UFO Forum - 1974 - No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO FORUM
Issue: Nr. 3
Volume: 2. årgang (2nd year)
Date: 1974
Publisher: Norsk UFO Center
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of UFO Forum, published by Norsk UFO Center in Trondheim, Norway, delves into a variety of topics related to UFO phenomena, space exploration, and parapsychology. The magazine is issued five times a year, including a special "RAPPORTUTGAVE" (Report Edition) with each number. The subscription price is Kr.30,- per year or Kr.15,- per issue.

Content Highlights

Redaksjonelt (Editorial)

The editorial section discusses the approaching deadline for an investigation in Namsenfjorden, which requires significant coordination. It also notes the upcoming summer holidays, which will provide a break from UFO work. The editorial muses on how people spend their holidays, from standard travel agency trips to more unconventional excursions. It then focuses on the upcoming gathering at Namsenfjorden, intended to bring together UFO loges for discussions on future work and cooperation. Notably, guests from abroad, including representatives from UFO-Sverige, are expected.

"U.S. VITENSKAPSMENN I KONTAKT MED SIVILISASJON I DET YTRE ROM" ("U.S. SCIENTISTS IN CONTACT WITH CIVILIZATION IN OUTER SPACE")

This article, attributed to Major Donald Keyhoe, presents evidence that contact with an extraterrestrial civilization has already occurred. Keyhoe, a veteran UFO researcher and author, claims that American military leaders suppressed this information due to fear of widespread panic. The article details how in 1959, the National Science Foundation initiated Project Ozma at Green Bank, West Virginia, to listen for signals from space. Dr. Otto Struve, the observatory director, announced the project in 1960, suggesting the existence of millions of inhabited planets in our galaxy and the importance of attempting communication. In early 1961, Project Ozma, led by Dr. Frank Drake, detected strong signals in intelligent code from the direction of Tau Ceti. This event was reportedly suppressed by the Pentagon, which claimed the signals originated from a secret military station. The article further mentions a secret meeting in November 1961 where scientists estimated that 40-50 million worlds might be attempting to contact Earth. The project later moved to Puerto Rico and is now under the AF Office of Scientific Research, with any significant findings likely to be kept secret.

"INDIKASJON PÅ LIV I GALAKSENE" ("INDICATION OF LIFE IN THE GALAXIES")

This section reports on the discovery by Dr. Leonid Weliachew, a radio astronomer at the California Institute of Technology, who found that hydrogen and oxygen atoms in two galaxies 193 trillion kilometers from Earth organize into hydroxyl radicals. This chemical is considered essential for the development of life, suggesting that the process leading to life on Earth is likely occurring elsewhere in the universe. Scientists believe this could have led to the development of intelligent life on other planets.

Andre vitenskapsmenn (Other Scientists)

This part discusses the ongoing research into detecting signals from other civilizations. Dr. Bernhard Oliver, a guest professor at Stanford University, highlights the challenge of finding alien signals, likening it to searching for a needle in a haystack without knowing what the needle looks like. Project Cyclops, a summer program involving 20 scientists and engineers, aims to determine the necessary technology and equipment for detecting such signals. Despite NASA's initial reluctance to support such a program, a government-funded study of $115,000 indicates a shift in thinking regarding the possibility of life in the universe.

MØTE MED JUPITER ("MEETING WITH JUPITER")

Authored by K. Stenødegård, this article details the historic encounter of the American space probe Pioneer 10 with Jupiter on December 3, 1973. The probe, launched on a journey of over a billion kilometers, passed Jupiter at a distance of 140,000 km. The data collected is expected to take 10-20 years to analyze but is considered more significant than discoveries by Galileo and Copernicus, potentially rewriting astronomical and human history. Pioneer 10, the first spacecraft to leave our solar system, travels at 73,000 km/hour towards the constellation Taurus, a journey that will take 11 million years. The article also mentions seven other robotic spacecraft exploring the solar system, including probes to Mars. The overarching question driving this research is whether life exists elsewhere in the universe.

#### Mystiske Jupiter

Jupiter is ten times the size of Earth and has twelve moons, one of which may resemble Earth in its early stages. If an astronaut were on board Pioneer 10, Jupiter would appear four times larger than the Moon and 80 times brighter. Scientists are investigating whether Jupiter is a developing planet or a star that failed to fully develop. It is noted that Jupiter generates three times more energy than it receives from the Sun, thus not being a "dead planet". The article describes Jupiter's atmosphere, its "Great Red Spot" (an eye-like feature with a radius of 50,000 km), and mentions holes in its surface surrounded by boiling orange clouds. The atmospheric conditions are compared to Earth's two billion years ago, when the first signs of organic life appeared.

#### Den røde flekken ("The Red Spot")

This subsection focuses on the Great Red Spot on Jupiter, a feature known since 1664, and its characteristics.

