Stockholms UFO-Nytt - 1993 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: Stockholms UFO-Nytt
Issue: Number 1
Year: 1993
Publisher: Stockholms UFO-förening
Type: Information bulletin about Unidentified Flying Objects.

Editorial Introduction

The issue begins with a friendly greeting from the outgoing chairman, Inga-Lill Wallin, who expresses hope that readers are well. She announces changes in the board for 1993, with Mikael Sjöberg taking over as chairman. Wallin will remain as a board member and the association's contact person. The editorial encourages relaxed reading and looks forward to the year ahead.

Stockholm UFO Association Board 1993

The magazine presents the newly elected board of the Stockholm UFO Association for 1993. The annual meeting was held on February 24th, with 9 out of 55 members present. The board members are:

• Chairman: Mikael Sjöberg (also chairman of Uppsala Tvärvetenskapliga föreningen and works with Andreas in the youth section UFO-Sverige).
• Treasurer: Andreas Ohlsson (a student, who also served as treasurer in 1992 and is active in UFO-Sverige's youth section).
• Board Members: Elsie Molin (a long-time member and active author) and Dariuz Orlowski (a student and member for several years).
• Substitutes: Bernt Berglund (active in Västerbergslagens UFO-förening) and Imre Horvath (a member for about a year and treasurer for UFO-Sverige).
• Contact Person: Inga-Lill Wallin (interested in various phenomena for many years).

The issue also includes a call for members to send in copies of their UFO material to Stockholms UFO-Nytt.

Membership Information

Details are provided for the 1993 membership fees. The full-year membership, including Stockholms UFO-Nytt, costs 100 SEK. For pensioners and students, the fee is 70 SEK. New memberships for the second half of the year (July 1 - December 31) are 50 SEK and 35 SEK respectively. Information is also given for subscribing to 'UFO-Aktuellt' via postgiro.

Contents Overview

The table of contents lists the following articles and sections:

• Presentation of the Stockholm UFO Association's board -93 (Page 4)
• A Fantastical UFO Lecture (Page 5)
• Exhibition UFO-Sweden in Norrköping (Page 7)
• Something about Airships and Cigars (Page 8)
• Information Evening and Report Discussion 10/3 -93 (Page 11)
• Incoming Reports (Page 12)
• The 10th planet may have already been discovered (Page 13)
• NASA is looking for green men in space! (Page 14)
• Press Clipping Commentary (Page 15)
• Press Clippings (Page 16)
• Minutes of the 1993 Annual Meeting (Page 19)
• Press Clippings (Page 20)
• Appendices: Statutes of the Stockholm UFO Association, Membership card for those who paid the 1993 fee, Press stop.

A Fantastical UFO Lecture

This article details a lecture given by Finnish doctor Rauni-Leena Luukanen in Stockholm on November 4th. Luukanen, who is interested in parapsychology and ufology, has written books, including one partly dictated by her deceased grandmother through automatic writing. Her new book, "Sändebud från stjärnorna" (Messenger from the Stars), is entirely written with automatic script and discusses UFOs. Luukanen, formerly a county doctor and medical advisor, now resides in Geneva and focuses on UFO research and writing. She expresses a strong belief in UFO phenomena and claims constant contact with other civilizations through psychic means and out-of-body experiences.

She stated that 3.7 million people in America claim to have been abducted by UFOs, and she believes many in the audience have experienced this, even if only through dreams or unexplained scars. She can detect a change in people's eyes indicating such experiences. After contact, many individuals become telepathic and clairvoyant, with materialization and dematerialization phenomena occurring.

Luukanen noted that contacting aliens is forbidden in America, with penalties of fines or imprisonment. She expressed surprise at Swedish UFO organizations that attempt to 'debunk' UFO phenomena. She also recounted how the Siljansringens UFO-förening inquired with Swedish authorities about contact with extraterrestrials. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated no obstacles exist for communication with other civilizations, while the Swedish Board of Agriculture humorously advised contacting them or the county veterinarian if aliens resemble animals. The Immigration Board stated it was outside their competence, and the Security Police (Säpo) claimed they had resources to handle spacecraft and crews, advising to call 90.000.

