Stockholms UFO-Nytt - 2009 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Issue: 3/2009
Publisher: Stockholms UFO-förening
Date: 2009
Language: Swedish

This issue of Stockholms UFO-nytt, the information bulletin for the Stockholm UFO Association, is dated 2009 and features a holiday greeting 'GOD JUL GOTT NYTTÅR' on its cover, alongside an image of two gnome-like figures with a disc-shaped object. The magazine includes reports of UFO sightings, an account of a field investigation course, and an in-depth article analyzing the history and evolution of ufology from a skeptical perspective.

Editorial and Association Information

The editorial section, written by Svante Lilja, Chairman of Stockholms UFO-förening, reflects on the past summer, noting a busy period with his motorcycle covering over 700 miles between April and October. He mentions changes at his workplace, including a new manager and the hiring of new staff, which led to a hectic period. He also discusses the challenges the association has faced in finding affordable meeting locations, leading to board meetings being held at his workplace. A major focus for the association has been the development of a new website, which is nearing completion. Lilja expresses a wish for a peaceful Christmas period.

Contact information for the Stockholms UFO-förening is provided, including their address (C/o Svante Lilja, Rålambs väg 8, 196 31 Kungsängen), telephone number (0761 429 660), and Postgiro (440 19 83-4). Svante Lilja is listed as the contact person. The bulletin is published three times a year. Membership fees are detailed: 150 SEK for a full year and 80 SEK for a half-year, including the UFO-nytt subscription. Reduced rates for pensioners and full-time students are 110 SEK annually and 60 SEK for a half-year. Other publications like 'UFO-Aktuellt' and 'UFO Raden/Rapportnytt' are also recommended, with their respective subscription details.

Contents Overview

• The table of contents lists the following articles:
• Fältundersökarkursen 2009 (Field Investigation Course 2009)
• Stockholmsrapporter januari-maj (Stockholm Reports January-May)
• Ufologins historia ur en skeptikers synvinkel (The History of Ufology from a Skeptic's Perspective)
• Pressklipp (Press Clippings)

Field Investigation Course 2009

This section details the UFO-Sverige field investigation course held on October 24-25, 2009, at the Hallsta conference center near Eskilstuna. Some participants arrived on Friday evening, enjoying breakfast provided by the manager, Mia. The location, Hallsta, is described as lacking in amenities, with minimal street lighting. Participants had dinner at a local combined general store and pizzeria, which was popular with locals. The evening was spent socializing and sharing experiences. The course began on Saturday with an introduction to misinterpretation phenomena and witness psychology for the approximately ten new participants. The author, Kaj Hahne, gave a lesson on interrogation techniques and witness psychology. The report database was presented as a useful tool, and participants were encouraged to use it. The event included launching UFO balloons with mixed results and a demonstration of creating fake UFO images using toys and digital cameras.

Hahne also attended a lecture by a mentalist who demonstrated how 'cold reading' could be used to extract information from people, making it appear as if they were communicating with spirits. This was highlighted as relevant to 'UFO religions' and New Age phenomena. The course concluded with participants agreeing it was an excellent and affordable event.

Stockholm Reports: January-May 2009

This section compiles several UFO sighting reports from early 2009:

• January 1, 2009 (00:30, Skarpnäck): A group saw about 10 orange-glowing spheres moving rapidly in formation, appearing one by one at three-minute intervals. They were not identified as planes or helicopters and made no sound.
• January 1, 2009 (Shortly after midnight, Märsta): A man and his girlfriend observed 12-15 fast-moving lights approaching from the same direction, spaced 1.5 minutes apart. They were too fast and did not blink like aircraft lights.
• January 1, 2009 (Midnight, Vallentuna): Three women saw several bright red, slow-moving, hovering lights in a formation.
• January 1, 2009 (00:10–00:20, Nacka): Two strong, yellow-white lights without sound moved at a steady pace, disappearing one by one.
• January 1, 2009 (00:03, Norsborg): A family saw three orange-glowing spheres that moved at regular intervals and did not change direction.
• January 1, 2009 (00:10, Åkersberga): A man reported a strong orange-red object with high speed moving in a stable direction.
• January 1, 2009 (00:16, Skärholmen): A person saw a flying, burning object moving in a clear path, followed by an identical object.
• January 1, 2009 (00:05, Hässelby): A person video-recorded orange objects that appeared dome-shaped with white tops and shimmering undersides.
• January 8, 2009 (21:10, Visättra, Huddinge): A man saw a bright light moving at high speed (500-700 km/h) at an altitude of 500-1000 meters.
• January 1, 2009 (00:10–00:15, Kolarängen, Älta): Several people observed a red-yellow light moving south, followed by similar lights at intervals.

• February 2009:
• February 6, 2009 (05:00, Täby): A person reported a green light on their lawn that disappeared when approached.
• February 4, 2009 (21:20, Lovö): A witness described a 'ball lightning explosion' spreading light in a wave, then contracting.

• March 2009:
• March 18, 2009 (15:00-15:30, Essingeleden/Kungsholmen): A person saw a large, silver, shimmering object hovering low over the water, described as a smooth, flattened walnut with bulges.

