Svsvaren - 1980 No 6

Magazine Overview

Title: SVAVAREN
Issue: 6/80
Date: December 23, 1980
Publisher: UFO-CENTER, KARLSKOGA

This issue of SVAVAREN, the organ of the UFO-CENTER in Karlskoga, Sweden, dated December 23, 1980, presents a diverse collection of articles covering UFO phenomena, ancient mysteries, and scientific discoveries. The magazine aims to inform and provoke thought, even on controversial topics.

From the Editor's Desk

The editorial section, titled 'ORDFÖRANDEN HAR...', reflects on the past year, noting that 1980 was the first full year of SVAVAREN's publication with six issues. The editor acknowledges reader feedback, including criticism about the small text size, which was reduced to accommodate more content. The editor defends the inclusion of articles on 'questionable' topics, arguing that censorship would diminish the magazine's charm and appeal. Examples of such articles include those on the Yeti, the Bermuda Triangle, alien skeletons, and crashed UFOs. The editor emphasizes a preference for 'imaginative and stimulating material' and highlights the new series on Atlantis as an example.

Contents Overview

• The issue's table of contents ('UR INNEHÅLLET:') lists several intriguing topics:
• MANTAL "28"
• ALLA TIDERS STÖRSTA FÅGEL (The Biggest Bird of All Time)
• ATLANTIS UNDERGÅNG (The Sinking of Atlantis)
• VÄRLDAR AV ANTIMATERIA (Worlds of Antimatter)
• OVANLIGA NATURFENOMEN (Unusual Natural Phenomena)
• BARNEY & BETTY HILL (Part 3)
• BILEN SOM BROMSADE VID GRÖNT LJUS (The Car That Braked at Green Light)
• RAPPORTCENTRALEN INFORMERAR (Report Central Informs)
• SF-INFORMATION (Sci-Fi Information)
• KLIPPT & SKURET (Cut & Paste)

Featured Articles

MANTAL: 28

This article explores the historical 28-day lunar month, which predates the Julian calendar. It suggests that this system was practical and easily understood, with each day of the month corresponding to a phase of the moon. The article posits a connection between the 28-day cycle and human anatomy, specifically the finger joints, and speculates whether the modern practice of clasping hands in prayer is an unconscious remnant of moon worship.

ALLA TIDERS STÖRSTA FÅGEL

This piece reports on the discovery of fossils in Argentina belonging to the largest bird ever to have flown. Identified as a new type of Teratorn, this extinct creature is estimated to have had a wingspan of 7.60 meters and weighed between 75-80 kilograms. It was large enough to stand eye-to-eye with a 1.83-meter tall human. The article contrasts this with modern birds like the condor and mentions flying reptiles (Pterosaurs) with wingspans up to 15 meters. The Teratorn is believed to have gone extinct about 10,000 years ago.

ATLANTIS UNDERGÅNG

This multi-part series, beginning in this issue, delves into the theory of the lost continent of Atlantis. Based on the calculations of engineer Otto Muck, the article reconstructs a cataclysmic event approximately 10,000 years ago. An asteroid, or small planet, approached Earth, its trajectory altering the planet's orbit. The impact caused immense heat, volcanic eruptions, and a colossal tidal wave that submerged Atlantis. The article details the geological processes involved, including the fragmentation of the asteroid, the explosion of its iron core, and the subsequent geological upheaval. It suggests that the event created a mile-high tsunami and caused lava and ash to be ejected into the atmosphere, potentially leading to a global flood and affecting climate for millennia. The article also touches upon the possibility of surviving Atlanteans influencing early civilizations and discusses the scientific evidence for such catastrophic events, citing examples like the Arizona-Kratern and the Tunguska event.

OVANLIGA NATURFENOMEN & OTHER ARTICLES

While not fully detailed in the provided scans, the table of contents indicates articles on unusual natural phenomena, the Barney and Betty Hill abduction case (part 3), and a story about a car braking due to green light. The 'SF-INFORMATION' and 'KLIPPT & SKURET' sections likely contain science fiction news and clipped articles from other sources.

UFO-Center Activities and Community

Year-End Review

The editor reports on a successful year-end event on December 10th, attended by 35 members and guests, featuring the film "Apornas Planet" (Planet of the Apes). The club plans to repeat such events in the spring. The article notes consistent attendance at other autumn activities, which will guide future planning.

Astronomy Outings

Spontaneous astronomy outings planned for the autumn were less successful than hoped, due to unfavorable weather and scheduling conflicts. The editor notes the difficulty in organizing such events, especially for younger members who may lack transportation. The club plans to schedule fixed astronomy evenings in their 1981 spring program.

