Nsrkontakt - 1994 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: NÄR KONTAKT
Issue: Nr 4, Årgång 5
Date: 1994
Publisher: Västra Sveriges UFO-Förening
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of 'När Kontakt', the member magazine for Västra Sveriges UFO-Förening, focuses heavily on the question of extraterrestrial life and the search for it. It features a prominent interview with Docent Gustav Rydbeck from Onsala Observatory, discussing the scientific perspective on life in the universe. The magazine also includes practical aspects of UFO investigation, eyewitness accounts, and speculative articles on alleged extraterrestrial artifacts.

Editorial and Member Engagement

The editorial section, penned by Daniel and Peter, apologizes for the delay in publication, attributing it to the time taken to gather material. They encourage members to attend upcoming meetings, especially the annual general meeting on February 26th, where new positions will be filled. They also appeal for more material submissions from members to ensure future issues are well-stocked. The magazine highlights the membership fee for 1994 (150 SEK, 75 SEK for under 18s) and provides contact details for the editors and the association. A separate section, 'Alla medlemmar kan och bör vara medarbetare i vår tidning' (All members can and should be contributors to our magazine), urges readers to share their opinions, book reviews, clippings, and reports, particularly from the Gothenburg area.

Anders Persson, the chairman, in his column 'Liv i rymden? Javisst!!' (Life in space? Certainly!!), reflects on the delay of issue number 4 and the extensive material compilation. He notes the prevalence of space-themed programs on television and believes this increased public interest could make discussions about UFOs more acceptable. Persson mentions that interviews with the public reveal a surprising openness to the idea of alien visitation, with many believing we have been visited or could be visited in the future. He also addresses the low attendance at the association's meetings (around ten members out of a total of sixty) and urges members to participate more actively, emphasizing that the current active members carry a heavy workload.

Feature Articles

Are We Alone in the Universe?

This main article, written by Claes Axstål, features an interview with Docent Gustav Rydbeck of Onsala Observatory. Rydbeck discusses the scientific basis for life's potential existence beyond Earth. He explains that complex organic molecules, the building blocks of life, are found in interstellar molecular clouds and are present throughout the galaxy and universe. He notes that life on Earth arose relatively quickly after the planet cooled, suggesting that the conditions for life's emergence might be widespread. The interview touches upon the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), the use of radio telescopes, and the challenges of detecting signals from distant civilizations. Rydbeck clarifies that while many scientists are open to the possibility of life elsewhere, the probability of contact depends on factors like simultaneous existence and proximity. He distinguishes between searching for simple life forms (which might require direct exploration) and intelligent life (which might use radio signals). The article also mentions that while Swedish astronomers are not directly engaged in SETI, the broader scientific community is driven by a desire for increased understanding of the universe, including questions about the origin of life.

Field Investigation Course in Gothenburg

Anders Persson reports on a field investigation course organized by UFO-Sverige in Gothenburg. The course, which attracted about twenty-five participants, included lectures by Clas Svahn, Håkan Ekstrand, and Mikael Sjöberg. Svahn covered misinterpretation phenomena and the ideology behind UFO research. Ekstrand explained how to fill out report forms, and Sjöberg presented results from an investigation into light phenomena at Martebomyren, Gotland. Persson himself lectured on aircraft lighting, a common source of misidentified UFO reports. The course concluded with participants receiving a field investigation binder, and a list was compiled for those willing to act as future field investigators, resulting in about twenty new potential investigators.

Observations

Two UFO sighting reports are included:

1. Surte, Sweden (April 1983): A witness observed a silver, saucer-shaped object approaching from the southeast. The object then turned, changed color to orange, and accelerated rapidly upwards, disappearing. It later reappeared as a silver object.
2. Skyrsjön, Vättlefjäll, Sweden (Midsummer 1992): A witness heard a loud sound and saw a dark, matte black silhouette with a straight edge, estimated to be 30-40 meters high, moving southwest. A related report mentioned a dark delta-wing object seen over Lake Vättern.

