Rapportnytt - 1976 no 5

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO FORUM
Issue: No. 5
Year: 1976
Publisher: NORSK UFO CENTER
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian
Cover Headline: RAPPORTNYTT

This issue of UFO Forum, published by Norsk UFO Center, serves as a report on UFO sightings and related phenomena in Norway during 1976. It highlights a significant 'UFO wave' that occurred in late August and early September. The magazine details various reports from different regions of Norway, including Hedmark, Nordland, Trøndelag, Møre, and Akershus. The publication also addresses the financial situation of the organization and announces upcoming changes to the magazine.

Editorial and Publication Details

The magazine is published by Norsk UFO Center, with Finn W. Kalvik listed as the editor and Egon Nielsen as part of the editorial staff. The editorial address is Armauer Hansensvei 11, 5030 Landås, Norway. The publication comes out five times a year, with a subscription price of Kr. 20.-. The issue also notes an upcoming price increase of Kr. 10.- due to economic pressures and inflation. A new cover design in color is planned for issue No. 1/77. The printing is handled by Svein Anthun in Bergen. The magazine actively seeks contributions from readers regarding UFO-related topics.

UFO Sightings and Reports

The issue details numerous UFO sightings, categorized by region and date:

Hedmark County

• July 29, 1970: A daylight observation of a star-like object over Sollia, Vest-Torpa. The object displayed pulsating light and made course and altitude changes. It was observed for an hour through binoculars.
• February 1974: A 'cone' shaped UFO with a strong, steady light was observed over Mofjell. The observation occurred on a clear, cold winter evening.
• April 13, 1976: A witness in Solbråtanvn, Akershus, reported a clear, white-glowing 'saucer' with sharp contours and a pinkish cloud-like formation nearby. The object was observed for five minutes.
• April 12, 1976: A black object was reported flying over Nesodden with a loud noise, observed by multiple witnesses.
• Late June/Early July 1976: An object described as cigar-shaped with a strong, constant light was seen over Dystingbo farm, Vangsåsen. It was estimated to be at an altitude of 300-400 meters.
• August 1976: A cigar-shaped object was observed by a caretaker couple near Stavsjø. It was described as silent, without wings or tail, and moving at an altitude of approximately 300 meters.
• August 26, 1976: A black object, described as the size of a plate, was heard approaching with a loud whistling sound and seen flying past houses in Murby, Løten.

Nordland County

• February 1974: An observation of a 'cone' shaped UFO, described as having a strong, steady light, was reported. The witness noted a tail of sparks.

Akershus County

• April 13, 1976: A witness in Solbråtanvn reported a white-glowing 'saucer' with sharp contours and a pinkish cloud-like formation. The observation lasted five minutes.

Lillehammer

• August 26, 1976: An oval object, mistaken for a plane, was observed by four people. It lacked wings and a tail and was silent. Its altitude was estimated between 1500-2000 meters.

Trondheim and Surrounding Areas

• August 26, 1976: A yellow-glowing object was seen over Byåsveien, Trondheim, by a 17-year-old and his family. It fell in a zig-zag pattern before disappearing.
• August 26, 1976: A white-glowing, spherical object was observed over V.Halsetvangen, moving with a hissing sound and emitting sparks. A luminous 'gas cloud' was seen afterward.
• August 26, 1976: A bright white-glowing sphere was observed over Skyåsveien, Trondheim, emitting green sparks and leaving a cloud-like formation.
• August 26, 1976: A police officer observed a brightly lit object with a long, luminous tail moving at high speed over the HK-Tinghuset area.

Trøndelag, Møre, and Indre Nordfjord

• August 26-28, 1976: A significant 'UFO wave' was reported over Trøndelag, Møre, and Indre Nordfjord. Activity was also noted in I.Nordfjord and Møre on September 12.

Oppland County

• August 26, 1976: A dark, cigar-shaped object was observed over Mjøsa, moving south. It emitted a white flash from its underside and was visible for a short period.

