SAT-urnus - 1978 No 6

Magazine Overview

This issue of SAT-URNUS, Volume 2, Number 6 from 1978, is a Swedish publication from the Sala Amatörförening för Tvärvetenskap (SAT). It covers a diverse range of topics including UFO-logy, astronomy, parapsychology, ancient mysteries, and animal precognition.

Editorial and Publisher Information

The magazine is the member publication for Sala Amatörförening för Tvärvetenskap (S.A.T.). The address is S.A.T., Östra Tulegatan 43, 733 00 SALA, with a telephone number of 0224-12182 and a Postgiro account of 20 55 33. The subscription fee is 27.50 SEK for 1978, and the magazine is published 6 times a year. The editorial staff expresses a mixed view of the year 1978, noting a lack of membership growth impacting finances but a good turnout for their theme evenings and positive press reviews. They aim for an open and creative atmosphere in discussing problems, cautioning against UFO phenomena becoming a form of religion.

Ancient Mysteries and Technologies

Forntida Gåtor (Ancient Riddles)

This section delves into the concept of 'ancient history,' aiming to demonstrate that ancient civilizations possessed advanced scientific knowledge, potentially derived from an unknown external source. It highlights impressive ancient structures and artifacts whose creation remains a mystery. The article questions the conventional historical narrative, suggesting that advanced technical knowledge existed much earlier than commonly believed and may have been forgotten.

The Baghdad Battery

The article describes the discovery of electrical batteries in the Iraq National Museum, dating back to the Sassanid dynasty, over a thousand years before Alessandro Volta. These clay jars, containing copper cylinders, iron lamellae, and copper sulfate, could generate enough electricity for galvanizing purposes. Initially, these artifacts were misidentified as 'cult objects'.

Kugghjul? (Gears?)

This piece recounts the discovery of the Antikythera mechanism, a complex geared device found in a Greek shipwreck dating to the 1st century BC. The mechanism, featuring numerous gears, scales, and inscriptions, is described as having a highly sophisticated differential drive, possibly used as an astronomical calendar. The article questions how such advanced technology could have existed in ancient Greece, suggesting it might be evidence of forgotten knowledge.

Astronomi (Astronomy)

This section touches upon ancient astronomical knowledge, mentioning Hindu planetary tables from India dating back to 3100 BC. It also refers to the advanced astronomical instruments allegedly possessed by the inhabitants of Tiahuanaco and the precise calculations of lunar cycles by the Maya people, which closely match modern astronomical figures. The text questions the source of this knowledge without modern technology.

Medicin (Medicine)

Ancient Egyptian medical knowledge is highlighted, referencing a papyrus from the 11th dynasty that describes a medicinal fungus for treating infected wounds, suggesting a precursor to penicillin. Indian medical practices are also mentioned, including knowledge of metabolism, circulation, genetics, and the nervous system, as well as methods for counteracting poisonous gases, performing caesarean sections, and brain surgery.

Flying Objects and Ancient Aviation

Flyg (Flight)

The article explores the concept of ancient flight, referencing the Sanskrit term "vimaana viday" (science of building and maneuvering aircraft). It cites ancient Indian epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, which describe 'air chariots' and 'vimanas' with wings, capable of flying at high speeds and emitting melodic sounds. These descriptions suggest a sophisticated understanding of aerial vehicles in ancient times.

The text poses several questions about the nature of ancient knowledge and human civilization, including why traditions speak of a golden age, why knowledge fluctuates, and how ancient peoples could depict extinct animals or possess advanced technologies like electrical batteries and knowledge of celestial beings.

UFO Encounters and Phenomena

Fallet i Domsten (The Domsten Case)

This is a detailed report of a UFO incident that occurred on December 20, 1958, in Domsten, Sweden. Witnesses Stig Rydberg and Hans Gustavsson reported seeing a disk-shaped object with a tripod landing gear emitting intense white light. They also observed three to four dark, cone-shaped figures moving around the object. The figures reportedly engaged in a physical struggle with the witnesses, exhibiting unusual strength and agility. The encounter involved a strange odor described as 'a cross between ether and burnt sausage' and a high-pitched sound. The witnesses underwent hypnosis analysis, which reportedly corroborated their accounts.

