SUFOI News - No 12 - 1992

Magazine Overview

Title: SUFOI News 1992
Issue: No. 12
Publisher: Scandinavian UFO Information (SUFOI)
Country: Denmark
Date: 1992

This issue of SUFOI News, a newsletter from the Scandinavian UFO Information (SUFOI) organization, focuses on UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) reports, primarily from Denmark in 1988. It includes detailed investigations, witness accounts, and analysis of photographic and video evidence.

Danish Sightings: UFO Reports 1988

This section, authored by Torben Birkeholm, provides a statistical overview and specific case studies of UFO sightings in Denmark during 1988. SUFOI received 105 reports in 1987, a slight increase from previous years, with 97 sightings explained and 8 remaining unexplained. The article then delves into several notable cases:

Close Encounter of the 3rd Kind?

A report from the 1960s, recalled by a person from Aalborg, describes seeing a searchlight and a saucer-shaped object with a railing, dome, and windows. A tall, uniformed figure appeared, causing the witness to become stiff and unable to move.

Mystical Light over East Himmerland

On November 17, 1987, a woman and her son reported seeing two white lights, later joined by red and green lights, which hovered and then disappeared over Kattegat. Investigations suggested the lights were not an airplane and were likely several kilometers away.

Powerful Sound Scares People

On November 29, 1987, several couples in Skeldrup reported a powerful humming sound that drowned out their TV. The sound seemed to come from outside and moved away. Electric lights were observed moving up and down on a spruce tree. Military and civil aviation authorities could not confirm any aircraft activity in the area.

Successful Physics Experiment

This section debunks a sighting in Haderslev on April 7, 1988, of a cigar-shaped object that smoked and crashed. It was later identified as a physics experiment involving hot-air balloons launched from a school.

UFO Recorded on Video Tape

On June 19, 1988, a married couple recorded a video of a round, blue-yellow light phenomenon flying at low altitude near Hørsholm. The recording lasted two minutes. Subsequent analysis by SUFOI and a military photo-expert, Mogens Nielsen-Ferreira, indicated the object's speed was consistent with a small plane, though civil flight activity could not be definitively ruled out.

Three Sightings in Daylight

On May 23, three daylight sightings occurred, including a black cylinder-shaped object seen in Fredericia for about 45 minutes.

Silvery Ball Seen from a Plane

An experienced pilot and his passenger reported seeing a silvery ball, about 50 cm in diameter, flying alongside their plane on June 7, 1988, near Allerød.

Meteor Like Phenomena

On August 21, witnesses in Jutland and Funen saw a meteor-like phenomenon. On September 17, three people on Bornholm saw a shining spot with a colored tail that disintegrated.

Tractor Influenced by a UFO?

A 9-year-old boy near Åkirkeby on Bornholm reported seeing a triangular light phenomenon on October 10, 1988. His tractor's headlights flashed and turned off during the sighting.

Flying "Ellert" over Odense

An owner of a video-shop in Odense reported that on October 17, 1988, lamps flashed, and the house shook, with watches stopping and telephones emitting noise. This was attributed to a UFO "withdraw" of a transformer, though the power plant confirmed no interruption.

Planet at Work again

A farmer on Langeland reported seeing a round light with a red glow on November 14, 1988, which appeared to have aerials and made short hops. This was later explained as a planetary phenomenon, possibly combined with atmospheric effects like the auto kinetic effect.

Ghost or UFO?

On December 19, 1988, a man in Northern Jutland reported a red shining air, prickling on his skin, and hair rising, followed by a blue, white, and green shining circle near the ground. He contacted the Society for Psychic Research.

84 Approaches in One Year

In 1988, SUFOI received 84 unexplained sighting reports, a slight decrease from 1987 but similar to 1986. The clearing-up rate remained about 90%.

Fall-out: Ice from Heaven

Authored by Ole Henningsen, this section discusses accounts of strange objects falling from the sky, focusing on ice lumps. In the summer of 1987, two ice lumps were found in Tåstrup, Denmark. Investigations by Kastrup Airport authorities concluded they were lavatory rinsing fluid from an aeroplane, likely drained at high altitude.

The article also references a previous SUFOI investigation into ice fallings at Hobro on August 18, 1979, where an ice lump of about 2 kg was found. Analysis showed it consisted of soft water, likely from a defect waste water tank on a high-flying airliner. The risk of detached ice lumps causing engine damage was highlighted, referencing a 1972 incident with Sterling Airways.

A photograph shows an ice lump that fell on March 25, 1974, near Pinner in Middlesex, landing on a car.

