Stockholms UFO-Nytt - 2003 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Issue: 3/2003
Date: 2003
Publisher: Stockholms UFO-förening (STUFO)
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of Stockholms UFO-nytt, the information bulletin for the Stockholm UFO Association, is dated 3/2003 and features a New Year's greeting 'GOTT NYTT ÅR' on its cover, alongside the magazine's title and logo. The cover also includes a drawing depicting celestial elements and structures, hinting at the themes within.

Membership and Subscription Information

Page 2 provides details about the Stockholm UFO Association (STUFO), including its postal address, contact person (Inga-Lill Wallin), and telephone number. It outlines the membership fees, which include the UFO-Nytt bulletin: 130 SEK for a full year and 70 SEK for a half-year for regular members, and 90 SEK for a full year/50 SEK for a half-year for pensioners and full-time students. The bulletin is published three times a year. For additional UFO information, the website www.ufo.se is recommended. Subscription details for other publications, 'UFO-Aktuellt' (200 SEK/year) and 'UFO-Raden/Rapportnytt' (120 SEK/year), are also provided with their respective postgiro numbers.

Editorial and Table of Contents

Page 3 begins with a personal greeting from Inga-Lill, expressing how quickly time passes despite not having to work. She mentions planning for spring meetings, with the annual general meeting scheduled for late February. She also notes that while the information bulletin will continue to feature puzzles, there will be no prizes due to low participation in submitting solutions. The editorial board wishes members a Happy New Year. The table of contents lists the articles for this issue:

• Videokväll med dr Phil och Raël (Video night with Dr Phil and Raël) - Page 4
• Nyheter från Hessdalen (News from Hessdalen) - Page 5
• Gray Barker – en av ufohistoriens största skojare - del 2 (Gray Barker – one of UFO history's biggest hoaxers - part 2) - Page 6
• Bjarna Lillevold i Hessdalen (Bjarna Lillevold in Hessdalen) - Page 8
• Planet-krysset – lösningen (Planet crossword – solution) - Page 10
• Rymd-krysset (Space crossword) - Page 11
• Pressklipp (Press clippings) - Page 12

Videokväll med dr Phil och Raël

This article, starting on page 4, details a video screening of a Dr Phil show where he interviewed Claude Vorilhon, who now goes by the name Raël, the leader of the Raëlian Movement. The movement originated on December 13, 1973, when Vorilhon, driving in France, reportedly saw a red flashing light from a flying saucer. A being descended and informed him that he had been chosen to spread their message. The article mentions that the Raëlian movement claims extraterrestrials called Elohim created life on Earth using genetic technology and sent missionaries like Moses, Jesus, and Muhammed. The interview touches upon the Raëlian claim that extraterrestrials cloned the first humans and the existence of a cloned baby named Dee, associated with the company Clonaid. Raël asserts that Elohim are the creators and that he is a messenger on par with Moses and Jesus. He also discusses the controversy surrounding Clonaid and the secrecy surrounding the cloned baby, attributing it to legal threats. Raël emphasizes that Clonaid is a separate, profit-driven company. The interview also touches upon the publicity generated by Raël's claims, with Raël stating the publicity was worth millions of dollars. When asked if he is 'Your Holiness,' Raël draws a parallel to the Pope and Dalai Lama, demanding similar respect. He concludes by stating, 'I am the Pope. I am the Pope for the Raëlian movement.'

Nyheter från Hessdalen (News from Hessdalen)

Page 5 reports on the failed UFO center in Ålen, Norway, which disappointed locals who had expected it to be in Hessdalen itself. The Hessdalen residents had envisioned a small café and accommodation there. The article notes the bankruptcy of the center in Ålen. It states that UFO activity continues in Hessdalen, with strange craft observed both day and night, but the local population is reluctant to report sightings due to past ridicule. The author suggests that UFOlogists worldwide should collaborate on a long-term project with people stationed in Hessdalen to better observe and analyze the phenomena. While acknowledging that authorities do not prioritize UFO issues, the author urges continued efforts. Gudrun Andersson, Chairperson of Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, recommends further reading on Hessdalen on pages 8-9 of this issue.

