UFO Allehenda - 2000 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Allehanda
Issue: Nr 1 2000
Publisher: Enköping-Sala UFO-förening
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO Allehanda, the member magazine for the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening, is dated Nr 1 2000 and features a cover headline welcoming readers to the "VÅRFESTEN" (Spring Festival), accompanied by an illustration of a flying saucer over a drive-in.

Editorial and Association Information

The magazine opens with information about the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening, including its club location (a small red cabin at the intersection of E-18 and road 55, also known as Ullundakorset), membership fees, and contact details for the association and its officers, Chairman Anita Andersson and Secretary Mats Nilsson. The magazine is published three times a year.

An editorial by Mats reflects on the lack of reader response to previous issues, questioning the value of his work despite some members expressing anticipation for new editions. He notes the coming spring and increased outdoor activity, but also the need for UFO-Sverige to prepare for a national meeting and new publications. The editorial touches upon the declining idealism within UFO organizations, contrasting past dedication with present expectations of payment. Mats urges members to consider the association's finances in proportion to their demands, warning that a lack of engagement could lead to the organization's demise. He invites feedback to improve the magazine and wishes readers a pleasant spring, reminding them of an upcoming flea market and spring festival.

News and Articles

France and China Take UFO Seriously

A press release from Found for UFO Research claims that France and China are now ahead of the USA in their scientific approach to the UFO phenomenon. China reportedly has government-supported scientific groups, and membership in UFO investigation groups requires a high school diploma, with many members being scientists. In France, a three-year study by scientists and retired air force generals was presented to President Chirac. The study concluded that some cases demonstrate the presence of "completely unknown flying objects with remarkable flight characteristics and silent propulsion, apparently maneuvered by intelligent beings."

NASA Searches for Lost Probe

NASA began searching for the lost Mars Polar Lander on December 16th using the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) and its high-resolution camera. The lander disappeared during its landing attempt near the south pole on December 3rd. NASA acknowledges the low chances of finding the lander but hopes to find traces that could shed light on what happened. They are specifically looking for the white, 6-meter diameter parachute, which would appear as 3-4 pixels in an image. Finding it would help locate the lander within a 1 km radius.

Have We Already Found Proof?

Canadian astronomer Norman Molhant has suggested that we are not alone in the universe and may not even be alone in our local galactic region. He claims that SETI project teams have received several dozen signals of probable extraterrestrial (ET) origin, possibly radar signals. However, a common problem is that these signals have only been received once. Molhant notes that SETI protocols require a signal to be detected twice in the same area before confirmation, which has prevented premature announcements. While some SETI team members believe these signals are ET, Molhant is grateful for the protocol. The article mentions Brett Holman, an astrophysicist at Melbourne University, who is reportedly alone in this interpretation.

UFO-Sweden Celebrates 20 Years

The Stockholm UFO-förening is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The 54 members represent a cross-section of the population interested in UFO phenomena. Since the TV series "Arkiv X" started, the number of reports has increased dramatically, with Ufo-Sverige receiving 522 reports last year and approximately 390 so far this year. Lasse Amnestål, chairman of the Stockholm UFO-förening, states that 95-97% of reports are explained. He notes the surge in reports after "Arkiv X" began, attributing it to people looking up at the stars. Members include students, working professionals, and pensioners, with an even distribution of men and women. Lasse describes members as ordinary people fascinated by UFOs who seek explanations. The organization holds monthly meetings, including video nights. He emphasizes that only 3-5% of phenomena are truly unidentified. The Stockholm UFO-förening aims to approach the subject realistically and without preconceptions.

Five Saw UFO

On a Saturday evening, four luminous objects were observed moving rapidly in the sky over Hedemora and Venjan. Witnesses described them as appearing like small stars that moved with immense speed. A contact person at UFO Västerbergslagen confirmed that reports of such phenomena exist but lacked sufficient information for an explanation.

Space Shuttle Seen Over Sweden

On February 11th, the space shuttle "Endeavour" was launched and its trajectory took it over Sweden. The shuttle and its fuel tank were visible, prompting many reports to newspapers and UFO organizations. Jan Persson from the Swedish Amateur Astronomical Association described seeing a bright "star" low on the western horizon, which was actually two "stars" moving side-by-side. One faded quickly, while the other moved west. He initially thought it was the separation of the large fuel tank, but this occurred about 8 minutes later. He believes the objects seen 20 minutes after launch were the shuttle and fuel tank reflecting sunlight. The article includes a table detailing the times and positions of the Endeavour's passage over Sweden for Mölndal and Gävle.

