SUFOI Intern - 1998 12

Magazine Overview

This issue of SUFOI INTERN, dated December 1998, is the internal newsletter for the Danish UFO organization SUFOI. It opens with a holiday greeting from the board. The content includes news and notes on SUFOI's media presence, an analysis of UFO reports from previous years, details of specific sightings, and information on organizational activities.

SUFOI in the Media

Under the heading 'NYHEDER OG NOTITSER' (News and Notes), Toke Haunstrup reports on SUFOI's recent media coverage. While there haven't been mass sightings, SUFOI has been mentioned in several publications. An example is the fake crop circle experiment conducted by 'Ole', which was humorously reported on the back page of Politiken on November 29th. The article mentioned UFO-Nyt and noted Ole's previous engagement in creating a media presence. Jakob Markers was the journalist who covered this story.

Fyens Stiftstidende featured an account of a sighting by a couple in Odense on November 22nd. SUFOI was initially contacted via the emergency services and EO (responsible for the case), who then informed the newspaper. Egon Olsen provides further details on this observation on page 3.

Erhvervsbladet mentioned SUFOI on December 4th in a profile piece about Per Andersen, the director of IDC in Copenhagen.

Haunstrup also notes that a press release sent to major Danish newspapers and TV stations for UFO-Nyt's 40th anniversary did not result in any coverage, which he finds regrettable.

Sending Flukes to UFOs

Peter Nørgaard contributes a short piece titled 'SEND FLUKS EN UFO' (Send Flukes to UFO). He describes receiving letters via the SUFOI mailbox, often from schoolchildren needing information for projects. He shares a humorous, albeit misspelled, request from a 'UFO group' asking for 'UFO nyt' (UFO news) to be sent quickly for a Thursday deadline.

Status of Reports from 1995 and 1996

Toke Haunstrup presents a status update on reports received in 1995 and 1996. He plans a more detailed article for UFO-Nyt in 1999. The reports are categorized into 'Identified' (cases with a clear explanation), 'Missing Data' (insufficient information for a conclusion), and 'Unidentified' (cases lacking a plausible explanation despite adequate documentation).

Table 1 shows the distribution:

• 1994: Identified: 113 (57%), Missing Data: 78 (39%), Unidentified: 8 (4%)
• 1995: Identified: 162 (58%), Missing Data: 107 (39%), Unidentified: 8 (3%)
• 1996: Identified: 131 (64%), Missing Data: 68 (33%), Unidentified: 7 (3%)

He notes the similarity between 1994 and 1995, with 1996 showing a slight difference, the reason for which he intends to investigate further.

Table 2 breaks down the 'Identified' cases by explanation type for 1994, 1995, and 1996:

• Projector/laser lights: 1994: 41 (21%), 1995: 59 (21%), 1996: 55 (27%)
• Meteor: 1994: 29 (15%), 1995: 35 (13%), 1996: 11 (5%)
• Airplane: 1994: 21 (11%), 1995: 38 (14%), 1996: 29 (14%)
• Star: 1994: 8 (4%), 1995: 10 (4%), 1996: 7 (3%)
• Planet: 1994: 8 (4%), 1995: 3 (1%), 1996: 19 (9%)
• Other: 1994: 6 (3%), 1995: 17 (5%), 1996: 10 (5%)

Total identified cases: 1994: 113 (57%), 1995: 162 (58%), 1996: 131 (63%).

Haunstrup points out that the percentages within Table 2 are relative to the total number of reports for that year, explaining why the total percentages for identified cases don't always add up to 100% when considering all categories. He also acknowledges significant year-to-year variations in explanations, suggesting that mass sightings of specific phenomena (like projector lights) can influence the distribution for a given year.

Deadlines and Observations

• Deadlines:
• Next Intern: January 10, 1999
• UFO-Nyt No. 1/99: January 2, 1999
• SUFOI Newsletter: February 15, 1999

Observations:
Egon Olsen reports on a significant observation in Odense on Sunday, November 22, 1998. At approximately 01:05 AM, a man was awakened by a strong green and yellow light. Going outside, he and his wife observed a large, rotating, multi-colored object hovering silently over their house. They described it as a "vinkel-formet" (angular/wedge-shaped) object, estimated to be between 50 and 100 meters in diameter. The object changed colors to red, green, and blue, and ascended vertically before becoming star-like and disappearing after about half an hour. Olsen notes that the police and the local airport received no other reports of this event, making it a difficult case to investigate. He refers to an article in Fyens Stiftstidende which mentioned 8 other witnesses from surrounding towns who described a spherical red object. Olsen has contacted the police, the airbase, and the Home Guard.

Another case involves a car stopping near Silkeborg (Lemming) on Friday, November 14th, around 5:50 PM. The car's engine died, lights went out, and the radio went silent. After a few seconds, everything returned to normal. The observer reported seeing red lights above treetops but was unsure. Olsen suggests a loose battery connection might be the cause, noting the car was an older model.