Uri Geller's Visit

An account of Uri Geller's visit to Sweden on November 12th is included. The author attended Geller's 'show' in Stockholm and described the audience's behavior as akin to a revival meeting, with people scrambling to get on stage. The author contrasts this with SAT's approach of open and creative problem-solving, warning against UFO phenomena becoming a substitute for religion.

UFO Information Source

An article by A-N Nilsson/SAT, sourced from UFC-information 3/5-71, discusses the official stance of the Swedish Defense Staff on the Domsten case, which dismissed the witnesses' accounts as likely due to autosuggestion. The author questions this generalization given the available facts.

Scientific Exploration and Future Concepts

Sjukhus i rymden blir framtidens operationssalar? (Hospitals in space becoming future operating rooms?)

This piece discusses the potential for space to become a hub for complex medical procedures, such as heart transplants. The reduced gravity in space is seen as beneficial for surgery and patient recovery. It also suggests that space could be an ideal location for laboratories conducting pharmaceutical research, with the possibility of storing organs for extended periods under sterile conditions.

Viking kollar Einstein (Viking checks Einstein)

This section reports on experiments using the American Viking spacecraft on Mars to test Einstein's general theory of relativity. The experiment involves measuring the time it takes for radio signals to travel between Earth and Mars, with the predicted relativistic time dilation near the sun expected to be precisely measured.

Animal Precognition

Djurens Sjätte Sinne (The Sixth Sense of Animals)

Professor Hans Bender of Freiburg University is presented as a proponent of the idea that animals possess an 'inner sight' and can sense danger, even predicting future events. Bender and his assistant Ute Pleimes have investigated 800 cases where pets have warned their owners of approaching dangers, such as earthquakes and flying disasters. They believe that understanding these animal signals could help predict such events.

Tillräckligt material (Sufficient Material)

Professor Bender claims to have gathered enough evidence to prove that animals have a special ability to sense impending accidents. An example is given of Russian scientists who monitored a rabbit's brain activity while its young were killed miles away; the rabbit showed signs of distress at the exact moments of the young's deaths.

Anar sig till döden (Sensing Death)

Bender is convinced that many animals can sense danger from afar. An anecdote is shared about Winston Churchill's cat leaving his room shortly before his death. The text also mentions dogs' ability to sense death.

Letade i en vecka (Searched for a week)

Another anecdote describes a pet dove that found its way to its owner's son, who was hospitalized 20 miles away, indicating the bird sensed the boy was in danger.

Varnar för trafikolyckor (Warns of Traffic Accidents)

Professor Bender suggests that traffic accidents could be reduced if animal warnings were heeded. An example is given of a dog that aggressively prevented its owner from lending a car to a woman, who subsequently died in a crash with that car.

Huset rasade (The House Collapsed)

This story recounts how Josef Becker's dog, Strulli, became agitated and tried to pull him away from a tavern just before the building collapsed. Becker escaped unharmed, while nine people were killed and 23 injured, suggesting the dog's actions saved his life.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of SAT-URNUS consistently explores the intersection of the unexplained with scientific inquiry. It champions the idea that ancient civilizations may have possessed knowledge and technology far beyond our current understanding, challenging conventional historical narratives. The magazine also highlights the potential for phenomena like UFOs and animal precognition to be studied scientifically, albeit with a cautious approach to prevent them from becoming pseudoscientific or religious cults. The editorial stance favors open-minded investigation and the pursuit of truth, even when dealing with unconventional subjects. The recurring theme is the existence of hidden knowledge and unexplained phenomena that warrant further exploration and scientific scrutiny.

