SUFOI Intern - 1999 04

Magazine Overview

SUFOI Intern, April 1999 issue. This internal newsletter from the organization SUFOI (The Danish Society for UFO Research) covers news, organizational updates, media interactions, and internal debates. The issue is primarily in Danish.

Key Articles and Sections

INTERN PR. E-MAIL – Af Toke Haunstrup

This section announces a significant change in the distribution of SUFOI Intern. Following a decision at the March representative meeting, the newsletter will henceforth be sent via e-mail as an attachment to all representative members who have an email address. This is presented as one of several cost-saving initiatives aimed at reducing the organization's expenses. Members without email will continue to receive the newsletter by post. The article details the new procedure, including that observation lists and other documents will also be attached as separate files. It also urges members to check if their email addresses are listed correctly in the current issue and to contact TH if there are any errors or omissions.

MEDIER – Af Toke Haunstrup

This section reports on SUFOI's recent media coverage. Toke Haunstrup was interviewed by Jyllandsposten on March 27th, though he felt the article focused more on him than the organization and contained some awkward passages. Additionally, a journalist from the website Alt Om København interviewed Haunstrup, with the resulting article appearing on their website in mid-March. Haunstrup also mentions an upcoming "TV-show" on the internet with Nordisk Film on April 21st, where he will be a guest, allowing viewers to send in questions and comments via email. He notes that such programs typically have a small audience.

SPAREINITIATIVER – Af Toke Haunstrup

This article elaborates on the cost-saving measures discussed at the March representative meeting. The organization is facing financial pressure due to a declining subscriber base. While SUFOI has maintained a healthy equity, a deficit of 5,000-10,000 DKK is projected for the current fiscal year (1998/1999), with no surplus expected. To address this, several initiatives have been implemented. These include no longer sending special prints of UFO-Nyt and PR-materials to school children, instead directing them to the SUFOI website (www.sufoi.dk). As previously mentioned, Intern will be sent via email. Furthermore, 'sponsors' of magazine circulation tours will now send periodicals directly to AFU in Sweden, bypassing Jørgen Bengtvig. The budget for several representative members has also been adjusted downwards.

TILBUD PÅ "DET GLEMTE FOLK" – Af Toke Haunstrup

The board has decided to purchase 10 sets of Klaus Aarsleff's series "Det glemte folk" for resale to SUFOI members. The series, consisting of two volumes, will be sold to members for 180 DKK per volume. The books have been reviewed in UFO-Vision. Representative members are offered a special price of 100 DKK per book (200 DKK for both), which covers the purchase price and postage. Members interested in this offer must inform Toke Haunstrup by Saturday, May 8th, and payment should be made to SUFOI's giro account.

DEADLINES

Key upcoming deadlines are listed: Next Intern issue on May 10th, 1999; SUFOI Nyhedsbrev nr. 4/99 on June 15th, 1999; and UFO-Nyt nr. 3/99 on July 2nd, 1999.

ÆNDRINGER TIL ORGANISATIONSHÅNDBOGEN

Jørgen Bengtvig has updated the organization's handbook with new pages, including address lists for the representative body, reflecting changes from the recent meeting. These new pages are enclosed with this issue of Intern. A new telephone list has also been compiled and is included.

OPFORDRING FRA JØRGEN BENGTVIG

Jørgen Bengtvig requests that representative members who send out sample copies and similar items should mark their initials above the SUFOI logo on the envelope. This is to help him identify who to forward returned mail to when it is sent back.

BIDRAG TIL HJEMMESIDEN – Af Flemming Rasmussen

Flemming Rasmussen highlights the utility of the internet for disseminating messages and encourages members to utilize SUFOI's website (www.sufoi.dk) and the related www.ufo.dk. He emphasizes that the website offers similar capabilities to radio and TV news, allowing for timely updates on events. The website can be used for various purposes, such as announcing 'phone storms' or unusual astronomical phenomena. To contribute information, members should send a brief message via email or on diskette in txt or rtf format to the webmaster. Images in JPG or GIF format are also accepted. Fax or mail are acceptable alternatives.

