SAT-urnus - 1977 No 7

Magazine Overview

Title: SAT-URNUS
Issue: Nr. 7, Årgång 1
Date: 1977
Publisher: Sala Amatörförening för Tvärvetenskap (SAT)
Content Focus: UFO-logi, Astronomy, Parapsychology, and other interdisciplinary subjects.

Editorial and Financial Matters

The editorial in this issue addresses the publication schedule and finances. The magazine was intended to have eight issues for the year, but due to a reorganization, only seven will be published. The editors express their hope for reader understanding regarding this change. They also mention that a payment card for the next year is included with this issue and express hope that subscribers will continue their support. For the upcoming year, the publication plans to include articles on parapsychology and the history of form-time. Financially, the 1977 subscription fee of 20 Kr proved to be too low, resulting in a budget deficit. To compensate, the subscription fee for the next year will be raised to 27.50 Kr, and the number of issues will be reduced to six. Despite fewer issues, the magazine promises more material through articles and notices, with the reduction primarily for cost-saving in printing technology.

Featured Articles

UFOs Come from Jupiter

This article, taken from an almanac aimed at young people interested in space and aviation, presents a hypothesis that UFOs may originate from Jupiter. It cites research from the University of Arizona, which used spectrographic analysis to find oxygen and water in Jupiter's atmosphere. The article highlights Jupiter's immense size (318 times Earth's mass) and suggests that its atmosphere, despite temperatures around -100 degrees Celsius, could be habitable. NASA is reportedly already planning for space construction facilities. The article further explores the possibility of life existing in volcanically heated caves on Jupiter. It also touches upon the idea that UFOs might use Jupiter as a refueling or intermediate stop, or potentially originate from Pluto, a planet discovered in 1930. The article notes a warning from the U.S. Air Force Academy to pilots regarding approaching certain types of cosmic intelligence.

Jupiter - or Pluto UFOs

This section delves deeper into the potential origins of UFOs, suggesting they might be composed of a gelatinous mass, possibly representing alien life forms from Jupiter or Pluto. It references astrological interpretations of Pluto as a symbol of 'extinction' and notes the dominance of negative connotations associated with Pluto in astrological and cosmic-philosophical contexts, linking them to hyperactivity, psychological stress, setbacks, and blockages. The article acknowledges a lack of positive interpretations for UFO phenomena from a human perspective and expresses hope for official clarifications. It also mentions past conflicts between aircraft and UFOs over the USA and the Soviet Union.

Layover on Jupiter

This part discusses the global race to develop new spacecraft, driven by an ideological competition and the existential threat of Earth's depletion of energy and food resources. The article suggests that human life on Earth could become difficult, potentially accelerating the drive for space exploration and the search for habitable planets. NASA experts intend to use Jupiter as a future laboratory, processing its resources for energy, minerals, and food reserves to support future space missions and provide provisions for long journeys.

The Bermuda Triangle: An Inner Voice Saved Us All

This article, part of a series, revisits the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, known for unexplained disappearances of ships and aircraft. It recounts the experiences of Francis Wagner, a radio navigator who described feeling a 'protective hand' over him during flights in the region. In one incident, while flying over the Bermuda Triangle with an experienced pilot, the aircraft's instruments failed, and they lost their bearings. Wagner, despite not knowing the area, advised the pilot to land, stating they could land at Montego Bay. The pilot followed his advice, and they landed safely. In another experience, during a flight to Jamaica, one engine failed shortly after takeoff. Despite the precarious situation and the need for an emergency landing, Wagner again felt an inner voice assuring him they would make it. The pilot, aware of Wagner's previous accurate premonitions, decided to trust him, and they landed with only a small amount of fuel remaining. Wagner also recounts an incident where, during a test flight in a C-47, he inexplicably began transmitting SOS signals, providing their position, altitude, and other flight details, an action that deviated from standard procedure.

Recycling: Creating a New Culture from Western Trash Bins

This article discusses the concept of recycling, noting that the debate in Western countries is relatively new and driven by environmental awareness rather than economic necessity. In contrast, in the Third World, recycling has been a long-standing economic necessity. The article highlights Afghanistan as an example, where scarcity has led to the practice of reusing materials like old tires for shoe soles, sandals, and other products, and scrap metal for various items. It points out that Western waste, such as rubber, glass, metal, paper, and steel, is being transformed into new products, offering a cheaper alternative to new goods. Specific examples include the reuse of glass bottles in Kabul for storage or remelting into new items, and the repurposing of old newspapers and books into paper bags. The article also mentions the reuse of steel and iron for tools and parts, and the systematic collection and resale of various used items.