This issue of "UFO-Handelser" (UFO-Dealers), dated SN 7/9 1977, with a cover headline "ANDRA VERKLIGHETER" (Other Realities), explores a range of unexplained phenomena, from animal premonitions and UFO sightings to cosmic events and parapsychological abilities. The magazine is published by UFO-Sverige and appears to be a Swedish publication.

Animal Premonitions and Warnings

The issue begins with accounts of animals seemingly predicting disasters. A striking example from 70 years prior on Martinique describes how the warnings of animals about an impending volcanic eruption were ignored by scientific instruments, leading to the deaths of 30,000 people. Similarly, during World War II in Freiburg, Germany, a duck's unusual behavior alerted people to an air raid, potentially saving lives amidst a bombing that killed 3,000.

UFO Sightings and Reports

Several UFO sightings are detailed, primarily from Sweden:

• Grällsta, Sweden (December 22, 1977): Kerstin Harneman reported seeing a square, yellow object with blue or black stripes, described as a 'box' or a small airplane, hovering about 20 meters above the ground for about a minute.
• Kungsör, Sweden (February 20, 1978): A 33-year-old teletechnician described a silent, luminous object with a steady white light, moving at approximately 100 km/h. The object slowed to a near standstill, then changed direction, blinked, and accelerated rapidly, changing color from white to red before disappearing.
• Knivsta, Sweden (July 16, 1978): Sture Sjöström and his family, along with their dog, observed a satellite-like 'star' that grew in size and descended towards their car on the E4 highway. The object, estimated to be 15-20 meters in diameter, hovered about 10 meters from the car. The family's dog howled continuously, and the object, described as elliptical with a blue-white glow, moved west and disappeared at a low altitude without a sound.
• Hjortkvarn, Sweden (July 15, 1978): Lars-G. Andersson reported seeing a large, triangular object with 15-20 different colored lights that moved slowly, stopped, and then changed shape to a sphere before moving southwest and ascending rapidly over the trees. The entire event lasted about five minutes, and no sound was heard.

The Tunguska Event and Cosmic Theories

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia. The article "ELD-FENOMENET I SIBIRIEN" (Fire Phenomenon in Siberia) presents eyewitness accounts and scientific analyses comparing the event to atomic explosions. Eyewitnesses described a blinding light, intense heat, and a powerful shockwave. The scale of destruction, with 2,000 square kilometers of forest flattened, is compared to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Several scientific theories are explored to explain the Tunguska event:

• Atomic Explosion: The characteristics of the event, including the heat, shockwave, and widespread destruction, are argued to be consistent with a high-altitude atomic explosion. Russian scientists V.K. Shuravlev, D.V. Demin, and L.N. Demina noted similarities to US high-altitude atomic tests in 1958. Investigations by a group from Tomsk found elevated levels of radioactive cesium 137 in the affected area.
• Antimatter: The theory, popularized by P.A.M. Dirac, suggests that a small meteor composed of antimatter could have caused such an explosion upon contact with Earth's matter, leaving no trace.
• Black Hole: Another hypothesis suggests the explosion was caused by the Earth colliding with or passing through a 'black hole,' a concept explored by Robert Oppenheimer regarding the remnants of massive stars.

However, Russian specialists ultimately rejected the antimatter and black hole theories, finding that the extensive eyewitness accounts and physical evidence did not align with these hypotheses. The object's observed shape (cylindrical) and lack of a crater or significant radiation at the site are cited as reasons for dismissal.

Parapsychological Phenomena

The article "ANDRA VERKLIGHETER" (Other Realities) discusses parapsychological phenomena, particularly focusing on the work of Professor Hans Bender.

• Poltergeist Activity: Bender investigated a series of unexplained events at a law office in Rosenheim, Germany, involving moving furniture, exploding light bulbs, and objects flying through the air. These phenomena were linked to the presence of a 19-year-old employee, Annemarie S., and ceased when she moved away.
• Psychokinesis: Experiments with individuals like Nina Kulagina in Leningrad are mentioned, where subjects reportedly moved objects using only their willpower.
• Precognition: The phenomenon of knowing future events is described as the most unsettling, as it seems to defy the boundaries of space and time. The mechanism behind precognition remains unexplained.

