Stockholms UFO-Nytt - 2004 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: STOCKHOLMS UFO-NYTT
Issue: 2/2004
Date: December 2003 – June 2004
Publisher: Stockholms UFO-förening (STUFO)
Type: Information bulletin for members.

Editorial

The editorial, titled "HEJ!" by Inga-Lill, reflects on the arrival of autumn and her personal engagement with the 'Marteboljuset' phenomenon. She mentions giving four lectures on Gotland in September and notes the consistent high interest in the light phenomenon. She contrasts the mysterious aspects of Martebo with more mundane explanations like car headlights causing reflections. The editorial encourages readers to attend upcoming lectures and points to the program on the last page.

Contents

• The table of contents lists the following articles:
• Rymdbolaget mot månen (Space Company towards the Moon)
• Det gäckande Marteboljuset (The Elusive Marteboljuset)
• Stockholmsrapporter (Stockholm Reports)
• Brahe en modern medeltidsastronom (Brahe, a Modern Medieval Astronomer)
• Lösning till Kriss-Kross (Solution to Kriss-Kross)
• Vilse-gången (Lost Path)
• Pressklipp (Press Clippings)
• Höstprogrammet (Autumn Program)

Rymdbolaget mot månen

This article summarizes a lecture by Håkan Hedberg on April 21, 2004, for the Stockholms UFO-förening. Hedberg, with 25 years at Rymdbolaget (Swedish Space Corporation), clarified that it is a private company focused on developing and launching space systems, not a state agency like Rymdstyrelsen. Rymdbolaget had a turnover of 420 million SEK last year. He mentioned the first Swedish satellite, Viking, launched in 1986 for auroral studies. Currently, the Swedish spacecraft SMART-1 is en route to the moon, equipped with cameras and instruments to study the lunar surface for water ice near the poles. Esrange, near Kiruna, is a hub for ozone research and launches large research balloons. Hedberg also discussed Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) tested in northern Sweden for reconnaissance, noting that their appearance and sounds might be mistaken for UFOs. He encouraged visits to the Esrange space base and highlighted that Sweden would reach the moon with SMART-1 in November, marking a European premiere.

Det gäckande Marteboljuset

Inga-Lill Wallin recounts her experiences and research related to the 'Marteboljuset' (Marte light ball) phenomenon on Gotland. She notes the persistent interest from locals and visitors. She describes a visit in the autumn of 1995 with various instruments (tape recorder, walkie-talkies, cameras, IR-binoculars, hygrometer, barometer, thermometer, voltmeter) which yielded no unusual readings. She addresses a story about a light ball seen in a window at Knutstorp in 1997, which was attributed to a researcher. Wallin investigated and found that the window in question did have glass, and the moon's position at the time could have caused a reflection. She proposes that many sightings attributed to the Marteboljuset are likely atmospheric refractions, especially given Gotland's watery environment causing temperature differences. She shares an anecdote about car headlights being mistaken for the phenomenon and concludes that most visitors are grateful for the clarification, preventing them from misinterpreting natural phenomena.

Stockholmsrapporter (December 2003 – June 2004)

This section details various UFO sightings reported in the Stockholm area and surrounding regions:

