SAT-urnus - 1978 No 5

Magazine Overview

Title: SAT-URNUS
Issue: No. 5, Volume 2
Date: 1978
Publisher: Sala Amatörförening för Tvärvetenskap (SAT)
Content: Journal for UFO-logy, Astronomy, Parapsychology, and more.

Environmental Concerns

The issue opens with a stark assessment of humanity's impact on the environment. It contrasts the pre-civilization era, when humans were just one species among many with minimal impact, to the present, where human activity has led to significant environmental degradation. The article highlights the harm caused by pollution (sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, industrial waste, oil spills), desertification, deforestation, and overpopulation. It notes that nearly 2 billion people lack sufficient food, and the global population increases by 136 people per minute. The author criticizes humanity's destructive behavior, calling it a 'terrible defect' that jeopardizes its own existence by destroying its life support system. Despite the grim outlook, there is a glimmer of hope that restoration is possible, but time is short. The Sala Amateur Association for Transdisciplinary Science (SAT) is launching an environmental initiative, including a dedicated section in the magazine for environmental issues, starting with two poems by Thorborg Thyselius.

The 'Psychic Motor'

This section delves into the phenomenon of the 'psychic motor,' a spinning paper cylinder that has intrigued people for over fifty years. It traces its origins to a 1923 article in 'Science and Invention' by Hugo Gernsback. The device gained attention in 1924 when a prize was offered for the best explanation of its spinning. The article mentions its reappearance in a report by Stanley Kripper and its inclusion in the book 'Psychic Discoveries behind the Iron Curtain.' In 1975, Martin Gardner described a 'psychic motor' in 'Scientific American' as part of his 'Mathematical Games' column, though it was presented as an April Fool's joke. The article provides a detailed description of how to construct a simple version using a paper cylinder, a pin, and a glass stopper, demonstrating that it can be made to spin by cupping one's hand around it. The author, Sten Dramstad, expresses hope that UFO enthusiasts will find this device interesting and plans to share experimental results in a future issue.

UFO Sightings: A Historical Perspective

'Flying Saucers: Nothing New Under the Sun' by T. Berthelsen explores the long history of UFO sightings, predating the modern term 'flying saucer' coined in 1947. The article discusses the term 'UFO' (Unidentified Flying Objects) and notes that while many objects are saucer-shaped, there are over 30 other observed types. It references ancient texts and cave paintings, such as those in the Altamira cave, which depict objects resembling modern UFOs with antennae and legs. Indian scriptures from over 3,000 years ago mention 'sky chariots' or 'vimanas.' Historical accounts include 'strange fire circles' seen by Pharaoh Totmes III in 1450 BC, a passage from Ezekiel in the Bible describing a wheel within a wheel with a luminous aura, and sightings of 'fire globes' in Sweden in 1752 and 1772.

The article then focuses on 'UFO waves' or 'flaps,' periods of intense UFO activity. The first major flap occurred in the USA in 1896-97, with sightings of cigar-shaped airships. A notable incident in Le Roy, Kansas, involved a farmer, Alexander Hamilton, who reported a cigar-shaped airship, about 100 meters long, descending onto his field. Six strange beings were seen inside, and a calf was lifted into the airship and disappeared. The article also covers UFO waves in England in March, April, and May, and later in New Zealand. Scandinavian 'ghost flyers' were reported between 1932-34, described as resembling single-winged aircraft with engine noise, often seen in poor weather conditions. The Swedish government took these reports seriously, with Admiral Arvid Lindman briefing the Prime Minister in 1934. In 1946, another significant flap occurred in Scandinavia, with 'ghost rockets' reported flying at altitudes of 300 to 1000 meters. The article concludes by noting that since Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting, UFOs of all shapes and sizes have been reported worldwide, with 1973 being a particularly active year.

Spontaneous Human Combustion

This section, titled 'Inner Fires,' discusses cases of spontaneous human combustion. It recounts an incident from an October evening in the late 1950s where a 19-year-old secretary burst into flames while dancing. Her boyfriend described flames erupting from her back and chest, engulfing her in seconds. The official verdict was accidental death due to fire of unknown origin. The article notes that such cases are rare but have occurred throughout history, citing examples from the 17th century in Essex, England, and more recent incidents involving a builder in Yorkshire and a man in Cheshire whose truck cabin became a 'veritable smelting furnace' despite the fuel tank being full and the doors easily opened. Another case from South London involved a man who appeared to 'explode' on the street, with his clothes burning intensely while his rubber-soled shoes melted.