Membership and Contributions

Gratitude is extended to all members who actively contribute to making UFO-CENTER Karlskoga a vibrant organization. The editor encourages members to pay their 1981 membership fees to continue receiving SVAVAREN and all club information. The magazine also thanks those who have given lectures and submitted articles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of SVAVAREN demonstrates a strong commitment to exploring unconventional theories and phenomena, including UFOs, ancient civilizations like Atlantis, and speculative scientific topics. The editorial stance is one of openness to diverse viewpoints, even those considered fringe by mainstream science. The magazine prioritizes stimulating content and reader engagement, encouraging feedback and participation from its members. The recurring themes revolve around mysteries of the past, unexplained aerial phenomena, and the potential for undiscovered aspects of history and science.

This issue of UFO-CENTER, dated 6/80, explores a range of speculative and scientific topics, including ancient catastrophes, astronomical phenomena, theoretical physics, and UFO encounters. The magazine features articles on the potential impact of a massive Atlantic catastrophe on ancient myths and the extinction of dinosaurs, the mysterious Tunguska event of 1908, the concept of antimatter and its relation to the Big Bang, and continues the detailed account of the Barney and Betty Hill abduction case.

The Atlantic Catastrophe and Ancient Myths

The issue posits that ancient myths of dragons, monsters, and 'dark worlds' might stem from the collective memory of a lost, ancient world destroyed by a catastrophic event in the Atlantic. This event, occurring around 50 to 65 million years ago, is theorized to have caused widespread devastation, potentially influencing the perception of a dim, twilight world and giving rise to legends like Tartaros and Erebos. The article notes the similarity between 'Erebos' and 'Europa,' suggesting the latter might have originally meant 'Dark World.' It also references Homer's 'Odyssey' and a 'Cimmerian night' at the edge of the world, linking these to the memory of this lost era.

The catastrophic event is described as potentially having ejected vast amounts of dust and smoke into the atmosphere, creating a thick cloud cover that lasted for centuries. This would have drastically altered the climate, leading to harsh conditions, limited vegetation (primarily moss, lichen, and polar willow), and the survival of only hardy animals like reindeer and musk oxen. Pollen analyses from the period between the 10th and 5th millennia BCE reportedly show a sparse vegetation in Northern and Central Europe, consistent with such a scenario. The article contrasts the sparse findings from this period (simple stone tools, few ornaments) with the richer artifacts from the later 'Megalithic period,' suggesting a significant cultural shift.

Evidence for an Atlantic Catastrophe

Three main points are presented to support the theory of a sunken continent in the Atlantic:

1. Paleoclimatic Observations: Ice core data from the last ice age indicates that ice sheets extended to the 50th parallel on both sides of the Atlantic. After the hypothetical catastrophe, the 'zero-degree isotherm' (average annual temperature of zero degrees Celsius) shifted significantly northwestward. This favorable climate for Northwest Europe is attributed to the Gulf Stream, which is suggested to have been redirected by a pre-existing obstacle in the Atlantic before the 9th millennium BCE.
2. The Eel's Secret: The article questions the arduous, two-year migration of European eels across the Atlantic to the Sargasso Sea to spawn, and why females only become mature in freshwater, despite the vast distance from land. It proposes that this migration was once much shorter, with eels migrating to and from the continent of Atlantis, using the Gulf Stream for their journey.
3. The Continental Shelf Puzzle: The shape of continental shelves suggests that North America, Europe, and Africa were once connected. The current fit of South America and Africa is noted, leaving a 'missing piece' in the North Atlantic, which the article speculates could be Atlantis.

The Tunguska Event

This section details the Tunguska event of June 30, 1908, a massive explosion in Siberia that flattened an estimated 2,000 square kilometers of forest. Eyewitness accounts describe a blindingly bright boloid that caused intense heat, shockwaves, and widespread seismic and geomagnetic disturbances. The event was registered by seismographs worldwide. Despite the scale of destruction, no crater was found when the site was first inspected in 1927. Hypotheses for the event include a large meteor, a small comet, or a nuclear explosion. The energy released is estimated to be around 10^17 Joules.

Eyewitness S.B. Semenov described a fiery explosion that caused intense heat, knocking him off his porch and breaking windows. Another witness, P.O. Kosolopov, reported his ears burning and dust falling from the ceiling. The event also caused a 'windfall' effect, flattening trees in a radial pattern for kilometers around the epicenter. The article notes that the phenomenon was observed as far as Spain and Scandinavia, appearing as 'evening twilights.'

