Klipprunden - 1987 10 09

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO-NORGE, dated September 29, 1987, is a compilation of UFO reports, committee meeting minutes, and articles related to UFO phenomena and lunar anomalies. The magazine aims to inform its readers about ongoing investigations and discussions within the UFO community in Norway.

Editorial Content

Klipprunden (Clipping Round)

The editorial section begins with a personal note from the editor, reflecting on the changing seasons and the purpose of the "Klipprunden" to maintain reader engagement during darker months. The editor mentions that the current clipping round is shorter than usual. A significant portion is dedicated to thoughts from Leif Havik regarding the potential closure of the "Rapportsentralen" (Report Center) and a proposal to decentralize its functions to various departments. Havik suggests a system where department leaders manage their areas, send out report forms, follow up with witnesses, and maintain an archive in a fireproof safe. The editor invites feedback on this proposal for the upcoming committee meeting on November 15th in Tønsberg.

The editor also provides a brief summary of the last committee meeting, where the magazine's content was discussed. There was a debate about whether the magazine was becoming too similar to "UFO" (presumably another publication), but the decision was made to proceed, with efforts to increase the print run for future issues due to high demand.

Financial matters were also touched upon, specifically Per Ottesen's request for funding for a computer to help with magazine production. While the request was initially approved, the technology is already becoming outdated. The article notes that the Pendlerforbundet (Commuters' Association) will cover the costs, and UFO-NORGE will pay Per Ottesen 500 kroner per issue for his services, which is described as well-compensated.

The editor also appeals to members to confirm their inclusion in the telephone directory for UFO-NORGE and its associated organizations.

Leif Havik's Thoughts

Leif Havik's proposal for restructuring the Rapportsentralen is further elaborated. He suggests dividing the center into departments, with each department leader responsible for their specific area, including collecting reports, interviewing witnesses, and managing a secure archive. The editor emphasizes that this would distribute the workload more evenly.

International Contacts and UFO Cases

An American named Vernon Becker contacted the organization from Copenhagen and Stockholm, expressing interest in a film by "Tonning." Becker claims to represent a person named van Kavatsky, who allegedly possesses the world's largest collection of UFO materials and performs work for the US government similar to that of GSW for UFO-NORGE. Becker was scheduled to visit Oslo to view the Tonning film.

A French contact also called, residing in Oslo, who had previously worked with van Kavatsky. This individual's insights are expected to be valuable.

The editor announces an upcoming trip to England for a week and a half, explaining the need to publish the current clipping round before departing.

Lunar Anomalies Debate

The issue includes a response to a series of articles about the moon's potential to be a hollow spaceship. The provided text includes a response to a "hollow moon theory" by Erik Tronstad, who argues against it. The editor states the intention to present both sides of an issue, and Tronstad's arguments are presented as the counterpoint.

Financial Matters

A reminder is issued to readers who found a payment form in the previous issue to submit it.

Meeting Report (Komité-møte den 28.09.87)

The minutes from a UFO-NORGE committee meeting held on September 28, 1987, detail discussions on various topics:

• The Magazine: The content of the magazine, particularly a report from England, was discussed. Concerns were raised about the length and style of the report, and it was decided that issue number 3 would be a "congress number." The print run for issues 3 and 4 was set at 800 copies each due to insufficient copies of earlier issues.
• Correspondence: Various incoming letters were discussed, including an invitation to a SUFOI 30th-anniversary celebration and an invitation to a UFO congress in Holland. A response was sent to the Yorkshire UFO Society regarding an internal dispute, stating UFO-NORGE's non-interference policy.
• Per Ottesen's PC Request: A decision was made to grant Per Ottesen authorization to purchase a PC with a subsidy from UFO-NORGE, ranging from 6000 to 10,000 kroner. The cost will be offset by his work on the magazine.
• Leif Havik's Letter: Havik's letter was read, emphasizing the need for more active engagement with authorities and correction of misinformation in encyclopedias and schoolbooks. The lack of a long-term strategy for UFO-NORGE was acknowledged, and the November 15th meeting was designated as a "strategy meeting."
• Other Business: A telescope advertisement worth 1000 kroner was mentioned. There was also news of a new magazine called "Mystikk" (Mysticism) that would compete with "Det Ukjente" (The Unknown).

UFO Sightings Reports

Several recent UFO sightings are reported:

• Askim: Valborg Aalerud reported seeing a luminous object with a long tail in the night sky. She does not typically believe in UFOs but was certain of what she saw.
• Råde: Rune Bjørnli (54) reported seeing a six-sided object with a small dome hovering over Sursbråtertjern. He described it as resembling small spaceships from cartoons and was visibly shaken by the experience.
• Mæresmyra: A woman observed a luminous object that remained stationary for two to three minutes before disappearing suddenly. She ruled out it being a star or an airplane.

Article: "Månen er ikke et romskip!" (The Moon is Not a Spaceship!)

This article, by Erik Tronstad, directly addresses and refutes claims made by "Voith" (presumably in a previous publication) that the moon is a spaceship. Tronstad systematically debunks Voith's assertions regarding:

• Crater Depth: Tronstad states that Voith's claim of craters being miles deep is scientifically unfounded.
• Lunar Seas Composition: Tronstad argues that the moon had sufficient lava flows from volcanic activity and meteor impacts to form the lunar seas, contradicting Voith's assertion that there wasn't enough lava.
• Lunar Bulge: The article explains the bulge on the moon's far side as a result of a thicker crust of lighter material (anorthosite) compared to the denser basalt layer found under the lunar seas on the near side. This, combined with the moon's tidal locking with Earth, explains the asymmetry.
• Water Vapor Emissions: Tronstad acknowledges reports of water vapor emissions detected in 1971 but states that NASA's explanation of leaks from spacecraft water tanks is not the only or accepted one. He suggests natural fissures in the lunar surface as a more likely source.
• Rust on the Moon: Tronstad corrects Voith's claim that rust (iron oxide) found in Apollo 16 samples is problematic. He explains that rust is simply oxidized iron and can form without water, although water accelerates the process. He notes that iron is abundant in lunar material, often bound with oxygen.
• UFOs and Astronauts: Tronstad addresses Voith's mention of astronauts seeing UFOs. He clarifies that while astronauts might have observed unidentified flying objects (UFOs), the idea of them being alien spaceships is not universally accepted. He points out that observations of lights on the moon are controversial and often explained by natural phenomena like gas emissions from fissures, possibly triggered by Earth's gravitational pull.

Tronstad concludes that there is no evidence to support Voith's theory of a hollow moon or alien inhabitants. He suggests that Voith's claims may be based on Donald K. Wilson's book, which he criticizes as speculative and misleading.

Other Mentions

• UFO ENCYCLOPEDIA: A request for new or revised material for an updated edition was received.
• "Ad ASTRA" Magazine: A request for an article about UFO-NORGE was received from VIDYA's magazine.
• "Mystikk" Magazine: A new magazine called "Mystikk" is set to launch and will compete with "Det Ukjente."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the scientific investigation of anomalous phenomena, and the internal organization and activities of UFO-NORGE. The editorial stance, particularly evident in Erik Tronstad's article, is one of critical analysis and a commitment to scientific explanations, debunking sensationalist or unsubstantiated claims about UFOs and lunar anomalies. The magazine also emphasizes the importance of documentation, member participation, and the dissemination of information within the UFO community. There is a clear effort to balance reporting on sightings with a skeptical, evidence-based approach to interpretation. The organization appears to be actively engaged in networking with international UFO groups and promoting its activities through various media.