Nordic UFO Newsletter - 1985 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: NORDIC UFO NEWS LETTER
Issue: No.1 1985
Date: 1 1985 (January 1, 1985)
Publisher: Nordic UFO Groups
Country of Publication: Norway
Language: English
ISSN: 0800-1154

This issue of the Nordic UFO Newsletter, published by Nordic UFO Groups (comprising UFO-Norge, Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige, and Suomen Ufotutkijat r.y.), presents a collection of UFO reports and investigations from the Nordic region and beyond. The newsletter is published twice annually and is available via exchange or subscription.

Editorial and Contact Information

The editor of the newsletter is Mentz Kaarbø, located in Bergen, Norway. The publication provides addresses for various UFO research organizations in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, including UFO-Norge, Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige, The UFO Research of Finland, and Nordic UFO Groups. It also lists addresses for their respective periodicals, such as "UFO-Aktuellt" and "UFO".

Subscription Rates

Starting from this issue, individuals and groups can subscribe to the newsletter. The prices are as follows: Norway: Nkr. 10,- per issue; Europe: Nkr. 15,- per issue; Elsewhere: Nkr. 20,- per issue. These prices include handling and first-class postage. Payment can be made via bank transfer to a Norwegian bank account or by checks drawn on a Norwegian bank. International Money Orders are also accepted. The publication notes that the tiding may be somewhat irregular and recommends paying for one issue at a time. Despite the new subscription option, exchange agreements are still encouraged.

Content Overview

The table of contents reveals several featured articles:

• A Close Encounter from the Year 1944
• UFO observed from Bodø Airport
• UFO over Nordmøre
• Project Hessdalen, Part II
• J. Allen Hynek visits Norway
• Exchanges

Article 1: A Close Encounter from the Year 1944

This article investigates a UFO sighting that allegedly occurred in Impilahti, by Lake Ladoga, between July 26 and August 2, 1944. The witness, Jaakku Kivisto, a non-commissioned medical officer, described a large, cigar-shaped object hovering at an altitude of 50-70 meters. He noted its slow movement, comparable to walking speed, and observed rectangular windows on its side. The object was estimated to be about 30 meters long and was described as having a metal-looking, greyish color, possibly with a reddish hue due to reflections. Kivisto reported that the object moved silently and without any visible wings, rudders, or propellers, eventually vanishing towards the east-southeast over Lake Ladoga. The author researched Finnish war archives and logbooks of nearby military units but found no official reports of unusual aerial phenomena during that period. The article suggests the object might have vanished "into thin air" or moved too fast to be observed, common traits in UFO reports. The author also attempts to precisely date the observation, linking it to political events in Finland around August 1-3, 1944, and concludes the sighting likely occurred on August 2, 1944, based on weather reports.

Article 2: UFO observed from Bodø Airport

On January 16, 1983, at approximately 1:40 PM, meteorologist Asbjørn Borge and six other individuals witnessed a slim, black-grey cylinder hovering motionless at Bodø Airport, Norway. The object was observed at an elevation of about 40-45 degrees. It moved slowly towards the SSW, leaving a dense tail of smoke or steam. Some observers noted the object reflecting the sun. The sighting lasted about 5 minutes, and the object gradually grew smaller until it vanished above a cloud. The phenomenon was not registered on radar. This report is an excerpt from a report by Leif Normann Solhaug of UFO-Norge.

Article 3: UFO over Nordmøre

This section discusses a daylight photograph of a UFO published on the front page of the Norwegian newspaper "Verdens Gang" (VG) on August 7, 1984. The photograph, allegedly taken by Pål Kristian Vaag on August 19, 1983, near Aure, Nordmøre, depicts a classic saucer-shaped metallic object with good definition. Air Force officers at the Supreme Command and photographic analyzers at Rygge were reportedly stunned and could not easily explain the picture as a hoax. Experts from the Norwegian Institute of Technology also could not discredit it. Staff Lieutenant-Colonel Einar Smedsvig commented that if it were a fraud, it was "amazingly cleverly performed." The article includes Pål Kristian Vaag's own account, describing the object approaching vertically, halting at a distance of 200 meters, and changing its appearance after reflecting the sun.