Antimatter and the Big Bang

The issue explores the concept of antimatter, a hypothetical counterpart to normal matter. Physicists understand that matter and antimatter annihilate each other upon contact, releasing energy. The article discusses the Big Bang theory, suggesting that the universe initially consisted of hydrogen. The formation of heavier elements is attributed to nuclear fusion occurring in stars. A key question is where the original 'soup' of particles came from, and the existence of antimatter.

It is theorized that during the Big Bang, a slight excess of normal matter over antimatter might have been created. This excess matter would have survived, forming our universe, while the antimatter annihilated with matter, converting into radiation. This radiation could be the origin of the cosmic background radiation. The article speculates on the possibility of entire galaxies or solar systems composed of antimatter existing elsewhere in the universe, and the catastrophic consequences of matter and antimatter encountering each other.

The Barney and Betty Hill Abduction Case (Part 3)

This section continues the narrative of Barney and Betty Hill's alleged UFO encounter, focusing on Betty's hypnotic regression. Betty recalls hearing strange 'piping' sounds and a vibration in their car. She describes a period where Barney seemed to disappear, and she felt a sense of unease. Later, under hypnosis, she recounts an encounter with 'men' on a highway. She describes them as wearing uniforms and approaching their stopped car. The engine died, and she felt intense fear. The account details the men coming towards the car and Barney's inability to restart the engine.

Meteorite Collision in Brunflo

A brief report describes the discovery of the oldest known fossil meteorite in Brunflo, Sweden. This meteorite, dating back 463 million years, was found embedded in limestone alongside an extinct species of squid (orthoceratit). The discovery was initially misidentified but later confirmed by Professor Esans Erik Wickman, who analyzed the chromium content, which indicated an extraterrestrial origin.

Unusual Natural Phenomena Series

This is the first part of a series on unusual natural phenomena. It begins by discussing meteor-like phenomena, including meteors, meteorites, and other luminous aerial events. It highlights the Tunguska event and another event in 1913 as examples of large-scale meteoritic impacts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of scientific inquiry, historical interpretation, and unexplained phenomena. There's a recurring theme of ancient catastrophes and their potential impact on human history and mythology, as seen in the Atlantic catastrophe and Tunguska event discussions. The magazine also engages with theoretical physics, particularly concerning the origins of the universe and the nature of matter and antimatter. The inclusion of the Barney and Betty Hill case grounds these broader topics in a specific, well-known UFO encounter narrative. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and evidence, even speculative ones, to stimulate thought and discussion among readers interested in the unexplained and the frontiers of scientific understanding.

This issue of SVÄVAREN, dated 6/80, published by UFO-CENTER, KARLSKOGA, is primarily focused on UFO phenomena and science fiction. It features a detailed account of an alleged alien abduction, reports of UFO sightings, and news from the science fiction world.

Betty Hill's Abduction Account

The central piece of the magazine is an extensive interview with Betty, detailing her experience of being abducted along with her companion Barney. The interview, conducted by 'Doktorn' (likely Dr. Benjamin Simon), covers the period from the initial encounter to their return. Betty describes being taken aboard a craft, the appearance of the beings, and a series of examinations. She recounts being led through a corridor and into a room where she was subjected to various tests. This included having her arm examined, skin photographed, and samples taken. Needles were used to test her nervous system, and a pregnancy test was performed. She also describes examinations of her eyes, ears, teeth, and hair. Betty expresses fear and confusion throughout the ordeal, particularly when separated from Barney. She also recalls seeing a star map and being shown trade routes and destinations by one of the beings. The account highlights her emotional distress and her desire for proof of the event.

Australian UFO Incident

A report from 'The Tasmanian Mail' details an incident involving a retired police constable, Fröken Costello, on August 20, 1979. While driving her VW bus, her car's engine suddenly stopped, and a bright green light appeared outside, larger than Venus. The car lost power, and the dashboard clock and her wristwatch stopped at 21:20. The incident lasted approximately 10-15 minutes, and upon its conclusion, the car's engine resumed normal function, and the clocks began working again. The fuel tank, which was full, was found to be empty upon arrival at her destination.