Mars Monuments - Once Again!

This article discusses recent news from the 'Mars Mission Group,' focusing on alleged 'monuments' on the Moon, referencing an article in OMNI magazine by Richard Hoagland. Hoagland's group examined images from the 1967 Lunar Orbiter III, particularly a crater formation called Ukert, where they identified a triangular, dark shape. Further examination revealed a 'staff-like' formation, described as about 2.5 km high and slightly swollen in the middle, with a star-shaped structure visible within the swelling. The article notes the lack of a plausible geological explanation for these structures and expresses hope that a new, military-funded lunar probe sent to map the Moon's surface will provide clearer images to resolve the issue. The author expresses skepticism about the information regarding the new probe's mission and its findings, suggesting that any lack of information might be due to unfavorable results.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of 'När Kontakt' consistently promotes an open-minded yet critical approach to UFO phenomena. The editorial stance encourages member participation and the sharing of information, emphasizing a desire to illuminate UFO phenomena in a 'sober manner' ('nyktert sätt'). There's a clear effort to bridge the gap between scientific inquiry (represented by the interview with Rydbeck) and anecdotal evidence (eyewitness reports and speculative articles like the Mars/Moon monuments). The magazine aims to educate its members and the public, debunk common misidentifications, and foster a community of interested individuals. The emphasis on field investigation courses and the call for member contributions underscore a proactive and engaged editorial policy. The magazine also highlights the importance of scientific understanding in interpreting UFO reports, as seen in the discussion of aircraft lighting and astronomical phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of 'När Kontakt' consistently promotes an open-minded yet critical approach to UFO phenomena. The editorial stance encourages member participation and the sharing of information, emphasizing a desire to illuminate UFO phenomena in a 'sober manner' ('nyktert sätt'). There's a clear effort to bridge the gap between scientific inquiry (represented by the interview with Rydbeck) and anecdotal evidence (eyewitness reports and speculative articles like the Mars/Moon monuments). The magazine aims to educate its members and the public, debunk common misidentifications, and foster a community of interested individuals. The emphasis on field investigation courses and the call for member contributions underscore a proactive and engaged editorial policy. The magazine also highlights the importance of scientific understanding in interpreting UFO reports, as seen in the discussion of aircraft lighting and astronomical phenomena.

Title: UFO
Issue: 1, 1995
Publisher: Astromedia AB
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Price: 35:-

This issue of UFO magazine, dated 1995, features a prominent cover story titled "Det spås om UFO 1995" (Predictions about UFOs 1995), alongside a detailed investigation into the infamous Roswell incident. The magazine also includes reviews of space-simulation software.

Strul med master (Trouble with Masts)

This article, written by Anders Persson, revisits a previously reported UFO observation case from two years prior. The initial explanation suggested observers mistook lights on a mast for a UFO. However, new information revealed that the mast in question was not present at the time of the observation. The author investigated further and discovered that an older, mast-like structure with lights had indeed existed at the location. This older mast had red lights positioned vertically, with one set at the top and another lower down. The author speculates that the triangular silhouette of the observed object might have been influenced by the guy wires of this older mast, leading to a more accurate conclusion that aligns with the initial observation.

Det spås om UFO 1995 (Predictions about UFOs 1995)

This section compiles predictions from several Swedish psychics regarding UFOs and extraterrestrial activity in 1995.