Analysis and Investigations

The central administration in Trondheim and the Scandinavian section in Nordli were actively collecting and interviewing witnesses for the 'UFO wave' reports. Initial theories of space debris were dismissed as reports indicated low-altitude observations and ground-level phenomena. Meteorite and meteor theories were also largely ruled out. The organization notes that while some observations showed no clear pattern, others had distinct similarities. The investigation involved significant time and financial resources, and the establishment of the NUFOC main fund is mentioned as a step towards covering expenses for field researchers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the collection and reporting of UFO sightings, encouraging reader participation. The editorial stance is one of serious investigation into these phenomena, while acknowledging the economic challenges faced by the organization. There is a clear effort to document and analyze sightings, distinguishing them from conventional explanations like aircraft, meteors, or balloons. The magazine aims to inform its readers about UFO activity in Norway and to foster support for UFO research. The planned redesign and color cover for the following year indicate a commitment to improving the publication.

Title: UFO-Aktuelt
Issue: 1976
Date: 1976
Publisher: UFO-Norge
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of UFO-Aktuelt is dedicated to reporting and investigating a series of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings that occurred primarily in Norway during August 1976, with a significant focus on events in the Trøndelag region. The magazine compiles numerous witness accounts, often accompanied by investigative notes and attempts at analysis.

Gauldalen Sighting

The issue begins with a report from Gauldalen, where two fishermen witnessed a circular, white-glowing object around 8:30 PM. They described it as making a sound similar to red-hot iron being dipped in water. The object, estimated to be two meters in diameter, moved at jet-like speeds at an altitude of 100-150 meters, heading east-west. Over Kvål station, the object reportedly exploded into 10-15 pieces. The fragments remained white-glowing and did not fall but hung in the air before fading out. The witnesses were certain it was not a meteor.

Lierne and Røyrvik, Nord-Trøndelag

This section details sightings from Thursday evening, August 26th. Lidstrøm, leader of the Scandinavian section, reports that many people in the district were preoccupied with what they had seen. Several witnesses are quoted:

• A farmer in Røyrvik observed a luminous sphere passing at low altitude from east to west. He perceived a strong light and a tail-like formation behind it, but believed it to be a meteor. The time was approximately 8:40 PM.
• Astrid Nymann, Nordli, described seeing a bright sphere moving at high speed from east to west at low altitude while sitting by the beach in Storvika. The temperature was 8-10 degrees Celsius, and the time was around 8:45 PM.

Nordli Sightings

Several individuals in Nordli reported observations:

• Kersti Persson saw a bright sphere with a long tail that seemed to pass overhead. She noted that the object appeared relatively close and seemed to pass over the lake.
• Hilding Elvseth was watching TV when his wife pointed out a bright sphere. He saw it for 2-3 seconds before it exploded. The event was similar to other reports, with red streaks like a New Year's rocket. A greyish cloud resembling a disc formed afterwards, with a tail-like streak in front.
• Lars Harbækvold, Nordli, sent a report with a drawing. He and his boat crew observed the phenomenon at close range. One person heard a whistling sound. His written report details an observation on Thursday evening, August 26th, around 8:45 PM, near Kvesjøen. They saw a bright, reddish-pink sphere with a tail. The object moved rapidly and disappeared behind treetops. Later, a light-pink 'cloud' appeared, divided into two parts with a streak and a small 'ball'. The object moved west at high speed.

Further Details from Nordli Witnesses

• Harbækvold described the object as round with a triangular tail, moving from east to west. The location was the western end of Kvesjøen. The object was strongly luminous, almost like sunlight, with a tail that was greenish or possibly reddish. The object was described as being about the size of a football.
• Lidvor Fjelde and Åse Rydning, Nordli, reported that the luminous sphere appeared to come up from the ground near some trees. They initially thought it was a meteor but became unsure as other reports matched. They confirmed their sister's account. The report notes that while many observations occurred at the same time, the details varied. They insisted that something fell, but a search of the area yielded no results, adding to the mystery.

