Stockholms UFO-Nytt - 2003 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Issue: 2/2003
Publisher: Stockholms UFO-förening, STUFO
Date: 2003

This issue of Stockholms UFO-nytt, the information bulletin for the Stockholms UFO-förening, focuses on UFO reports from Sweden, a critical look at a prominent figure in UFOlogy, and organizational news.

Editorial and Organizational News

The issue opens with a 'HEJ!' section from Inga-Lill, who notes the arrival of autumn and reflects on personal activities. She highlights an increase in postal fees impacting the organization's finances, leading to a rise in the annual membership fee to 310 SEK, with an additional monthly charge. Upcoming events include a video night on November 5th and a presentation on December 10th.

The 'AFU behöver dig som sponsor' section details the financial challenges faced by the organization, primarily due to a significant increase in electricity costs and higher fees for clipping services and postboxes. The organization appeals to existing and new sponsors for support, aiming to cover a projected deficit.

Contact information for Stockholms UFO-förening is provided, including an address in Järfälla, phone number, and postgiro. Membership fees are listed: 130 SEK for a full year (including UFO-Nytt) and 70 SEK for a half-year. Reduced rates of 90 SEK and 50 SEK are available for pensioners and full-time students. The website www.ufo.se is recommended for further information.

Subscription details for other publications, 'UFO-Aktuellt' and 'UFO-Raden/Rapportnytt', are also included.

Ekon från det förflutna (Echoes from the Past)

This article by Conny Ljung recounts a chilling experience of forest workers in the Swedish wilderness. While staying in a cabin during winter, they heard someone arriving on skis, entering the cabin, and collapsing. However, upon investigation, no one was found, and no ski tracks were visible. The author explores the possibility of premonitions or echoes from other times, referencing Einstein's theories on time and physics models involving multiple dimensions. The narrative connects this event to a tragic incident years later where a lumberjack died from a leg injury after an accident on Christmas Eve, having collapsed after reaching his cabin. The author suggests a possible link between the two events, questioning whether the initial experience was physical or psychological, and concludes by quoting Carl Sagan: "Science is not perfect but it is the best we have."

Höstens första föreningsträff (Autumn's First Association Meeting)

This report details the first meeting of the autumn, which was planned as an astronomy and observation evening. Despite heavy rain, participants gathered, and some were driven to the location outside Enköping. The age range of attendees was wide, from 10 months to 80 years old. The meeting took place at Conny and Johnny's summer house, where attendees enjoyed coffee, pastries, and a presentation using a sophisticated astronomy program on a computer. They explored the universe, simulated time travel, and observed satellites. The evening concluded with a meal of sausage, mashed potatoes, meatballs, and salad, along with coffee and cake. The author expresses gratitude to Conny and Johnny for the event.

Gray Barker - en av ufohistoriens största skojare (Gray Barker - One of UFO History's Biggest Hoaxers)

This article critically examines the life and work of Gray Barker, a figure associated with UFOlogy and the 'Mothman' phenomenon, particularly in light of the film "The Mothman Prophecies." The author, John Sherwood (as presented in Skeptical Inquirer), argues that Barker's material was often fabricated and self-serving. Barker, a former actor, salesman, and publisher, is accused of launching hoaxes and manipulating public belief. His involvement with the 'Mothman' reports in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and his book "They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers" are discussed. The article suggests that Barker's work influenced later popular culture, including the "Men in Black" franchise. The author admits to having contributed to Barker's work under a pseudonym in 1966. The article also touches upon the controversy surrounding George Adamski and a purported letter of support from the US Department of State, which Barker and James Moseley allegedly created using official letterhead.

Stockholmsrapporter (Stockholm Reports)

This section compiles UFO sightings reported in the Stockholm area between November 2002 and July 2003. Reports include:

• November 30: A couple in Lidingö saw two white, comma-shaped lights.
• December 18: A woman in Bergshamra observed a large, round object with colored lights that accelerated and flew away.
• December 22: Two people in central Stockholm reported 9-10 orange-yellow light points moving south, possibly UFO balloons.
• December 22: Four individuals filmed 14 orange spheres, identified as UFO balloons.
• December 22: A man in Tyresö witnessed a triangular object followed by a disc-shaped object with a dome, both of which disappeared.
• January 4: A woman on Ekerö saw a bright flame approaching and then descending.
• January 5: A man in Saltsjö Boo observed two red spheres hovering for half an hour.
• January 27: A person in Stockholm saw a light moving horizontally across their window.
• January 30: A woman near Globen reported a stationary pillar of light.
• January 31: A man in Lidingö observed five comet-like lights in a row.
• February 19/20: A woman saw two white, oval objects with black between them.
• March 8: A witness reported a stationary light that moved upwards rapidly.
• March 13: Two youths in Österskär saw a strong yellow light appear and disappear.
• March 24: A man on Fridhemsgatan saw a round, silver-colored object with a tail.
• April 11: Two people filmed a disc-shaped object hovering and moving in central Stockholm.
• April 19: A woman in central Stockholm observed a fuzzy light moving in a zigzag pattern.
• April 20: A man saw a bolide-like object moving at low altitude.
• May 24: A man in Svinninge observed a rhomboid object moving silently over the sky.
• July 19: An oval white object was seen moving downwards through clouds in Årsta.