Gray Barker - en av ufohistoriens största skojare - del 2

This concluding part of an article by John Sherwood (pages 6-7) examines the complex relationship and alleged deceptions involving UFO researcher Gray Barker. It recounts an incident where a man claiming to be Gray Barker contacted researcher Keel, making unusual statements. Keel suspected this was a prank or part of a deliberate effort to discredit his work. The article details correspondence between Keel and Barker, where Keel expresses suspicion about Barker's involvement in spreading rumors and misinformation. Barker, in turn, defended himself and suggested that Keel might be involved in a 'cover-up' or be manipulated. The article also touches upon Barker's book 'The Mothman Prophecies' and his later work 'The Silver Bridge.' The correspondence reveals growing tension between Keel and Barker, with Keel accusing Barker of prioritizing sensationalism and tourism over genuine investigation. Barker's later writings are described as reflecting the 'total madness' prevailing in the field. The article concludes by suggesting that Barker may have regretted his actions towards the end of his life, and that while his creations might entertain, those seeking truth find a path full of deception and false signs bearing his fingerprints.

Bjarne Lillevold i Hessdalen

Starting on page 8, Arne Löken interviews Bjarne Lillevold, a prominent UFO observer in Hessdalen, Norway. Lillevold, who has lived in Hessdalen since 1963, has recorded 58 UFO observations since 1982. The 1980s were particularly active, with multiple sightings daily. The article details two significant observations:

1. December 18, 1982: Lillevold observed a light phenomenon following his car near Killingdal. The light stopped when he stopped and moved when he moved, even when he exited the car to observe it closely in the forest. It followed him towards Ålen before disappearing.
2. January 21, 1983: Three large, round, stationary craft were observed on the ground near Finnåshögda. Figures were seen moving around the craft. One craft ascended rapidly and then returned, landing in the same spot. The upper part of this craft appeared to be made of glass, resembling an aircraft cockpit. The observation lasted until 1:00 AM. Despite having binoculars and cameras, the observers did not use them, and initially decided not to report the sighting due to fear of disbelief.

Lillevold also recounts a sighting on October 12, 2002, of a blank, cigar-shaped object moving erratically near Hessdalen church, which flew north and disappeared. He notes that UFO activity in Hessdalen has decreased considerably since its peak years.

Crossword Solutions and Reader Mail

Page 10 contains the solution to the 'Planet-krysset' (Planet crossword) from issue 2/2003. It also includes a reader's question from 'Året Runt 48/2003' asking why someone is so sure there is life on the moon, to which the answer is humorously given: 'Because it shines there every evening!'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Stockholms UFO-nytt include UFO sightings (particularly in Hessdalen), the controversial Raëlian Movement and its claims about extraterrestrial origins and cloning, and the critical examination of UFO researchers like Gray Barker, highlighting issues of credibility and potential deception. The magazine maintains an informative stance, presenting different perspectives and detailed accounts of alleged phenomena. The editorial tone, particularly in the personal greetings and the Hessdalen report, suggests a continued interest and dedication to the UFO subject matter, while acknowledging the challenges and skepticism faced by researchers and witnesses.

Title: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Issue: 3/2003
Date: March 2003
Publisher: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of Stockholms UFO-nytt features a crossword puzzle titled 'Rymd-krysset' (Space Crossword) and delves into significant astronomical and potentially paranormal events.

Rekordstormar på solen (Record Storms on the Sun)

The magazine reports on the intense solar storm activity experienced in the days leading up to November 2003, describing them as the longest and most severe in recent memory. The sun's hyperactive sunspots, particularly sunspot number 486, were responsible for these events.