Luukanen shared personal experiences, including seeing a lion's head materialize in her Oslo hotel room and being visited by American friends dressed as ETs. She described an experience where her car was lifted into the air by a UFO over Geneva, guided by aliens to an 'autostrada' in the sky. The lecture also included a slideshow with images of UFOs, crop circles, and depictions of humanoids. She mentioned reports of large, three-to-four-meter-tall humanoids landing in Voronezh, Russia, and a case where a humanoid dematerialized a boy with a laser pistol.

According to Luukanen, extraterrestrials claim to have created humans through genetic manipulation over millennia, explaining the existence of Neanderthals, Cro-Magnons, and modern humans. She believes other civilizations are far more advanced and that death is merely a transition to another dimension or body. She also suggested a connection between UFOs and the pyramids of Egypt, where a contact person was allegedly taken through a pyramid wall to see a large, silver UFO.

When asked about a governing body for alien civilizations, she described a "FN-galaxer" (Galactic UN) federation, with diverse beings, including an octopus-like creature, participating.

Luukanen concluded by reading a poem about the cycle of life and death, emphasizing that death is a transition. The lecture was highly popular, with all 160 tickets selling out quickly. The article expresses concern that such lectures might lead some to blindly believe the speaker, while skeptics might dismiss all UFO organizations as foolish, potentially damaging the credibility of the UFO movement.

Exhibition UFO-Sweden in Norrköping

This section reports on a major exhibition organized by AFU (Arkivet för UFO-forskning) and Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige at the Norrköping City Museum from January 23 to February 28, 1993. The exhibition, titled "Främlingar från stjärnorna?" (Strangers from the Stars?), attracted significant positive attention from radio, TV, and local press. It explored the UFO phenomenon from various perspectives, including local cases from Norrköping, Östergötland, and Södermanland, as well as broader themes of myths, cultures, and misinterpretation.

Ingemar Unge is quoted stating that intelligent life must exist on other planets, otherwise, they would have visited long ago. Elsie-Marianne Molin concludes that after filtering out mistakes, fantasies, and hoaxes, a number of unexplained cases remain. She emphasizes that serious researchers seek explanations, whether psychological, natural, or extraterrestrial, and that the UFO phenomenon continues to fascinate as long as it remains unexplained.

Something about Airships and Cigars

This article delves into the history of airships, starting with the French "La France" in 1884, but focusing on Count Ferdinand Adolph Heinrich von Zeppelin as the father of modern airships. It describes Zeppelin's design of cylindrical balloons held together by a light frame and covered with a durable fabric, with a gondola for the crew and engines. These 'Zeppeliners' were built until the late 1930s.

The article mentions the MACON, a 240-meter-long airship from 1933, capable of carrying smaller planes. It highlights the "Graf Zeppelin II LZ 130," measuring 245 meters, and the infamous "Hindenburg," which caught fire and crashed on May 6, 1937, during its landing in the USA. This disaster led to the use of helium instead of flammable hydrogen in airships.

Early airships had limited flight ranges, and many crashed. The article notes that by the late 1920s, airships were used for passenger transport, with luxurious interiors resembling ferries. However, accidents, often caused by storms, were common.

An interesting experiment involved military motherships carrying fighter planes that could attach to the airship's underside. The article also touches upon the cigar-shaped UFOs reported by people, suggesting a possible connection to the appearance of large airships like the American "Akron" and "Macon" from the 1930s.

Several historical sightings of airships in Sweden are mentioned: the LZ 13 "Hansa" possibly seen in Malmö in 1912, the LZ 120 "Bodensee" in Stockholm in 1919, and the Italian airship "Norge" in 1926. The article speculates whether debris from the crashed "Italia" airship might have contributed to UFO rumors over Spitsbergen.

It also mentions the "Sidenhuset" (Silk House) landing in Sweden in the early 1930s. The article notes that during the golden age of airships, before World War II, they were seen only four times in Sweden. In recent years, airships have made a comeback, with companies like Good Year producing new models and airships being used for advertising with light displays.