#### Møte med Jupiter - fortsatt fra forrige side

This continuation discusses how information from Pioneer 10 can provide insights into our own past and evolutionary history. It also mentions the Soviet Union's four space probes preparing for landing on Mars, aiming to photograph its surface and conduct analyses. The probes are expected to arrive in February and April of the following year. Pioneer 10's journey continues towards Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, with the ultimate destination being 11 million years away.

URI GELLER OG DET UKJENTE ("URI GELLER AND THE UNKNOWN")

Authored by Ulf Gleditsch, this article explores the field of parapsychology, referencing Professor Harald Schjelderup's 1961 book "Det skjulte menneske" ("The Hidden Human") and Birger Quarnstrøm's work. It discusses phenomena like telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis, which were once dismissed as magic but are gradually gaining scientific acceptance. The article highlights Uri Geller, a psychic who claims to have powers that allow him to influence physical objects and receive images from other minds. While many are skeptical, numerous people have reported instances of spoons bending and clocks starting to work in their homes, seemingly influenced by Geller's abilities or similar phenomena.

#### Uri Geller - fortsatt fra side 8

This section presents two main interpretations of Geller's abilities: either he possesses latent psychic powers, or he is receiving energy from an external source, possibly extraterrestrial. The article suggests that if extraterrestrial civilizations exist and have advanced technology, they might have overcome the challenges of interstellar travel and could be visiting Earth. It notes that thousands of UFO reports have been filed globally, with many sightings of unknown flying objects witnessed by trained observers. Even the Condon report acknowledged that some cases could only be explained as possible spaceships from other worlds. A French research team reportedly filmed a flying object that they concluded was a spaceship from another planet, and they believe such craft have landed and may have taken humans for study.

Redaksjonelt (Editorial) - forts fra side 4

This continuation of the editorial discusses the interest in "sea anomalies" or "USOs" (Unidentified Submarine Objects) by UFO-Sverige. Following their activities at Namsenfjorden, they plan to investigate similar phenomena in Sognefjorden, Norway, and then travel to England. The editorial also touches upon Swedish lakes being sites of UFO activity, with several named lakes mentioned as examples. It suggests that there might be something unusual occurring in these locations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena, scientific inquiry (particularly space exploration), and the burgeoning field of parapsychology. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and inquisitive, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional scientific understanding. There is a clear interest in evidence-based reporting, even when discussing controversial topics like psychic abilities and potential extraterrestrial contact. The magazine aims to inform its readers about ongoing research and investigations in the UFO and related fields, fostering a sense of shared inquiry among enthusiasts.

Title: Norsk UFO Forum
Issue: Nr 3/1974
Date: 1974
Publisher: Norsk UFO Forum
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of Norsk UFO Forum continues its exploration of UFO phenomena, with a particular focus on the ongoing discussion surrounding Uri Geller, media coverage of UFO events, and reports from behind the Iron Curtain.

Uri Geller - Continued

The article "Uri Geller - fortsatt" delves into the nature of Geller's abilities, suggesting that spiritual content in planets and the cosmos influences humans, and that Geller's powers might be triggered by external forces or telepathic communication from other beings. It touches upon the scientific community's skepticism towards such phenomena, contrasting it with a more open religious perspective. The piece also recommends several books for further reading on parapsychology and the nature of existence.

Critique of Media Coverage: Billedbladet NÅ

Several articles critically examine the reporting of UFO events by the Norwegian weekly Billedbladet NÅ. The magazine accuses NÅ of misrepresenting facts, sensationalizing observations, and lacking proper understanding of the UFO phenomenon. Specific points of contention include:

• Concorde Sighting: Norsk UFO Forum disputes NÅ's portrayal of the Concorde UFO sighting on June 30, 1973, as unique and groundbreaking. They argue that the observation, while interesting, was not as significant as other documented cases and that NÅ misrepresented the positive statements of French scientists.
• Expert Opinions: The magazine questions NÅ's interpretation of statements from researchers like Carl Hugo Ågren and Tage Eriksson, suggesting that NÅ selectively used information and misrepresented their views.
• Misinformation and Inaccuracies: Norsk UFO Forum points out numerous factual errors in NÅ's reporting, including the misattribution of statements, the existence of organizations, and the methods used for analysis (e.g., misrepresenting how object size was calculated).
• Tendency of Reporting: The core criticism is that NÅ's reporting is deliberately tendentious, avoiding any information that would support UFO research or the credibility of UFO researchers, thereby confusing the public.

UFOs Behind the Iron Curtain

This section reviews the book "UFO's FROM BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN" by Julien Weverbergh and Ion Hobana. The book is praised for its detailed documentation of UFO reports from Eastern European countries and the Soviet Union, offering insights into the official and private UFO research conducted there.

Key findings from the book include:

• The Russian UFO period began in 1946.
• Russian UFOs share characteristics with those reported globally.
• Public and scientific reactions to UFOs in the Soviet bloc mirror those in the West.
• The scientific community's stance is similar to that in the West.
• The UFO phenomenon is considered to be of extraterrestrial origin.