• December 2003: A woman in central Stockholm saw a "flashlight beam" making erratic movements, possibly a light show.
• January 2004: Numerous reports of UFO balloons during New Year's celebrations across the Stockholm area (Österskär, Täby, Bergshamra, Farsta, Fredhäll, Sollentuna). A person in Huddinge saw a star blinking red and green for fifteen minutes. Two reports from Rimbo described 4-5 luminous or flaming objects moving in a row, likely UFO balloons.
• March 2004: A woman in Nacka saw a pulsating light, moon-sized, ten meters above treetops, which split and rejoined, possibly directed at her, causing burn marks. Over Ekerö, a bright light resembling the sun was seen, identified as a UFO balloon. In Tyresö, three white-yellow lights formed a triangle with a larger red light in the center. In Hägersten, an object like a burning airplane was observed, then dimmed. In Danderyd, a bright light like flames was seen, forming shapes.
• April 2004: A woman in Neglinge Gärde saw a strong red light moving low over the ground, disappearing northwest. In Hässelby, a large, bright blue-white dot moved horizontally at constant speed before accelerating and vanishing. In Solna, a reddish-yellow object changed to white before disappearing.
• April 25 (date unknown): A person reported a craft at 500 meters altitude over Gärdet, performing a display, described as coin-sized at arm's length.
• May 2004: Three people in Hammarbyhöjden saw a bright light, identified as Venus. Two people in Tensta observed a "star" moving towards two others, with one disappearing and the other two descending. A man in Bålsta photographed six objects, likely UFO balloons.
• June 2004: A person saw a strange object, a large black dot, and took a photo. A witness in a sighting initially thought to be a bird later realized it was a sun reflection from a high-altitude object.

Brahe en modern medeltidsastronom

This article focuses on the astronomer Tycho Brahe. It recounts his discovery of a new, bright star (a supernova) in 1572 near Cassiopeja, which challenged the Aristotelian view of an unchanging celestial sphere. Brahe's meticulous observations and methods laid the groundwork for modern astronomy. The article mentions his work on horoscopes, including one for Gustav II Adolf, predicting a significant ruler born in 1592 who would die in battle in 1632. Brahe was invited by the Danish king to establish an observatory on the island of Ven, where he built Uraniborg and Stjärneborg. His detailed journals, created with unprecedented precision, were crucial for astronomical advancement. The article notes that Brahe was later expelled from Ven by the new king's advisors and was considered difficult to work with.

KUSLIG STÄMNING (Creepy Atmosphere)

This section, accompanied by a photograph, describes an overnight stay at Borgvattnets prästgård (Borgvattnet rectory) by Mats Andersson, Emma Stattin, Marita Olofsson, and Fredrik Eriksson, hoping to encounter a ghost. The article from Aftonbladet (August 4, 2004) details their experiences, including hearing footsteps and seeing shadows, which they interpreted as proof of paranormal activity. The rectory is described as a popular destination for ghost enthusiasts, with ten beds booked almost every night during the summer. The article also lists other known haunted locations in Sweden.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, astronomical events, and paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various reports and potential explanations, from the mundane (atmospheric refractions, balloons) to the unexplained. There is a clear interest in historical accounts and scientific endeavors related to space exploration, as seen in the articles on Rymdbolaget and Tycho Brahe. The inclusion of the Aftonbladet article on haunted places suggests a broader interest in the unexplained and the 'creepy' aspects of Swedish folklore and locations.

Title: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Issue: 2/2004
Date: September 30, 2004

This issue of Stockholms UFO-nytt focuses on the burgeoning field of space tourism, the historical foundations of astronomy, and ongoing UFO research.

Space Tourism Takes Flight

The cover story, "Första turistflyget tur och retur rymden" (First tourist flight to and from space), details the historic first private group spaceflight on September 29, 2004, aboard Space Ship One, piloted by Mike Melvill. The flight, which took off from Mojave Airfield in California, was a success, with the craft reaching space and returning safely. The article highlights the Ansari X Prize, a $10 million award established in 1996 to encourage private companies to develop suborbital spacecraft, with the goal of making space travel accessible. Burt Rutan, the designer of Space Ship One, is mentioned as a passenger for a future flight. The article also notes that the flight was a general rehearsal for the Ansari X Prize attempt, which requires two flights within two weeks to an altitude of 100 kilometers with a pilot and two passengers. The legacy of the Orteig Prize, which spurred Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight, is drawn as a parallel. The article further reports on the plans of British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, whose company Virgin Galactics aims to offer tourist flights to space within three years using five larger versions of Space Ship One, with initial ticket prices around 100,000 pounds. Robert Bigelow is also mentioned for establishing the American Space Prize, offering $50 million to a company that can send seven private astronauts into Earth orbit before the end of the decade.

