Studiekreds Bladet - 1974 No 07

Magazine Overview

Title: STUDIEKEEDS - BLADET
Issue: 7
Volume: 1. årgang
Date: September 7, 1974
Publisher: SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information)
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

This issue of Studiekreedsbladet, a publication for Danish UFO study groups, provides ongoing information and news from the UFO world. It features a 'Debate Box' section, news on UFO publications, and reports on observations.

Key Articles and Features

DEBATKASSEN: "DE SORTE MÆND - FUP ELLER FAKTA?" (Part I)

This is the first part of a series by Torsten Dam-Jensen, exploring the phenomenon of 'Men in Black' (MIB). The author states his belief that even unusual phenomena like MIB should be investigated before being dismissed as hoaxes. He aims to gather and share information on the subject, acknowledging that current knowledge is limited. The article references John A. Keel's book "Our Haunted Planet" and its chapter on 'Men in Black and the CIA', suggesting that even the Condon Commission acknowledged reports of 'mysterious, black-clad men'. The author also touches upon Kenneth Arnold's famous 1947 sighting and his alleged encounter with a dark-clothed individual.

"OG SÅ TILLOD DE SIG AT FORLANGE NOGET FOR NOGET" by Per Borgaard

This article serves as a response to an earlier piece by Peter A. Hansen. Per Borgaard addresses concerns about SUFOI's handling of UFO reports. He agrees with Hansen that study groups should focus on serious research rather than just social gatherings. However, Borgaard criticizes SUFOI's report-handling policy, suggesting that groups withhold reports due to mistrust of SUFOI's approach to classifying phenomena as natural. He argues that SUFOI's report central should be accessible to researchers and that the claim of anonymity for witnesses can be managed by simply covering names and addresses on photocopies. Borgaard also raises concerns that 'fantastic' observations might be dismissed or hidden.

OBSERVATIONER I 1973 by Peter A. Hansen

This section details SUFOI's statistics and findings regarding UFO observations in 1973. SUFOI received over 500 reports, of which 211 were deemed to have no obvious natural explanation. Of these, 100 remained unexplained after further investigation. The article discusses potential 'error sources' (fejlkilder) such as lights from aircraft, meteors, and other conventional explanations, noting that over 90% of observations occurred after dark. Six representative reports from the year are presented, including one from Norway and one from Sweden. A significant portion of this section is dedicated to a detailed account of a UFO incident that allegedly stopped a moped's engine near Svendborg on July 7, 1974. The object was described as oval, emitting a strong orange-red light, and hovering about 30 cm above the ground before rapidly ascending. The report notes that the moped engine stopping is a recurring theme in UFO encounters.

NYT UFO-HEFTE PÅ DET DANSKE MARKED (Review of "UFOer over Spanien og Portugal")

This is a review of a new UFO booklet titled "UFOer over Spanien og Portugal", authored by Ballester Olmos and Jacques Vallée, and edited by Willy Wegner of Dansk UFO Center. The booklet contains 100 observations from Spain and Portugal, with a focus on 'Type I' (close-up) observations. The review highlights the extensive research involved, the description of Spanish UFO organizations, and an analysis of landing sites and witness demographics. It concludes that while the analysis might not offer entirely new insights for experienced ufologists, the booklet is a valuable addition to any UFO enthusiast's library.

INDHOLDSFORTEGNELSE (Table of Contents)

The table of contents lists the various articles and sections in the magazine, including the 'Debate Box', 'Observations in 1973', a review of the new UFO booklet, and articles on observation techniques and UFO types.

REDAKTION (Editorial Staff)

Information about the editorial team, including Torsten Dam-Jensen, and contact details is provided. The magazine is published 10 times a year and costs 2.00 DKK per issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea of serious, scientific investigation into UFO phenomena. There is an emphasis on collecting and analyzing reports, and a willingness to debate different aspects of ufology. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded but critical, encouraging research and questioning official explanations or organizational policies. The 'Debate Box' section actively encourages reader participation and discussion, highlighting differing viewpoints within the UFO community. The magazine also expresses a desire for greater scientific involvement and media attention to UFO topics.

This issue of "OBSERVATIONS TEKNIK OG UFO TYPER" (Observation Techniques and UFO Types), identified as issue number 11 and dated 1970, is the second part of a series focusing on UFO types. It is published by SUFOI and IGAP and is based on articles and pamphlets previously issued by them. The content is attributed to Sven Madsen of the Fredericia UFO Gruppe, with illustrations provided by Torsten Dam-Jensen.

UFO Types and Classification

The article begins by addressing skepticism towards UFO phenomena, refuting the notion that they are merely misinterpretations of natural phenomena or products of wishful thinking. It acknowledges that some scientists and individuals have dismissed UFOs, often without direct knowledge of the subject, relying solely on rigid scientific orthodoxy.