• Heikki Vesa, an astrologer and psychic, predicts extraterrestrial contact, possibly in neighboring countries like Norway and Denmark, as a form of assistance against natural disasters. He also anticipates the discovery of a new dimension.
• Christina Rydholm, a medium and healer, foresees mysterious light phenomena, particularly in the Borlänge and Norrbotten regions, with experiences peaking in the autumn. She notes a growing public willingness to discuss these phenomena openly.
• Kurt Svensson, a medium, observes an increased focus on the sky and space, with more UFO visitations occurring. He suggests a landing might happen in southern Sweden and predicts that reports of flying saucers will become commonplace in 1996 and 1997, leading to a shift in worldview and a renewed interest in spiritual matters.
• Doris Ankarberg, a clairvoyant medium, believes that beings from other planets will make friendly contact to help humanity, possibly starting in early spring and continuing through the summer. She anticipates more people will accept this contact with open minds.

The article concludes by questioning the accuracy of these predictions and mentions that the information is from 'Hemmets veckotidning' issue 1, 1995.

Senaste nytt om Roswell (Latest News on Roswell)

This extensive article, written by Anders Persson, details the Roswell incident of 1947 and the recent developments regarding the US military's response to a congressional request for information.

Background: The article begins by referencing a video from 1993 titled "The Roswell Crash." It recounts the story of Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting of "flying saucers" in Washington state, which popularized the term. Shortly after, the Roswell incident occurred.

The Incident: On the evening of July 2, 1947, Mac Brazel, a rancher near Roswell, New Mexico, discovered unusual debris spread over a large area. He reported it to Sheriff Georg Wilcox, who contacted the Roswell Army Air Field. Intelligence officer Jesse Marcel and two others investigated the site. The debris was collected, and Marcel later took some of it to Fort Worth.

• Witness Testimonies: The article highlights several testimonies that emerged years later:
• Jesse Marcel Jr., son of the intelligence officer, stated his father brought home unusual metallic debris with hieroglyphic-like inscriptions, suggesting it was not of earthly origin.
• Grady Barnett, a friend of a civil engineer, described a disc-shaped object and small bodies (3-4 feet tall) found at the site.
• An unnamed female archaeologist reportedly shared a similar account shortly before her death.
• Glenn Dennis, a funeral director, claimed to have received calls from the Roswell base hospital on July 8, 1947, inquiring about methods to preserve dead bodies, which he interpreted as related to a crash.
• A pilot's widow, Pappy Henderson, stated her husband was involved in transporting "saucer" remains.

Military Response and Cover-up Claims: Initially, the Roswell Army Air Field issued a press release stating they had recovered a "flying disc." However, this was quickly retracted, and the object was later identified as a weather balloon. The article suggests a cover-up, with witnesses being silenced and information suppressed. Marcel was reportedly ordered to Fort Worth with debris, only to find it replaced with a weather balloon.

Official Statement (1995): In response to a congressional inquiry, the military admitted that the crashed object was not a weather balloon but a "balloon-equipped test probe" used to detect Soviet nuclear tests. This probe, launched from Alamogordo on June 4, 1947, was part of a top-secret project, hence the "weather balloon" cover story.

The article concludes by acknowledging that this is a selection of stories and that many more details exist, promising to follow further developments.

Software Reviews

This section reviews several space-themed software programs:

• Distant Suns: A planetarium program for Macintosh and Windows, offering detailed star maps, galaxy views, and nebulae. It comes in both diskette and CD-ROM versions, with varying features and prices.
• Mars Explorer: An IBM PC CD-ROM program that allows users to explore Mars' surface using Viking probe imagery. It features high and low-resolution photos, zoom capabilities, and the ability to save landscapes.
• Vista Pro: A virtual reality program for PC that creates 3D landscapes from satellite data. It offers various landscapes, including Earth locations and Mars. The CD-ROM version includes additional features like "VistaMorph" for creating animated landscapes and "Make Path Flight Director" for flight path creation.

Contact information for Astromedia AB, the distributor, is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial encounters, and related mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts, witness testimonies, and official responses, while also critically examining the evidence and potential explanations. There's a clear interest in historical cases like Roswell and contemporary predictions about UFOs, suggesting a belief in the significance of these topics. The inclusion of software reviews indicates an effort to connect the themes of space and exploration with technology accessible to the reader.