Lidvor and Åse's Detailed Account

Lidvor and Åse Fjelde provided a more detailed account of their observation, which took place near Prestegårdseteren, about 7 km from Kvelia and 3 km from Sandvika. Around 8:30 PM on August 26th, Lidvor spotted a bright, luminous sphere to the left of the car. The object, described as slightly larger than a football, was orangish-yellow and emitted intense light. It had a tail with green upper and red lower stripes. The object appeared to rise from the ground and move towards trees about 150 meters away. It passed over the road and continued westward up the hillside. Its speed increased, and after passing a hill, the object seemed to shoot out from its tail at a different angle, while the tail appeared to fall. Later, they saw a narrow streak resembling a jet's condensation trail, which quickly disappeared, followed by a small, light-colored spot or cloud that moved rapidly westwards.

General Observations and Media Coverage

Anton Lidstrøm, writing to Rapportsentralen, notes that while many witnesses believe they saw a meteor, others suggest it was a fireball or a UFO. He states that the experience was fascinating for many. The sightings were covered by several newspapers, including Trønderavisa, Adresseavisen, and others. K. Stenødegård informed Sunnmørsposten about the phenomena and NUFOC's involvement. The article also mentions a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Engh from the Air Force, who suggested it was a satellite or meteor, and an opinion from Fritz Albrektsen, an assistant at the Harestua observatory, who believed the observations were caused by parts of a satellite or a rocket burning up.

Further Reports from Trøndelag

• A 16-year-old girl in Trondheim reported seeing an oval, silver-colored object with a light orange corona at an altitude of 60 degrees. A sharp humming sound was heard. K. Stenødegård investigated this case.
• The witness described the location as a relatively quiet road. She was looking for her family's dog when she saw the object. She sat on a metal railing and looked up, seeing the object stationary, surrounded by an orange shimmer. The object appeared oval with small protrusions at each end. She felt a strong sensation of being watched and was 'forced' to look at it. The object then moved at full speed, heading towards Heimdal (S-30), and disappeared within 2-3 minutes.
• The witness felt her legs were 'paralyzed' when she tried to stand up, possibly due to fright. She ran home and met her parents, who initially suggested it was a plane or satellite but changed their minds when she described the details and her shock.
• She felt an intense 'pressure' or 'humming' inside her head and had a strong feeling of being observed. She had never had such an experience before.

Indre Nordfjord Sightings

L. Ståle Flåta, a correspondent in Stryn, provided a comprehensive overview of observations in Indre Nordfjord, including 3 from August 26th, 8 from August 28th, and 4 from September 12th, totaling 15 reports.

• Report 260876/III a: An elderly couple near Løvlid saw a red-glowing object moving towards the northeast with a course towards the north. They observed it for 5 seconds and estimated its speed as that of a jet plane, at a distance of 4 km and an altitude of 30 degrees. The weather was clear with a light wind and twilight.
• Report B: Three people near Blakset saw a strongly white-glowing object with a red tail (like fire) moving horizontally at about 500 meters altitude. The speed was like a jet plane, and the distance was 700-800 meters. One witness, J. Roset, added that the object made a slight arc before disappearing behind a ridge. No sound was heard. Steinsåker also reported seeing a similar object on August 28th.
• Report C: A teacher at Stryn folk high school saw an oblong, strongly yellow-glowing object with no clear shape, initially thought to be a meteor. It had a greyish or dark tail that resembled a rough rope. The free end of the tail moved back and forth. The object was described as round, like a cylinder. A faint 'humming' sound was heard, possibly from a radio. The observation lasted a few seconds. The object was seen through a window from a cabin north of Stryn.

