Klipprunden - 1989 02 19

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO-NORGE, dated January 27, 1989, focuses on UFO phenomena, investigations, and public perception, with a particular emphasis on Norwegian sightings and debates. The magazine acts as a clearinghouse for UFO-related news and discussions within Norway.

Hovin UFO Sighting Explained

The cover story, "Naturlig UFO – på Hovin" (Natural UFO – in Hovin), addresses a UFO observation from December 14th. Petter I. Nordtømme from Hovin contacted the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics at the University of Oslo for an explanation. According to Øivind Hauge from the institute, the timing, time of day, and movement of the observed light phenomenon strongly suggest it was a "fireball." Hauge explains that Earth passes through a swarm of smaller bodies, remnants of a comet, and on December 14th, it passes through a swarm of larger bodies that create powerful "shooting stars." These particles, called Geminids, appear to originate from a specific constellation. Hauge also notes that judging distance from a single observation point is difficult, and while hearing such objects is unlikely, some large shooting stars, or bolides, can descend low enough into the atmosphere to produce a "thunderclap." He attributes the phenomenon to the sun's light reflecting off high-altitude clouds, which can appear much lower than they actually are, typically between 200 and 800 meters, or even higher.

Debate Over the Bærøfjorden UFO Photo

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a controversy surrounding a UFO photograph taken by Kamran Bahramfarsi over Bærøfjorden. The article "Hvem bløffer i UFO-saken?" (Who is bluffing in the UFO case?) from Kragerø Blad (January 21st) features an article by Egil Mathisen, who claims the photo is a hoax. Mathisen, a journalist from Larvik, interviewed Bahramfarsi after the photo gained attention in Vestmar and TA. Initially, Mathisen presented the photo as a UFO story but later, after examining the negatives, declared it a bluff, citing his background in photo labs. The article questions Mathisen's motives, suggesting he may have done this for personal gain.

Karna Vogt, a freelance journalist, responds in "Hvem bløffer i UFO-saken?" from Vestmar (February 1st), defending Bahramfarsi. Vogt states that Bahramfarsi was advised by friends to contact the press and that she herself found the photo interesting enough to write an article for Vestmar. She also notes that TA, Vestmar, and Søndag-Søndag found the story significant enough to feature it on their front pages. Vogt argues that it is reasonable for Bahramfarsi to be paid for such a unique photograph, implying Mathisen likely did not write his article for free. She also points out that the term UFO simply means "unidentified flying object" and can encompass various phenomena, questioning who is truly bluffing in this case.

Another article from Vestmar (February 3rd) titled "UFO'en over Bærøfjorden" (The UFO over Bærøfjorden) further discusses the incident. It mentions that several people in the Kragerø area reported seeing a strong light in the sky over Skåtøy around the same time Bahramfarsi took his photo. A woman from Jomfruland expresses frustration at the ease with which such observations are dismissed as hoaxes, stating that she and others saw the same phenomenon from a different angle, initially mistaking it for a plane crash but concluding it was a UFO. She questions why people are not believed, especially when multiple witnesses report similar sightings.

Other UFO and Paranormal Reports

Page 4 features an article from Nordvest Nytt (February 2nd) by Kurt Sivertsen, "Var det en UFO eller...?" (Was it a UFO or...?), discussing a luminous object seen over Smøla. Reidar Strand, a stargazer, identifies it as a "luminous cloud" phenomenon, common in Finland but rare in Norway, caused by high-altitude clouds reflecting sunlight.

"Lever av overtro" (Living on Superstition) by Jan Erik Kaarø, published in Adresseavisen (February 5th), profiles the magazine "Det ukjente" (The Unknown), which focuses on paranormal topics like ghosts, healing, and parapsychology. Editors Finn A. Riise and Olaf M. Stensen discuss their work, including receiving tips about people with special abilities and their investigation into the Hessdalen UFOs. They emphasize the growing interest in alternative science in Norway and encourage a more open-minded approach to the unknown.

Page 5 includes a piece from Hamar Dagblad (February 4th) titled "Refleks eller UFO?" (Reflection or UFO?), concerning a photograph taken by principal Theodor Abrahamsen of a luminous object. Analysis suggests it might be a reflection of the moon.

Grimstad Adressetidende (February 9th) reports on "Uforklarlige lys-fenomener på himmelen" (Unexplained light phenomena in the sky), where Oddvin Solberg describes seeing two stationary white-yellow lights. He considers possibilities like aircraft but ultimately finds the phenomenon unexplainable, though he doesn't claim it was a UFO.

American Tabloid Journalism

Page 6 features an article by Graham Earnshaw (NTB-Reuter) titled "USAS SENSASJONSAVISER SLAR ALT" (USA's Sensationalist Newspapers Hit Everything). It discusses the nature of American tabloid newspapers, which sell millions of copies with headlines about aliens, psychic abilities, and sensational claims. Editors like Eddie Clontz admit they don't always verify stories if they are entertaining and harmless. The article notes that these tabloids often cover UFOs and stories about people returning from the dead.

UFO-NORGE Committee Activities

Page 8 contains minutes from a UFO-NORGE committee meeting held on February 2nd, 1989. Attendees included Hans Kr. Moe, Ole Jonny Brenne, Mentz Kaarbø, Per Ottesen, Odd-Gunnar Røed, and Erling Strand. Key discussion points included:

• News: A journalist's failed interview attempt for NRK-Østfold, the book "Communion" being translated to Norwegian, and the closure of Project URD and Project UFO-data. The latter had collected 1500 reports, 300 of which were UFOs.
• Shared Telephone Number: The committee agreed to establish a shared telephone number in six major cities (Tromsø, Bodø, Trondheim, Stavanger, Kristiansand, and Oslo), with Odd-Gunnar Røed arranging it to be free for a trial period.
• ARGUS: The committee unanimously decided to continue subscribing to ARGUS for 1989, with an annual review.
• Miscellaneous: Anders Liljegren (AFU) is maintaining a UFO database for Sweden, Scan-Cat, containing 1700 reports, and all information sent out by UFO-Norge will also be sent to him.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a consistent interest in UFO phenomena, ranging from scientific explanations for sightings to debates about the authenticity of photographic evidence. There's a clear effort to document and investigate reported events within Norway. The magazine also acknowledges the sensationalist nature of some media, particularly American tabloids, while maintaining a more investigative approach to UFO reports. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded skepticism, encouraging the collection of data and the exploration of unexplained phenomena without outright dismissal. The committee's activities highlight a structured approach to managing the organization and its information dissemination.