Light Idea

This section provides an example of recycling from Ceylon, where a halved tin can is used to create an oil lamp by inserting a burnt-out light bulb and wick, filled with coconut oil. This demonstrates resourcefulness born out of scarcity.

Total Recycling

This concept refers to the maximum utilization of existing resources, driven by environmental pressures. Examples include the nomadic adaptation to desert environments and the complete use of the coconut palm, including its shell.

Smelted Material for Space Capsules Connects Prosthetics to Nerves

This article reports on the medical application of ultra-pure carbon, originally developed for heat shields on Apollo space capsules. Several research centers are investigating its use. The material, known for its heat-dissipating properties, is being used to create prosthetic limbs. A 24-year-old man in California received a myoelectric arm that provides sensory feedback. The prosthetic is powered by an internal unit and controlled by the wearer's nerves. Three contact buttons made of ultra-pure carbon connect the prosthesis to the arm's nerves, allowing the user to control the hand by selectively moving remaining muscles. Hopes are high that this technology will enable individuals to function as if they had two natural arms.

UFO Incidents

This section details several reported UFO sightings:

• Köping, Sweden (November 9, 1976): A class of 21 students observed a white, angular object with a red blinking light moving slowly and rocking up and down.
• Garpenberg, Sweden (November 14, 1976): A family of five observed a silent, luminous object that hovered, moved, and then disappeared over the horizon.
• Fagersta, Sweden (November 15, 1976): An observer reported a large, blinking light in the sky, described as a bright point with white flashes.
• Nyköping, Sweden (November 21, 1976): A man observed a diffuse red, luminous object approximately 200 meters in front of a traffic plane.
• Arboga, Sweden (April 19, 1977): Six points of light, resembling satellites but moving in a zig-zag pattern within the group, were observed.
• Bro, Köping, Sweden (June 2, 1977): A farmer observed a large, compact, oval object with a steady light that moved silently and faster than a helicopter.

Upcoming Event

UFO-Sveriges National Meeting: Scheduled for Saturday, March 18, 1978, in Stockholm at Folkets Hus. The event will feature lectures, a UFO-Sveriges film screening, and a panel discussion with experts, including actor Per Ragnar and FOA's Sture Wickerts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores phenomena that lie outside conventional scientific understanding, such as UFOs and parapsychology, alongside more established scientific fields like astronomy. There's a clear editorial stance against sensationalized or unverified information, as indicated by the 'OBS' note on the article about UFOs from Jupiter, where the magazine explicitly distances itself from the content, calling it 'shit' and stating it's written to harm serious researchers. The magazine promotes a 'tvärvetenskap' (transdisciplinary) approach, encouraging the examination of various fields and their potential intersections. The theme of resourcefulness and adaptation, particularly evident in the recycling articles, suggests an underlying concern for sustainability and practical problem-solving, perhaps mirroring the challenges faced by the publication itself.

This issue of "Forskning och Framsteg" (Research and Progress) from February 1976, published by SALA AMATÖRFÖRENING, delves into two primary themes: the enduring mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle and the historical evolution of cosmological thought. The magazine features articles on unexplained disappearances, UFO sightings, and a comprehensive historical survey of astronomical and cosmological models from antiquity to the scientific revolution.

The Bermuda Triangle and Unexplained Phenomena

The issue presents several accounts of strange occurrences within the Bermuda Triangle. One article recounts a harrowing experience of a radio navigator whose engines failed, but who managed to land safely due to a last-minute switch to wing tanks. The pilot attributes such incidents to a mysterious force within the triangle. Another section details the phenomenon of a 'cloud,' 'fog,' or 'yellow haze' that has been reported by witnesses. A case from 1966 involving Captain Don Henry's tugboat is described, where instruments failed and the barge disappeared into a yellow haze.

Further accounts include the 1975 experience of missionaries Warren and Betty Miller, who encountered a 'yellowish haze' that caused their instruments to fail during a flight. They spent two hours lost in the Bermuda Triangle before emerging from the haze, with their instruments functioning normally again. A tragic incident from December 1974 involving a Cessna 172 piloted by Mike Roxby is recounted. The aircraft's instruments failed shortly after takeoff, and despite attempts to navigate by the sun, the plane crashed after encountering a swirling cloud, resulting in the pilot's death and injuries to the passengers.