OBSERVATIONER

#### MASSEOBSERVATION AF JUPITER OG VENUS – Af Toke Haunstrup

This section details a mass observation event involving Jupiter and Venus, which appeared very close together on February 23rd, separated by only 0.1 degrees. This celestial alignment generated significant public interest, resulting in 14 registered cases received via the SUFOI website and the Alarm Central. Many more reports were received but not officially registered. Several observers described the phenomenon as an object with a light at each end. One observer from Sønderborg described it as two powerful lights placed horizontally, which could be covered by a pinky fingernail at arm's length, and noted that the object did not move, being visible even behind clouds. Another observer described a "very slow object, with white light at both ends. Black middle." The apparent movement was attributed to the planets' low position on the western horizon and Earth's rotation. An observer from Otterup reported feeling emotionally affected, describing the experience as "shaken, restless and tense," followed by disappointment when the object disappeared, but ultimately a "very strong feeling of having experienced something very unusual." The article concludes that despite these descriptions, the observed phenomenon was indeed Venus and Jupiter. Most reports came from Southern Jutland, where the weather was clear, while eastern Denmark was overcast on February 23rd.

EMAIL ADRESSER

A list of email addresses for various SUFOI members is provided.

Medlemsstatistik (pr. 15/4 1999)

Jan has compiled membership statistics showing 519 subscribers purchasing a total of 553 magazines. Of these, 142 are purchased by libraries, accounting for approximately 25% of all sales.

RETTELSE

A correction is issued regarding a previous article, "Foredrag i Nordjylland," which was incorrectly attributed to TH. The article was actually written by Torben.

DEBAT

#### KOMMENTAR TIL "RUMSKIBSDEBATTEN" – Af Ole Henningsen

Ole Henningsen responds to an earlier article by Toke in Intern (January 1999) about the spaceship hypothesis. Henningsen asserts that SUFOI officially abandoned the spaceship hypothesis many years ago, despite some members holding personal beliefs. He criticizes the idea that SUFOI still supports this hypothesis, arguing that the organization's focus has shifted to more cultural, sociological, and psychological explanations. He points to articles in UFO-Nyt over the years that support this view. Henningsen also addresses Toke's frustration with media explanations, such as attributing sightings to disco laser lights, and notes the success of IGAP's events. He emphasizes that SUFOI does not ignore facts and does not keep all possibilities open, but rather seeks nuanced explanations. He argues that it is misleading to suggest SUFOI is still associated with the spaceship hypothesis.

#### ERFARING OG KONSEKVENS – Af Toke Haunstrup

Toke Haunstrup responds to the debate contributions from Per, Torben, and Ole. He expresses satisfaction that his editorial sparked a debate. Haunstrup agrees with Per's criticism of SUFOI's 'formålsparagraf' (statement of purpose), suggesting it should be more explicit about the organization's stance on the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH), which he considers the most prevalent theory in ufology. He argues that SUFOI's experiences from analyzing reports, which often reveal misobservations and misinterpretations, point towards a need for a more definitive stance on ETH. He agrees with Torben that SUFOI should avoid extremes and maintain a balanced approach, but believes the organization should be willing to adjust its stated purpose based on accumulated experience. Haunstrup criticizes the idea that SUFOI has "officially" shelved the hypothesis, stating that while critical articles have appeared in UFO-Nyt, the organization as a whole has not formally done so. He clarifies his point is not that SUFOI is pro-spaceship, but that it has avoided taking a clear position on the hypothesis at a higher level. He stresses that SUFOI's 40 years of data collection have provided a strong foundation for a sober and balanced view, but the organization hesitates to draw firm conclusions. He calls for a discussion to take these experiences into account.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the operational changes within SUFOI (e-mail distribution, cost-saving measures), the organization's engagement with the media, and a significant internal debate about the organization's official stance on the spaceship hypothesis (ETH). The editorial stance, particularly from Toke Haunstrup, appears to be in favor of a more explicit and evidence-based approach to ufology, advocating for SUFOI to acknowledge the prevalence of the ETH and to potentially revise its foundational statements to reflect the organization's accumulated experience and observations, while still maintaining a critical and open mind.

Observation Data

An extensive table lists UFO/UAP observations reported between January 1st and March 31st, 1999. Each entry includes the date, time, duration, location (with postal code and town), number of observers, colors, any identification (e.g., satellite, meteor, planet), status, and the name of the person who received the report. The data covers a wide geographical area within Denmark and includes various types of sightings.

SUFOI Representative Meeting Minutes (March 13-14, 1999)

Saturday, March 13th

The open meeting on Saturday was attended by approximately 15 people and featured a presentation by Willy Wegner about the Danish Skeptic Association, described as a network of professionals who speak seriously about alternative topics. Mikael Rothstein discussed his new book on UFO religions and the origins of the spaceship theory, tracing it back to around 1952 and influenced by early books on the subject. The afternoon included a discussion on whether SUFOI should distance itself from the spaceship hypothesis. Participants agreed that while the theory cannot be ruled out in theory, some argued that its low probability makes it impractical to consider, while others felt it was an important argument for not dismissing it.

