Tid och rum - 1963 No 05

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Tid och Rum" (Time and Space), identified as Nr. 5 from April 1963, is published under the auspices of the Ifologiska sällskapet (Ufological Society). The editorial stance, as expressed in the opening remarks, emphasizes the need for increased activity and energy in their work to advance the truth, particularly in light of a perceived increase in UFO activity following a 'Venus meeting' in November.

Editorial Introduction

The editorial notes that the past autumn and winter have seen a significant increase in UFO activity both in Sweden and internationally. The current issue is the first published under the direct management of the Ifologiska sällskapet. The editors express gratitude to the previous publishers and specifically to Lennart Lind for his dedicated work. The magazine aims to provide current information and foster debate, drawing material from both Swedish and foreign press. Readers are encouraged to contribute to the discussion.

Key Articles and Reports

Flying Saucers Over Argentina

This section details a series of events in Argentina in January 1962, as reported by the newspaper "Cordoba" and its correspondent 'Agor' (alias Sr Perez Aleman). The report claims that interplanetary ships were predicted to appear between January 22nd and 25th, hovering at 5000 meters and descending to lower altitudes. The ships were described as emitting powerful lights and performing harmonious movements. The article highlights the prediction made days in advance and the subsequent confirmation by witnesses in Villa Dique Los Molinos between January 22nd and 25th. More than 15 ships were reportedly seen, some landing approximately 1000 meters from the town's center. They emitted bright white and red lights, and one allegedly transmitted the word 'Amor' (love) in Morse code. The article includes a list of witnesses who signed a statement confirming the event. The translation is attributed to Hilding Näslund.

Ifologiska Sällskapet's Letter to the Defense Staff and TT

This section reproduces a letter dated January 24, 1963, from the Ifologiska Sällskapet to the Swedish Defense Staff and the news agency TT, concerning 'light phenomena'. The letter details several sightings from January 1963 in Sweden:

• On January 13th, Hulda and August Henriksson in Killinge (Malmberget) observed a strong luminous object with a tail and a smaller light point, which disappeared after 20 minutes.
• In recent weeks, a flying fireball has appeared nightly in the Svappavaara region, moving from east to west, sometimes stopping and changing direction.
• On the evening of January 18th, a bright luminous sphere was seen over large parts of Norrland, flying towards Tornedalen. In Käredöjärvi, telephone exchange equipment reportedly failed simultaneously.
• On the morning of January 18th, luminous spheres were seen flying back and forth over large parts of central Sweden.

The letter suggests that these reports indicate extraterrestrial spaceships ('flying saucers') and proposes a comparative investigation into light phenomena, disturbances in meteor communication, 'angels' on radar, and traces on ionospheric photos. The society asserts that the evidence for the existence of extraterrestrial spaceships is conclusive and that further investigation could provide knowledge about the visitors and how to detect their presence. The letter is signed by Ivan Troëng for the Ifologiska Sällskapet.

Lord Dowding's Statement on Flying Saucers

This section presents a statement by Lord Dowding, former commander of the British fighter force during World War II. Dowding, despite never having seen a flying saucer himself, expressed certainty of their existence, drawing parallels to his certainty about Australia's existence without having visited it. He stated that most of the 10,000 known sightings lacked satisfactory explanations and could not be dismissed as hallucinations. He noted that phenomena have been detected by radar at speeds up to 14,400 km/h. Dowding argued that the acceleration, course changes, and braking involved would make human survival impossible in such craft, leading him to conclude they must originate from an unknown base. He also referenced a 1954 sighting by flight captain James Howard over the Atlantic, which influenced his opinion. Dowding defended the possibility of extraterrestrial life, suggesting that beings could be hundreds or even thousands of years ahead of humanity in scientific development and might visit Earth with benevolent intentions, to study, or to offer help.

New Books and Publications

• "Måste man tro på Kristus?" (Must One Believe in Christ?): A forthcoming book by Anna-Lisa Helle, with a positive foreword by Alf Ahlberg, which explores the relationship between religion and modern science.
• Galax Magazine: The February issue of MIS magazine 'Galax' is mentioned, featuring an observation from Arlöv on January 14, 1963, of a disc-shaped flying saucer, and a report on the Maury Island case from 1957. Subscription details are provided.
• Geo W. de la Warr: A lecture titled "The Power of Thought", given on May 5, 1961, at Oxford University Scientific Society, is available for purchase. Information is also provided about the quarterly journal "MIND and MATTER" published by Delawarr Laboratories.
• "Vad händer om natten över Svappavaara?" (What happens at night over Svappavaara?): A reference to an article in the magazine 'Se' nr. 6, 1963.