UFO Sightings in Sweden

The 'Rapportcentralen Informerar' section compiles numerous UFO sightings reported across Sweden during October and early November 1980. These include:

• October 21: A light point observed circling for 5-10 minutes in Skultuna, and a circling light in Kolbäck.
• October 28: A zigzagging object near Arboga, and an orange object over Lake Lonnen near Karlskoga.
• October 23: A luminous object moving north-south in Västerås, emitting a sound like a bicycle generator; a stationary red light in the west in Västerås; a 'will-o'-the-wisp' phenomenon in Bålsta; a white light ascending in the southeast near Grällsta-Sala; and a flying object observed near Arboga.
• October 26: Three objects in a triangular formation and three more objects later observed in Täby; and a flying light in the west-northwest near Eskilstuna.
• October 27: A strong light in the direction of Köping observed from Arboga, causing a power outage in Arboga during the observation period.
• November 1: An object with oval windows, emitting red, green, and white lights, observed near Örebro, which caused the car's engine to stall.
• November 3: A green light with a row of luminous windows observed in Örebro, lasting 5 minutes, during which a TV went blank.
• November 4: Two 'flaming' objects observed on a collision course in Skultuna.

Science Fiction Information

The 'SF-INFORMATION' section provides updates on the science fiction scene. It mentions Olof Möller's books, including 'ASTRONAUT FZ', and recommends Philiph K. Dick's short story collection 'EN HANDFULL MÖRKER'.

Battlestar Galactica

This section discusses the science fiction series 'Battlestar Galactica', describing its premise of humans at war with the mechanical Cylon race and the survivors fleeing to the spaceship Galactica. It highlights the series' producer, Glen A. Larson, and the potential connection of the 'thirteenth colony' to Earth.

Other SF News and Reviews

Further science fiction news includes a review of the film 'NÄRKONTAKT AV TREDJE GRADEN' (Close Encounters of the Third Kind), details about the TV series 'Star Trek' (its longevity, international reach, and upcoming titles like 'THE REVENGE OF THE JEDIKNIGHTS'), and information about the TV series 'STRIDSPLANET GALACTICA' (Battlestar Galactica).

'Utflykt i det Okända' (Excursion into the Unknown)

A synopsis and excerpt are provided for the Australian film 'Utflykt i det Okända' (Picnic at Hanging Rock), directed by Peter Weir. The excerpt describes four girls who disappear while on a picnic, with one of them, Miranda Appleyard, experiencing a strange force drawing her towards a crevice.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are undoubtedly alien abductions, UFO sightings, and the broader topic of extraterrestrial encounters. The magazine presents witness testimonies, reports of unexplained phenomena, and news from the science fiction realm, suggesting an editorial stance that is open to and actively investigates these subjects. The detailed interview with Betty Hill forms the core of the issue, indicating a strong interest in personal accounts of alleged encounters. The inclusion of various sighting reports from different locations in Sweden, along with an international incident, reinforces the magazine's focus on documenting and disseminating information about UFOs.

This issue of "KLIPPT & SKURET" (clipped and cut out) from UFO-CENTER, KARLSKOGA, dated January 6, 1981, focuses heavily on UFO phenomena and related topics, including science fiction and astronomical events. The cover prominently features a police chase of a flying saucer, with the headline "Polis jagade flygande tefat..." (Police chased a flying saucer...). The issue is presented as a collection of news clippings and articles.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

Police Chase in Ljungby

The lead story details an incident on Tuesday evening, January 6, 1981, where police inspectors Stig Carlsson and Torsten Karlsson in Ljungby, Sweden, pursued a mysterious, circular object. The object was described as intensely deep red in the center and moved at a relatively low altitude. Both officers were convinced it was not a natural phenomenon, stating, "There is no reasonable and natural explanation for what we saw." They initially thought it was crashing but then observed it moving horizontally at a considerable speed. The object did not appear to shed any particles, unlike rockets or comets. Carlsson dismissed explanations like rockets, bombs, or weather balloons, noting that weather balloons do not emit such an intense deep red glow and rockets follow a falling trajectory. Due to the darkness and lack of ground reference points, they could not estimate the altitude precisely, but inferred it was low because it wasn't detected by a passenger plane flying at 10,000 meters.

Incident at Hanging Rock

A separate article recounts the mysterious disappearance of three girls from a picnic at Hanging Rock, Australia. One girl, Dara Lumley, was found in a state of shock and torn, unable to recall details. Police and volunteers searched for the missing girls. Lumley mentioned seeing a red cloud. A young man, Michael Fitzhubert, who was in love with one of the girls, searched for them and experienced a sudden fatigue. He saw the other three girls enter a crevice and was thrown back when he tried to follow. He later found one girl deep in the crevice, unconscious, a week after the incident. Upon waking, she claimed no memory of what happened. The incident at Hanging Rock remains a mystery with no further clues found.

