Stockholms UFO-Nytt - 1996 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Issue: 1/96
Date: 1996
Publisher: Stockholms UFO-förening, STUFO

This issue of Stockholms UFO-nytt, the information bulletin for the Stockholms UFO-förening, presents a diverse range of topics related to UFO phenomena, historical mysteries, and scientific discoveries.

Editorial and Organizational Information

The issue begins with a note from Stefan Roslund, the vice chairman, apologizing for the late arrival of the first issue of the year, attributing it to his status as a job seeker. He highlights the continued strength of the association's activities and mentions that the chairman, Inga-Lill Wallin, has retired, which may allow her more time for the organization. Roslund also looks forward to the UFO-Sverige national meeting in Ängelholm, noting the extensive program and a special exhibition of Gösta Carlson's ring and staff. He has been appointed as the representative for UFO-Stockholm at the meeting and promises a detailed report in the next issue.

The magazine also provides contact information for the Stockholms UFO-förening, including a postal address, phone number, and contact person (Inga-Lill Wallin). It details the membership fees, which include the subscription to Stockholms UFO-Nytt, and recommends other UFO publications like UFO-Aktuellt and Rapport Nytt.

Presentation of the 1996 Board

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to introducing the board of the Stockholms UFO-förening for 1996. The meeting where the board was elected took place on February 13th. The board members are:

• Ordförande (Chairman): Inga-Lill Wallin, who is now retired and expected to dedicate more time to the association.
• Vice ordförande (Vice Chairman): Stefan Roslund, a freelance subtitler/translator who also works with UFO-Aktuellt.
• Kassör (Treasurer): Bernd Bartosch, new to the association and working as a property caretaker.
• Ledamöter (Board Members):
• Lars Amnestål, a junior high school teacher and field investigator.
• Andreas Ohlsson, active in the UFO-Sverige youth section.
• Conny Ljung, a mechanical technician interested in older UFO cases and a field researcher.
• Mikael Sjöberg, chairman of the Uppsala UFO-förening and responsible for the UFO-Sverige website.
• Suppleanter (Substitutes):
• Bernt Berglund, a former chairman of UFO-Sverige.
• Elsie-Marianne Molin, a long-time member and prolific writer.
• Linda Svärdh, a new addition to the board, studying at a music-oriented gymnasium.

Rikard Forsström has left his board position.

Jens Tellefsen on Atlantis

This article summarizes a lecture given by Jens Tellefsen on March 27th, which explored the myth of Atlantis. Tellefsen presented a nuanced view, suggesting that belief in Atlantis should fluctuate throughout the discussion. He traced the origins of the myth to Plato's dialogues "Timaeos" and "Kritias," and possibly "Hermokrates." The lecture covered ancient texts, Egyptian imagery, and papyrus scrolls that purportedly described a lost land. Archaeological evidence and interpretations of myths, such as Atlas carrying the sky and the story of Poseidon founding Atlantis, were discussed. Tellefsen concluded that Atlantis was a stable but warlike kingdom in the Atlantic that was destroyed about 11,000 years ago. He also noted that without Plato's writings, the myth might not have persisted. The article touches upon medieval scribes and cartographers' views on Atlantis and other mythical islands, referencing the 1532 Orontos Feneus map which included Atlantis and Antarctica. Tellefsen also discussed negative evidence against Atlantis, such as geological features of the Atlantic seabed and the lack of evidence for a catastrophic explosion. He highlighted two intriguing pieces of evidence from Europe: the Atlantean priestess statuette in Spain and the widespread megalithic culture, suggesting a possible connection to Atlantis or Lemuria. The article mentions researchers like I. Donnelly and L. Spence, who explored the origins and spread of humanity, and 'occultists' like H. Blavatsky and Edgar Cayce, who claimed to have received knowledge about Atlantis through spiritual means. Cayce predicted the discovery of Atlantis remnants in 1968 or 1969, coinciding with the discovery of the Bimini Road in 1969, which some interpret as man-made. The article concludes by mentioning J. Spanuth's theory about Atlantis existing near Helgoland and Tellefsen's intention to discuss theories about Thera/Akrotiri as Atlantis in a future lecture.