Ice Hole Caused by Gas

A large, unusual ice hole discovered in Kallbergssjön, Sweden, has been explained as likely caused by gas formations from the lake bottom. Irma Rosén found the 35-meter wide hole, which had thick, uneven ice with several large bumps. While a meteorite impact was speculated, signs of sediment and ice fragments suggest a gas-related origin. Marine geologist Per Söderberg at FOA confirms this theory.

Hessdalen Project

The Hessdalen phenomenon, characterized by unexplained light observations, has been a subject of interest since the early 1980s. UFO-Norge and UFO-Sverige conducted extensive investigations in 1984 and 1985 using advanced instruments. Despite numerous observations and a thesis by Erling Strand, the phenomena remain unexplained. In 1994, researchers from various countries met in Hessdalen to discuss the phenomena. A decision was made to fund an automatic measuring station (AMS), which was built at Høgskolen i Østfold (HIO) under Erling Strand's leadership. The AMS, equipped with a video camera and computer, began registering phenomena in August 1998, with 36 registrations made so far. The article mentions a new project that aims to further the UFO movement. It also details the plans for a Norwegian UFO center in Ålen, near Hessdalen, which will be a tourist attraction and research facility, including a multimedia hall and a "UFO cockpit" for immersive experiences. The center will also showcase local culture and history, including photography by Jon Østeng Hov.

Hessdalen Monitoring Station

The Hessdalen AMS is currently equipped with a black-and-white CCD camera, a video recorder, a magnetometer, and two computers. The system analyzes images for rapid changes, triggering the video recorder and sending still images to the internet. Problems have included the video recorder activating too late and difficulty in determining the distance to phenomena. Several new cameras have been purchased to improve detection and reduce false alarms. A color camera with zoom is also being acquired for detailed observation and tracking. The total cost for this equipment is 70,000 SEK, funded by HIØ. Additional equipment is needed, and the project is seeking sponsors.

New UFO Center in Norway

Holtålen municipality plans to build a UFO center in Ålen, Norway, costing 17 million SEK. The center, named "Norsk UFO-senter," will be a tourist attraction and research facility. Thor Stuedal has been hired to secure funding. The center aims to provide insights into UFO theories, offer practical demonstrations, and serve as a venue for conferences and seminars. A remote observation post will be established in Hessdalen for enthusiasts to observe phenomena. The center will feature a multimedia hall with over 100 seats, functioning as a cinema and cultural hub. The project faces a significant funding challenge, requiring approximately 20 million SEK, with at least 14 million needing to be secured through own capital, including 7 million from donations and sponsorships.

New Data on Mars Reveals Rapid Cooling and Hidden Channels

Recent observations from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) have revealed that Mars' northern lowlands were once a region of significant heat flow and may have accumulated water. Gravity and topographic measurements indicate a period of rapid cooling in Mars' history and suggest the presence of large buried channels formed by vast water volumes. Dr. Maria Zuber explains that Mars has two distinct crustal regions: a thicker crust under the southern highlands and Tharsis volcanic area, and a thinner, more uniform crust in the northern lowlands. This northern lowland controlled ancient water flows, creating a network of valleys. Gravitational data suggests that water transport continued into the northern plains, revealing structures resembling buried channels originating from Valles Marineris, Chryse, and Kasei Valles. These structures, estimated to be 20 miles wide and over 160 miles long, indicate that water flowed on the surface or in subsurface environments before being buried by sediment. The immense size of these channels suggests that the northern lowlands may have been filled with water, possibly from an ancient ocean.

Dr. Sean Solomon notes that the areas of significant heat loss coincide with the region believed to have hosted an ancient ocean. This rapid heat transport to the surface may have caused significant warming of the surface, atmosphere, and subsurface water and ice. It is unclear why this occurred only in this part of Mars. The timing of this rapid cooling may coincide with a period when Mars had a warmer climate, liquid surface water, and a global magnetic field protecting its surface from solar particle radiation. Data collection from MGS will continue at least until the mission's planned end in February of next year.

Smaller Planets Discovered

Astronomers at the Keck Observatory in Hawaii have detected two planets smaller than Saturn orbiting other stars. These planets have very short orbital periods (3 and 75 days) and correspondingly high average temperatures (1100 and 800 degrees Celsius). Previously, most detected exoplanets were Jupiter-sized. The discovery of these smaller planets supports the theory that planets form through a "snowball effect," growing from small particles in a protoplanetary disk. The 20-year-old theory predicts more small planets than large ones around stars, a trend now being observed in the incoming data.