Research: UFO Recorded on Video?

This article, by Torben Birkeholm, revisits the video recording of a light phenomenon from June 1988. The initial analysis by SUFOI employees and a military photoanalyser, Mogens Nielsen-Ferreira, is detailed. The recording captured a round, blue-yellow light. The analysis involved calculating speed based on angles, distances to a pylon and trees, and the estimated altitude of a cloud. Three examples of speed calculations are provided, ranging from 88 km/h to 135 km/h, with a possibility of 224 km/h if the object was twice as distant.

A subsequent picture analysis by SUFOI's photo-consultant Hans Bødker revealed the light phenomenon was "pulsing" and that it passed behind overhead wires on a pylon. This observation was only visible when the recording was played frame by frame. Bødker concluded the phenomenon might be space garbage or a meteor, but the flight path did not perfectly match known satellite falls. Further investigation at the site involved using an astronomical telescope to measure angles and directions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the documentation and investigation of UFO and UAP sightings in Denmark. SUFOI actively engages with witnesses, military authorities, and experts to analyze evidence, including video recordings and physical traces like ice lumps. The editorial stance appears to be one of thorough investigation, seeking rational explanations where possible (e.g., aircraft, atmospheric phenomena, or even mundane objects like balloons), but also acknowledging and documenting cases that remain unexplained. The publication aims to inform its readers about the ongoing efforts to understand these aerial phenomena.

This issue of the SUFOI Newsletter, identified as No. 12, focuses on UFO reports from Denmark, particularly from 1989, with a cover headline "Danish UFO Reports 1989" and a prominent article titled "Hovering Fire over the Gudenå". The publication delves into various sightings, witness accounts, and the investigative efforts of SUFOI.

UFO Swarms over Funen?

This section, authored by Frank Lerbæk, details two sightings by Ole J.R. Thürmer from Fáborg, Denmark. The first, on November 29th, 1988, involved three lights in a V-formation crossing the sky in seconds. A few days later, on December 1st, 1988, Thürmer observed a larger cluster of 20-30 white lights moving at high speed, followed by a smaller group. The witness, described as an experienced observer with years of watching the sky, was surprised by these events. The article also touches upon the background of the witness, emphasizing his long-term interest in aviation and UFO phenomena.

Danish UFO Reports 1989

Written by Torben Birkeholm, this section covers several distinct cases from 1989.

Was a Green Ball a Hallucination?

This case from March 6th, 1989, in Kalvehave, Zealand, describes an older man's sighting of a "round, shining, green thing" that moved and shrank before disappearing. The witness considered it a hallucination due to personal health concerns, but the description is also linked to the ball lightning phenomenon.

"UFOs Close on in 1988"

This refers to SUFOI's yearly press release summarizing 1988 investigations, highlighting two particularly interesting Zealandic sightings: a flying instructor and pupil chased by a silvery object near Allerød Airport, and a Danish video recording.

TV and Newspapers Were Very Interested

The press release generated significant media attention, with 27 articles published and interviews with SUFOI representatives. The video from Lyngby was of particular interest to media outlets.

Dark UFO or a Kite at Night

This incident from May 27th, 1988, near Fosdalen, involved a couple hearing a "crackling" noise and seeing a dark, oval/round object moving erratically. While a kite was later found in the vicinity, the explanation is deemed problematic due to wind conditions and the object's movement.

UFO Frightens Motorist from Funen

On November 28th, 1989, a motorist driving near Nyborg reported seeing an object that initially appeared to be a stopped car. The object then moved at high speed, jumped over a crash-fence, and reappeared on the other side of the motorway, exhibiting strange maneuvers. The witness described it as two large, flashing, quadrangles lights with a red glow.

Strange Manoeuvres

This subsection elaborates on the motorist's sighting, detailing the object's rapid movements and its ability to seemingly disappear and reappear. The witness was left scared and unable to find a definitive explanation.

Got up Courage to Turn Around...

The motorist's reaction after the encounter, including parking to regain composure and driving back to investigate, is described.

The alarm center of SUFOI works quickly

An incident on September 11th, 1989, near Hals, involving two women reporting a "big shining ball" landing in a field, was quickly resolved by SUFOI's alarm center. It was identified as a NATO military exercise involving a helicopter dropping a "flare" (light bomb).

All details explained

This part confirms that the Hals incident was explained by a military flare, and the frightened dogs reacted to the women's fear rather than the phenomenon itself.