Lösningen till Ufo-krysset nr 1/2003 (Solution to UFO Crossword No. 1/2003)

This section provides the correct solution to a previously published UFO crossword puzzle, acknowledging an error in the original publication. Ambroz Finta from Uppsala is announced as the winner of a lottery draw.

Ordspråk (Proverb)

"Att fela är mänskligt, att skyla över det också." (To err is human, to cover it up also.)

Vilse-gången (Lost Path)

This is a word puzzle where readers must find their way through a labyrinth by connecting words. The first letter of each word forms the next, and the remaining letters spell out a word whose symbol can be found on stone carvings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings reported by the public, often with a focus on Swedish incidents. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism, particularly evident in the article about Gray Barker, which aims to debunk sensational claims and expose potential hoaxes within the UFO community. The publication also serves as a communication channel for the Stockholms UFO-förening, providing updates on meetings, finances, and membership. The inclusion of puzzles and personal anecdotes suggests an effort to engage members beyond just reporting on UFO phenomena, fostering a sense of community.

Title: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Issue: nr 2/2003
Date: September 10, 2003
Publisher: Stockholms UFO-förening
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of Stockholms UFO-nytt contains a crossword puzzle and two featured articles, one addressing reader questions about ball lightning and the other detailing a recent astronomical discovery concerning gamma-ray bursts.

Planet-krysset

The magazine features a crossword puzzle titled 'Planet-krysset'. The instructions explain that each number in the grid corresponds to a letter, and a starting word is provided to assist solvers. A key at the bottom of the page shows the letter assignments for numbers 1 through 29, with 'I', 'D', 'K', 'A', 'R' being explicitly linked to specific numbers. The puzzle is attributed to Inga-Lill Wallin. Contact information for submitting solutions is provided, with a deadline of November 30, 2003, and prizes of 'Trisslotter' (scratch cards) for winners.

Ball Lightning: A Reader's Inquiry

An article addresses a reader named Bengt Carlvik's questions about the existence of ball lightning. The author, Bengt Carlvik, confirms that ball lightning is real, citing hundreds of sightings and some photographic and film evidence. An anecdote is shared about a woman who saw a ball lightning float into her kitchen and crack her old cast-iron stove. While not common, ball lightning can appear during thunderstorms, sometimes far from the actual storm. The article notes that photographic evidence is scarce, and many researchers are skeptical, often mistaking other phenomena for ball lightning. It also mentions two specific incidents where ball lightning passed through glass panes, leaving perfectly round holes: one in Uppsala on August 6, 1994, and another in Stockholm approximately 40 years prior to that date.

Mysterious Gamma-Ray Burst: A Star's Explosion

This article, dated September 10, 2003, reports on a significant astronomical discovery. For over 30 years, scientists have known that Earth is bombarded daily by powerful gamma-ray bursts from outer space, but their origin remained a mystery. An international team of astronomers, led by Swede Jesper Sollerman from Stockholm University, has identified exploding supernovae as the source. Gamma-ray bursts were accidentally discovered in the late 1960s by American spy satellites searching for nuclear explosions. Astronomers suspected a link to supernovae—massive dying stars that explode with enormous force—but lacked definitive proof until now. A gamma-ray burst on March 29th of the current year provided the key. This event occurred relatively close to Earth, about 2.5 billion light-years away, allowing for detailed observation. Jesper Sollerman stated that while it initially appeared as a typical gamma-ray burst, supernova remnants were observed a week later. The article concludes that there is no doubt that this gamma-ray burst originated from a massive star that ended its life in an unusually powerful supernova explosion. The report is attributed to P O Lindström/TT.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO phenomena and related mysteries, as evidenced by the 'Planet-krysset' puzzle which, while not directly UFO-themed, is presented within the context of the UFO club's publication. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and information dissemination, addressing reader questions about phenomena like ball lightning and reporting on scientific discoveries that touch upon cosmic mysteries, such as the origin of gamma-ray bursts. The publication aims to engage its readership through puzzles and informative articles on topics of interest to UFO enthusiasts.