Other Topics

• Eternal Flame in Australia: A brief mention of a continuously burning coal seam in Hunter Valley, Australia, attributed to a fallen tree igniting the coal about 2,000 years ago.
• Mammoth Extinction: An expedition to the Indigirka River in Siberia is described, aiming to investigate the cause of mammoth extinction over 10,000 years ago, exploring whether it was a gradual process or a catastrophic event.
• Cosmic Origins: The article "ATOMKROSS SKA VISA HUR UNIVERSUM FÖDDES" (Atom Crusher Will Show How the Universe Was Born) discusses the role of particle accelerators in studying the origins of the universe. Top physicists gathered in Wiesbaden to discuss cosmology, with experiments in accelerators potentially recreating aspects of the 'Big Bang' (urexplosion). The age of the universe is estimated at about 10 billion years.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores phenomena that challenge conventional scientific understanding, including UFOs, unexplained physical events, and psychic abilities. There is a clear interest in investigating these topics through eyewitness accounts and scientific inquiry, even when the explanations remain elusive or controversial. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded, presenting various theories and evidence without necessarily endorsing a single definitive explanation, particularly regarding the more speculative cosmic and parapsychological topics. The recurring theme is the existence of 'other realities' beyond our current comprehension.

This issue of Ny Teknik, dated October 4, 1972, delves into a variety of scientific and technological topics, ranging from cellular biology and medicine to engineering and astronomy. The cover story highlights a surprising discovery from the Soviet Union concerning cell communication.

Sick Cells Talk Neighbors to Death

The lead article, "SJUKA CELLER PRATAR GRANNARNA TILL DÖDS" (Sick Cells Talk Neighbors to Death), reports on a groundbreaking discovery made at the Institute of Electrometry and Clinical Medicine in Novosibirsk, Soviet Union. Researchers found that virus-infected cells can emit ultraviolet light, or photons, to 'talk' to their neighboring healthy cells, causing them to die. This phenomenon was observed in experiments where normal cells in nutrient solution were placed in two quartz glass vessels. When one colony was infected with a virus, the cells in the other vessel soon fell ill. However, when the experiment was repeated using ordinary glass vessels, only the infected cells died, while the cells in the neighboring vessel thrived. This suggests that the ultraviolet light emitted by the infected cells carries information that healthy cells interpret in a fatal way. Further experiments with over 5,000 similar trials led researchers to believe that the variation in results with different glass types was due to the ultraviolet light. The study also revealed that normal cells emit a steady stream of photons, but infected cells exhibit a distinct radiation curve: an initial burst, followed by a pause, then another burst, and finally a slowly decreasing photon stream. This curve varies with different diseases and could potentially be used for early diagnosis. The research also indicated that certain antibiotics might be able to block this harmful photon radiation, potentially leading to more effective antibiotics.

More Effective Antibiotics

Building on the Novosibirsk research, it was found that certain antibiotics, such as 'tec asprin' (likely a typo for 'aspirin' or a specific antibiotic), can suppress the dangerous photon radiation. This suggests that new findings could lead to the development of more effective antibiotics.

He Died from Too Much Vitamin

Another article, "HAN DOG AV FÖR MYCKET VITAMINER" (He Died from Too Much Vitamin), recounts the tragic death of Basil Brown, a health food enthusiast who consumed about 3.5 liters of carrot juice daily. Despite warnings from doctors, Brown's extreme diet, which included vitamin pills providing 70 million units of A-vitamin daily in the last ten days of his life, led to liver cirrhosis, similar to alcohol poisoning. He died jaundiced, with the cause of death listed as carrot juice poisoning.