Brown Dwarf Discovered 18 Light-Years Away

This short piece reports on the recent discovery of a brown dwarf, Gliese 229B, located 18 light-years from Earth. A brown dwarf is described as an object between a planet and a star. The Hubble telescope captured an image of this unusual object. Gliese 229B orbits a red dwarf star and, despite forming from a cloud of gas and dust like a star, is too small and light to ignite nuclear fusion. Its surface temperature is around 2,000 degrees Celsius, making it difficult to observe due to its faintness. The article suggests that brown dwarfs might play a significant role in the universe, potentially accounting for a large portion of the universe's missing mass.

Airships in Fantasy and Reality

This extensive article explores the history and sightings of airships, both in popular imagination and in reported phenomena. It begins by detailing numerous reports from 1896 and 1897 in the USA of cigar-shaped objects, often described with lights and unusual movements, which predated known American airship technology. The article draws parallels between these historical sightings and modern UFO reports, noting similarities in observed behaviors like hovering, rapid acceleration, and unusual light displays. It mentions early European attempts at powered airships and the use of gasoline engines. The development of rigid airships, particularly the Zeppelin, is discussed, including their use in World War I for bombing raids and their vulnerability. A significant section is dedicated to the "Nobile Expedition" in 1928, where the airship "Italia" crashed in the Arctic, resulting in the loss of several crew members and the dog Titina. The article also touches upon the history of balloons, from the Montgolfier brothers' hot air balloons to hydrogen-filled ones, and mentions the daring balloon journey of Salomon August Andrée towards the North Pole in 1897, whose remains were found 33 years later.

New Rocket Powered by the Sun

This brief article discusses a new type of rocket technology being tested in 1997 by the Americans, which uses sunlight as a propellant instead of liquid oxygen. The proposed solar-powered rocket aims to reduce the cost and size of rockets by eliminating the need to carry large amounts of fuel. It is intended for launching satellites into geostationary orbit, a process that typically involves multiple stages. The solar rocket would use inflatable mirrors to focus sunlight onto a tank of liquid hydrogen, heating it to 2,300 degrees Celsius and expelling it through a nozzle. While this method would take weeks to reach the final orbit, compared to hours for conventional rockets, it is predicted to have a bright future.

Incoming Reports: August-November 1995

This section compiles UFO sighting reports from the Stockholm region and surrounding areas during August, September, October, and November of 1995. The reports describe various objects, including luminous, flat, round, and triangular craft, often with unusual lights and movements. Some sightings involve objects behaving in ways inconsistent with known aircraft, such as rapid acceleration, erratic flight paths, and hovering. The descriptions include details about colors, shapes, estimated sizes, and observed behaviors, providing a snapshot of UFO activity during that period.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of unexplained aerial phenomena with historical events, scientific advancements, and the activities of UFO organizations. There is a clear interest in drawing parallels between past mysteries (like airships and Atlantis) and contemporary UFO reports, suggesting a continuity of unexplained phenomena. The publication also serves as a platform for reporting on the organizational activities of the Stockholms UFO-förening and promoting UFO research and awareness within Sweden. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and reports without necessarily endorsing any single explanation, while encouraging critical thinking and further investigation.

Title: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Issue: 1/1996
Date: January 1996
Publisher: UFO-Stockholm
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of Stockholms UFO-nytt delves into various UFO phenomena, personal encounters, and scientific perspectives. It features reports from Sweden, a special visit to Chile, and an analysis of UFOs from a student's viewpoint.

UFO Sightings in Sweden (November 1995)

The magazine presents a series of UFO sightings reported in Sweden during November 1995. On November 11, an observer in Brottby reported a bright, star-like object hovering for about 15 minutes, exhibiting changes in brightness and slight movements. On the evening of October 15, entities were reportedly seen in a home in Bromma. On October 25, a man cycling near Körsbärsvägen observed a light with a tail passing slowly across the sky for approximately five minutes, with no audible sound. In November, a woman in Ängby saw a ring of lamps flying overhead with a yellowish glow. On the night of November 5, in Järfälla, three white, cross-shaped lights were observed flying east for seven seconds. A circular light cloud reportedly followed an observer throughout the night of November 8, from Stockholm to Skarpnäck. On the night of November 12, a pizza-shaped light was seen in Salem, with a beam of light descending to the ground for two hours. Also on November 12, an observer in Ösmo heard a sound like thunder, the sky turned blue, and a white streak was seen for 3-4 seconds. In Vallentuna the same evening, something was seen flying out of bushes, resembling a camera flash.