Sunday, March 14th

Several individuals were present, and according to SUFOI's bylaws, the meeting was quorate. Proxies were also present. The total voting strength was a maximum of 7.

1 Welcome by SUFOI Chairman

TH welcomed attendees and briefly referred to a project in Southern Jutland where IGAP had dominated the press by claiming sightings were spaceships.

This issue of SUFOI INTERN, dated April 1999, focuses on organizational matters, financial reports, and recent UFO-related public reactions in Denmark. The cover story, 'Nærkontakt af tvivlsom grad' (Close contact of doubtful degree), highlights how astronomical events can be mistaken for UFOs.

Meeting Minutes and Organizational Matters

The issue begins with minutes from a meeting, detailing the election of a chairperson and a secretary. Several new points were added to the agenda, including discussions on SUFOI's capital, the internet, the 'Ufologisk Tidsskrift', 'Aktuel Astronomi', the organization's structure, and its purpose statement.

The membership count for 1991 showed a significant drop of 14%, attributed to both member attrition and a lack of new members. This decline was discussed in the context of the magazine's medium potentially being replaced by the internet and a possible skepticism towards UFOs or the organization itself. Advertising in 'Nyt Aspekt' yielded limited results.

Financial Reports and Budget

A balance report as of January 1, 1999, projected a deficit, partly due to currency losses on shares in Den Danske Bank. Several cost-saving measures were proposed, including handling student inquiries via email and the website, shifting internal communications to email, and exploring the cost-effectiveness of sending giro cards with the magazine. A decision was made to increase the expedition fee to DKK 17.00.

The budget for 1999/2000 was revised to achieve balance, with changes made to departmental expenses and advertising income. Total savings of DKK 8,000 were achieved. Specific budget adjustments were detailed for various individuals, including TB, PA, BN, TH, MLV, and FR.

Representative Council Elections and Changes

Flemming Rasmussen (FR) was unanimously elected to the representative council with responsibility for 'Translation and website'. MLV's wish to withdraw from the board and the representative council was noted. FR was also elected as a substitute to the board. Per Nielsen's and Casper Kay Lech's work areas were discontinued, leading to their departure from the representative council. Bo Nielsen was asked to consider his work area.

Major Topics and Discussions

Discussions on major topics included the placement of SUFOI's capital, with a decision to obtain offers from Den Danske Bank and Sparekassen Lolland. A working group was formed to address the organization's website and potential sales via the internet, comprising TH (chairman), FR, LHA, and PA.

The 'Ufologisk Tidsskrift' is planned to have a new issue edited and ready for publication in the summer. The price for advertising in 'Aktuel Astronomi', which has a circulation of approximately 10,000, was to be investigated.

Regarding the organization's structure, TH raised comments about SUFOI's organization and the perceived undemocratic election process for the representative council. The debate suggested that while more active members were desirable, there was a risk of the organization being 'taken over'. Experiences from England indicated that only a minority of members would engage in the democratic process.

The discussion on the purpose statement (Formålsparagraf) revealed that concerns were more about SUFOI's public stance on UFOs than the statement itself. A working group was proposed to separate the purpose statement from political/positioning declarations, review the political declarations, and assess the consequences of any changes for SUFOI's external communication. The proposal was passed with 5 votes in favor, 1 against, and 1 abstention. The working group members were TH, PA, OH, and Susanne Skovlund.

Upcoming Meeting and Miscellaneous

The next representative meeting is scheduled for September 25-26, likely in the Aarhus area. There were no other items under 'Miscellaneous'. The minutes were recorded by PA on March 17, 1999.

UFO Sightings and Astronomical Events

Several newspaper clippings detail recent public reactions to astronomical phenomena mistaken for UFOs. The close alignment of Venus and Jupiter on the southwestern horizon caused widespread concern, leading to numerous calls to police and military authorities across Denmark. While some initially feared alien arrivals, explanations pointed to the planets' proximity and brightness.