The magazine also touches upon the 'ghostly woman' phenomenon, a sailor's account of a mysterious woman in an orange dress who repeatedly appeared and disappeared on the cruise ship 'Rotterdam' during voyages between New York and Bermuda. This is linked to the broader theme of unexplained disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle.

A significant portion is dedicated to the "Black Friday" crash of Flight 310, a Tri-Star Jumbo Jet, in the Everglades in December 1972, which killed 176 people. The article suggests instrument malfunctions common in the Bermuda Triangle as a possible cause. It also highlights eerie occurrences related to 'sister plane' 318, including phantom sightings and the appearance of a deceased pilot's name on a logbook.

Other incidents discussed include Benson Huggard's attempt at a 27-mile swim from Florida Keys to the Bahamas in an aluminum cage, where he reported being pulled down by mysterious forces. The article also includes a section on how to identify UFOs, describing various types such as hallucinations, mirages, jet planes, skyhook balloons, 'spiderwebs,' and 'soap bubbles.'

Historical Cosmology and Astronomy

The issue provides an extensive historical overview of cosmological models. It begins by discussing ancient cosmologies, noting that early descriptions of the universe were often tied to religious beliefs and observations of celestial bodies as signs from the gods. The text mentions Anaximander's concept of free-floating cylinders and the general ancient view of a flat Earth.

The Pythagorean school is highlighted for proposing that the Earth and other celestial bodies were spherical, a concept that persisted. The article then moves to Aristotle's physics-based cosmology, where celestial bodies were thought to be attached to crystalline spheres. It details the Aristotelian and Ptolemaic systems, including the geocentric model with Earth at the center, surrounded by spheres for the moon, sun, planets, and stars. The diagram illustrates this layered universe, with elements, heavens, and hell.

The limitations of the Aristotelian model led to the development of Ptolemy's more mathematical system, described in his Almagest, which used epicycles to explain planetary motion. The text notes that with the rediscovery of ancient texts in the 12th and 13th centuries, astronomical knowledge revived.

The article then discusses the shift towards heliocentrism, crediting Nicolaus Copernicus with proposing that the Earth revolved around the sun. While his initial theory retained circular orbits, it simplified the overall model. Johannes Kepler is presented as a key figure who defended Copernicus and developed his three laws of planetary motion, which described elliptical orbits and the vastness of the universe. The work of René Descartes is also mentioned, whose theories on vortices and his rejection of a vacuum contributed to the foundation of Newton's work.

Finally, the issue touches upon the concept of an infinite universe, a notion that emerged in Europe from the 15th century onwards and was often intertwined with theological ideas. Descartes' concept of an 'indefinitely extended' universe is presented as a precursor to later ideas.

Scientific Notes and Other Articles

Brief notes on scientific topics are also included:

• Oil Spills and Arctic Ice: Research by the US Coast Guard suggests that oil spills can absorb solar heat and melt Arctic ice significantly, potentially impacting global climate.
• Solar Tower Experiment: Honeywell is studying a 100-meter-high solar tower with a steam boiler at the top, using heliostats to focus sunlight and generate steam for power.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, whether it be mysterious disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle or the historical quest to understand the cosmos. There is a clear interest in phenomena that defy conventional scientific explanation, juxtaposed with a thorough examination of scientific and philosophical history. The editorial stance appears to be one of curiosity and a desire to present both the enigmatic and the historical foundations of our understanding of the universe.

This issue of "SAT. OCH DESS MÅLSÄTTNING" (SAT. AND ITS GOALS) focuses on the organization SAT (Sala Amatörförening för Tvärvetenskap) and its objectives, alongside articles on astronomy and book reviews.

SAT: Goals and Activities

The main article introduces SAT, founded on October 25, 1976, as an association for interdisciplinary science with approximately 60 members, divided into active and passive sections. The members work on a voluntary, unpaid basis. The concept of interdisciplinary science is explained as encompassing fields such as parapsychology, psychobiofysics, space research, astronomy, and Ufology. A core principle is open-minded research that questions established societal explanations for phenomena not fitting within recognized scientific frameworks. SAT covers about 40 subjects, spanning both established and unconventional sciences.

