UFO Allehenda - 2004 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-ALLEHANDA
Issue: Nr. 3 2004
Publisher: Enköping-Sala UFO-förening
Type: Member magazine

Editorial Content

Letter from the Editor (Mats Nilsson)

The editor, Mats Nilsson, reflects on the past summer, noting its prolonged warmth and the personal challenges he has faced, including the loss of his mother to cancer, losing his job after 31 years of employment, and separating from his partner. He frames these experiences as opportunities for positive change and new beginnings. He encourages readers to note upcoming events in the magazine, such as the autumn party on October 8th, which will feature various activities, potentially including pizza or potluck, and an auction to raise funds for heating. He also mentions a flea market on November 13th, which will contribute to the club's funds and potentially allow for additional member activities. He expresses hope that the current issue will be interesting and invites readers to attend the club's meetings in Ullunda, held every Wednesday evening.

News and Events within the Association (Mats Nilsson)

Mats Nilsson discusses the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening in 2006. He reminisces about the past, including the split in UFO-Sverige in 1980, and mentions Eugen Semitjov, a renowned space artist and journalist, as a past speaker. He notes that many UFO associations were founded in 1976, and that Enköping and Sala merged in 1990 to form a stronger regional organization. He observes that club life has declined due to modern lifestyles and the emphasis on paid work over volunteerism. He also notes a shift towards investigation groups, which he sees as a positive development for field work. Regarding UFO cases in their investigation area, he states they have been sparse recently, with a few involving light phenomena at high altitudes, likely aircraft or Venus. He expresses concern about the stagnant membership numbers, believing many interested individuals in the region are not involved. He contrasts the current state of UFO-Sverige with its 1970s approach, highlighting its growth into a more scientifically oriented organization that receives better media attention and cooperation with authorities. He invites interested readers to attend meetings in Ullunda.

Triangles Can Solve Mars Mysteries

This article reports on the discovery of unknown microscopic life forms in Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA. These organisms, shaped like pyramids, triangles, and squares, are unlike previously found spiral or rod-shaped microbes. Scientists believe these findings could help solve mysteries related to life on Mars, as Great Salt Lake's conditions are comparable to ancient Martian lakes that have since dried up, leaving behind salt deposits. Dr. Bonnie Baxter from Westminster College suggests that similar organisms might exist in Martian salt crystals, potentially allowing for the reanimation of Martian life. The article cites a previous success in reviving organisms from 250-million-year-old formations.

ET Signal Was Just Nonsense

This piece details a signal detected from the area between the Pisces and Aquarius constellations, which initially generated significant media attention as a potential message from an extraterrestrial civilization. The signal was first registered in February 2003 and detected on three subsequent occasions. IT engineer Oliver Voelker in Nuremberg stated that the signal was processed by his computer as part of the SETI@home project. However, the signal was later dismissed as nonsense by Professor Dan Wertheimer, the research chief of the project, who stated that no unusual signals had been received.

Space Bacteria May Have Started Life on Earth

This article discusses a British research group that has provided evidence supporting the panspermia theory, which posits that life on Earth originated from space. The researchers demonstrated that microbes can survive a meteorite crash onto Earth's surface. This supports the theory proposed by Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius in the early 20th century. Previous doubts about the theory centered on whether bacteria could survive the high speeds of meteorite impacts. The British team placed microbes inside ceramic fragments, launched them at high speeds, and found that a sufficient number survived, particularly when the impact surface was ice. The study used bacteria named Rhodococcus erythropolis and Bacillus subtilis. The researchers suggest that life exchange could have occurred not only between Mars and Earth but also involving some of Jupiter's icy moons.

Personal Anecdotes and Fiaskos (Arnold Idebring)

Arnold Idebring shares personal experiences and 'fiaskos' from his nearly 30 years of involvement with the UFO-förening. He recounts an incident during a national meeting in Sandbroskolan where a UFO model, suspended by a fishing line, failed to perform as intended, slacking and stopping mid-air. He also describes a planned event called 'Mälarträffen' in Ullunda around 1982-1983, which was severely impacted by heavy rain, causing equipment failure and resulting in very few attendees. He also shares a story about a film screening at Sandbroskolan for students, which became chaotic due to excessive noise from the audience, leading the principal to end the event abruptly. Despite these setbacks, he also recounts positive experiences, including a successful film screening at Fjärdhundraskolan and a very disciplined and positive presentation at a school in Tillinge. He concludes by inviting readers to upcoming events like the autumn party, flea market, and Lucia celebration.

Field Investigation Course

This section briefly mentions that UFO-Sverige has organized field investigation courses since 1977. This year's course was held at Barken Konferens, a luxurious hotel, as the usual venue, Björsjö, had gone bankrupt. The course involved group work and case reviews led by Clas Svahn, who acted as the primary contact for investigations. The article notes that the course was very educational, and many mistakes were made, even by those who knew the correct procedures. A thank you is extended to Clas Svahn for his time and effort.

Ivar's Column

Ivar shares reflections on the summer, which was varied with sun, storms, and rain. He mentions purchasing a 'Friggebod' (a small prefabricated cabin) and winning money on a lottery and horse racing, humorously questioning what he will buy next. He expresses gratitude to the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening for celebrating his 70th birthday, describing the festivities which began at midnight and continued with guests, music, and a gathering at the community center in Teda. He also recounts an incident where he initially thought he witnessed a UFO, but later realized it was an airplane with its lights on. He apologizes for not having been able to attend UFO meetings due to his band's performances but mentions that Taimi has promised to arrange something to eat for the members. He expresses pride in writing his column for so long.

Upcoming Events

Autumn Party in Ullunda: Friday, October 8, 2004, at 6:30 PM. Members are invited to bring food or order pizza. The event will include an auction.
Flea Market in Ullunda: November 13th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Members are encouraged to bring items they wish to sell.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening, encouraging membership, participation in events, and subscription to "UFO-Aktuellt." There is a strong emphasis on the history and evolution of UFO research in Sweden, with a critical look at past approaches and an endorsement of a more scientific methodology. Personal anecdotes and reflections from long-time members like Arnold Idebring and Ivar add a personal touch, while news of discoveries and theories, such as life on Mars and panspermia, reflect the broader interests of the UFO community. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, historical awareness, and community building within the field of ufology.