Magnetic Field Heals Fractures

"MAGNETFÄLT LÄKER BROTT" (Magnetic Field Heals Fractures) reports on an effective and side-effect-free method for rapid fracture healing developed at a hospital in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, West Germany. The technique involves placing the patient's leg, along with the cast, within large electromagnetic coils that create a pulsating magnetic field. This field induces a weak electrical voltage in small wire coils near the fracture, which in turn significantly boosts the body's natural bioelectrical energy. This accelerated growth of bone and tissue leads to healing. The therapy typically lasts 4-8 hours a day and can be completed in six to seven weeks, with no reported side effects. Dr. Fritz Lechner, the chief physician, described the 'electrodynamic calculation' as completely harmless.

The Machine No One Can Build

The issue begins a series titled "MASKINEN INGEN KAN BYGGA" (The Machine No One Can Build), which compares the human body to a marvel of engineering. The first article focuses on the human skeleton. It quotes English author Alexander Pope (1688–1744) stating, "What man should study is man," highlighting the complexity and perfection of the human body, which surpasses current engineering capabilities. Engineers from various disciplines find parallels in the body's structure and function. Building engineers recognize problems with beams, bridges, and pillars in the skeleton. Water engineers see solutions for storing and circulating bodily fluids. VS engineers note the efficiency of the nose, and control engineers observe closed circuits and automation in the body. Data technologists can gain insights into brain function from their own field. The article emphasizes that the skeleton provides structural support, protects vital organs like the brain, heart, and eyes, and maintains body shape. Its most crucial role, however, is in movement, powered by muscles. The article discusses the lightweight yet strong nature of bones, noting that many long bones are hollow, and their walls are thicker in the middle than at the ends to withstand stress. The internal structure of a thigh bone, for example, shows lamellae and beams arranged according to stress lines. The article also touches upon how bones grow from within, through cartilage that is gradually replaced by bone tissue, and how the body possesses a remarkable repair mechanism for broken bones, forming a blood clot, then cartilage, and finally new bone to mend the fracture. This repair process is continuous and efficient.

Ready for Expansion

This section discusses how the human body's growth and repair processes are far more complex than any machine. While engineers can plan for future additions or replacements in machines, they cannot replicate a system that grows continuously, never stops, requires no maintenance, and can self-repair. Bone growth, for instance, occurs internally as cartilage adds new cells, which are then replaced by bone tissue. Unlike machines, bone length increases from within, not at the ends, which must remain smooth for joint articulation.

Repair Around the Clock

When a bone breaks, the body initiates a sophisticated repair process that functions continuously. Initially, a blood clot forms to stop bleeding and stabilize the broken ends. This clot is then replaced by cartilage, and subsequently, new bone forms on the inside and outside of the fracture site. This new bone gradually replaces the cartilage, and after a few months, a bony lump forms, which is then remodeled to match the original contour of the bone. The article also briefly mentions that joints are self-lubricating, with a friction coefficient between 0.005 and 0.02, which is difficult to surpass with advanced methods. However, it notes that joints don't always fit perfectly, relying on a combination of rolling and sliding movements.

"Crying" Lubrication

The article "Gråtande" smörjning ("Crying" Lubrication) explores the lubrication of joints. The space between bone ends is filled with synovial fluid, similar to blood plasma. The lubricating membrane is extremely thin, about 10 micrometers. Despite the unevenness of the bone ends, conventional lubrication methods are deemed insufficient. A theory suggests a phenomenon called "crying lubrication," where the porous cartilage acts like a sponge filled with synovial fluid. When bones contact each other, fluid is pressed out of the cartilage, providing lubrication only when needed and in proportion to the load. The question of how this fluid remains in the cartilage under constant pressure is addressed by the constant shifting of contact areas due to rolling and sliding movements.

Plastic Joints

"Leder av plast" (Plastic Joints) discusses the challenges of replacing worn-out joints, particularly the hip joint, which is subject to extreme stress. It mentions early attempts in 1890 by German surgeon Thomas Gluck, who used ivory balls attached to the skeleton with steel screws. More recently, joint heads have been replaced with prostheses made of steel alloys or plastic. The article notes that even when only part of a joint is replaced, the natural lubrication system can still function, and the remaining cartilage can produce synovial fluid.

