and benefit were being weighed against the cost to the Project Hessdalen fund.
• UFO Lexicon: Hilary Evans is reportedly creating a UFO lexicon to help people understand UFO reports across different languages, including Norwegian.

UFO Sightings and Witness Accounts

The majority of the magazine is dedicated to detailing various UFO sightings:

• Eikebakken, Vennesla (February 8, 1987): John Håverstad reported seeing a flying fireball, described as handball-sized with a three-meter tail, moving at high speed and appearing to crash into a forest. He was not scared but excited by the experience. Doctor Øyvind Hauge from the University of Oslo suggested it could have been a meteor, noting that while meteor showers were not particularly active, ice clumps can also fall from space. He emphasized that such sightings are rare.
• Larvik (February 21, 1987): Several people reported seeing a round or oval object high in the sky, described as moon-like, with lights that changed color from red to green. The object was observed moving at times. The local newspaper "Østlands Posten" received multiple calls, with witnesses describing it as a UFO. Authorities at Torp radar station reported no unusual observations.
• Skien/Porsgrunn/Vealøs (February 19, 1987): Multiple reports emerged of a silent, orange, flying object observed over Vealøs. Witnesses described it as unusual, with clear lights and no blinking, unlike an airplane. One witness compared it to an "oil lamp color." The object was described as moving at a steady speed but without sound. Explanations ranged from satellites to balloons, but the witness remained uncertain.
• Kragerø (February 20, 1987): A woman reported seeing three strongly luminous spheres in the sky around 1980. She described them as moving in multiple directions before vibrating and disappearing at high speed over the fjord.
• Hamar (February 21, 1987): Three nurses at Hamar Hospital reported seeing a pear-shaped object that descended, hovered, and then rapidly ascended. They were certain it was not an airplane.
• Espa (February 20, 1987): Kari Hestnæs reported seeing a large, luminous object with windows gliding silently over her house. She initially mistook it for train sparks or a helicopter but realized it was something else due to the lack of sound and its unusual appearance.
• Hadeland (February 18, 1987): A mysterious luminous object, described as a sphere the size of a large star with a tail and red and green flames, was observed hovering over Gran and Brandbu for over half an hour.
• Jämtland, Sweden (March 18, 1986): Karl Axelsson and his wife observed a large, cigar-shaped object with luminous windows, from which smaller objects emerged. One landed on a mountain, while another disappeared at high speed. The object later emitted thick white smoke, resembling a cloud, as a Linjeflyg plane approached.
• Gjøvik (February 16, 1987): A luminous object was seen moving in a zig-zag pattern over the forest near Vola.

Expert Opinions and Analysis

• Tom Eriksen, Chairman of Grenland & Omegn Astronomical Society: Eriksen expressed skepticism about UFOs, suggesting that most sightings are misidentified aircraft, planets (like Venus), or atmospheric phenomena. He noted that the military's listening stations would likely detect any significant extraterrestrial craft. He cited a study of 3000 UFO reports, where most were explained as weather balloons, aircraft, or illusions.
• Odd Arnesen, AFIS (Aeronautical Information Service) representative at Geiteryggen Airport: Arnesen stated that based on descriptions of the object seen over Vealøs, it could not have been an airplane, as planes have specific lighting and do not typically have large, luminous windows. He noted that while he had seen unusual things in the sky, he had not encountered anything definitively UFO-related.
• Solobsevatoriet (Solar Observatory) at Harestua: Regarding the Hadeland sighting, the observatory suggested that the phenomenon was likely an innocent star, possibly enhanced by ice crystals in the atmosphere causing color refractions. They noted unusual atmospheric conditions at the time.

Other Articles

• "Ekle Stedsnavn" (Ugly Place Names): A lighthearted section listing peculiar place names submitted by readers.
• Young VG Editor: Ørjan Karlseng Albriktsen, a 14-year-old from Gruben, was selected as one of eight young "editors" for a special VG children's and youth magazine. He plans to write about UFOs and parapsychology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings with a tone that is both investigative and somewhat sensationalist, reflecting the public interest in the topic. While presenting witness accounts, it also includes expert opinions that often offer more conventional explanations, such as aircraft or natural phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, acknowledging the possibility of the unexplained while also grounding reports in scientific and logical analysis. The recurring theme is the widespread nature of these sightings across Norway, suggesting a potential increase in public awareness or actual occurrences during this period. The magazine encourages readers to submit their own sightings, indicating a desire to document and explore the phenomenon further.