More Reports from August 28th

• Report 280876/VIII. a: O. Auflan and A. Sunde observed a strongly glowing yellow object with a reddish tail from Yri, illuminating the road ahead. The course was from southeast to northwest, with a speed of around 2000 km/h. Observation time was 15-20 seconds. The tail was orange, and the distance was 1500 meters.
• Report B: O. Faleid saw a white-glowing sphere with a tail of sparks in the northeast, heading north. The object passed briefly over the forest background. The speed was estimated at 100 km/h, with a diameter of half a meter and a distance of 1000 meters.
• Report C: O. Kongsvik, along with two others, saw a strongly glowing white sphere with a red tail, silently moving northeast. The object flew in a curved path and disappeared behind a hill. The sphere had a shining white light and a red, 'punctured' tail. The object was also seen by A. Solvik, who was 100 meters below. The object moved west towards Hornindal. It was seen at a 45-degree angle, with a speed of 1000 km/h, a size of half a meter with a tail, and a distance of 700 meters.
• Report D: B. Verlo, fishing at Svartebotn, saw a bright light about 50-60 cm long, 1-2 meters in front of him in the water. Within this light was a blue-white circle the size of a five-øre coin, intensely bright like a welding flame.

Further Sightings and Analysis

• Report (from page 9): The witness described a very bright sphere with white and red-tinged edges, enveloped in white and red sparks. Three flames extended from the rear, with the front flames being white, fading to red. The edges of the stripes were distinctly redder than the inside. The stripes covered at least 300-500 meters. No sound was heard. The object moved towards Store-Lågpiken. The witness estimated the object to be several times larger than a house at 1000 meters distance, but it quickly diminished. The observation lasted 3-4 seconds, with a speed faster than a jet plane.
• Report E: KaS, from Stryn, a former ship's officer, observed an object for 12 seconds. He described the front part as sharply defined and slightly darker. The tail began at the front of the sphere. He noted similar 'tubes' as described by B. Verlo, but believed they were formed by flames, not part of the object. The flames behind the tubes were clearly visible, with a fine play of colors between red and blue. No sparks fell. The part directly behind the sphere appeared solid. A slight 'buzzing' sound was heard when the object was closest (700-800 meters). Its path was horizontal at a 30-45 degree angle. He compared the length of the object to a matchstick held at arm's length, estimating it to be about 20 meters long (twice the height of a silo at 1 km distance). The diameter was estimated at about 6 meters, but he later revised this to less than two meters, emphasizing the difficulty of size estimation.
• Report F: Tjensvold saw a sphere from a boat on the Stryn river. The object's size was hard to determine, but he estimated it to be 2/3 of the moon's diameter, at a distance of at least 700 meters. The color was yellow-white with a bluish tinge around the tail, which ended in a blue 'welding flame'. The tail was twice the diameter of the sphere. He heard a slight 'susing' sound. The object moved horizontally and disappeared behind a mountain.
• Report G: K.O. Grodås reported seeing a red fireball with a bluish tail, moving at a constant speed over a distance of 400 meters. In the last 100 meters, it split into two and fell. He initially thought it was rockets from the Home Guard but was later told they had not fired any. The object came from the east, while the Home Guard was to the north.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of the UFO sightings across different regions of Norway, the consistency in descriptions of luminous objects, their rapid movement, and the presence of tails or streaks. The magazine emphasizes witness credibility and the difficulty in definitively explaining these phenomena, often questioning official explanations like meteors or satellites. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and a belief that many of these sightings represent genuine, unexplained aerial phenomena, possibly UFOs. The detailed reporting and inclusion of multiple witness accounts suggest a commitment to documenting these events thoroughly.

This issue of Rapportnytt, dated '21' and likely from the 1970s, focuses on numerous UFO/UAP (Unidentified Flying Object/Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings and related discussions. The content is primarily in Norwegian, with some international case references. The magazine presents witness testimonies, analyzes object characteristics, and explores various hypotheses concerning the nature of these phenomena.

UFO Sightings in Norway

The issue details several observations from Norway, particularly from the Sunnmøre region, and Indre Nordfjord. These accounts often describe objects seen during daylight hours, with specific dates mentioned for some clusters of sightings.

