Tellus - 1961 09

Magazine Overview

Title: Tellus
Issue Date: September 1961
Publisher: Organ för Malmö UFO-Sällskap (Organization for Malmö UFO Society)
Price: 50 öre

This issue of Tellus, published by the Malmö UFO Society, delves into a variety of topics, primarily focusing on the intersection of astronomical phenomena, weather patterns, and unexplained aerial observations.

Weather and Solar Activity

The lead article discusses the cyclical nature of weather, drawing parallels between the years 1954 and 1961. It notes that July 1954 saw significant rainfall in Malmö, suggesting that pleasant summers might be a thing of the past on Earth, perhaps due to more hospitable conditions elsewhere. The article highlights the role of sunspots in regulating weather, citing observations that link sunspot activity to phenomena like rising water levels in Tanganyika. It also mentions that magnetic storms, which can disrupt telecommunications and signal systems, are caused by these sunspots. The text notes a pattern of sunspot activity occurring in cycles of 7, 11, 12, and 24 years, with a maximum every 11 years, and expresses hope for a better summer in 1962.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The issue reports on a lunar eclipse on August 26th that was obscured by rain, despite efforts by 'satellite people' to capture the event with infrared film. There are mentions of attempts to detect 'flying objects' which have eluded observation. The development of new electronic UFO detection systems is underway, with trials planned for the autumn to ensure accuracy and avoid false registrations. The article notes that several meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere, with two appearing to deviate from a typical meteor trajectory, leading to suspicions of them being UFOs. Danish UFO reports are also mentioned, with 190 observations in the first half of the year, including a peak of 24 on May 21st. The text laments the difficulty of observing these phenomena despite constant vigilance from satellite observatories.

Several specific incidents are detailed:

• Colwell Bay and Totland (February 7, 1954): The population was perplexed by giant footprints in the snow that led from the coast to a cliff edge and disappeared. These tracks were 55 cm long and 30 cm wide, with five distinct toe imprints.
• Berlin (July 5, 1954): Allied officials were investigating the occurrence of mysterious flying objects over the city. German witnesses reported a formation of three fast-moving objects, described as small and disk-like, appearing regularly between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
• Canvey Island (August 10, 1954): Joseph Overs found a peculiar creature resembling a fish with staring eyes, a large mouth, and two perfect feet with five toes. A similar creature was found on the same beach in November 1953.
• Paris (September 18, 1905): A young man arrested for vagrancy spoke a language that no linguist could understand. He communicated through gestures, claiming to be from 'Lisbian'.
• London (January 10, 1905): A man exhibiting 'wild and strange' behavior, speaking an unknown language, was arrested. Detectives found a book with sketches of objects and notes in a script that linguists could not identify, noting it was unlike any known European, Asian, or Middle Eastern language.
• Chicago (September 2, 1952): U.S. Air Force pilots flying jet fighters reported flying through a radar anomaly that indicated an unexplained material object. Despite the radar readings, the pilots saw nothing but empty space.

Astronomical Observations: Jupiter

The latter part of the magazine shifts focus to astronomy, specifically detailing observations of Jupiter. The planet is described as being 77.8 million miles from the sun, with a rotational period of 11 years and 317 days. Jupiter's day lasts only 10 hours, resulting in a significant flattening at its poles. Its atmosphere is estimated to be 9,000 km thick, and its surface is speculated to be volcanically active with powerful geysers of water vapor that form methane and ammonia. Temperatures in the upper atmosphere are around -130 to -170 degrees Celsius, with winds reaching 120 meters per second. The famous Great Red Spot is described as an elliptical formation, 48,000 km long and 24,000 km wide, larger than the Earth's surface. It is believed to be a constant feature, possibly a massive solid object within Jupiter's gaseous envelope, observed since at least 1664.

The article notes that Jupiter's surface temperature is warmer than Earth's, and its spectral characteristics are similar to the sun's, particularly in the blue and violet spectrum. Water vapor is confirmed to be present in its atmosphere. The planet is orbited by twelve moons, with the four largest (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto) discovered by Galileo in 1610. Other moons are also mentioned, including one discovered by Barnard in 1892.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores phenomena that challenge conventional understanding, from atmospheric and solar events to extraterrestrial possibilities and astronomical wonders. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting reports and observations without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to consider the unexplained and the vastness of the universe. There is a clear interest in UFOs and their potential implications, alongside a fascination with planetary science and the cosmos.