The article concludes by mentioning that nothing in the literature explains early 1890s sightings of elongated craft in America and similar cases in Sweden before 1910. Håkan Fenander is credited as the author.

UFO - A Mystery Waiting for an Answer

This section announces a lecture titled "UFO - A Mystery Waiting for an Answer" by Clas Svahn, to be held at Deva Center, Dalagatan 30, on June 3rd at 7:00 PM, with an entrance fee of 60 SEK.

Help UFO-Sweden Be Seen

This section promotes the sale of UFO-Sweden lapel pins. The pins are 1 cm in diameter, black with gold lettering, and cost 20 SEK plus 2.90 SEK postage. Payment can be made to postgiro 477 81 97-6, with the reference "UFO-nål" (UFO pin). Inga-Lill Wallin is mentioned as the contact for this.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, historical sightings, and related topics like airships and parapsychology. There is a clear interest in documenting and discussing UFO reports, both historical and contemporary. The editorial stance appears to be open to the possibility of extraterrestrial phenomena, while also acknowledging the need for serious research and the potential for misinterpretation and hoaxes. The inclusion of historical accounts, scientific discussions (even if speculative), and organizational news suggests an aim to inform and engage members interested in the UFO subject from various angles. The magazine also promotes the activities and membership of UFO-Sverige and its affiliated organizations.

Title: UFO-aktuellt
Issue Date: 1993
Publisher: Rapportcentralen, UFO-Sverige
Character: This issue of UFO-aktuellt focuses on UFO phenomena, astronomical discoveries, and related research, with a particular emphasis on Swedish reports and organizations.

Information Evening and Report Discussion (10/3 1993)

The Stockholm UFO Association held an information evening and report discussion to advance the UFO question. The event included a presentation of UFO-Sverige and a discussion of the 'Sorundafallet' report, which remains unsolved. Clas Svahn, chairman of UFO-Sverige, stated that most UFO cases are natural phenomena, advocating for open debate. Challenges in collecting UFO reports from observers were also discussed, with Inga-Lill Wallin noting that initial enthusiasm often wanes when the report forms arrive.

Crop Circles

The discussion touched upon crop circles, particularly those found in southern England. While many are acknowledged as hoaxes, some remain unexplained. Clas Svahn clarified that crop circles are rarely perfectly round, with most being irregular in diameter. He also noted that while people report seeing circles form, no one has witnessed the formation of pictograms. A trend observed is that crop circles appear more frequently where established UFO organizations exist, though their numbers have decreased recently. The article mentions competitions where groups created elaborate crop circle hoaxes, some undetected by judges.

Radar and UFOs

Important aspects of radar technology were debated, including its ability to filter out slow or small objects. The text suggests that intelligent craft might exploit these limitations to avoid detection. For an object to be visible on radar, it must also have a transponder.

Incoming Reports (January - March 1993)

Several UFO sightings from January and February 1993 are detailed:

• January 24th: A woman in Älvsjö saw a bright, multi-colored light outside her window.
• January 26th: A man between Mariefred and Södertälje observed a large, round, hovering object at low altitude that blinked red/blue/orange and flew west-southwest.
• February 7th: A couple saw a stationary red point from their car between Arlanda and Upplands Väsby, but found nothing when they returned a week later.
• February 8th: A man in Stockholm saw a ball of light in the sky from his attic.

Additionally, the magazine notes that astronomy and UFO phenomena are often linked. Some reports are attributed to astronomical objects, particularly the planet Venus, which was prominent in the sky during this period. Examples include descriptions of a bright star moving erratically or appearing as a "cactus thorn."

The 10th Planet: Smiley?

The article discusses the potential discovery of a 10th planet in our solar system, named SMILEY after George Smiley from John Le Carré's novels. This planet, discovered by researchers from the University of Hawaii, is described as the coldest world in the solar system, with surface temperatures near -273 degrees Celsius. It is small, only 200 kilometers in diameter, making it the smallest planet. Its weak gravity would allow for very high jumps, and objects thrown would take days or weeks to fall. Smiley has an orbital period of 262 years. The article also lists the discovery dates of other planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn (ancient); Uranus (1781); Neptune (1846); Pluto (1930); and Smiley (1992).