Professor Robin Beach of Brooklyn, New York, is introduced as a researcher who believes these 'human firebombs' may be inadvertently responsible for millions of dollars in fire damage annually. He theorizes that certain individuals, due to abnormally dry skin, can accumulate significant electrostatic charges. An example is given of a factory owner whose factory experienced up to eight fires daily. Professor Beach identified a new employee who generated 30,000 volts of electrostatic electricity, leading to her reassignment to a department where she would not come into contact with flammable materials. The article suggests that electrostatic charges can build up to 20,000 volts or more in some individuals, posing a potential hazard, especially in environments with flammable vapors like operating rooms or munitions factories.

'Luxury' Redefined and Environmental Poetry

The 'Environment' section redefines 'luxury' not as material possessions like expensive shoes, furs, cruises, or villas, but as simple, hard-to-obtain things: clean air free from smoke and exhaust, pure spring water, a cool place to sleep, wild violets, and the silence of a full moon. This is followed by two poems by Thorborg Thyselius, 'Gökärten lyser blåviolett' and 'En gammal knuttimmrad släktgård lyser röd,' which starkly contrast the beauty of nature with destructive human development plans, such as building high-rises, airports, and highways, and exploiting natural resources for profit. The poems are taken from her 1969 collection 'Jag står i skuld till stjärnorna' (I am indebted to the stars).

UFO Incidents in Sweden

This section details local UFO incidents, expanding the scope to cover events across the country. It focuses on 'third-degree encounters,' including landings and contact with beings. The first case presented is from Trehörningsjö in Ångermanland, where on October 18, 1977, a 35-year-old radio amateur named Kurt Nilsson encountered three humanoid figures near a TV and radio link station. Nilsson, who was testing his shortwave radio, experienced strong radio interference as he approached the location. He described a luminous, bluish, dome-shaped object, several meters in diameter, which was distinct from the aurora borealis present that evening.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of the unexplained, scientific inquiry, and societal issues. There is a strong emphasis on UFO phenomena, presented with historical context and detailed accounts of sightings and encounters. The publication also demonstrates a growing concern for environmental protection, advocating for a return to natural values and criticizing human destructiveness. The inclusion of parapsychological topics, such as the 'psychic motor' and spontaneous human combustion, reflects a broad interest in phenomena that challenge conventional scientific understanding. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, encouraging readers to engage with these topics and participate in initiatives like the environmental group. The magazine aims to inform and provoke thought on subjects often on the fringes of mainstream discourse.

This issue of UFO-Information, dated 1978 and identified as issue 1 of volume 1978, is a Swedish publication that delves into a variety of intriguing topics, including UFO sightings, historical unexplained events, anthropological theories, and the impact of environmental factors on human health.

UFO Sighting and Investigation

The magazine begins with a detailed account of a UFO sighting experienced by a witness in Sweden. The witness describes seeing three meter-tall, gray figures and a disk-shaped craft. The encounter led to his car's lights and engine failing, and later, his television experienced interference. Following the sighting, an investigation of the purported landing site revealed physical evidence such as a scorch mark on a birch tree, unusual moss deposits, and footprints. The size of the craft was estimated to be between 5 and 5.5 meters in diameter. The incident was compiled by Carl-Anton Mattsson and Thorvald Berthelsen.

The Tunguska Event: Theories and Research

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the Tunguska event of 1908 in Siberia. The article details the initial skepticism surrounding the event and the subsequent research conducted by scientists like Leonid Kulik. Kulik's expeditions uncovered evidence of a massive explosion that flattened trees over a vast area, causing seismic and atmospheric waves that circled the Earth twice. The article explores various theories, including a meteorite impact, a comet fragment explosion, and, notably, the hypothesis proposed by science fiction writer Alexander Kazantsev that the event was caused by an atomic-powered spacecraft from another world that exploded in the atmosphere. The theories of astronomers F.J.W. Whipple and I.S. Astapovitj, who suggested a comet in gaseous form, are also discussed. The research into Tunguska was interrupted by World War II, during which Kulik tragically died.

Viking Descendants in South America

Another article presents the controversial theory of French anthropologist Jacques de Mahieu, who claims to have found evidence suggesting that Vikings settled in South America and are the ancestors of certain indigenous tribes in Paraguay, referred to as 'guayakier'. Mahieu's research, conducted over 20 years, includes findings of a 10-meter high wall and two small forts with runic inscriptions, as well as extensive biological and physical studies of the tribes, including fingerprint analysis and skull structure comparisons. He posits that Vikings migrated from Mexico to Paraguay, establishing a 'Viking kingdom' in Tiahuanaco, Bolivia, before being displaced by indigenous tribes.