Activities

Københavns UFO-Gruppe (Copenhagen UFO Group):
Toke Haunstrup reports on a meeting of the Copenhagen UFO Group held on Tuesday, November 8th. The evening included Christmas festivities with mulled wine and Æbleskiver (Danish pancakes). New observations were discussed, and the science fiction film 'Contact', starring Jodie Foster, was shown. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12, 1999.

Persons

New Pages for the Organization Handbook (II):
There was an error in the phone number for Karin in the new pages of the Organization Handbook sent with the previous issue. Jørgen has prepared updated pages, which are enclosed with this issue. Readers are asked to replace the old pages with the new ones.

Email Addresses:
A list of email addresses for several individuals is provided: Henrik Klinge Petersen, Kim Møller Hansen, Lars H. Andersen, Michael Linden-Vørnle, Ole Henningsen, Per Andersen, Per Nielsen, and Toke Haunstrup.

Reports Through the Period 1/10 - 30/11 1998

This section provides a detailed log of UFO/UAP reports received between October 1st and November 30th, 1998. Each entry includes:

• Observation Date
• Observation Time
• Duration
• Observation Location (postal code and town)
• Number of Observers
• Colors
• Possible Identification (e.g., Projector/laser, Meteor, Airplane, Star, Planet, Other)
• Status Code (e.g., A=Alarm received, B=Message received, C=Forwarded to, D=Observer contacted, E=Forms sent to observer, F=Forms received from observer, G=Report recorded, H=Report sent to Report Central)
• Modtaget hos (Received by - indicating the responsible report taker, e.g., C/PL, E/TH, H/TH)

Notable entries include:

• May/June 1983: Odense SØ, 5m duration, Gråbrun (Gray-brown), C/PL, AC/VM.
• 09.04.95: Frederikstad, Norway, 2.5 hours, 4 observers, Gul (Yellow), B, Homepage.
• 14.10.98: Rønnede, Få sek. (few seconds), Hvid, blå (White, blue), Ildkugle (Fireball), B/TH, Homepage.
• 14.11.98: Lemming, 10-15 s, NB: Bil der stopper (Note: Car stops), E, AC/EO.
• 20.11.98: Brøndby, 1-2 m, Gul (Yellow), Fly, E/TH, AC/VM.
• 22.11.98: Odense SV, Ca. 30 m, Grøn, gul (Green, yellow), E, AC/EO.
• 26.11.98: Kværndrup, Ca. 5 m, Blå, sort (Blue, black), F/TH, AC/VM.

The status codes are explained at the end of the section.

Newspaper Clippings

Fyens Stiftstidende (November 8, 1998):
An article titled 'Ægtepar så ufo svæve over huset' (Couple saw UFO hovering over house) by Bo Østlund details the Odense sighting. It describes the event from the perspective of the couple, who were awakened by lights and observed a large, rotating, multi-colored object. The article mentions the estimated size (50-100 meters in diameter) and duration (half an hour). Egon Olsen from Skandinavisk Ufo Information is quoted, seeking other witnesses and noting that the police and airport had no reports. The couple is described as being 'underligt tilpas og bange' (strangely uneasy and scared). The article also explains why the organization does not reveal the witnesses' identities to protect them from ridicule.

Randers Amts Avis (November 7, 1998):
A piece titled 'Science fiction, fremtid og ufoer i ungdomsskolen' (Science fiction, future, and UFOs in youth school) by Jonna Skov reports on events at Randers youth schools. These include a talk on ideas and visions for youth culture in the year 2000, a science fiction film review, and a 'future party'. Notably, on November 11th, UFOs are on the program at the Vorup Ungdomsskoleklub.

Erhvervsbladet (December 4, 1998):
A profile of Per Andersen, leader of IDC Nordic, titled 'Noget med analyse i både job og interesser' (Something about analysis in both job and interests). The article highlights his career in IT market analysis and his roles at UNI-C and IDC. It also mentions his personal interests, including genealogy (tracing his ancestry back to Gorm the Old) and UFOs. Andersen states he doesn't believe in 'flying saucers' but is interested in analyzing unexplained phenomena. He was previously chairman of Skandinavisk UFO Information for five years. The article quotes him saying, "Leading is about going forward – you can't expect to motivate people if you don't lead by example." He finds activities like fishing too passive.

Fyens Amts Avis (October 31, 1998):
An article titled 'Chefen og ufoerne' (The Boss and the UFOs) by Jesper Maagaard features Jesper Maagaard, a 30-year-old building market manager who believes extraterrestrials visit Earth to help humanity. He has inquired with the Prime Minister about government plans for potential official contact. The article also touches on his own sighting of what he believes was a UFO.