• April 2009:
• April 1, 2009 (22:15, Bromma): A person saw a blinking light that they initially thought was a plane but found unusual. The object stopped for 30 seconds before moving in a different direction.
• April 10, 2009 (05:10-05:15, Arlanda): A person observed a green object moving about three times faster than a plane, not low to the ground but not at normal flight altitude. It was described as 'plane-shaped' but not round.
• April 10, 2009 (04:00-05:00, Tyresö): Several people saw a green-glowing object moving at high speed at a 50-degree angle, appearing to be crashing.

• May 2009:
• May 2, 2009 (00:40, Hässelbystrand): A person saw two strong lights that faded after 5-10 seconds.

The History of Ufology from a Skeptic's Perspective

This extensive article by Robert Schaeffer, translated from Skeptical Inquirer, traces the development of ufology over more than 60 years. Schaeffer argues that ufology has mutated rather than faded, showing its enduring mythic strength. He divides ufology into distinct periods:

• The Beginning (1947-1973): This era was characterized by waves of 'flying saucer' sightings, starting with Kenneth Arnold's 1947 report. These waves, often fueled by media attention, occurred in 1947, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1965-67, and 1973. Schaeffer suggests the decline in sightings after 1973 might be linked to the widespread adoption of color television, reducing public fascination with simple sightings.

• Abductions Replace Sightings (1966-1995): The focus shifted dramatically with John Fuller's 1966 book 'The Interrupted Journey,' detailing the alleged abduction of Betty and Barney Hill. This period saw the rise of 'missing time' narratives and hypnotic regression to uncover memories of alien encounters. The pattern often involved people traveling on rural roads at night, seeing lights, experiencing missing time, and then recalling details under hypnosis. Travis Walton's abduction story, popularized by the film 'Fire in the Sky,' followed a similar theme. By the early 1990s, abductions became a significant social phenomenon, with a 1992 CBS miniseries based on Budd Hopkins' book 'Intruders' further fueling public fear. A 1992 conference at MIT, intended to support abduction claims, instead highlighted their weaknesses, particularly concerning the alleged 'Brooklyn Bridge Abduction' case promoted by Hopkins.

• Crashed UFOs and Recoveries (1980-): This period saw a resurgence of interest in alleged crashed UFO incidents, notably the Roswell incident in 1947, which gained widespread attention in the 1980s through books like 'The Roswell Incident.' Schaeffer points out that the term 'Roswell' became synonymous with UFOs and aliens due to numerous speculative media productions. He notes that investigations into alleged crashed UFOs, such as the one described by Silas Newton and Leo GeBauer concerning a 1948 Aztec, New Mexico crash, were later revealed to be fraudulent. Leonard Stringfield's work on 'Retrievals of the Third Kind' in the late 1970s also contributed to this narrative, though without substantial evidence. Schaeffer suggests that the Roswell crash was likely related to a secret balloon project.

Schaeffer further distinguishes between two main streams in contemporary ufology:

• New Age Ufology: Characterized by a reliance on personal narratives, contactees, channeling, and telepathy. It often employs religious terminology and concepts, such as the 'Age of Aquarius' or 'Mayan calendar's end,' and promotes the idea of a cosmic, metaphysical transformation. Examples include the Unarius Educational Foundation.

• Science Fiction Ufology: This branch emphasizes alleged evidence like sightings, photos, videos, physical traces, and abductions. However, Schaeffer contends that the evidence presented often lacks scientific rigor and contradicts established scientific facts. He criticizes the tendency to create a 'new science' based on anecdotal evidence rather than adhering to established principles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings, particularly those occurring in Sweden. There's a clear effort to categorize and explain these sightings, with many being attributed to 'ufoballonger' (UFO balloons), especially those occurring during New Year's Eve fireworks. The inclusion of the article by Robert Schaeffer indicates a strong interest in the historical and skeptical analysis of ufology, suggesting an editorial stance that values critical examination of claims, even while reporting on the phenomena themselves. The magazine also promotes the activities and membership of the Stockholms UFO-förening, providing practical information for interested individuals.

Title: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Issue: 3/2009
Date: 2009
Publisher: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of Stockholms UFO-nytt delves into various aspects of ufology, critically examining claims, evidence, and theories. It questions the authenticity of photographic and video evidence, discusses the persistence of UFO legends, and debunks popular conspiracy theories. Simultaneously, it touches upon the scientific advancements in exoplanet discovery, which suggest a higher probability of extraterrestrial life.

UFO Crashes and Cover-ups

The article begins by discussing the enduring legend of UFO crashes, citing 'Project Mogul' and the famous Roswell incident. It notes that the number of alleged UFO crash sites has grown significantly, with an annual conference in Las Vegas organized by Ryan Wood, who claims at least 74 UFOs have crashed worldwide, all allegedly covered up by governments. The persistence of these legends is attributed to their integration into popular culture, regardless of the veracity of the 'evidence'.