Psychobio-physics and Health

The issue also explores the emerging field of psychobio-physics, with researcher Jan Fjellander discussing the connection between the mind, biology, and physics. The article suggests that living organisms, including plants, can perceive and communicate with their environment and that they react to psychological influence. Experiments involving plants and electrical signals are mentioned, drawing parallels to human telepathy. The Kirlian effect, which reveals the light emissions from living beings, is also highlighted. Fjellander emphasizes the importance of a scientifically grounded discussion in this field, cautioning against speculation.

Weather's Impact on Health

Finally, the magazine addresses the long-recognized but often dismissed connection between weather phenomena and human health. Doctors are now taking claims of 'weather cramps' seriously, acknowledging that factors like air pressure, temperature, and seasons can influence physical and psychological well-being. Low-pressure systems are linked to mild depressions and fatigue, while rising air pressure brings relief. The article also touches upon how temperature, humidity, and wind can cause illness, particularly in foreign climates, and mentions the influence of specific winds like the 'föhn' on human behavior. Psychiatrist Ture Arvidsson discusses the correlation between low-pressure systems and depression, and the phenomenon of 'moon dread' (anxiety during full moon). The article concludes by noting that while these weather-related health issues are common, they are often not severe enough to warrant medical attention, and that our climate, despite its variability, is still considered favorable.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained phenomena, historical mysteries, and the intersection of science with more speculative theories. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various hypotheses and research findings, even those that are unconventional, while maintaining a grounding in scientific investigation where possible. The magazine encourages critical discussion and exploration of these complex subjects.

This issue of *Svensk astronomisk tidskrift* (Swedish Astronomical Journal), volume 114, issue 1, published in 1993, focuses on a historical overview of prominent astronomers and their contributions to the field. The cover features portraits of several key figures and is headlined "Svenska astronomer" (Swedish Astronomers), though the content extends to international figures as well.

Key Figures in Astronomy

The magazine profiles a wide array of astronomers, detailing their birth and death dates, nationalities, and significant achievements:

• Sir William Herschel (1738-1822): A world-renowned English astronomer of German origin, famous for discovering the planet Uranus in 1781. He also discovered approximately 2,500 star clusters, nebulae, and 800 double stars. Herschel was the first to attempt to determine the shape and size of the Milky Way and to study the solar system's motion in space.
• Pierre-Simon de Laplace (1749-1827): A French mathematician and astronomer, known for his hypothesis on the origin of planetary systems. He made groundbreaking contributions to celestial mechanics and, in 1796, presented his famous nebular hypothesis for the formation of planetary systems.
• Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers (1758-1840): A German astronomer who developed convenient methods for calculating comet orbits, among other contributions.
• Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel (1784-1846): A prominent German astronomer who conducted fundamental work in positional and spherical astronomy. In 1838, he succeeded in determining the first stellar parallax (for the star 61 Cygni). The text explains stellar parallax as half the small angular difference between its positions over a six-month interval, which allows calculation of the distance to a star using trigonometric methods.
• Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787-1826): A German optician and professor of physics, he was the first to create a complete catalog of the dark absorption lines in the solar spectrum, known as Fraunhofer lines. Figure 3 illustrates these lines.
• Sir John Herschel (1792-1871): Son of William Herschel, he continued his father's studies of double stars, star clusters, and nebulae, extending these investigations to the southern celestial hemisphere. His catalog includes over 5,000 objects.
• Wilhelm Struve (1793-1864): A distinguished Russian-Baltic astronomer, part of a large family where almost all members were astronomers. Wilhelm Struve was the head of the Russian Observatory in Pulkovo.
• Friedrich Wilhelm August Argelander (1799-1875): A German astronomer who published the extensive star catalog *Bonner Durchmusterung* in 1862.
• Christian Doppler (1803-1853): An Austrian physicist, after whom the Doppler effect is named. The Doppler effect is described as the apparent change in wavelength of electromagnetic radiation or other wave motion (e.g., sound waves) when the source of radiation approaches or moves away from the observer. When the source approaches, the number of received oscillations per second increases; when it moves away, the number decreases. In the case of optical radiation, spectral lines shift towards the violet end of the spectrum when the source approaches, and towards the red end when it moves away. The magnitude of this shift directly reveals the relative velocity between the Earth and a celestial body in km/sec. A speed of 100 km/sec results in a shift of 1.7 Å for 5,000 Å.
• Urban Jean Joseph Leverrier (1811-1877): A French astronomer who made significant contributions to celestial mechanics. Through his studies of irregularities in the orbit of Uranus, he deduced the existence of an unknown planet beyond Uranus, leading to the discovery of Neptune in 1846.
• Angelo Secchi (1818-1878): An Italian astronomer who established the first spectral classification system for stars, categorizing approximately 4,000 stars into four types (I-IV) based on spectral features, particularly hydrogen lines, elemental composition, and molecular bands.
• Otto Wilhelm Struve (1819-1905): Son of Wilhelm Struve, he directed the Pulkovo Observatory from 1862 to 1889.
• Richard Christopher Carrington (1826-1875): An English astronomer who compiled a catalog of 3,700 circumpolar stars and conducted extensive solar observations.
• Giovanni Virginio Schiaparelli (1835-1910): An Italian astronomer, best known for his 1877 discovery of the 'canals' on Mars. He also established the connection between comets and meteorites in 1866.
• Magnus Nyrén (1837-1921): A Swedish astronomer who primarily worked at the Russian Central Observatory in Pulkovo, focusing on practical astronomical problems like determining the precession constant and star positions.
• Th. V. Oppolzer (1841-1886): A German astronomer who published a major work containing calculations of all solar and lunar eclipses from 1200 BC to 2160 AD.
• Hugo Gyldén (1841-1896): An astronomer who served as an observer in Pulkovo and later as an astronomer at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and head of the Stockholm Observatory. He developed methods for calculating perturbations in the orbits of planets and comets.
• Camille Flammarion (1842-1925): A French astronomer, renowned as a popular science writer, author of "Bebodda världar" (Inhabited Worlds).
• Oskar Backlund (1846-1916): A Swedish-Russian astronomer who headed the Pulkovo Observatory near Leningrad and worked primarily on perturbation theory, including studying the orbit of Encke's Comet.
• Edward Charles Pickering (1846-1919): A North American astronomer who conducted extensive photometric studies and spectral analyses of stars, and designed several stellar photometers. He was the director of the Harvard Observatory from 1877 to 1917.
• Hugo von Seeliger (1849-1924): A German astronomer known for his extensive statistical studies of stars.
• Hermann Struve (1854-1920): Son of Otto Wilhelm Struve, he was director of the observatory in Königsberg and later in Berlin-Babelsberg.
• Percival Lowell (1855-1916): An American astronomer who founded the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1894 to study planets, especially Mars. Lowell calculated the position of Pluto, which was discovered in 1930.
• Ludvig Struve (1858-1920): Worked in Pulkovo and Dorpat, later becoming director of the observatory in Charkov.
• Carl Wilhelm Ludvig Charlier (1862-1934): An astronomer and professor in Lund from 1897 to 1927. Charlier was a distinguished theoretical astronomer who focused on statistics and its application in studying stellar motions, founding the "Lund School."
• Nils Viktor Emanuel Nordenmark (1867-1962): A professor and historian of astronomical knowledge. He published biographies of earlier Swedish astronomers and the history of astronomy in Sweden up to 1800. Nordenmark was also a popular science writer and advocated for the popularization of astronomy, being a founder of the Swedish Astronomical Society.

Scientific Concepts and Discoveries

Beyond individual biographies, the issue touches upon key scientific concepts:

• Fraunhofer Lines: Illustrated in Figure 3, these are the dark absorption lines in the solar spectrum, first cataloged by Joseph von Fraunhofer.
• Doppler Effect: Explained in detail as the change in wavelength of radiation due to relative motion between source and observer, with implications for determining stellar velocities.
• Stellar Parallax: The method used by Bessel to measure the distance to stars.
• Nebular Hypothesis: Laplace's theory on the formation of planetary systems.
• Spectral Classification: Angelo Secchi's pioneering system for categorizing stars based on their spectra.
• Planetary Discoveries: The issue highlights the discoveries of Uranus (Herschel), Neptune (Leverrier), and the prediction of Pluto (Lowell).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the historical development of astronomy, emphasizing the foundational work of key figures, both Swedish and international. The editorial stance appears to be one of celebrating and documenting the progress of astronomical science, highlighting the meticulous observations, theoretical advancements, and discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the cosmos. There is a clear appreciation for the pioneers who laid the groundwork for modern astronomy, with a particular nod to Swedish contributions through figures like Nordenmark and Charlier.