Information Sheets from the Ifologiska Sällskapet

A list of available information sheets (I.S. stencil series) from the Ifologiska Sällskapet is provided, with titles and prices. These cover topics such as UFOs and world politics, small figures, UFO reports from Sweden, water on the moon, flying saucer technology, the 'Pentecost meteor', landings in France, Mars culture according to Soviet experts, the 'Earth's axis tipping', proposals for space research, and flying saucers in Sweden.

Gloria Lee Byrd Dies

Gloria Lee Byrd, aged 36, passed away on December 2, 1962, in Washington D.C. after a prolonged fast. She was known for her book 'Why We Are Here!' and founded the Cosmon Research Foundation. She had a background in acting and worked as a flight attendant.

Phobos Changes Orbit

There are reports that astronomers have observed Mars' satellite Phobos accelerating in its orbit, deviating from its expected trajectory.

Professor Åke Wallenquist's Article and Responses

Professor Åke Wallenquist's article "Flying Saucers" from Svenska Dagbladet (November 14, 1962) is reproduced, along with responses from engineer Sven Schalin and engineer Ivan Troëng (December 6, 1962).

Wallenquist critically examines the phenomenon of flying saucers, likening its proponents to those of astrology. He argues that the term "flying saucer" originated from Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting and has fueled widespread speculation, often based on misinterpretations of natural phenomena like meteors, planets, or even balloons. He contends that most reports lack scientific rigor and that no professional astronomer has ever reported a UFO sighting, despite their constant observation of celestial phenomena. He dismisses the idea of extraterrestrial origin due to the lack of scientific evidence and the speculative nature of the claims.

Sven Schalin responds by citing the "Project Blue Book" investigation, which reportedly found that 27% of UFO cases remained unexplained after analysis. He also mentions Professor Hermann Oberth's view that approximately 11% of 70,000 UFO reports were genuine. Schalin criticizes Wallenquist's generalizations and argues that the lack of UFO sightings in astronomical literature is due to the limited field of view of telescopes and the rarity of such events occurring within that field. He also points to organizations like APRO and NICAP that conduct scientific investigations into UFO phenomena.

Ivan Troëng's response is also included, further engaging with Wallenquist's arguments.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the scientific investigation of these phenomena, and the debate between skeptical and believing viewpoints. The magazine clearly aligns with the ufological perspective, presenting reports and opinions that support the existence of extraterrestrial visitors while also acknowledging and, at times, debating skeptical arguments. The editorial stance is one of advocating for the pursuit of truth in ufology and encouraging reader participation in this ongoing discussion.

This issue of ToR magazine, published by the Ifologiska Sällskapet (Ufological Society), presents a collection of articles and reports primarily focused on unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. The publication spans multiple issues, indicated by the varied issue numbers and dates, suggesting a continuous exploration of the subject matter over time.

Historical UFO Sightings and Investigations

The magazine dedicates significant space to historical UFO accounts, tracing observations back to the 18th century. A key article, "Från Forntiden" (From Antiquity), compiled by Ivar Påhlsson, vice chairman of the Malmö Interplanetariska Sällskap, details numerous Swedish sightings from 1748 to 1857. These include descriptions of luminous phenomena, fireballs, and strange atmospheric lights, often recorded by clergy and local officials.

Specific incidents highlighted include:

• 1752, Uppsala län: A strong, pulsating light observed near Morkarla church, which ascended, changed shape, and emitted sparks before disappearing.
• 1754, Kopparbergs län: Reports of "fireballs" in the sky.
• 1755, Västernorrlands län: A phenomenon described as a "full moon, very clear and bright," that illuminated houses and then vanished.
• 1757, Blekinge län: A "fireball" observed moving from northeast to southwest, leaving a trail and producing a loud susurrus and thunder.
• 1759, Västerbottens län: A report from Löfånger describes a large group of people walking on the ice of Ostviksfjärden, moving in various formations and speeds.
• 1778, Åbo stift: An "elldisk" (fire disc) with a tail was seen, followed by loud cracks.
• 1779, Skara stift: A strong bang and roar were heard, and a "fireball" was seen to burst in the air.
• 1842, Kopparbergs län: A phenomenon observed during Christmas night in Mora and Älfdalen, described as two strong bangs, a flash of light, and a "fireball" with a tail.
• 1856, Södermanlands län: A "fireball" of full moon size, with a sky-blue color, moved from west to east, spreading a shower of sparks.
• 1857, Stockholms län: A very loud bang and a prolonged roaring sound were heard in Öregrund, attributed to a "as if a waterfall."

The "Light Bomb" Investigation

Another significant section focuses on a more recent event: the "Utredning om ljusbomb" (Investigation into a Light Bomb). This article, published in Aftonbladet on January 17, 1963, details observations made by SAS pilots Captain Anders Törnblad and flight navigator Björn Axelsson on November 14, 1962, near Gällivare, Sweden. They witnessed an intense blue-white light flash that illuminated the cabin. Similar observations were reported from the Luleå air traffic control tower and by people in Pajala and Porkajoki, Finland. The phenomenon was described as a large fireball moving rapidly, sometimes splitting into smaller orbs, and accompanied by sounds resembling rocket engines. Telephone exchanges also experienced disruptions.

International UFO Incidents

Beyond Swedish reports, the magazine includes international cases:

• Washington National Sightings (July 1, 1952): The article by Sven Schalin highlights a dual demonstration by civilian and military air defense systems that independently reported the same maneuvers of unidentified flying objects over the White House and Capitol.
• Oloron and Gaillac, France (October 1952): These sightings involved a mothership and smaller spherical craft, with the latter described as resembling Saturn. "Angel hair" was also reported.
• Brazilian Naval Vessel Almirante Saldana (February 16, 1958): Six photographs were taken of a large, dome-shaped craft maneuvering over the ship.
• Chile (February 1963): A report from Arica, Chile, describes a cigar-shaped flying object photographed over northern Chile, leading to speculation about an invasion from Mars.

Astronomical and Scientific Perspectives

The issue also features discussions on astronomical topics and their potential connection to UFOs:

• Mars and Venus: The magazine references Russian radio astronomer Professor Zigel's research on Mars, suggesting it is inhabited and its canals are maintained. It also discusses the temperature of Venus, with Professor Louell reportedly believing there is a 90% certainty of life there, a claim that Professor Ake Wallenquist questions, citing modern temperature measurements.
• Professor Sagan's Theory: Astronomer Car Sagan from Harvard University is mentioned as having data on extraterrestrial observation stations on the far side of the Moon.

Organizations and Contacts

ToR serves as a platform for ufological organizations in Sweden. A section titled "FÖRENINGSNYTT MM" (Society News MM) lists various ufological groups, their contact persons, and addresses across Sweden, including Uppsala, Stockholm, Visby, Göteborg, Halmstad, Linköping, and Malmö. It also promotes an emblem for sale depicting a flying saucer.

The magazine also includes a section on "TID OCH RUM" (Time and Space), the organ for the Ifologiska Sällskapet in Stockholm, announcing subscription details for future issues and inviting contributions.

Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP) and Future Speculations

In a section discussing future possibilities, the magazine touches upon ESP research. Stephen Abrams, an American researcher, is presented as leading experiments to confirm the brain's ability to transmit messages over distances, citing Soviet research on brain-emitted electromagnetic waves. The article speculates on the implications for intercontinental mental communication.

Another speculative piece discusses a "space man" from a Jupiter satellite who predicts that a Mars satellite (Phobos) will be torn from its orbit and become a satellite of Earth, potentially causing destruction in certain regions. It also suggests that Earth's Moon will become an independent planet, Pluto will disappear, and the solar system will have two suns.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of ToR are UFO sightings (both historical and contemporary), the scientific investigation of these phenomena, and the potential for extraterrestrial life. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the collection and dissemination of reports, while also engaging with astronomical and scientific perspectives. The magazine positions itself as a forum for debate, as indicated by the disclaimer that articles do not necessarily reflect the editors' views. There is a clear emphasis on presenting evidence, witness accounts, and scientific theories, even if speculative, to explore the mystery of UFOs.