Stockholms UFO-Nytt - 1993 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: Stockholms UFO-Nytt
Issue: Number 2, 1993
Publisher: Stockholms UFO-förening (STUFO)
Type: Information bulletin for members, published 3-4 times per year.

Editorial and Personal Introduction

The issue begins with a personal introduction from Mikael Sjöberg, the new chairman of the UFO-Sverige association. He is 22 years old, works as a security guard, and is interested in UFOs, New Age, parapsychology, and cults. Sjöberg expresses a critical but objective approach to New Age and discusses the phenomenon of cults, drawing parallels to UFO-related groups. He mentions Daniel Glanz and the 'Interplanetary Peace Organization' led by a woman claiming to be from Saturn as examples.

Contents and Articles

Inkomna rapporter (Received Reports) - March 15 to June 15

• This section details several UFO sightings:
• March 22: A woman on the motorway near Gustavsberg saw a strange, burning orange light, half the size of a full moon.
• March 16-17: In Tullinge, a woman observed a peculiar aircraft with a pointed nose and a bright rear light that disappeared, followed by a spotlight.
• April 25: In Haninge, a couple heard a loud hissing sound and saw an 80 cm to 1-meter object with a raised middle section fly rapidly into the woods.
• April 24-25: A man in Sundbyberg witnessed three faint, bluish-green lights moving swiftly, possibly a meteor.
• May 13: In Tantolunden, Stockholm, three grey, round objects were seen high in the sky.
• May 23: Near Insjön on Värmdö, a man observed an oblong object with lights hovering for 20 minutes.

Nytt nummer ute av UFO-Aktuellt (New issue of UFO-Aktuellt out)

This section announces a new issue of UFO-Aktuellt, listing its contents, including FOA's UFO images, the 'Belgium wave', and an article by Henry Svensson. It also encourages subscriptions to UFO-Aktuellt.

Riksstämman 1993 (National Meeting 1993)

The UFO-Sverige national meeting was held in Nyköping on April 24-25. Håkan Blomqvist discussed the Archive for UFO Research (AFU), noting that much of its material is not serious literature but rather fantasies and myths. He also touched upon the concept of 'myths' providing comfort and the criticism faced by those who seek factual truth. The historical context of theosophy and figures like Jelena Blavatsky and Alice Bailey are mentioned, as well as the development of the UFO movement in Sweden, distinguishing between those who study the phenomena and the theosophical branch. Håkan believes that some UFO reports might involve unknown technology.

Clas Svahn presented on the history of aerial phenomena, including 'mysterious flying airships' in the late 1800s in the USA, 'ghost flyers' in Sweden in the 1930s, 'foo-fighters' during WWII, and 'ghost rockets' in 1946. He noted that while militaries investigated these, many cases remain unexplained. Svahn also discussed the start of the modern UFO era with Kenneth Arnold's sighting in 1947 and mentioned major US UFO organizations. He highlighted the case of Nils Frost, who photographed a light phenomenon in Mora in 1952, which was examined by experts.

Göran Brusewitz, chairman of the Society for Parapsychological Research, discussed potential links between UFO phenomena and parapsychological experiences, emphasizing the importance of studying both the phenomenon and the witnesses. He is writing a book on the subject.

Joel Widengren spoke about 'inner contacts' and the difference between spontaneous and induced experiences, suggesting that linear thinking can limit understanding of these phenomena. He recommended Ken Wilber's book "The Holographic Paradigm and Other Paradoxes."

UFO-Sveriges syn på UFO-fenomenet (UFO-Sweden's View on the UFO Phenomenon)

Håkan Blomqvist reiterated that UFO-Sverige is a serious organization, even acknowledged by Arne Gärdman of FOA. He stated that 5-10% of UFO reports remain unexplained and categorized them into light phenomena, missile-like objects, and classic UFOs.

Varför jag inte tror på tefat (Why I Don't Believe in Flying Saucers)

Dan Kiselman, a doctoral student in astronomy, expressed skepticism about flying saucers, suggesting that UFOs might be a modern replacement for folklore like elves and trolls. He noted that while astronomers search for extraterrestrial life, the nature of dark matter remains unknown.

Paneldiskussion (Panel Discussion)

The issue concludes with a panel discussion where the audience could ask questions. Topics included dark matter and the nature of unexplained phenomena.

Höstens föredrag (Autumn Lectures)

Announcements for upcoming lectures in September, October, and November, featuring speakers Mats Nilsson on the Philadelphia Experiment, Arthur C. Clark programs, and Jens Tellefsen on the incredible building techniques of the Inca people. The venue is Fältöversten, Vallhallav. 144, at 7:00 PM, with an entrance fee of 30 SEK including coffee.

Föredrag Clas Svahn på Deva Center 3 juni 1993 (Lecture by Clas Svahn at Deva Center June 3, 1993)

This section details Clas Svahn's lecture on UFOs. He presented his research, including the analysis of 11,000 UFO photos by Ground Saucer Watch, where only 46 were deemed unexplained. Svahn discussed historical aerial phenomena like the 'mysterious flying airships' of 1896-97, 'ghost flyers' of the 1930s, 'foo-fighters' during WWII, and 'ghost rockets' from 1946, noting their unexplained nature and the lack of physical evidence despite military investigations.