Photographs and Videofilms

The role of photographic and video evidence in ufology is critically assessed. Early examples like George Adamski's photos from the 1950s are dismissed as likely fabrications. The Trent photos from 1950 and the Lucci brothers' photos from Pennsylvania in 1965 are also questioned, with the latter being revealed as a hoax. The Phoenix Lights incident of 1997 is explained as parachute lights from a military exercise, despite claims of impossible maneuvers. The article points out that most modern UFO photos and videos depict indistinct objects like dots, blips, and light points. The advent of digital editing tools like Photoshop is highlighted as a major challenge to the credibility of such evidence, emphasizing the need for extensive contextual information about the photographer, the circumstances, and the location.

Conspiracy Theories Abound

The issue explores the prevalence of conspiracy theories within ufology, stemming from the belief in UFO crashes and captured aliens. The MJ-12 (Majestic-12) theory, which suggests a secret US government group investigating UFOs and enforcing secrecy, is discussed. Documents purporting to be from MJ-12, promoted by ufologists like William Moore, Jaime Shandera, and later Timothy Cooper, Robert Wood, and Ryan Wood, are presented as forgeries, with one document even containing anachronisms in its typewriter model. NASA is also implicated in a conspiracy to hide data from space missions, with rumors of astronauts witnessing UFOs. Richard Hoagland is mentioned as a proponent of various space-related conspiracies, including alleged hidden structures on Mars and the Moon. The article also references the claims of Colonel Philip Corso, who alleged that modern technology was reverse-engineered from crashed alien craft found at Roswell.

'The Disclosure Project', founded by physicist Steven Greer, is presented as an effort to reveal alleged UFO-related information from military and government sources. However, the press conference held in 2001 is described as lacking concrete evidence, with the sensational theories quickly fading from media attention.

Exopolitics and UFOs Today

Exopolitics, a field coined by political scientist Michael Sallas, is introduced as the study of the political implications of extraterrestrial presence. Sallas advocates for peaceful relations with aliens and an end to alleged UFO cover-ups. The article notes that the lack of concrete evidence for an 'extraterrestrial presence' makes exopolitics akin to medieval discussions about angels, yet Sallas has gained significant traction in the UFO community.

In contemporary times, the entertainment industry, talk shows, and cable TV programming are identified as the primary drivers of public interest in UFOs. Shows like Steven Spielberg's 'Taken' and History Channel's 'UFO Hunters' are cited as examples of fictionalized or skeptical explorations of UFO phenomena. Radio programs like 'Coast To Coast AM' are noted for their sensational claims and uncritical presentation of UFO stories, cryptozoology, and conspiracy theories. Even mainstream media outlets like ABC and CNN have produced UFO-themed programs, often criticized for their lack of critical analysis.

The Future of UFOlogy

The article reflects on the evolution of UFOlogy, noting how expectations have shifted from the anticipated landing of UFOs or open government disclosure to the phenomenon of alien abductions and, more recently, crashed UFOs. The anticipation of a major 'revelation' is compared to the Christian concept of the Second Coming. The article references a 1977 U.S. News & World Report article predicting government 'shaking revelations' about UFOs, contrasting it with a 1950 article that identified flying saucers as a secret air force project.

Skeptic Martin Kottmeyer's description of the UFO movement as a 'system of paranoia in development' is quoted, suggesting that predicting its next focus is difficult but likely to involve personal contact, abductions, and claims of groundbreaking evidence that will shatter all cover-ups.

The Chance to Contact Aliens Increases

A separate article, a press clipping from DN (Dagens Nyheter) dated October 20, 2009, discusses recent astronomical discoveries. New observations from the HARPS telescope in Chile have revealed that approximately half of all stars similar to our sun are orbited by small planets. This discovery significantly increases the chances of finding habitable planets and potentially communicating with extraterrestrials within a human lifetime. Professor Nikolai Piskunov of Uppsala University suggests that astronomers may soon find habitable planets as close as ten light-years away. The HARPS instrument has identified 32 new exoplanets, bringing the total known exoplanets to over 400. The statistics indicate that forty to sixty percent of sun-like stars have planetary systems with small planets. The article defines 'small planets' as those with a maximum mass of twenty times that of Earth, emphasizing that a planet needs to be small, have a solid surface, and be at an optimal distance from its star to support liquid water and potentially life. The vast number of sun-like stars with planetary systems suggests numerous opportunities for life to develop throughout the universe.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO phenomena, the skepticism towards evidence presented by ufologists, and the debunking of conspiracy theories. The magazine highlights the role of popular culture and media in shaping public perception of UFOs. There is a clear editorial stance favoring scientific inquiry and evidence-based reasoning over unsubstantiated claims and speculative theories. The article on exoplanets provides a contrast, showcasing how scientific advancements are contributing to our understanding of the universe and the potential for extraterrestrial life, albeit through rigorous research rather than anecdotal accounts. The issue concludes with a visual puzzle, a circular pattern in a field, inviting readers to guess its origin, with the answer to be revealed in the next issue, hinting at the ongoing mystery and intrigue surrounding unexplained phenomena.