Indre Nordfjord Observations:

• A father reported hearing a strange, escalating whistling sound at night, which he likened to jet engines starting. The editor notes this suggests significant activity in the area.
• Kjell Verlo and his wife observed a spherical object from Hennebygda, Nordfjord, for 4-6 seconds. They estimated its altitude to be 2000-3000 meters and its speed between 1000-2000 km/h. The object had a light blue tail with red, yellow, and green sparks. Due to the distance (approx. 20 km), the exact shape was hard to discern, but it appeared round or slightly oval.

September 12th Sightings:

Four daylight observations from the same district are presented, all occurring around 10:30 AM under clear skies with calm conditions and approximately 10 degrees Celsius. The observation times were brief, only a few seconds.

• Witness A (Huaren, Auflem): This anonymous witness, observing from a mountain ledge, saw a bluish sphere with a tail moving west. The object appeared suddenly at an altitude of 35 degrees, originating from Loen kai and passing towards Oppheim, descending in altitude. It was described as having a sharp light like a fluorescent tube with a bluish core. The witness believed it might descend but it disappeared before reaching the mountain, making it impossible to determine its final location. The object vanished as strangely as it appeared. A small tail, like a matchstick held at arm's length, was noted, while the sphere was compared to a pea. The estimated speed was 300 km/h, and the distance was 5000 meters.
• Witness B (Hornindal): B. Lillestøl, in Hornindal town center, saw a sphere at a 45-degree altitude. It was described as a small sphere in front, the size of a plate (asjett), with a reddish-yellow color just behind it, and blue light further back. The sphere was described as reddish-blue, bright but not blinding. The object disappeared behind a cluster of trees at a distance of about 100 meters. The witness could see mountains in the background.
• Witness C (Bosetra): Rolv Solvik observed an object at 10:40 AM. It had a red-colored tail that transitioned to orange and then a bright light. The sphere was sharply defined and signal green, with a tail twice the length of the sphere's diameter. The object's trajectory bent sharply towards the ground near Bøe's cabin, appearing to hit the ground. Instead, it dissolved about 10 meters above the ground, west and north of the cabin. There was no sound or sparks. The sphere was estimated to be the size of a plate (approx. 18 cm diameter), comparable to a small pea held at arm's length. The distance was estimated at 300 meters.
• Witness D (Bosetra): Riise, who was with Solvik, estimated the sphere's size to be comparable to a bowl (approx. 20 cm diameter), or a small moon/pea according to the witness's scale.

Other Norwegian Sightings:

Five additional observations from Sunnmøre on the same date (September 12th) are mentioned, sharing similar weather and time conditions. The phenomenon was also registered in Synnylven, Stordal, Volda, Vatne, Eresfjord, Steinshamn, and Hellesylt. Local newspapers, including Sunnmøre Arbeideravis (SA), covered these events extensively. SA interviewed Major Aage Elmenhorst, head of operations at the Gråkallen Air Force Station, who presented several theories.

Theories and Official Responses:

Major Elmenhorst suggested possibilities such as carrier rockets, artificial satellites, or meteorites. However, the magazine notes that NASA denied any satellite re-entry over Norwegian airspace during those times, questioning the Air Force's level of information. Elmenhorst also stated that the fast-moving, low-altitude light phenomena observed over Godøya and Stordal were not detected by radar.

Lars Høihjelle's Observation:

Lars Høihjelle, an inspector from Ålesund, reported seeing a flying 'light tube' on a Sunday morning. He was convinced it was not a meteor. He and Alfred Ruset observed a luminous object moving at high speed over a distance of several kilometers. It was described as having an unusual color and light intensity, disappearing instantly. The object moved northwest over the mountains towards Stordal, following the mountain chain. The trajectory was horizontal, and the speed was so high that discerning its form or color was difficult. The observation time was very brief.