The Cradle of Astronomy

An article titled "Ven astronomins vagga" (The cradle of astronomy) explores the historical significance of the island of Ven, Sweden, as a center for astronomical research. It highlights the collaboration between Tycho Brahe and his apprentice Johannes Kepler. Kepler, who joined Brahe in 1598, worked with Brahe's 20-year astronomical journal and eventually formulated his three laws of planetary motion, which Newton later used to develop the law of gravitation. A Nasa representative is quoted as saying, "It was here that space travel started." The article describes the reconstructed Uranieborg and Stjärneborg observatories on Ven, where visitors can see copies of Tycho Brahe's astronomical instruments and experience a light show depicting the night sky. The limitations of Brahe's observational methods, relying solely on his eyesight, are contrasted with the precision of his instruments. The article also mentions the natural beauty of Ven and a local pub offering a wide selection of whiskies.

Science Fiction and Future Visions

"SF-skolan 2: När framtiden blir nutid" (SF School 2: When the future becomes the present) discusses how science fiction concepts have become reality. The author reflects on reading Swedish science fiction in his youth, by authors like Sven Wernström and Torsten Scheutz, and notes the decline of Swedish science fiction output, requiring readers to turn to English works. Arthur C. Clarke is highlighted as a continuing prolific author, and his latest work, "Time's Eye," co-authored with Stephen Baxter, is reviewed. The novel reportedly involves time travel, pitting Alexander the Great's armies against Genghis Khan's forces in a distorted timeline. The review also mentions a contemporary Soyuz crew landing on the Mongolian steppe and a primitive ape-like human encountering a future civilization. The article draws a parallel to Clarke's "2001: A Space Odyssey" by referencing a technologically advanced phone in 2037 and includes a quote, "Do you think I will dream?"

Another piece, "Det stormar kring Whitley Strieber" (Storms around Whitley Strieber), examines the work of author Whitley Strieber, known for his UFO encounters and abduction narratives, and his collaboration with former radio host Art Bell. Their book "The Coming Global Superstorm" is discussed, which predicts a catastrophic ice age caused by the disruption of the Gulf Stream. The article notes that while the book's premise is based on weak evidence, it served as inspiration for the film "The Day After Tomorrow." The author suggests that Strieber's fantastical scenarios, including alleged nocturnal lessons with aliens in San Antonio, have contributed to a broader discourse on UFOs and conspiracy theories.

UFO Research and Events

An appeal from AFU (Arkivet för UFO-forskning) in Norrköping, Sweden's largest UFO archive, requests financial support from sponsors to cover operational costs such as rent, electricity, and website maintenance. Sponsors receive a subscription to the "AFU Newsletter."

A section titled "Seriöst projekt?" (Serious project?) questions the credibility of "The Disclosure Project," led by Steven Greer, which claims the US government is concealing evidence of extraterrestrial presence and technology. The article notes that while Greer presents testimonies from high-ranking individuals, some of these accounts have been found to be untrue, and his promise of a new free energy invention remains unfulfilled.

Other Content

"Vilse-gången" (Lost) is a word puzzle. "Jordens 'hummande' är löst" (Earth's 'humming' is solved) reports on a scientific discovery published in Nature, suggesting that the mysterious low-frequency humming sound from Earth originates from large energy releases near or on the Earth's crust. The article also includes the autumn program for the Stockholm UFO Society, featuring lectures on topics such as "Finns det kaniner på Mars?" (Are there rabbits on Mars?), "Förutsättningar för liv i universum" (Conditions for life in the universe), and "Astronomi och dess vetenskapsmän genom åren" (Astronomy and its scientists through the years).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of science, technology, and the unexplained. There's a strong emphasis on space exploration, both historical and contemporary, alongside a critical examination of UFO phenomena and related research. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting information on various topics within the UFO and astronomy fields while also maintaining a degree of skepticism, particularly regarding unsubstantiated claims. The inclusion of science fiction reviews suggests an interest in speculative futures and their connection to current scientific and societal developments. The magazine also serves as a platform for promoting UFO research organizations and their activities.