Title: Varden
Issue Date: February 19, 1987
Document Type: Magazine Issue

UFO Over Vealøs?

This article, written by Kyrre Fjeldvik and illustrated by Tobiz, details a sighting of a potential UFO over Vealøs on a Monday evening. A man from Porsgrunn, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported seeing a cigar-shaped object with large, illuminated windows. He first observed a light moving northwest at a steady speed, which he could not identify even with a powerful binoculars. Later, from a higher vantage point at Frogner, he saw the object again, now moving east. He described the illuminated windows as a powerful orange light. He distinguishes this sighting from a regular airplane, noting the absence of blinking lights (red or white) and the unusual large, lit windows. He also mentions seeing a plane with the typical blinking lights shortly after. The object he saw appeared to hover at one point, resembling a bright star, but he concluded it was not a star due to its behavior and the presence of a rotating red light underneath, which he speculated might be from a helicopter.

UFO or Meteor on Sunday Evening?

This section, reported by Cheryl Macdonald, recounts a UFO sighting on Sunday evening. A woman from Flesberg, along with three companions, observed a luminous object while driving towards Kongsberg around 9:30 PM. Later, near Kongsberg, they witnessed up to three UFOs moving from east to west. The objects made no sound, and their speed varied. The woman described the yellow-white light as emanating from within the object, not from its exterior, and found it difficult to determine the shape, though she estimated significant dimensions. On their way back to Flesberg, they spoke with two individuals from Vestlandet who had also seen the phenomenon, suggesting it was observed over a wide area. The activity continued until around 11:30 PM, with the woman observing blue and red lights on the objects, and a bright white light high above. The article notes that four adults in their 50s-60s witnessed this event and invites other witnesses or those with explanations to contact Varden.

UFO Seen Over Vikeland?

This article features John Håverstad from Vennesla, who reported seeing a UFO over Vikeland on a Monday morning. While having his morning coffee, he noticed a car starting outside and looked up to see a flaming sphere, about the size of a football, flying horizontally from east to west. The object illuminated the Eikebakken area for about a second. Håverstad described it as a beautiful sight against the dark sky, with a strong red color and a trailing tail of light. He estimated its length to be around 3 meters, but noted the difficulty in judging distance. After the object disappeared, he looked up UFOs in his encyclopedia and concluded it was likely a meteor, citing its flat, straight trajectory as evidence against it being a rocket. He described the experience as a 'solemn feeling' and was impressed to witness such a rare event, expressing concern that others might doubt his account due to the lack of other witnesses.

Hestemysterium Pa Island (Horse Mystery in Iceland)

This report from Reykjavik, attributed to Magnus Gudmundsson and NTB, details a peculiar mystery in Iceland involving the disappearance of seven horses. The horses vanished from their enclosure on a farm in Østfjordur without leaving any tracks on the snow-covered ground. Extensive searches by foot and air yielded no results. The incident has sparked speculation ranging from UFOs to common horse thieves. Icelandic media is following the developments closely, with slaughterhouses and butchers denying any involvement. The farmer, Kristjan Benediktsson, is resorting to unconventional methods to find his horses, consulting individuals with 'spiritual abilities' who claim to be in contact with the afterlife. Theories suggest the horses are either trapped somewhere or are in a beautiful, mystical valley. The article notes that no such barn or valley has been found, and suggests that these descriptions might be symbolic of the afterlife, implying the horses may have met their end at the butcher's block while their spirits are elsewhere.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena, specifically UFO sightings. The magazine presents multiple accounts from different locations in Norway, suggesting a widespread interest in and occurrence of such events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open reporting, presenting witness testimonies and seeking explanations, while also providing potential scientific or mundane explanations, such as meteors. The inclusion of the Icelandic horse mystery, which touches upon the supernatural and unexplained, further broadens the scope of the unusual and mysterious events covered by the publication.