Past UFO cases are also revisited. The article 'Nærkontakt af tvivlsom grad' recounts the experiences of police officer Evald Hansen Maarup, who reported two separate incidents in 1970 and 1973 involving bright lights and unusual phenomena. Another case from Veggerby in 1959, involving a strange substance found in a pond after an object reportedly impacted ice, is also discussed, with initial explanations involving meteorites and later attributed to decaying organic matter producing gas.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the internal workings and finances of the SUFOI organization, alongside the perennial topic of UFO sightings and the public's often misinformed reactions to unusual aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical examination, seeking rational explanations for reported sightings and addressing organizational challenges with a pragmatic approach. There's an underlying concern about the organization's public image and its ability to engage members effectively in its democratic processes.

This document is a collection of newspaper clippings from various Danish publications, primarily from March 1999, focusing on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings, investigations, and related discussions. The clippings cover a range of topics, from debunking specific sightings to exploring the scientific and philosophical implications of potential extraterrestrial life.

Article 1: 'Ildkugle var nok meteor' (Fireball was likely a meteor) - Vejle Amts Folkeblad, March 4, 1999 This article reports on a luminous sphere observed by residents near Juelsminde. The UFO-foreningen, Skandinavisk UFO Information, investigated the sighting. Egon Olsen from the organization, after consulting with meteorologists and astronomers, concluded that the object was likely a meteor that burned up in the atmosphere. He explained that the witnesses' perception of it landing in the fjord was due to the distance. Another witness, Svend Lindved Sørensen, described a similar object with a green tail landing in a field. Olsen mentioned that Skandinavisk UFO Information operates a nationwide alarm center to investigate such reports and determine their nature.

Article 2: 'Det er Venus' (It is Venus) - Fyens Stiftstidende, March 31, 1999 This piece addresses inquiries from readers who observed a bright object in the western evening sky, wondering if it was a UFO or a new double star. Henrik Glintborg, an information employee at the Tycho Brahe Planetarium, identified the object as the planet Venus, explaining that it appears particularly impressive at this time of year due to clear weather and people spending more time outdoors. He noted that Venus's brightness will increase until mid-July before disappearing from view. Glintborg also mentioned that Venus can be seen during the day if one knows precisely where to look.

Article 3: 'Argentina angrebet' (Argentina attacked) - Aktuelt, March 11, 1999 This short article references an article in the magazine 'ufo-nyt' (UFO-News), stating that an asteroid attacked Argentina 3.3 million years ago, causing the extinction of 40 species, including large mammals and a predatory bird, and altering the climate. It suggests that films like 'Armageddon' and 'Deep Impact' are quite realistic in their portrayal of asteroid impacts.

Article 4: 'Sidste forsøg på at finde svar i ufo-sag' (Last attempt to find an answer in a UFO case) - Kalundborg Folkeblad, March 30, 1999 This article details the case of a 54-year-old man from Kalundborg who filmed a mysterious phenomenon in the sky in 1996. He had previously contacted Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI) but felt he did not receive a satisfactory explanation. The man described seeing a disc-like object hovering silently for six to seven minutes, with colors shifting between red and blue, or a clear light that changed in intensity. He is certain it was not an aircraft. The newspaper contacted SUFOI's Verner Møller, who promised to have a technical expert, Kim Hansen, investigate the case by reviewing the archived video. The man had lost faith in UFO stories until his own experience.

Article 5: 'Det sure ved at se en ufo' (The bitter side of seeing a UFO) - Kalundborg Folkeblad, March 30, 1999 This article features Benny Jensen, a 59-year-old blacksmith from Kalundborg, who recounts his UFO sighting in 1986. He described a large, silent, flying saucer-like object, about 18-20 meters in diameter and 10-12 meters high, moving at approximately 30 km/h at an altitude of about 50 meters. He noted a reddish glow before it disappeared behind trees. Jensen states that he has never believed in the supernatural until 1986 and that he now finds the negative aspect of his experience is that people often don't believe him, leading to ridicule. He drew a sketch of the object. He also mentions that his daughter witnessed it as well.

Article 6: 'Ufo-myten og den gale fysiker' (The UFO myth and the mad physicist) - (Source not explicitly stated, but likely a newspaper from the region of the lecture) This article reports on a lecture by historian of religion Mikael Rothstein and physicist Holger Bech Nielsen at Charlottenborg, organized by an entity called 'Files'. Rothstein discussed the historical development of the UFO myth, tracing the term 'flying saucer' to a misinterpretation of pilot Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting. He argued that there is no evidence for intelligent life on other planets. In contrast, physicist Holger Bech Nielsen presented a more optimistic view, using Drake's Equation to suggest the high probability of extraterrestrial civilizations. He controversially estimated that humanity has only about 1000 years left to live, based on extrapolating current population numbers. The article notes the audience consisted mainly of art students and that Nielsen's arguments were considered speculative by some.