The central premise is that while the hypothesis of UFOs being interplanetary or interstellar spacecraft is plausible, it is presented as the least satisfactory explanation for the available UFO evidence. The core question posed is the definition of a UFO, with SUFOI's definition stating it is an unidentified flying object whose behavior, characteristics, color, speed, shape, and maneuvers cannot be satisfactorily explained by current science.

HVAD OBSERVATIONERNE HAR FORTALT OS (What Observations Have Told Us)

This section highlights that since 1947, approximately 200,000 reports have been received, with 3,000 from Scandinavia, that lack reasonable explanations. These reports, combined with numerous photographs, radar observations (including speed calculations), and cross-references, provide a substantial body of evidence. The article asserts that this data indicates the existence of several distinct UFO types, with four recurring types being the focus of this issue.

UFO Types Described:

Type 1 - MODERSKIBE (Motherships)

• Description: Named 'Motherships' because they are often seen surrounded by smaller craft, with which they appear to exchange objects or from which they emerge. They are described as rocket-shaped or cigar-shaped.
• Size: Typically 180-300 meters long, though some reports mention kilometer-long vessels.
• Appearance: In daylight, they appear silver; at night, they can be surrounded by a luminous haze, obscuring the object itself.
• Speed: Highly variable, with reports ranging from 0 to several hundred thousand km/h. Radar has sometimes calculated speeds exceeding 14,000 km/h.
• Maneuvers: No reports of extreme maneuvers are associated with this type.

Type 2 - PILOTSKIBE eller REKOGNOSCERINGSFARTØJER (Pilot Ships or Reconnaissance Craft)

• Description: The most frequently observed UFO type, often called pilot ships or reconnaissance craft due to their intelligent, controlled behavior. They are large enough for manual control and have been observed over significant areas like launch sites, airfields, and military zones. Some reports detail landings where occupants collected soil samples, planks, and small animals.
• Appearance: Disc-shaped or saucer-shaped, earning them the popular name 'flying saucers'. They are typically silver and may have portholes or windows. They are often seen as self-luminous objects surrounded by a corona.
• Size: Varies greatly, with reported diameters from 8-60 meters and heights from 4-10 meters.
• Color/Light Phenomena: Often accompanied by various color and light effects, emitting a peculiar glow described as concentrated neon-like light that can shift spectrum. Some objects leave a light 'tail'. Some have been observed projecting beams or light rays downwards.
• Speed: Highly variable, from 0 to several thousand km/h. Radar has calculated speeds exceeding 11,000 km/h.
• Maneuvers: Capable of maneuvers impossible for current human-built machines, including hovering, 90-degree turns at high speed, and stopping instantly.

Type 3 - LEDSAGEFARTØJER (Liaison Craft)

• Description: Often seen accompanied by smaller craft, such as telemeter discs or pilot ships. These craft have also been identified as potential underwater vehicles. They are the rarest of the four main types, but good reports exist.
• Appearance: Rocket-shaped or cigar-shaped, similar to motherships. They may also exhibit projector-like or light-beam features.
• Size: Similar to motherships.
• Speed: No extreme speeds reported, ranging from 0 to 2,500 km/h.
• Maneuvers: Less extreme turns and ascents than Type 2, with no drastic course changes.

Type 4 - TELEMETERSKIVER (Telemeter Discs)

• Description: Small objects frequently seen close to the ground, typically below 5 meters. Their behavior suggests they are used for remote sensing or observation.
• Appearance: Highly variable in shape, often changing form. Some resemble miniature reconnaissance craft, while others are spherical, ball-shaped, or glass-ball-shaped. Some are transparent like glass balls, others iridescent like soap bubbles.
• Size: Very small, ranging from 2 cm to 3 meters in diameter. The most common size is around 25 cm in diameter.
• Color: Some are intensely luminous, others metallic and shiny.
• Speed: No precise speed data, but their ability to pursue cars and aircraft suggests speeds from 0 up to at least 2,000 km/h.
• Maneuvers: Capable of all maneuvers, and they can disappear instantly in a bright flash of light or simply dissolve.

Illustrations

Page 4 features illustrations of the four UFO types, labeled A through L, with a key identifying A-B as Motherships, E-F as Pilot Ships, G-L as Liaison Craft, and G-L as Telemeter Discs. The illustrations are credited to Torsten Dam-Jensen after Sven Madsen.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine adopts a serious and analytical approach to the UFO phenomenon, aiming to provide a scientific classification and description of observed phenomena. It actively counters skepticism and presents UFOs as a subject worthy of detailed investigation, moving beyond simplistic explanations. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, acknowledging the limitations of current scientific understanding in explaining these observed objects and their capabilities. The recurring theme is the systematic categorization and description of UFOs based on extensive reported data.