UFO Report: Hovering Fire over the Gudenå

Authored by Peter Nørgaard, this article details a sighting on April 1st, 1989, at Ulstrup. The witness, referred to as 'N', described an orange-yellow, pulsating light, like a "hovering fire", moving from east to west for about 15 minutes over the Gudenå river. The object was seen under the horizon and appeared to move behind trees. N, who had recently become interested in UFOs, conducted extensive reading and provided a detailed report.

The Night for the Sighting

This subsection sets the scene for the Gudenå sighting, describing the landscape and weather conditions on the night of April 1st, 1989.

The Reaction of the Witness

N's curiosity led him to contact SUFOI and gather information about similar sightings, indicating a strong interest in the phenomenon.

Field Investigation

SUFOI field investigators visited N, equipped with binoculars, a camera, and maps. They assessed the witness's impressions of the object's dimensions and movement, estimating its speed.

Theories

A comprehensive list of theories is presented and examined for the Gudenå sighting, including planes, headlights, road-making lights, Northern Lights, advertising balloons, swamp gas, boat lights, river fires, plasma phenomena, hallucinations, invented stories, and inexplicable phenomena. Most conventional explanations are ruled out due to the object's characteristics and behavior, such as its movement under the horizon and apparent lack of connection to the ground or water.

UFOLOGY: Project UFODATA

Authored by Kim Møller Hansen, this article discusses SUFOI's historical Project UFODATA, initiated in 1977. The project aimed to record and analyze Danish UFO and IFO reports for statistical summaries. While the initial scheme was well-received and copied by other countries, the project was suspended due to a lack of personnel. The article highlights the challenges of UFO data analysis, including the poor documentation of many reports and the difficulty in classifying diverse sightings. SUFOI's current priority is on investigating reliable and exceptional sightings, requiring experienced field investigators.

New Initiatives

The article mentions new projects like WAURLD (World Annual UFO Reports Listing Device) and emphasizes SUFOI's focus on well-documented, reliable, and unusual cases, believing they offer greater value and insight into human perception.

Worldwide UFO Data Bases

A list of international and national UFO databases is provided, including UFOCAT, Project URD, UNICAT, WAURLD, UFODATA (Denmark), UFOCOMFILE (Australia), UFODOC (Holland), TASCAT (Tasmania), BUFORA Computer Project (UK), UFOBANK (Italy), BECASSINE (France), ARGENCAT (Argentina), and COMPITACAT (Italy). It also mentions specialized databases, such as one for ghost rockets.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting and investigation of UFO sightings in Denmark, the challenges and methodologies of UFO research, and the importance of witness testimony and data analysis. SUFOI appears to maintain a rigorous approach, prioritizing well-documented cases and employing experienced investigators. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry into unexplained phenomena, while also acknowledging the difficulties in definitively explaining many sightings, as evidenced by the concluding statement: "The UFOs are still not only mysterious and inexplicable but indeed unpredictable too."

Title: SUFOI Newsletter
Issue: No. 12
Volume: 2
Date: 1989
Publisher: SUFOI
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

This issue of the SUFOI Newsletter delves into several intriguing UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings primarily from Denmark, with a focus on a photographic case from a trotting course.

K. Hallucinations or Alike

The article begins by discussing a sighting by a witness referred to as 'N'. The theory that this was a hallucination is dismissed because 'N' had been awake for some time before the event and had no prior interest or knowledge of UFOs that would suggest a fabricated experience. 'N' later recounted an experience where a light seen on a hill between trees was initially thought to be a UFO, similar to one seen on April 1st, 1989. However, upon closer inspection, the light was identified as a local forest ranger burning waste, suggesting the real fire mimicked the UFO sighting.

L. Invented Story

This section addresses the possibility that the sighting was an invented story, particularly given the date of April 1st, which could suggest an April Fool's joke. However, the author dismisses this theory as unrealistic, citing the extensive effort 'N' put into investigating the sighting and the detailed aspects of the case.

M. Inexplicable Phenomenon

Concluding the initial analysis, the author states that after examining and excluding various theories, the phenomenon remains unexplained, with the term 'hovering fire' being the closest description. Despite the thorough investigation by three SUFOI field investigators, the case is deemed unexplained.

A Burning House?

This section introduces another potential sighting by a couple in Ulstrup. While returning home from a party between 02:30 and 03:00, the man, referred to as 'A', thought he saw a burning house. The SUFOI field investigators conducted a reconstruction of the event. Driving at approximately 40 km/h, 'A' had only a few seconds to observe the object at the end of a dimly lit side road. He initially exclaimed it was a burning house. They decided to return to investigate, but found nothing. 'A' described the light source as filling the end of the house and estimated its size to be about 3-5 meters. No sound was heard, and the car windows were closed. The object could have moved towards the nearby river.

