UFO Allehenda - 2002 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-ALLEHANDA
Issue: NR. 1 ÅR 2002
Publisher: Enköping-Sala UFO-förening
Type: Member magazine

Content Summary

This issue of UFO-Allehanda, the member magazine for the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening, provides members with current information and covers a variety of topics related to UFOs, astronomy, and the history of science.

Editorial and Organizational Information

The magazine opens with information about UFO-Allehanda itself, stating it is the member magazine for the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening, published three times a year. It provides the association's club location ('the little red cottage' at the E-18 – road 55 junction, also known as Ullundakorset) and contact details, including postal giro for membership fees and addresses for the chairman Anita Andersson and secretary Mats Nilsson. The editorial stance emphasizes that authors are responsible for their own material.

Personal Reflections and UFO Cases

Mats, the secretary, reflects on the passage of time and shares personal experiences, including his daughter's arrival into his life. He then details a UFO case from Heby on January 7th, where a woman reported seeing three large, black, triangular objects hovering silently for about 15 minutes. Mats visited the location and spoke with witnesses but found no unusual sounds or corroborating reports. He promises to provide further details in a future issue. He also invites new faces to the club's Wednesday evenings in Ullunda, where they discuss UFO-related topics and other events.

Historical Perspective on UFO Exhibitions

Arnold Idebring contributes an article titled 'I huvudet på en gammal gubbe' (In the Head of an Old Man), reflecting on the 25-year history of the Enköpings UFO-förening. He recounts the creation of a traveling exhibition in the early 1980s, which involved a committee from Enköping, Stockholm, and Gävle. The exhibition, consisting of 12-14 screens, was built by the Enköping members and first displayed at a carnival in 1984. He mentions Gunnar Thorén from Kiruna as an early renter of the exhibition. The costs were covered by the Enköping UFO-förening through rental fees, recouping over 1000 SEK. Idebring also mentions a permanent exhibition at their club location and a display at the post office for stamp day. He also recalls contributing to a model for an exhibition at the Scheele Museum in Köping around 1984-85, specifically a model of the Gideon Johansson case.

Idebring also discusses the creation of an informational film. He mentions that the existing film was outdated and a new video format was desired. A woman named Nadja from Gothenburg contacted them, expressing enthusiasm for creating a new film. The Enköping group was tasked with gathering material (photos, text) for her. Nadja then went to Malmö for editing. The resulting film was well-received and made it easier for the group to present at schools. He also touches upon building a reflecting telescope, which he can no longer use due to vision problems, and expresses a desire for someone to take it over.

UFO-Aktuellt and International News

'Ivars Spalt' features Ivar's personal reflections, including moving into a new apartment and composing a song about parachutes. He recounts a UFO sighting by his friend Per, who saw a large, silent craft resembling a football field with many lights, which followed his car before ascending rapidly. Per also described seeing a flock of large, spherical objects. Ivar also mentions a priest couple who shared similar experiences near Arboga. The section concludes with information about upcoming musical performances and Taimi's work as a substitute cantor in various churches. The section also promotes 'UFO-Aktuellt', a publication costing 190 SEK, which covers UFO events in Sweden and internationally.

UFO-Sverige Board Presentation

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to presenting the UFO-Sverige board for 2001. A group photo is included, with names and locations of board members listed. The text notes that the board is composed of members from various parts of the country, which is both an advantage for local group representation and a disadvantage due to travel time for meetings. The board aims to hold meetings in different locations across the country, with past meetings held in Ängelholm and upcoming ones in Stockholm.

Hessdalen Phenomenon and Plasma Theory

An article titled 'Resultat från Hessdalen' (Results from Hessdalen) reports on Italian radio astronomers from the Instituto di Radioastromia in Bologna who monitored the light phenomena in Hessdalen, Norway, in the summer of 2000. Astronomer Massimo Teodorahi suggests the signals originate from plasma. Plasma is described as a highly ionized gas, similar to the Sun's composition, formed when matter is subjected to immense energy. The theory posits that geological features in Hessdalen, such as mineral-rich rocks and cavities from old mining operations, could create strong electric fields when filled with water and ice, potentially converting atmospheric gases into plasma. These plasma formations then emit light, similar to stars. Researchers hope to continue their work and believe understanding the Hessdalen phenomenon could lead to new methods of producing environmentally friendly energy.