Article 7: 'Kontakt med Jesus' (Contact with Jesus) - (Likely part of the same article as above) This section, possibly a continuation or sidebar to the previous article, mentions George Adamski, who in 1952 claimed to have had telepathic contact with a Jesus-like being who took him to other planets in a flying saucer. Adamski's book sold millions, and many others subsequently reported similar experiences. The article notes that the interpretation of UFOs as alien spacecraft became prominent in 1952, shifting from earlier theories about secret weapons.

Article 8: 'Andrehistorie' (Other history) - (Likely part of the same article as above) This section, possibly a continuation or sidebar to the article about Rothstein and Nielsen, briefly mentions Mikael Rothstein's view that there is no credible argument for intelligent civilizations on other planets. It also touches upon the idea of 'contactees' and the evolution of UFO mythology.

Article 9: 'Med blikket vendt mod nattehimlen' (With eyes turned to the night sky) - Aalborgenseren vil afsløre ufo'ernes oprindelse (The Aalborg resident will reveal the origin of UFOs) - Fyens Stiftstidende, March 11, 1999 This article profiles Torben Birkeholm, a 46-year-old representative for Skandinavisk Ufo Information (SUFOI) in North Jutland. He recounts his childhood sighting of a fast-moving object he mistook for the moon. Birkeholm states that while most UFO sightings can be explained by natural phenomena like planes, satellites, or planets, a small percentage remain unexplained. He believes that while the idea of UFOs as alien spacecraft is popular, there might be other explanations. He finds the idea of intelligent life elsewhere intriguing but also acknowledges that such a discovery could disrupt our worldview. He mentions that SUFOI receives about 10% of its 400 annual inquiries from North Jutland and that most unexplained cases are attributed to 'self-deception'. Birkeholm emphasizes that SUFOI does not aim to prove any specific theory but to investigate unexplained phenomena.

Article 10: 'Underlige lys' (Strange lights) - (Likely part of the same article as above) This section, possibly a sidebar to the Torben Birkeholm article, discusses the nature of unexplained lights. It mentions that the 'flying saucer' narrative has become less common, replaced by theories of long-distance contact, teleportation, and time machines. Alien beings are now categorized into emissaries from the future, incorporeal beings, and 'super scientists' who conduct experiments. Birkeholm acknowledges that while many theories exist, the truth remains unknown.

Article 11: 'Misforståelser' (Misunderstandings) - (Likely part of the same article as above) This section, possibly a sidebar to the Torben Birkeholm article, addresses the common misunderstanding of the term 'UFO'. Birkeholm notes that people often associate UFOs solely with alien spacecraft, leading to skepticism. He states that while he doesn't necessarily promote the idea of alien spacecraft, he finds the possibility of intelligent life in the universe exciting, though he also recognizes the potential societal upheaval such a discovery could cause.

Article 12: 'Mystik over København' (Mystery over Copenhagen) - (Source not explicitly stated, but likely a newspaper) This article features Toke Haunstrup, the 24-year-old chairman of Skandinavisk UFO Information, based in Copenhagen. He discusses a report from his organization's alarm center about a man in Herlev who claimed to have been surrounded by small, strange lights twice and now possesses the ability to control street lights. Haunstrup is investigating this claim. He states that while many UFO reports can be explained by natural phenomena, laser lights, or psychological factors, he believes there is 'something' out there. He finds the idea of life on other planets almost certain given the vastness of the universe, but also notes that contact could be disruptive. Haunstrup has been involved with SUFOI since 1991 and mentions that friends still joke about his interest. He finds interviewing witnesses entertaining and always has a story to tell. The article concludes by inviting readers who believe they have observed UFOs to contact SUFOI.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes in these clippings include the investigation of UFO sightings, the attempt to find rational explanations (meteorological, astronomical, psychological), and the personal accounts of individuals who claim to have witnessed unexplained aerial phenomena. There is a clear distinction made between debunked sightings and those that remain unexplained. The editorial stance, as represented by the articles and the organizations featured, is one of open inquiry, seeking evidence-based explanations while acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding some UFO reports. The articles also touch upon the scientific and philosophical implications of the search for extraterrestrial life, presenting both skeptical and optimistic viewpoints.