NASA Searches for Green Men in Space!

NASA has launched a comprehensive project to find other civilizations. This initiative, the most extensive in space research history, began on October 12th. Using the world's largest radio telescope, NASA aims to scan 1000 suns within 100 light-years, focusing on stars similar to our own. The search will cover frequencies between 1000-3000 megahertz, with a lookout for stronger signals up to 25,000 MHz. If a signal is detected, it must be confirmed by independent organizations before being announced. NASA promises transparency, sharing technical analyses with interested researchers. The project is expected to last five to seven years and cost approximately ten million dollars annually. Previous searches for extraterrestrial signals, like Frank Drake's in 1959, have been shorter in duration.

Press Clippings Commentary: Astronomers and Telescopes Seek Other Civilizations

Several astronomers from the University of Western Australia suggest that the nearest civilization might be 50 million light-years away, based on their search for radio signals. Despite scanning 176 suns within 40 light-years, no extraterrestrial signals have been detected. The article also mentions that the Hubble space telescope is receiving optical or electronic "glasses" to correct focusing issues, improving image clarity. The hope is that Hubble will aid in discovering new solar systems.

State Invests in UFO Research

The Swedish state is now allocating funds for UFO research. Two positions have been created at the UFO-Sverige Archive in Norrköping, which holds 8000 reported observations. These positions, funded through the Arbeitslivsutveckling (ALU) program, involve digitizing observations and creating a photo archive. UFO-Sverige has 1500 members and 17 local chapters, offering information via a hotline and a report center. Göran Jansson of UFO-Sverige attributes the increased interest to media coverage. He notes that 95% of sightings have natural explanations, such as Venus or airplanes, while the remaining 5% are more difficult to explain. The article also mentions the historical investigation of "ghost rockets" in 1946 by the Swedish military, which failed to find an explanation.

UFO in Hyllinge

A case from Hyllinge in December involved a "flying Christmas tree" reported as a UFO. It turned out to be twelve Sk 60 planes from F5 Ljungbyhed forming a Christmas greeting.

No Love Messages

Göran Jansson emphasizes UFO-Sverige's serious, scientific approach, seeking natural explanations rather than spiritual ones. He is currently cataloging unexplained observations from 1946, hoping to clarify the nature of "ghost rockets," possibly related to Soviet rocket tests.

The EU Lifts Its Gaze Towards the Sky

Members of the European Parliament's committee on energy, research, and technology debated the possibility of receiving visits from extraterrestrial civilizations. A proposal was made to establish a European UFO observation center. The committee resolved to prepare a new report on unexplained overflights within the EU.

UFO Expert from Ludvika Debunks the Myth of Flying Saucers

UFO expert Bernt Berglund from Ludvika stated that "flying saucers" are a myth, but acknowledged the existence of many other unexplained aerial phenomena. He emphasized the complexity of UFO research, requiring knowledge in various scientific and historical fields. Berglund cited the Book of Ezekiel as potentially describing a UFO event. Gudrun Andersson, chairwoman of the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, highlighted the organization's rigorous vetting process, accepting only two out of 600 reports as credible. She noted the limited resources available for solving the UFO mystery.

Stockholm UFO Association Annual Meeting Minutes (February 24, 1993)

The minutes detail the proceedings of the Stockholm UFO Association's annual meeting. Key decisions included approving the agenda, electing Inga-Lill Wallin as chair and Mikael Sjöberg as secretary, and approving the board's activity report. Mikael Sjöberg was elected chairman for 1993, with Elsie Molin, Andreas Ohlsson, Dariuz Orlowski, and Inga-Lill Wallin elected as board members. Bernt Berglund and Imre Horvath were chosen as deputy members.