Article 4: Project Hessdalen, Part II

This article is a continuation of a previous report on Project Hessdalen, but the content is not detailed in the provided scan.

Article 5: J. Allen Hynek visits Norway

This article is mentioned in the table of contents but its content is not detailed in the provided scan.

Article 6: Exchanges

This section likely contains correspondence or information regarding exchanges with other UFO publications or groups, as indicated by the table of contents.

Other Mentions and Reports

• Loimola Case: The article revisits the Loimola case, investigating war logbooks to pinpoint the date of Sgt. Kylliäinen's observation, suggesting it was around August 2 or 3, 1944.
• Gumøy Observation: A similar cylindrical object was observed on September 7, 1975, above Østre Gumøy in southern Norway. Witnessed by five people, including an inshore boat captain, the object was described as a slim, greyish-brown cylinder, about 30 meters high, flying at an altitude of 15-20 meters, and later ascending to 300 meters before disappearing.
• Danish UFO Photo: A brief mention is made of a Danish UFO photograph that was later revealed to be a chemical drop on the film after computer analysis.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include historical UFO cases (particularly from wartime Finland), contemporary sightings in Norway and Sweden, and the analysis of photographic evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into UFO phenomena, presenting witness accounts and expert analyses without immediate dismissal, while also acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes and the need for rigorous examination, as seen in the discussion of the Nordmøre photograph. The newsletter aims to document and share UFO-related information within the Nordic countries.

This issue of "UFO-Norge" (Volume 1984, Issue 4/5, dated August 1984) primarily focuses on the sensational Pål Kristian Vaag UFO photograph case and provides an update on the Hessdalen Project.

Pål Kristian Vaag UFO Photo Case

The cover story, "PÅL TOK UFO-BILDET" (Paul Took the UFO Picture), details the events surrounding a photograph taken by Pål Kristian Vaag on August 19, 1983, near Aure, Norway. Vaag, a conscripted cook, claimed to have observed and photographed a large, silent, grey object with a cupola-like structure. He described it as moving away at maximum speed without any sense of acceleration, fading into the fog within seconds. The observation lasted about two minutes, and Vaag estimated the object's size to be around 10 meters in diameter at a distance of 150-250 meters.

Initially, Vaag kept the photograph private for over six months, fearing ridicule. When he eventually shared it with friends, the story gained traction. Several Norwegian newspapers, including VG, published the photo, with headlines ranging from "UFO fraud" to "Clever UFO hoax." The Air Force's photo analyzers at Rygge airport, led by Captain Kåre Kvamme, found no technical flaws in the picture, stating that the light and proportions appeared correct and a photo-montage was excluded. However, Kvamme remained skeptical, suggesting the object might have been thrown into the air, requiring exceptional skill or luck to photograph sharply.

Further investigation involved researcher Jarle Hjelen at the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTH) in Trondheim, who used a scanning electron microscope. This advanced method, capable of analyzing film surface and structure, also failed to definitively discredit the photo. Hjelen expressed that he could "say next to nothing about the picture" and admitted to being skeptical of paranormal phenomena.

A theory about a weather balloon was dismissed by assistant meteorologist Thor Bretting, as such balloons were not regularly launched in that area. The camera used, a Kodak Disc 4000, was a simple pocket-camera that made manipulation difficult.

In February 1985, VG published a follow-up, revealing Vaag's confession that the photograph was a hoax. He admitted to using a wooden book support, painted grey, attached to a fishing line and a cut waterpipe, which he then suspended from the roof of his woodshed. The entire setup took about five minutes to arrange. Vaag claimed the idea came from a street preacher in Copenhagen who showed him a staged UFO picture. He sold the rights to the picture to a friend, Alf P. Buer, for 500 Norwegian kroner, who in turn sold it to VG for a much larger sum. Vaag himself only received 10% of the initial sale price.