A definition of plasma is provided from a lexicon: a state of matter consisting of ionized gas with free electrons, positive ions, and neutral atoms, which conducts electricity and is affected by electromagnetic fields. Plasma is common in astrophysical objects like stars and nebulae.

Astronomy News: Near Earth Objects

An article titled 'NÄRA ÖGAT FÖR JORDEN' (Close to Earth's Eye) reports on asteroid 2001YB5, which passed Earth at a distance of 600,000 kilometers on January 7, 2002. The asteroid's diameter is estimated between 220 and 490 meters. Benny Peiser, an asteroid expert, stated that if it had hit Earth, it could have wiped out a medium-sized country. The article references the Chicxulub impact 65 million years ago, which is believed to have caused the extinction of dinosaurs, and the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia. 2001YB5 was discovered in December by a telescope on Mount Palomar and is classified as 'potentially hazardous,' although not an immediate risk. Its orbit intersects with those of Mars, Earth, Venus, and Mercury. The article also mentions asteroid 1999AN10, which is expected to pass even closer to Earth on August 7, 2027.

Local Association Events

Announcements are made for the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening's annual meeting on February 27, 2002, at 7:00 PM in the club house. Additionally, the traditional spring festival is scheduled for April 17th at 6:00 PM, and a flea market will be held on May 4th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Foundations of Science and Discoverers

Mats Nilsson writes an article series on the foundations of science and its discoverers. This installment focuses on ancient Greek thinkers. It begins with Aristotle (384-322 BC), emphasizing his quote, 'Ur undran uppstår filosofin' ('From wonder arises philosophy'). Nilsson highlights Aristotle's curiosity, logic, and his founding of the Lyceum school in Athens, where he taught Alexander the Great. His works include 'Physics,' 'Metaphysics,' and 'On the Soul.'

Plato (427-347 BC), Aristotle's teacher and predecessor, is also discussed. Plato's philosophy emphasized freeing oneself from the sensory world and focusing on the world of ideas. His dialogues, such as 'The Laws' and 'The Republic,' are mentioned.

The article briefly introduces other significant thinkers: Thales (640-546 BC), who believed water was the fundamental element and sought natural explanations; Democritus (c. 460-370 BC), who proposed the theory of the indivisible atom; and Hippocrates (460-377 BC), considered the father of modern medicine, who stressed supporting the body's natural healing abilities through lifestyle changes.

The article concludes with a note that the series will continue in the next issue.

Humorous Anecdotes

The magazine includes several humorous short stories or anecdotes:

• Fräckisen (The Cheeky Joke): A story about an elderly man observing a punk youth, leading to a humorous exchange about a past encounter with a parrot.
• Puzzel (Puzzle): A story about a Norwegian man asking his Swedish wife to help assemble a jigsaw puzzle, which turns out to be a box of cornflakes.
• Genväg är senväg (A Shortcut is a Detour): A priest falls into a bog and refuses help from the fire department, believing God will save him. He later drowns and questions Saint Peter, who reveals he called the fire department twice.
• Bikt (Confession): Four nuns confess to touching a man's private parts. The priest instructs them to dip the affected body part in holy water. The story ends with a humorous twist involving the fourth nun's reluctance to wash her mouth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include UFO sightings and investigations, the history and activities of local UFO organizations (Enköping-Sala UFO-förening and UFO-Sverige), astronomical phenomena and news, and the historical development of scientific thought. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting interest in UFO phenomena, encouraging research and discussion, and providing a platform for members to share information and experiences. There is also an emphasis on historical context, both in terms of UFO research and the history of science. The inclusion of humorous anecdotes suggests a desire to engage readers on multiple levels.