Solar Eruptions and Their Impact

One eruption on November 4, 2003, is highlighted as potentially the most powerful in 150 years, and certainly the most powerful recorded by solar physicists using satellites in the past 25 years. This eruption exceeded X17.5, the measurement limit of the 'Soho' satellite, possibly reaching X20 or even X40. Fortunately, the X-ray radiation was not directed straight at Earth. However, the subsequent plasma cloud, or solar wind, caused significant disturbances.

• Key impacts mentioned include:
• Satellite Damage: Two Japanese satellites were knocked out of commission.
• Power Outages: A half-hour power outage occurred in Malmö, Sweden, and other power grid disruptions are suspected but not publicly disclosed by energy companies.
• Communication and Navigation Issues: Widespread disruptions affected radio communication and navigation systems.
• Space Mission Risk: The European Mars Express mission, carrying Swedish instruments, might have been damaged, with results expected by Christmas.

Solar Phenomena Explained

• The article includes a graphic explaining different solar phenomena:
• X-ray Rays: Energy bursts from solar flares that reach Earth in 8 minutes, potentially causing disruptions to radio communication and navigation systems.
• Proton Storm: A stream of high-energy protons that reaches Earth in about an hour, capable of damaging satellites and astronauts.
• Ejection (Utkastning): Hot plasma gas ejected from the sun that reaches Earth in 2-4 days.

Earth's Defense and Solar Cycles

Earth is protected by its magnetic field, which is weakest at the poles. Solar winds deform this field, causing geomagnetic storms that produce auroras and can disrupt power grids. The article notes that while scientists study the sun to predict storms, they still have limited understanding of why solar magnetic activity varies, typically following an 11-year cycle. The current period was not a maximum, but a declining phase.

Controversial Climate Hypothesis

A controversial hypothesis is mentioned, suggesting that increased solar magnetic activity in the 20th century might have contributed significantly to global warming, alongside human CO2 emissions. However, this idea lacks experimental support and is met with skepticism by most researchers.

HIMMEL & PANNKAKA (Sky & Pancake) - Misidentified Phenomena

This section addresses the common phenomenon of people mistaking condensation trails from airplanes for comets, especially during the winter months.

Condensation Trails vs. Comets

During winter evenings, particularly in southern and western skies around 3 PM, observers have reported seeing luminous objects with tails near the horizon. These are often mistaken for comets. However, the article clarifies that these are condensation trails (contrails) from high-flying passenger jets at about 10,000 meters. The warm exhaust from the engines freezes into ice crystals, which are then illuminated by the hidden sun, creating the appearance of trails and sometimes double tails.

Readers are encouraged to submit photographs of these beautiful atmospheric phenomena.

Spöklikt: Bevakningskamera fångade spökfigur (Ghostly: Surveillance Camera Captured Ghost Figure)

This segment reports on an unusual event captured by a surveillance camera at Hampton Court Palace.

The Hampton Court Incident

In October, security guards at Hampton Court Palace responded to an alarm from an emergency exit. Upon checking, they found the doors open. After securing them, the doors were observed to open again on the surveillance monitors. When guards investigated, they saw a figure dressed in old-fashioned clothing exit the building. One guard described being shocked by the camera footage, stating that the figure appeared to be a 'ghostly being' with a face that was not human.

dn.se Poll

• A poll on the website dn.se asked: "Do you think a human will land on Mars?" The results were:
• Within 20 years: 30%
• Within 10 years: 18%
• Within 50 years: 26%
• Yes, but later: 10%
• Don't know: 5%
• No, never: 12%

Another poll asked: "Would you like to consult a doctor via the internet?" with a link to dn.se/natdoktor.

*Note: The poll results are not representative of the general population or internet users, and should be interpreted with caution.*

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of scientific phenomena (like solar activity and atmospheric optics) with unexplained or paranormal events (UFOs, ghosts). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting both scientific explanations and intriguing reports of the unexplained, encouraging reader participation through submissions and polls. There is a clear interest in space, astronomy, and phenomena that challenge conventional understanding.