Diabildsvisning på Fältöversten den 27 april (Slide Show at Fältöversten on April 27)

Jörgen Granlie presented a slide show featuring both debunked UFO photos and genuine UFO phenomena. He showed images from a joint investigation in Hessdalen in 1984. A specific case from January 21, 1976, involving Allan Johansson seeing an object on Lake Vikaren near Nora, is described. The object was seen for 5 hours and left behind a ring of ice crystals.

Klotblixten - en av naturens gåtor (Ball Lightning - A Riddle of Nature)

This article explores the phenomenon of ball lightning, noting that scientists have not reached a consensus on its nature. Various theories are presented, including experiments at universities attempting to replicate it. The article mentions that ball lightning is often observed indoors and can behave as if intelligently controlled. It also draws a parallel between the scientific community's initial skepticism towards ball lightning and their potential skepticism towards UFOs.

Rättelse (Correction)

A correction is made regarding the name of Mars' moon, stating it is Phobos, not Phodor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, research, and related phenomena. There is an emphasis on presenting both eyewitness accounts and the findings of UFO researchers. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging unexplained cases while also critically examining evidence and debunking hoaxes. The publication encourages membership and subscription to related UFO literature, positioning UFO-Sverige as a serious and internationally recognized organization in the field. Themes of historical aerial phenomena, parapsychology, and the scientific investigation of the unexplained are recurrent.

This issue of 'Arkivet för UFO-forskning' (The Archive for UFO Research) presents the organization and its work, alongside articles on specific UFO-related cases and scientific inquiries. The magazine, published by Stockholms UFO-förenings informationsblad, features content in Swedish and appears to be from early 1993, with a specific date of March 7, 1993, noted.

Key Articles and Content

Presentation of Arkivet för UFO-forskning (AFU)

The magazine provides a comprehensive overview of AFU, an archive and research organization founded in 1973 in Norrköping, Sweden. AFU's mission is to collect, document, and promote research into unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The archive houses a vast collection, including approximately 10,000 UFO reports from private investigators in Sweden, copies of official UFO investigations by the Swedish military (dating back to 1947), a library of over 2,000 books, a periodical archive with around 10,000 issues, and a clipping archive of over 20,000 articles from Swedish press. AFU also maintains a growing audio-visual archive and collaborates with the national organization UFO-Sverige. The organization relies on private donations and operates with limited resources, emphasizing the need for support.

The Anjikuni Village Mystery

A prominent article details the perplexing disappearance of 30 families from the Inuit village of Anjikuni in northern Canada in November 1930. Fur trapper Joe Labelle discovered the village eerily silent, with no inhabitants, yet all their belongings, including firearms, were left behind. Food was still on the stove, and even the graves of the deceased had been opened and the bodies removed. Despite extensive investigations by police and military, no explanation for the mass disappearance has ever been found. The article notes that the event is considered an unsolved mystery and has been archived as such by the police. It also mentions that witnesses in other parts of Canada reported strange, unexplained light phenomena around the same time.

The Search for Planet X

Another article discusses the scientific search for a hypothetical 'Planet X,' a potential tenth planet in our solar system. The theory arose from perceived anomalies in the orbits of Uranus and Neptune, suggesting the gravitational pull of a more distant planet. However, data from the Voyager 2 probe and subsequent analysis by Myles Standish at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory indicate that these orbital discrepancies are likely due to measurement errors. The article concludes that current evidence suggests our solar system is likely empty of such a planet and that any potential 'green men' would have to travel from interstellar distances, requiring journeys of several light-years.

UFO Phenomena and Research Approaches

The magazine also touches upon the nature of UFO phenomena, defining them as objects or events that cannot be explained conventionally. It highlights that most reported sightings (80-90%) have natural explanations, such as meteors, planets, balloons, or aircraft. The article stresses the importance of critical thinking and witness psychology in UFO investigations, cautioning against the tendency to prematurely adopt theories like the 'extraterrestrial hypothesis' (ET-theory) without thorough investigation. It advocates for an objective and neutral approach to research, acknowledging that while some cases might hint at extraterrestrial visitation, such claims have never been definitively proven. The article also discusses the sociological impact of UFOs in popular culture, noting how the 'flying saucer' concept has become synonymous with 'spaceships' and 'aliens,' sometimes hindering serious research.

Media and UFO-Sverige

There's a mention of TV3's upcoming 10-part series titled 'Det okända' (The Unknown), where Clas Svahn from UFO-Sverige will serve as a consultant. This is presented as a positive development for UFO-Sverige, allowing them to gain broader exposure.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of 'Arkivet för UFO-forskning' strongly emphasizes the importance of rigorous, objective research and critical analysis in the study of UFO phenomena. It distinguishes between natural explanations for sightings and the more complex, often unexplained cases. The magazine champions the work of AFU as a vital resource for preserving and advancing UFO research. There's a clear stance against sensationalism and premature conclusions, advocating instead for methodical investigation and a critical evaluation of evidence. The publication also highlights the sociological aspect of UFOs, acknowledging their impact on popular culture while striving to maintain a scientific perspective. The recurring theme is the dedication to understanding the unexplained through systematic documentation and research, even when faced with limited resources and public skepticism.