During the autumn of 1984, the Danish UFO organization SUFOI obtained copies of the picture and sent them to Ground Saucer Watch (GSW) in the USA for computer analysis. The results, received in January 1985, indicated that a thread was visible, suggesting the object was a small model mounted on a wire. This finding ultimately forced Vaag to admit his hoax.

The article concludes by reflecting on the case as a lesson in ufology, emphasizing the need for caution when assessing photographic evidence and highlighting the limitations of classical photoanalysis, advocating for thorough electronic image-processing techniques.

Project Hessdalen, Part II

The issue also provides an update on "Project Hessdalen, Part II," which took place from January 13 to January 27, 1985. This phase of the project involved increased support from the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (NDRE) and universities. Three observation sites were established: Headquarters at Hammarkneppen, Fieldstation 1 at Finnsåhøgda, and Fieldstation 2 at Rognefjellet. A total of at least 30 people, primarily from UFO-Sverige and Finland, participated.

The instrumentation used included spectrum analyzers, LF electromagnetical field meters, radar, seismographs, magnetometers, videorecorders, videocameras, a laser, an IR-viewer, a printer, and camera equipment. During the 14-day period, approximately 55 sightings of uncertain origin and 220 identified sightings (airplanes, helicopters, etc.) were recorded. However, no affirmative observations were made that could definitively explain the phenomenon. Bad weather conditions, including gales, fog, and snowfall, affected the number of sightings compared to Part I, though the quality of observations was considered better.

A selected sighting from January 16, 1985, involved Björn Lagesson and Leif Havik observing a strong flash of light while inside their tent at HQ.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance appears to be one of cautious investigation into UFO phenomena, acknowledging the possibility of genuine sightings while also highlighting the prevalence of hoaxes and the importance of rigorous scientific analysis. The Vaag case serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for skepticism and advanced analytical techniques in ufology. The Hessdalen Project report demonstrates a commitment to systematic, multi-disciplinary research into unexplained aerial phenomena.

This document is an issue of the magazine "NUFON", volume 3, issue 1/1985. It details observations and findings from the Project Hessdalen investigation in Norway during January and February 1985, along with reports on other UFO-related activities and publications. The language of the original document is English.

Project Hessdalen: Extension and Observations

The "Extension of Project Hessdalen, Part II" covers the period from 28 January to 10 February 1985. During this time, much of the main instrumentation was dismantled, and only three personnel remained: Leif Havik, Mariann Överström, and Björn Lagesson, tasked with visual and film observations. They operated from a tent at the former HQ, Hammarkneppen, enduring harsh weather conditions including strong winds and heavy snowfalls.

Despite the reduced instrumentation, this period yielded significant observations:

• January 19, 1985 (Saturday): At 06:59 pm, a warm-yellow ball of light appeared to the north, observed for 3-4 seconds.
• January 20, 1985 (Sunday): At 08:19 pm, a yellow and red point of light was seen moving northwards with a wavy motion. Due to distance and heavy snowfall, no pictures were taken.
• January 29, 1985 (Tuesday):
• At 05:39 pm, an intense orange ball of light was observed hovering for about 30 seconds. It was later identified as originating from a civilian guard training center 10 km away, indicating a gross underestimation of distance.
• At 08:13 pm, an object appeared from the south at airplane speed, travelling north without sound. Leif Havik took four photographs, one of which included Venus. Three other witnesses were present. Meteorological conditions were clear sky with a northerly breeze, temperature 9.5 °C.
• At 10:21 pm, an airplane (confirmed) travelling south was observed and photographed for comparison.
• January 31, 1985 (Thursday): Observations were made at Lake Øyungen and Lake Hersjøen (12-13 km SSW of HQ) of sphere-shaped phenomena with yellow-white colours, seen between 07:30 pm and 09:00 pm.
• February 1, 1985 (Friday): Similar sphere-shaped phenomena with yellow-white colours were observed at Lake Øyungen and Lake Hersjøen between 07:30 pm and 09:00 pm.
• February 6, 1985 (Wednesday): Between 06:53 and 07:10 pm, a weak warm-yellow/orange coloured light was observed on the eastern side of Rognefjellet mountain. It reappeared four times and was photographed. The observation lasted 17 minutes under half-clear sky conditions.
• February 7, 1985 (Thursday): At 10:10 pm, an object travelled southwards three minutes after an airplane had passed to the north. Both Björn Lagesson and Leif Havik photographed it.