Bagsiden løser berømt UFO-gåde (The Back Page Solves a Famous UFO Riddle):
This clipping, likely from a newspaper's back page section, discusses crop circles. It references an earlier request in June for volunteers to help a farmer create a crop circle. The article explains that while many believe crop circles are signals or landing sites for UFOs, the author's publication (implied to be 'Bagsiden') does not subscribe to this theory. It details how Ole Henningsen, co-editor of UFO-Nyt, and his neighbor Filip created a crop circle using a simple method involving rope and a stamping board, demonstrating that these formations can be man-made. The article concludes by suggesting that the mystery of crop circles has been solved thanks to 'Bagsiden'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the analysis of reported phenomena, and the organization's media presence. SUFOI INTERN aims to inform its members about SUFOI's activities, recent events in the UFO field, and the ongoing work of investigating and categorizing reports. The editorial stance appears to be one of rational inquiry, with a focus on data analysis and debunking sensationalism where possible (as seen in the crop circle article), while still acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena and maintaining an open mind to possibilities.

Title: Ufoer er jo bare et transportsmiddel (UFOs are just a means of transport)
Issue Identifier: 9710 2422
Country of Publication: Denmark
Original Language: Danish
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Main Article: UFOs are just a means of transport

The cover story features Jesper Maagaard, a 30-year-old building market manager from Frederiks, Denmark, who is a fervent believer in UFOs and extraterrestrial visitation. Unlike the fictional character Fox Mulder from 'The X-Files', Maagaard's conviction is not part of a TV series; he lives a seemingly ordinary life, playing badminton and participating in local theatre, yet he is deeply committed to his beliefs.

Maagaard is associated with the international organization IGAP (International Get Acquainted Program). The philosophy of IGAP originated with George Adamski, a Polish-American who claimed to have witnessed a wave of UFOs and subsequently met with beings from another planet. Adamski's teachings posit that the universe is a vast home for humanity, with some beings having achieved a higher level of development and visiting Earth periodically to offer assistance.

Maagaard's interest in mystical phenomena, such as pyramids and UFOs, was significantly influenced by Adamski's book, 'Inside the Flying Saucers'. He describes a profound internal realization upon reading it, stating, "When I had read it, I read it again. And then something inside me said: Yes, that's how it is."

He is adamant that his understanding is not a matter of faith but of comprehension regarding the interconnectedness of the universe. He asserts that the universe is populated by beings who are essentially human, undergoing reincarnation on various habitable planets. According to Maagaard, humans on Earth are not descendants of apes or Adam and Eve but originate from elsewhere in the universe, with Earth being colonized once it was ready to serve as a habitat.

Maagaard's view of a higher power is not that of a traditional deity but rather a "cosmic intelligence."

Living Incorrectly

Maagaard believes that humanity is living incorrectly, and that extraterrestrials are attempting to communicate this through various means, including visible UFOs, crop patterns, and by inspiring individuals like himself. He suggests that these visitors are trying to highlight the root causes of our problems rather than just the symptoms, aiming to help humanity progress.

He explains that beings from other planets live differently, for instance, they do not get sick. The visitors, he posits, are trying to convey that Earth is lagging behind and that they wish to help us move forward.

No One Believes

When Maagaard gives lectures about UFOs and his philosophy, he occasionally encounters people who, after years of silence, feel compelled to share their own UFO experiences. He notes that the general public and the media are often skeptical, making it difficult for individuals to have their experiences validated. "The truth doesn't sell very well," he remarks.

Echoing themes from 'The X-Files', Maagaard is convinced that authorities worldwide are suppressing information about UFOs. He finds some parallels in the show, though he primarily views it as entertainment.

He sees films and series about alien contact as positive because they help acclimatize the public to the idea of such phenomena, potentially reducing surprise when contact becomes undeniable.

Frightened

Maagaard observes that many people become frightened when he explains that aliens are essentially human-like. The idea of "little green men" is easier for them to dismiss. He himself has only seen what he believes to be a UFO once, through his kitchen window.

While he acknowledges that direct contact would be a fantastic experience, his primary goal is to contribute to making Earth a better place. He views UFOs as merely an "entry point" to a larger understanding, not the ultimate focus.

Maagaard's objective is not to convert people but to stimulate thought. "I have a burning desire to make everyone understand this, but if people don't believe it, that's perfectly fine with me. I just want to get them thinking," he states.

To this end, he has written a pamphlet about UFOs for children and has sent letters to the prime ministers of all EU countries. These letters often begin with "Dear Mr. Prime Minister. If UFOs are real, how do we deal with this fact...", posing questions to encourage contemplation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine issue focuses heavily on the belief in UFOs as a legitimate phenomenon and a means of understanding the universe and humanity's place within it. The editorial stance appears to align with the perspective presented by Jesper Maagaard, emphasizing a spiritual and interconnected view of the cosmos, where extraterrestrial beings are benevolent visitors seeking to guide humanity. The content promotes critical thinking about societal problems and encourages an open mind towards unconventional explanations, particularly those involving extraterrestrial intelligence and contact.