UFO Alert

A small section at the end of the magazine includes a call to action regarding UFO sightings. It asks readers if they have witnessed a UFO and encourages them to report their observations to the national organization UFO-Sweden or their local UFO association. It specifically mentions the Sala Amateur Association for Interdisciplinary Science (S.A.T.) in Sala.

Astronomers and Their Discoveries

The latter part of the magazine features biographical sketches of numerous astronomers and their contributions. This section includes:

• Henrietta S. Leavitt (1868-1921): American astronomer known for discovering the Period-Luminosity relation for Cepheid variables, crucial for determining cosmic distances.
• Elis Strömgren (1870-1947): Swedish-Danish astronomer, director of the Copenhagen Observatory, known for his work in celestial mechanics and as an influential textbook author.
• Karl Schwarzschild (1873–1916): German astronomer who conducted extensive photometric studies and research on stellar motion and optics.
• Ejnar Hertzsprung (1873–1967): Danish-Dutch astronomer who pioneered research into star types, distinguishing between 'giants' and 'dwarfs'.
• Edvard Hugo von Zeipel (1873–1959): Swedish astronomer who made significant theoretical contributions to the study of minor planet orbits and stellar masses.
• Nils Tamm (1876–1957): Artist and amateur astronomer who built a private observatory and donated it to Uppsala University.
• James Jeans (1877-1946): English astronomer and excellent popularizer of astrophysics.
• Bernhard Schmidt (1879–1935): Swedish-Estonian optician known for inventing the coma-free reflecting telescope.
• Albert Einstein (1879-1955): German-American theoretical physicist, famous for his theories of relativity and the photoelectric effect, Nobel laureate.
• Henry Norris Russell (1879-1957): American astronomer who led the Princeton Observatory and developed the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.
• Gustav Strömberg (1882-1962): Swedish-American astronomer known for his studies of stellar motion.
• Arthur Stanley Eddington (1882-1944): English astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of stellar motion and internal stellar structure.
• Harlow Shapley (1885-1972): American astronomer, director of the Harvard Observatory, known for his research on globular clusters and galaxy distribution.
• Niels Bohr (1885–1962): Danish atomic physicist, Nobel laureate, whose atomic model was fundamental to understanding stellar spectra.
• Walter Gyllenberg (1886–1952): Professor in Lund who conducted important stellar statistical studies.
• Georg Struve (1886–1933): Son of Hermann Struve, studied the Moon and planets.
• Robert J. Trumpler (1886–1956): Swiss-American astronomer who studied open star clusters and discovered interstellar absorption.
• Edwin Hubble (1889-1953): American astronomer, pioneer in nebulae research, who discovered that galaxies are moving away from us, supporting the expanding universe theory.
• Knut Emil Lundmark (1889–1958): Professor and director of the Lund Observatory, known for his work on galaxy distances and motions.
• Megh Nad Saha (1893–1956): Indian physicist and astrophysicist who developed the Saha ionization equation.
• Gunnar Malmquist (1893–): Astronomer who studied stellar statistics and dark nebulae.
• Walter Baade (1893-1960): German-American astronomer who discovered the two types of stellar populations and revised the cosmic distance scale.
• G. Lemaître (1894–1966): Belgian cosmologist known for the Big Bang model.
• Svein Rosseland (1894–): Norwegian astronomer who studied stellar interiors and pulsating stars.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes scientific inquiry and technological advancement. It highlights new discoveries and practical applications in medicine, biology, and engineering, often drawing from international research. The series comparing the human body to engineering underscores a perspective that views biological systems through a mechanistic and functional lens. The inclusion of astronomers and their work reflects an interest in space and the universe. The brief mention of UFO sightings suggests an awareness of popular phenomena, though it is presented as a call for reporting rather than in-depth investigation within this issue.