SAT's primary goal is to promote research within its field of activity and to inform the public about scientific progress. It aims to spread knowledge about phenomena occurring globally and in the universe, encouraging activation, particularly among young people, but also older individuals. The organization also intends to conduct fieldwork and research when resources permit.

Furthermore, SAT seeks to foster open-minded discussions based on available literature and current events across all interdisciplinary subjects and theories. Through this work, the association aims to contribute to a better understanding of facts within these subject areas and to create opportunities for collaboration with similar interest groups.

The Importance of Information

SAT emphasizes the crucial role of information in initiating a positive process that leads to a more serious consideration of unconventional sciences. The organization's foremost task is to build public support for interdisciplinary science and to foster greater sensitivity to its issues. This can be achieved in two ways:

1. Increasing the interest and knowledge of traditional mass media in these matters.
2. Creating their own information channels, such as newspapers, brochures, flyers, exhibitions, and information meetings.

To counter resistance to new information and maintain a balanced view of reality, SAT's work must be conducted on a psychological level. The aim is to gradually integrate the concept of interdisciplinary science into the public's frame of reference. When interdisciplinary science is no longer met with ridicule or indifference, the conditions will be favorable for politicians and scientists to act, perhaps even compelled by public opinion.

SAT believes the key to breaking through this 'defense wall' is through comprehensive and varied information. They intend to leverage knowledge in information technology and psychology to achieve this.

SAT is affiliated with UFO-Sweden and the Association for Psychobiofysics. For further information, interested individuals can call 0224/12182 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 6 PM and 9 PM.

Astronomical Observations and News

Uranus's Rings

An article notes that for many years, Saturn was believed to be the only planet with rings. However, a new observation of Uranus suggests it may also possess rings. These were discovered when the distant planet occulted a star, causing the star's light to blink five times before and after the planet obscured it, indicating the presence of at least five rings. Four inner rings are estimated to be about 10 km wide, while the outer ring is approximately 100 km wide. These rings are not detectable with Earth-based telescopes.

New Books Section

This section reviews several recently published books:

• "Mina bevis" (My Evidence) by Erich von Däniken: Described as von Däniken's most daring book, it aims to answer previously unanswered questions and is structured as a hypothetical trial, presenting a challenging read.
• "Liv under fjärran solar" (Life Under Distant Suns) by Walter R Fuchs: This book explores the existence of extraterrestrial life, questioning Earth's unique position in the universe and whether aliens have visited our planet, also touching upon the possibility of communicating with extraterrestrial intelligences.
• "Astronomi från början" (Astronomy from the Beginning) by Karin Nilsson: A foundational book for amateur astronomers, scheduled for release in early 1978, also available as a correspondence course.
• "Himlavalvets sällsamheter" (The Oddities of the Celestial Vault) by Peter Nilsson: This book details the history of constellations, explaining their names, their significance in timekeeping, and navigation.

Space Exploration News

Satellite Expeditions to Study Solar Polar Regions

Plans are underway for a new type of satellite expedition, a joint project between Europe and the USA, scheduled for the early 1980s. British Aircraft Corporation's space center in England has completed the initial design for two satellites. Commissioned by ESA (European Space Agency), the British firm conducted a nine-month study costing 560,000 SEK, which is now being followed by a three-month extension.

The objective of these planned spaceflights is to allow researchers to directly investigate the Sun's polar regions, which are not visible from Earth or from satellites in orbit. The plan is for the two new satellites to launch simultaneously in 1982 or 1983 from a manned space shuttle being tested in the USA, heading towards the planet Jupiter. This trajectory will allow the satellites to utilize Jupiter's gravitational pull for acceleration, enabling them to reach regions previously unexplored by humans. The planned orbit must be perpendicular to the ecliptic plane (the plane of Jupiter's orbit around the Sun), potentially allowing the satellites to pass over the Sun's polar regions in the north and south. The journey is estimated to take over four years to complete.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for the importance of interdisciplinary science and the need for open-minded research that challenges conventional paradigms. The editorial stance clearly supports the dissemination of information to educate the public and foster a more receptive attitude towards unconventional scientific topics. The inclusion of book reviews and news about space exploration aligns with the organization's broad interest in scientific inquiry beyond traditional boundaries. The emphasis on psychological approaches to information dissemination highlights a strategic effort to overcome public skepticism and indifference.