A Visit to Chile

Under the headline "PÅ BESÖK I CHILE" (Visiting Chile), Rikard Forsström recounts a visit to the Elqui Valley in Chile, a region known for frequent UFO observations. The visit took place on January 5, 1995. Forsström and his friend Patricio met Gladys Medina, a contact person who has lived in the valley for 17 years and leads a group focused on personal development. Medina suggested that individuals should focus on self-improvement rather than just reporting phenomena, viewing it as a way to connect with other civilizations. Although they couldn't stay for a planned evening observation, they later observed a white, visible light point flying just above some mountain peaks around 10:10 PM. The experience left a lasting impression.

UFO Phenomena from a High School Student's Perspective

This section features an essay by Lars Amneståls, a board member of UFO-Stockholm, originally written as a high school project in the early 1980s. The essay, over 50 pages long, explores UFO phenomena and includes statements from notable figures. It highlights that for some scientists, UFOs are an untouchable subject, while others are increasingly interested. The article addresses the misconception that no astronomers have reported UFOs, citing Clyde Tombaugh, who photographed a UFO in 1949. Astronaut Gordon Cooper is quoted as not ruling out extraterrestrial life due to numerous unexplained reports. J. Allen Hynek, a prominent ufologist, emphasized the need for serious UFO research. The essay also references Dr. Carl Sagan's 1962 statement about the possibility of Earth being visited by extraterrestrials and a 1966 letter from Congressman Gerald Ford urging a congressional hearing on UFO credibility. Statements from U. Thant (former UN Secretary-General), B. Lowell (Jodrell Bank Observatory), Lord Dowding (RAF), and Professor H. Oberth are included, all acknowledging the significance or reality of UFO phenomena and the vast number of credible sightings.

The essay also touches upon a survey conducted in Botkyrka, indicating that about 50% of the population believes in UFOs, with older individuals being more inclined to believe in UFOs and extraterrestrial life than younger ones. The author reflects on his early interest in the subject and his involvement with the UFO-Tumba organization, aiming to spark interest among his peers and teachers. He concludes by stating his current goal is to contribute to finding sustainable explanations for UFO phenomena, whatever they may be.

"Light on Martebomyr" Publication

A brief announcement promotes a publication titled "Ljuset på Martebomyr" (The Light on Martebomyr), detailing its history, expeditions to Gotland, and theories about the light phenomenon. The 13-page booklet, with illustrations, photos, and maps, is available for purchase for 51 SEK.

"Help UFO-Sweden" Appeal

An appeal is made for support for UFO-Sweden, with a limited number of UFO-Sweden lapel pins available for 20 SEK plus postage. The pins are described as 1 cm in diameter with gold lettering on a black background.

Venus Mistaken for a UFO

In an article titled "Venus och inte UFO dansar på himlen" (Venus and not UFO dancing in the sky), Malena Bangs clarifies that the bright, dancing light observed in the western sky is the planet Venus. She explains that Venus, currently shining brightly, can appear to change color and move erratically due to atmospheric particles and pollution, leading to confusion and numerous calls to UFO organizations. Inga-Lill Wallin of UFO-Stockholm notes that while these atmospheric effects can create illusions of disappearing craft, it is important to find explanations for unusual natural phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a serious and investigative approach to UFO phenomena. It encourages the reporting of sightings while also emphasizing the need for scientific scrutiny and logical explanations. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded but grounded, seeking to distinguish between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentifications or hoaxes. The inclusion of historical cases, scientific opinions, and personal testimonies suggests a commitment to exploring the breadth of the UFO topic. The publication also serves as a platform for UFO organizations to share information and solicit support.