The Same Sighting?

This part of the article explores the similarities between 'N's and 'A's sightings. Both described the light as orange and resembling something burning. The timing of 'A's sighting could fit if the object had increased its speed. Both reported no sound from the object. The direction of the sightings also aligns with the Gudenå river area. The altitude estimates were also considered plausible, with 'A' seeing the object one degree over the horizon and 'N' seeing it three to five degrees under the horizon. The weather conditions for both were estimated to be around zero degrees. The main difference noted was the object's perceived size, but 'A' had a closer and shorter observation. SUFOI investigators found no reason to doubt 'A's sighting, concluding it served as a confirmation of 'N's sighting.

Danish Photo Case: Mysterious Light Ball on The Trotting Course

This is the main feature of the newsletter, authored by Kim Møller Hansen. The incident occurred on Thursday, August 3rd, 1989, between 10:04 and 10:05 p.m., during the third race at a trotting course. The starting car was moving slowly towards the judges' box when a little, shining ball was seen flying by the side of the car.

The photographer, who is a professional, initially hesitated to take photos because the light was constant, unlike a torch. However, when the car stopped, the light also stopped, and he thought it resembled a magician's 'hovering ball'. The object then moved slowly and evenly under the car. The photographer rushed to the other side of the car and managed to take a picture when the object reappeared. As soon as he took the photo, the object disappeared. He does not know how it vanished.

The Investigation

SUFOI was investigating the case, and therefore withheld the exact location, the photographer's name, and the names of other witnesses. The camera used was a Nikon F3 with a Nikkor 85 mm f/1.4 lens, using Kodak TMAX 400 film exposed at 3200 ISO, developed with Tetenal EMOFIN, and exposed at 1/250 second at f/2.8.

Analysis of the Photograph

The photographer described the phenomenon as a soundless, white/yellowish ball, about the size of a tennis ball or an orange, with a visible corona. The light ball followed the starting car for about 250 meters and flew against the wind. The photographer conducted his own thorough investigation:

1. Light Reflection: He took control pictures from the same spot to check for light reflections from the starting car's headlights or the trotting course's projectors. These control pictures showed no light spots.
2. Film Development: Several films were developed using the same developer and tank without any issues, ruling out a development error.
3. Negative Film Failure: The photographer had developed nearly 350 films from the trotting course and about 300 other films for press use, and had never encountered failures in his negatives. This made a film failure unlikely.

Despite these checks, the photographer noted an unusual aspect: his Nikon F3, capable of shooting 5-6 frames per second with its motor, only took one picture of the phenomenon. He speculated that he might have 'slipped the button' very quickly or the camera malfunctioned momentarily, as it worked perfectly afterward.

Hans Bødker, SUFOI's photo consultant, interviewed the photographer and examined the original negative but could not provide an explanation, deeming it a case with a 'very high value of strangeness'.

Another Trotting Course UFO

An earlier sighting is mentioned from October 31st, 1976, at 'Jydsk Væddeløbsbane' by author and journalist Orla Johansen. He observed a small red light ball flickering in the air over horses and spectators at a height of 10-15 meters. Johansen initially thought it was ball lightning. A photo of the site shows where Johansen drew the path of the object.

Just a reflection

An analysis of the original negative suggests that the light phenomenon might be a reflection in the camera lens from the headlight of the starting car. SUFOI stated they would return to the case if new information emerged.

Cover Image Description

The images on pages 3 and 4 depict the trotting course incident. One image shows a close-up of the light ball, identified as SUFOI photo case No. 1989-08-03-211. Another image shows a pickup truck at the trotting course, with a boy jumping out of the car. The caption describes it as a dramatic image from a Spielberg movie, showing the light ball following the starting car at a distance of 250 meters and passing under the car. The boy jumped out to reach his parents and later mentioned that it was very bright under the car, as if headlights were placed there, but he did not see the object itself. The image is noted to look like the light ball has a 'tail' appearing 'in double' due to movement, and there is no visible shadow or ground illumination from the ball.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, witness testimonies, and the challenges of photographic evidence in UFO investigations. The SUFOI Newsletter adopts a rigorous investigative approach, attempting to explain sightings through conventional means (hallucinations, misidentifications, reflections) while acknowledging cases that defy easy explanation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, meticulously documenting and analyzing reported events, and presenting findings to the readership for their consideration. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of detailed investigation and the value of photographic evidence, even when its interpretation remains ambiguous.