The review highlights the book's coverage of the "Tunguska event" of 1908, suggesting it was not a meteor or comet but possibly a spacecraft, and mentions a peculiar painting of a "spaceship" in a Yugoslavian monastery.

Redaksjonelt (Editorial)

The editorial section continues the critical examination of UFO reporting, particularly a case from Southern Argentina on December 30, 1972. A shepherd named Venture Maceiras reported a close encounter with a saucer-shaped craft that displayed a unique emblem: a sea horse with a crown. The editorial emphasizes the consistency of such detailed descriptions across global UFO reports, suggesting a common underlying phenomenon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical analysis of media reporting on UFO phenomena, the scientific community's often skeptical approach, and the exploration of UFO sightings from various global regions, including behind the Iron Curtain. The editorial stance is one of advocating for more accurate and objective reporting of UFO events, challenging sensationalism and misinformation, and promoting serious research into the subject. The magazine positions itself as a source of more in-depth and critical information for UFO enthusiasts.

Title: Norsk UFO Forum
Issue: 3/1974
Date: September 1974

This issue of Norsk UFO Forum features a review of the book "Man And The Stars" by Duncan Lunan, alongside a call for translators and information about upcoming issues.

Review: "Man And The Stars" by Duncan Lunan

The review focuses on Duncan Lunan's book, "Man And The Stars," which explores the concept of contact with other civilizations and humanity's future in space. The book's title is presented as potentially poetic, with a subtitle "Contact And Communication With Other Intelligence." The author, Duncan Lunan, is presented as believing that humanity's entry into space is the most significant evolutionary step since life left the oceans, and that space exploration is the only alternative to regression.

In 1972, Lunan, as president of the Scottish Association for Technology and Research in Astronautics (ASTRA), led discussions on interstellar travel. These discussions involved experts in technology, astronomy, and psychology, addressing potential targets, intentions, and problems related to programs for detecting other planets, colonization, and contact with alien civilizations. The book, inspired by these conferences, is described as being almost like a science fiction novel but also a reminder that such miracles are possible for humanity to achieve.

The chapter on space navigation, including concepts like time dilation, speeds exceeding light, and black holes, is compared to Kubrick's film "2001."

A significant event preceding the book's completion was Lunan's deciphering of mysterious radio signals from the 1920s. These signals, apparently transmitted from a spacecraft orbiting Earth, were interpreted as star charts. Their origin was traced to the Boötes (Hyrden) constellation, dating back 13,000 years, from a planet that had long been uninhabitable.

The reviewer poses questions about whether this was an SOS signal from a civilization seeking a new home after their planet burned up from its expanding sun, and if they are aware of our existence.

Lunan's book is not just an analysis of these possibilities but also links them with potential past indications of spacecraft from Epsilon-Bootes having visited Earth. Lunan believes that contact with other intelligences could be a highly positive event or a catastrophe, emphasizing the need for preparation.

Critical Assessment of Lunan's UFO Knowledge

The reviewer acknowledges that the book is not strictly a UFO book but notes that the final chapter discusses the possibility of Earth being visited by aliens. However, the reviewer expresses that Lunan demonstrates a "nearly unbelievable lack of knowledge of the subject's fundamental aspects," which significantly diminishes the book's value. Despite this criticism, the reviewer concedes that Lunan's lack of engagement with UFO matters might explain his limited knowledge in this specific area. The reviewer also suggests that Lunan's lack of engagement might have prevented him from realizing that the UFO phenomenon represents something entirely different from the common misinterpretations by laypeople and stories like those of Adamski.

Despite the critique of the UFO-related chapter, the reviewer emphasizes that the book's "overwhelmingly dominant content" is "quite interesting and educational for anyone with an interest in the universe and its exploration." With 324 pages and impressive illustrations, the book is considered a "magnificent work" dedicated to questions and problems of increasing relevance for any thinking person.

• Publication Details:
• Title: MAN AND THE STARS
• Author: Duncan Lunan
• Publisher: Souvenir Press Ltd., 95 Mortimer Street, London W1N 8HP
• Year: 1974

Call for Translators

The magazine issues a call for translators from Norwegian to English, stating that there is a constant shortage. Readers are encouraged to consider taking on translation tasks, particularly for reports from the standard report forms used by the forum into English.

Upcoming Issues and Editorial Notes

The next issue of UFO Forum is expected in September, and issue 5/1974 is anticipated before Christmas. The editorial team announces a summer break, wishing the readers a good holiday as well.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the exploration of space, the potential for extraterrestrial contact, and the critical analysis of literature related to these topics. The editorial stance, as reflected in the review, is one that encourages intellectual curiosity and the exploration of the universe, while maintaining a critical perspective on claims and interpretations, particularly concerning UFO phenomena. There's a clear distinction made between speculative science fiction and the rigorous analysis of evidence, with a call for preparedness regarding potential extraterrestrial contact.