Luminous Object over Örnsköldsvik

Several people in Örnsköldsvik reported seeing a large, luminous object moving rapidly and silently near the ground over the sea around 8 PM on a Sunday. One witness noted blinking lights on the object's front. Linjeflyg confirmed their evening flight was in the area, but it did not move silently. Bert-Ove Bergsten, a meteorologist in Sundsvall, suggested the phenomenon might be a type of cloud illuminated by moonlight.

Himlafenomen over Enköping

Similar phenomena were reported near Enköping. On a Sunday evening, a couple saw a large, red fireball with a long, trailing tail that disappeared over the woods towards Uppsala. The following Monday, about ten people called the newspaper reporting the same experience. On Friday, witnesses between Ljungby and Växjö saw a strong light, a large red ball with a yellowish-red edge, which faded into smoke. Two police officers observed this, initially expecting a plane or helicopter crash. A woman from Ryssby also witnessed it. Professor Lindblad from Stockholm Observatory suggested these were likely bright meteors, explaining that they appear for a few seconds, are particles entering the atmosphere at high speed, and can glow brightly or break apart.

UFO-Fantaster vs. Serious Work

Ove Lewitski, chairman of the UFO association in Karlskoga, addressed the perception of UFO enthusiasts. He stated that they do not call themselves "UFO-fantaster" (UFO fans) but work seriously. He noted that it's uncommon for members of a UFO association to be the ones who see UFOs, but often people who witness a UFO become interested and join such organizations. He also mentioned that while people might be scared when seeing a UFO, they are not encouraged to run away. He added that witnesses in Sweden have not encountered any negative consequences.

New on the SF Front

Isaac Asimov: FÖRBJUDEN VÄRLD (Forbidden World)

This section reviews Isaac Asimov's debut novel, "Pebble in the Sky." The story is set in a distant future where humanity has explored the galaxy and colonized numerous worlds, but Earth is in quarantine after a devastating nuclear war. The protagonist, Joseph Schwartz, is inexplicably transported from the 20th century to this future society, where mercy killing is a constant threat. His mission is to find a way to restore Earth. The review notes that the novel is set in the same future as Asimov's "Foundation" series but is independent.

T. A. Heppenheimer: DEN YTTERSTA GRÄNSEN - BOSÄTTNINGAR I RYMDEN (The Ultimate Frontier - Settlements in Space)

This review discusses T. A. Heppenheimer's book, which explores the possibilities of space colonization. It highlights a 1978 exhibition in Stockholm and radio programs on the topic. Heppenheimer provides an engaging account of current discussions and advancements, emphasizing how close space colonization might be with existing technology and the potential benefits. The book goes beyond technical details to speculate on how individual lives might be lived in such new environments. It is described as richly illustrated and containing substantial factual material. The original title is "Colonies in Space," with a foreword by Ray Bradbury.

Astronomical and Other News

Galactic Cannibalism Proven

Astronomers in Canberra, Australia, have found evidence that the Milky Way collided with another galaxy 2 billion years ago, consuming it. This is based on the discovery of hundreds of millions of stars in the outer regions of the Milky Way with different orbital paths, speeds, and chemical compositions than other stars in the galaxy. This event is termed "galactic cannibalism."

Fantastic Claim Confirmed?

A report from Tel Aviv describes a 20-year-old Israeli woman who claims to be a reincarnation of a woman who died when she was born. Her claim was seemingly validated when she located a hidden treasure buried by the woman she believed herself to be. The woman visited a village near Haifa, recognized it instantly, and led relatives to a garden where a pot of gold coins, her dowry, was buried by her late husband, who had been searching for it since her death.

Soviet Cosmonauts Return

Three Soviet cosmonauts—Leonid Kisim, Oleg Makarov, and Gennadij Strekalov—returned safely to Earth on Wednesday morning in their Soyuz T-3 spacecraft. The landing occurred as planned, approximately 130 km east of Jezkazgan in Kazakhstan. Their mission was successfully completed, and all three are reported to be well.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features reports on UFO sightings, often emphasizing the mysterious and unexplained nature of these phenomena, while also presenting scientific or meteorological explanations as possibilities. There's a clear interest in science fiction, particularly themes of space exploration and future societies, as evidenced by the book reviews. The inclusion of the reincarnation story suggests an openness to unusual or extraordinary claims, even if presented with a degree of skepticism (e.g., "Fantastic claim confirmed?"). The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on intriguing events and ideas, encouraging reader engagement with the unexplained and the speculative, while also grounding some reports in factual accounts or scientific perspectives.