New Report Paves Way for Future Mars Expeditions

NASA has conducted a comprehensive review of its Mars exploration programs, identifying significant weaknesses in formulation and execution that have led to recent probe losses. The investigation has resulted in recommendations for future Mars exploration. NASA Chief Daniel Goldin praised the report by Tom Young and his team for rigorously examining both successful and failed missions. Young emphasized that there is only one chance for success and that a single mistake can lead to catastrophe.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, scientific investigations into unexplained phenomena, and space exploration. There is a strong emphasis on reporting on local UFO associations' activities and the ongoing research projects like Hessdalen. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging scientific investigation while acknowledging the challenges and the need for evidence-based conclusions. The magazine aims to inform its members about the latest developments in the UFO field, both globally and locally, and foster a sense of community among enthusiasts.

This issue of UFO-Allehanda, identified as issue 21/2000, is a Swedish-language publication focused on UFO phenomena and related topics. The content includes an analysis of a space mission failure, a guide for identifying common aerial phenomena, and announcements for local UFO club events.

Mars Polar Lander Analysis

The lead article discusses the investigation into the failure of the Mars Polar Lander. According to the findings, the mission's failure was likely caused by the generation of impulse signals when the lander's legs were extended during descent. These signals reportedly provided false information, indicating that the lander had already reached the ground. This false data led to the premature shutdown of the rocket engine, resulting in a crash. The article notes that several upcoming planned expeditions have been postponed or shelved pending a new 'architecture' plan for Mars. Dr. Edward Weiler at Nasa is quoted as stating the need for a comprehensive change in the organization, particularly regarding responsibility and internal communication, before new missions can commence. A piece of advice highlighted for successful journeys is: "If not ready, do not launch."

Local Events and Activities

The Enköping-Sala UFO-förening is actively organizing events. A flea market is scheduled for Saturday, May 6th, from 10:00 to 14:00 at the UFO-stugan in Ullunda. The public is encouraged to donate items they wish to discard. Following this, a spring festival will be held on Saturday, May 20th, starting at 18:30, also at the UFO-stugan. This event will include a traditional package auction, the proceeds of which help the organization cover expenses, such as the electricity bill.

'Ivar's Column'

'Ivar' contributes his regular column, expressing gratitude for being able to continue writing despite no longer being on the board. He notes the arrival of spring and mentions his participation in various local activities. He will be involved in the UFO-stugan flea market on May 6th. On May 20th, he plans to attend a spring outing with the JP-Johanssonsällskapet before the spring festival. His schedule is packed with musical performances at various venues such as Kryddgården, Ljunggården, Malin, Gläntan, and Lillkyrka. He also mentions playing music for sing-alongs and participating in a table tennis club and a film course. His April schedule is detailed, including performances with the choir Västanvind and other engagements. He mentions experiencing some hearing difficulties during performances with multiple musicians, which can be tiring. He has many bookings up to October but has reduced his commitments to manage his bees during the summer. He also offers to help at the UFO-stugan occasionally.

Misstolkningsguide (Misinterpretation Guide)

This section provides a guide for identifying common aerial phenomena to help distinguish them from potential UFOs. It advises readers to contact UFO-Sverige's report center at 018-555 000 if they observe anything not covered. The guide categorizes phenomena based on their movement: fast-moving, medium-speed, and slow-moving or stationary. For each category, it lists possible identifications:

• Point 1 (Fast/Straight Path): Starfall/meteors (listing major annual meteor showers like Quadrantids, Lyrids, Perseids, etc.), Bolides (large fireballs or space debris burning up), or laser lights/powerful spotlights from events.
• Point 2 (Medium Speed/Straight or EKG-like path): Satellites (small light points moving in a straight line, sometimes appearing to deviate due to eye fixation) or airplanes (bright lights moving across the sky, possibly with blinking lights or colored points, usually silent).
• Point 3 (Slow/Stationary): Planets or bright stars (check for consistent position day after day) or aircraft landing lights (spotlights directed towards the ground).

Miscellaneous Content

The issue also includes a short humorous anecdote about a court case where a defendant admits to calling someone an idiot but cannot afford the fine. Another section features a series of short, humorous dialogues or jokes, including one about a magician, a family member who makes dishes disappear, and a conversation between a child and an adult about the king, as well as a waiter joke.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, space exploration news (particularly failures and analyses), and local UFO club activities. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging critical analysis and providing practical information to help readers differentiate between known phenomena and unexplained aerial events. There's also an emphasis on community engagement through local events and shared experiences.