Liv Godø's Observation:

Liv Godø reported seeing a luminous object near her home on Godøya on a Sunday morning, around the time of a radio church service. She believed it landed in a nearby forest. She investigated with her dog but found no trace. The object moved from east to west and was estimated to be about half a meter wide when measured at arm's length. It reflected light like a mirror. The distance was about 300 meters, suggesting it was a tangible object. She reported this before it was widely publicized.

International UFO Cases

Swedish Sightings:

The magazine references UFO-Sverige, which initially downplayed short-duration sightings but began investigating a potential new UFO wave in late 1973 and early 1974, particularly around Stockholm. They documented about 50 sightings. A significant event occurred on March 23, 1974, in Vallentuna, where a man encountered four 'half-transparent' beings.

Iranian UFO Incident:

A report from Iran details a mutual pursuit between a UFO and two Iranian Air Force Phantom fighter jets on September 18th. The UFO was observed at an altitude of 1800 meters, moving at speeds potentially exceeding the sound barrier. When the Phantoms approached, the UFO 'turned around' and pursued the jets. Both pilots reported that their electronic systems and radio communication were suddenly paralyzed, preventing them from firing on the object. The UFO then released a circular object, approximately 4 meters in diameter, which landed south of Tehran before re-ascending. The UFO itself was described as round and emitting red, blue, and green light reflections. This report is attributed to TIROLER TAGESBLAHT, dated September 22, 1976.

Analysis and Hypotheses

Norwegian Case Analysis:

An analysis of 6 observations indicated at least two different types of objects. Objects 'A' and 'C' were described as high-altitude objects moving north, while 'B', 'D', 'E', and 'F' described objects moving towards the ground, with some 'dissolving' before impact. Four observations from Indre Nordfjord also reported objects moving towards the ground, with three witnesses seeing them 'extinguish' before hitting the earth. The report notes that most of these objects did not exhibit typical UFO behavior or meteor trajectories, with a few exceptions. The possibility of connection to NATO exercises was considered unlikely, and Andøya denied launching rockets at the time.

The article compares some observations to the Vallentuna incidents in Sweden, where fast-moving light spheres appeared suddenly and disappeared just as quickly.

Professor James B. McDonald's Influence:

The issue delves into the work of Professor James B. McDonald, a renowned ufologist who passed away in 1971. McDonald systematically eliminated other theories and concluded that the 'inter-planetary hypothesis' deserved serious scientific attention. He described the evidence as 'extraordinary' and stated that there was no reasonable alternative to the hypothesis that UFOs are 'inter-planetary probes of unknown origin'. The article notes that McDonald avoided the term 'spaceship' in 1967, likely to avoid controversy, but suggests that the entities behind these probes might not be far away.

McDonald's conclusion is presented as a valid basis for UFO research. The article also addresses the criticism that UFO proponents are 'spaceship preachers,' arguing that while some narrow approaches to UFO research might lead to such conclusions, the evidence points to a real, yet unknown, phenomenon requiring intensive research.

The Search for Understanding:

The article quotes Anselm of Canterbury: "Credo ut intelligam" (I believe in order to understand). It emphasizes the need to grasp the 'thread' that can lead to the truth about UFO origins, even if the phenomenon itself seems indefinible.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Rapportnytt strongly advocates for serious scientific investigation into UFO phenomena. It highlights numerous witness accounts, primarily from Norway, and presents them as credible evidence of an unknown aerial reality. The editorial stance appears to be that while many explanations are proposed (satellites, meteors, military exercises), the evidence often points towards something more extraordinary, aligning with the 'inter-planetary hypothesis' as championed by Professor McDonald. The magazine criticizes official bodies for potentially lacking information and encourages intensive research to unravel the 'UFO mystery'. There is a clear emphasis on the need to move beyond skepticism and engage with the evidence, even if it leads to unconventional conclusions. The publication also serves as a platform for disseminating information about UFO organizations and literature in Scandinavia.