Kosmisk Bulletin - 1970 No 9 sept

Magazine Overview

Title: Svensk IGAP journal
Issue: Nr 9, Årg. 2
Date: September 1970
Publisher: IGAP (International Get Acquainted Program)
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of Svensk IGAP journal, the official organ of IGAP in Sweden, focuses on the UFO phenomenon with a scientific and rational approach. It aims to inform the public about sightings and the potential for extraterrestrial contact, while debunking mysticism and occultism.

Editorial: The Purpose of the Journal and the UFO Phenomenon

The editorial section outlines the journal's mission, which is to support the International Get Acquainted Program (IGAP) founded by George Adamski. The program's goal is to help people accept the reality of extraterrestrial visitors and their advanced knowledge, which could aid humanity in solving its problems. The journal pledges to be a strong counterforce against those who distort or suppress information about UFOs. It promises to present news from leading UFO experts worldwide and from various institutions, aiming to reveal the 'naked truth' about the UFO matter. The editorial also stresses that IGAP, as initiated by Adamski, must be based on sound reasoning, excluding mysticism and occultism. The journal is sent to civil and military authorities, religious leaders, scientists, and the media, and it maintains a politically, religiously, and sect-independently stance.

Redaktionellt: Interplanetary Flying Saucers and Extraterrestrial Visitors

This section highlights recent statements by Dr. John Allen Hynek, a former UFO consultant for the US Air Force, who declared that flying saucers are interplanetary and that Earth is visited by extraterrestrials. This statement is presented as a significant development, especially given Hynek's previous skepticism and his involvement in the 'swamp gas theory.' The editorial suggests that these extraterrestrials, having overcome vast interstellar distances, would not merely engage in reconnaissance but would seek contact. It argues that such contacts must have occurred and have indeed occurred, not just with frightening beings but potentially with beings similar to humans. The text criticizes both the dismissal of potential alien visitors as 'grotesque' and the uncritical acceptance of mental communications with them. It emphasizes that UFOlogy must be treated as a science, relying on verifiable facts such as witness accounts, photos, and films, rather than fantasies or wishful thinking.

UFO Case: The Condon Affair After Condon by Dr. John Allen Hynek

This article discusses the controversial Condon Report, which concluded that unidentified flying objects (UFOs) are figments of imagination. The report, commissioned by the University of Colorado and supported by the US Air Force, led to the cessation of the Air Force's 22-year involvement in UFO investigations. Despite the report's conclusions, Hynek notes that new reports of strange observations continue to come from pilots, police, and other responsible individuals. He points out that while many governments still maintain offices for UFO reports, few have undertaken serious investigations. The article highlights that UFO reports are more common in rural areas, where witnesses are often respected members of the community, making it less likely they would fabricate their experiences. Hynek questions the scientific validity of dismissing multiple witnesses' accounts of similar phenomena, especially when accompanied by reports of electrical disturbances. He presents three alternatives for explaining UFOs: a fantastic delusion, a craft operating under unknown physical laws, or a non-physical phenomenon creating the illusion of a physical object. The article also presents a table of UFO reports to the Air Force from 1947 to 1969, showing a peak in reports during the mid-1960s. It discusses the concept of 'latent reports,' suggesting that millions of UFO sightings may go unreported. Hynek concludes that the UFO problem is far from solved and that established scientists are reluctant to engage with it due to its perceived lack of scientific rigor. He poses the question of whether reports will cease after the Condon report or continue, and how the public will receive information if official channels are closed.

Science: Mars Landing 1981 and Phobos

This section touches upon space exploration. Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger of NASA suggests that a Mars landing could be possible by 1981, provided certain technological advancements are made, particularly in energy sources for electric rockets. The article also discusses the Martian moon Phobos, noting that recent images have revealed it to be the darkest celestial body recorded in the solar system, with an albedo lower than Mercury, the Moon, or Mars itself. Phobos's elongated shape also suggests it may have been captured later in Mars's history, rather than being formed with the planet.

Science: Colony on the Moon Now Possible

Italian scientists have reportedly found that lunar rocks contain enough oxygen to sustain astronauts. Tests indicate that heating lunar rocks in a vacuum releases oxygen, which could be used for breathing and for growing plants, potentially enabling self-sufficient moon colonies and providing fuel for return journeys.

UFO News

This section compiles several UFO sighting reports from various locations:

• Sweden: A saucer-shaped object was seen in the sky over Västvärmland, described as a golden ball the size of a teacup.
• Sweden: A luminous triangle was observed over Öbacka, leading to speculation about whether it was a weather balloon or a military object. Traffic control at Sundsvall-Härnösand Airport had not authorized any such object.
• Denmark: A police car's camera captured images of a mysterious light phenomenon over Haderslev that caused the car's engine and radio to fail. A Danish NATO major stated that such 'flying saucers' are not uncommon and have been registered frequently over Danish airspace.

"The Thinking Meteorite"

This article recounts an incident in February 1969 where a Russian spacecraft nearly collided with an object described as a 'meteorite.' The object, which displayed intelligent behavior by altering its course to match the spacecraft's, eventually landed in Ceballos, Durango, Mexico. The event attracted significant interest from scientists worldwide, including Wernher von Braun. Investigations at the landing site revealed unusual dust and stones, with some theorizing that intelligent beings from another galaxy might be studying the area. The article notes that the US had requested permission to establish a space observation center in Ceballos.

"A Comb Through It" by Gerda Rörbaek Nielsen

This essay critiques the tendency to generalize and stereotype individuals and groups, including those involved in UFO phenomena. The author argues that such prejudices hinder understanding and progress. She suggests that positive generalizations, like assuming all mothers or extraterrestrials are angelic, are merely projections of our own desires and ideals, rather than reflections of reality. The author advocates for recognizing the individuality of all beings, whether human or extraterrestrial, and warns against the dangers of negative generalizations.

UFO Visits in Ancient Egypt by Roberto Pinotti

This article presents a translation of an ancient Egyptian papyrus, believed to be from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (circa 1483-1450 BC). The text describes 'circles of fire' appearing in the sky, characterized by their size (45 meters long and wide), lack of sound, and an unpleasant odor. The phenomenon caused fear and confusion among the scribes and was reported to the Pharaoh. The papyrus also mentions that these 'fire circles' became more numerous and brighter, and that fish and birds fell from the sky. The author suggests that this ancient account, along with other myths and legends, may indicate that extraterrestrial beings visited Earth in the past and were perceived as divine figures. The article also touches upon the concept of 'Elohim' in the Bible, suggesting it refers to 'gods' rather than a singular God, and connects this to ancient astronaut theories.

Call to Action: Help Build a UFO Reporting Network

The final section appeals to readers to help establish a network of UFO reporters across Sweden. The goal is to create a system where witnesses can quickly report sightings via telephone, allowing for rapid communication between reporters and potentially enabling the capture of photographic or other evidence. The magazine asks interested individuals to write to the editorial office for more information on how to participate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific investigation of UFOs, the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation, and the critique of both governmental dismissal and uncritical acceptance of UFO phenomena. The journal consistently advocates for a rational, evidence-based approach, distinguishing itself from more speculative or occult interpretations. The editorial stance is clear: UFOlogy is a science that deserves serious study, and the truth about these phenomena should be revealed to the public. There is a strong emphasis on debunking myths and prejudices, both in the context of UFOs and in broader social interactions, as highlighted in Gerda Rörbaek Nielsen's article.