"No UFO Expert"

Bernt Berglund, writing from Ludvika, discusses the famous Kennet Arnold sighting and the term "flying saucer." He suggests that Arnold may have actually seen a formation of F-84 Thunder Jets, which were a military secret at the time. Berglund clarifies that he is not a UFO expert but bases his statements on information from books and his involvement in the UFO-Sverige organization.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a serious, scientific approach to UFO research, distinguishing itself from more sensational or spiritual interpretations. There is a strong emphasis on investigating reports, seeking natural explanations, and cataloging data. The role of organizations like UFO-Sverige in gathering and analyzing information is highlighted, as is the growing public interest in the subject, partly fueled by media attention. The issue also touches upon governmental and international interest in UFOs, such as NASA's SETI project and the EU's consideration of an observation center. The recurring theme is the ongoing quest to understand unexplained aerial phenomena through rigorous investigation and open discussion.

This document contains the bylaws ('Stadgar') for the Stockholm UFO Association ('Stockholms UFO-förening'). It is dated March 3, 1992. The document details the foundational rules and operational framework of the organization.

§ 1 Objective ('Målsättning')

The association is defined as non-political and ideological, aiming to foster increased interest and information regarding UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects). It is affiliated with the national organization UFO-Sverige, which connects local associations with similar goals. The Stockholm association's specific tasks include investigating and documenting UFO events within the Stockholm region and reporting these findings to UFO-Sverige.

§ 2 Organization ('Organisation')

The association is governed by a board ('styrelse') composed of an odd number of members. The chairman ('ordförande'), board members ('ledamöter'), and deputies ('suppleanter') are elected at the annual meeting ('årsmötet'). The board must convene at least once per quarter, or more frequently if deemed necessary by the board. The board's composition must include a chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer, and an odd number of additional board members.

§ 3 Membership ('Medlemskap')

Membership is granted upon payment of the annual membership fee, which is decided upon at the annual meeting. Registration is handled by the treasurer or secretary, who issue a membership certificate and an individual membership number. Students, conscripts, and pensioners are eligible for a reduced fee (half the regular amount). The board may grant reductions or waivers of the fee for special reasons. The minimum age for membership is 14 years, though the board can grant exceptions upon application with a brief justification. Members joining in the second half of the year pay half the annual membership fee.

Membership Termination ('Medlemskap upphör')

Membership ceases upon the member's own request, if the annual fee is not paid by the end of the first quarter, or through expulsion by a board decision with a 5/7 majority. An expelled member has the right to present their case to the board within two weeks of being notified. A person expelled can only rejoin the association one year after the expulsion, provided the reasons for expulsion no longer exist. The size of the annual fee is decided at the annual meeting and applies to the following fiscal year.

§ 4 Fiscal Year ('Verksamhetsår')

The fiscal year and accounting year are identical to the calendar year. At the end of the fiscal year, the board is responsible for preparing the activity report and financial statements. The outgoing board's accountability is addressed at the annual meeting.

§ 5 Treasurer's Activities ('Kassörens verksamhet')

The treasurer is responsible for maintaining the association's accounts, with each transaction recorded as soon as possible. The association's postgiro account is managed by the treasurer and the chairman. Other interest-bearing accounts are managed by the treasurer.

§ 6 Accounts ('Räkenskaper')

The association's accounts are to be audited by two auditors elected at the annual meeting. Audit documents must be provided to the auditors at least one month before the ordinary annual meeting.

§ 7 Amendments to Bylaws ('Stadgeändringar')

Any proposed amendments to the bylaws, whether initiated by the board or an individual member at a general meeting, must be approved by a subsequent annual meeting to be permanently incorporated into the bylaws.

§ 8 Annual Meeting ('Årsmöte')

The annual meeting is the highest decision-making body of the association. It must be held before the end of February, with at least 8 days' notice provided to members.

§ 9 Dissolution of the Association ('Upplösning av föreningen')

Dissolving the association requires a decision with a 2/3 majority at two consecutive meetings, with at least two months between them, and one of these meetings must be the annual meeting. Any remaining assets shall be used in a manner that promotes the association's stated objectives.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document consistently emphasizes a structured, democratic, and transparent approach to the operation of the UFO association. The bylaws establish clear guidelines for governance, membership, financial management, and decision-making processes, reflecting a commitment to orderly operation and accountability. The editorial stance, as presented through the bylaws, is one of serious inquiry and information dissemination regarding UFO phenomena, within a formal organizational framework.