The weather during this final period was generally rough, with snowflurries and poor visibility, and the photos taken did not show spectra due to weak light. The watch concluded on Sunday, February 10, 1985.

Photographic Record and Instrumentation

During the project, 38 B/W still films and 20 movie films (super 8 mm) were shot. While many cameras were equipped with gratings for spectral photography, the results are still being processed. The spectrum analyzers provided better documented recordings this year. However, the radar equipment yielded very few registrations, and the seismograph data is pending analysis. The laser was not used for directed responses this time. All observations were to be checked against data from the military radar station at Gråkallen outside Trondheim to rule out aircraft sightings. Currently, 184 recordings have an F/G index (Fl rating), indicating a possible known origin.

Conclusion of Project Hessdalen

The conclusion states that despite closer monitoring, no definitive verdict on the phenomenon's origin can be made. Its existence is affirmed by radar and other instruments, but its appearance remains elusive. The article suggests that major breakthroughs may require professional aid, but emphasizes the continued importance of amateur efforts to observe and encourage professional investigation.

J. Allen Hynek Visits Norway

Dr. J. Allen Hynek visited Norway from January 25 to February 3, 1985. He arrived at Fornebu airport and immediately headed to Hessdalen to observe the final days of Project Hessdalen, Part II. He traveled with Mr. Odd-Gunnar Røed of UFO-Norge. Despite a tiring journey and cold temperatures, Hynek was impressed by the instrumentation at the HQ. He met with members of UFO-Norge and UFO-Sverige, discussing ufological cases. After leaving Hessdalen, he had a conference at the University of Oslo, expressing satisfaction with the meeting and its potential for the future. He also visited Mr. Røed in Tønsberg and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) in Oslo, where he was interviewed on TV and shown film footage from Hessdalen. Hynek described his 10 days in Norway as "unforgettable" and urged continued investigation into the Hessdalen phenomenon, calling it unique on a global perspective.

Exchanges

This section lists periodicals and publications received by UFO-Norge as exchanges. It updates a previous list from 1983 and indicates the latest issue or copy received for each publication. Included are newsletters and bulletins from organizations in Sweden, Australia, Belgium, Germany, the UK, Brazil, Spain, Italy, France, and Switzerland. Specific publications mentioned include AFU Newsletter, Bulletin du GESAG, CENAP Report, Centre Update, IMPACT, Enigmas, and UFO News Flash, among many others.

Offer from Maurizio Verga

Maurizio Verga, a correspondent from Italy, offers three series of programs about Italian UFO catalogs for Commodore 64 microcomputers (also available for Apple II c). These programs are:

1. ITACAT: Italian Catalogue of close encounters (approx. 430 entries).
2. ITACAT N: Italian Catalogue of "negative" (IFO) close encounters (approx. 100 entries).
3. TRACAT: Italian catalogue of trace cases (approx. 160 cases).

Each series includes an introduction, graphic screens, a database, and a written presentation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing investigation of the Hessdalen phenomenon, the challenges of field research in adverse conditions, the role of scientific instrumentation, and the importance of international collaboration and information exchange within the UFO research community. The editorial stance appears to be one of persistent inquiry, acknowledging the elusive nature of the phenomenon while advocating for continued observation and research, and valuing both amateur and professional contributions. There is a clear emphasis on documenting sightings and analyzing data, even when results are inconclusive.