UFO Forum - 1976 - No 5

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO FORUM
Issue: 5
Volume/Year: 1976
Publisher: Norsk UFO Center
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian
Cover Headline: INNHOLD (Contents)

This issue of UFO Forum, published by Norsk UFO Center, delves into various aspects of UFO research and related topics. It features articles on scientific investigations, organizational matters within NUFOC, and a book review.

Redaksjonelt (Editorial)

The editorial discusses the historical difficulties faced by UFO organizations due to internal conflicts and external skepticism. It highlights NUFOC as a positive exception, noting its growing recognition and the challenges of maintaining momentum as resources become a limiting factor. The editorial expresses hope that the recent national meeting served as a 'vitamin shot' and introduces the establishment of a nationwide central fund as a key strategy for future advancements, aiming to secure funds for planned initiatives.

NUFOC's Landsmøte 1976 (NUFOC's National Meeting 1976)

This section reports on the NUFOC national meeting held in Lillestrøm on August 14-15, 1976. The meeting was characterized by strong participation, consensus, and successful outcomes. The first day focused on internal matters, including discussions on 'Ideology and Future Course' led by K. Stenødegård. He emphasized the importance of adhering to scientific methods while remaining open to new ideas, and the need to gather accurate data on UFO reports. Finn W. Kalvik presented on the functions of NUFOC Vestlandet and the volume of reports received, suggesting that the inter-planetary hypothesis might be supported by the data. A significant debate revolved around the establishment of a national board ('LANDSSTYRE') to provide oversight to the central administration. While some concerns were raised about potential bureaucracy, the discussion underscored a broad agreement on NUFOC's fundamental principles and goals. The second day included invited guests and presentations, though some notable speakers were unable to attend. The overall sentiment was positive, with NUFOC's organizational and operational methods being deemed successful after four years of activity.

Tidsavhengighet mellom geomagnetiske forstyrrelser og øyenvitners UFO-beretninger (Time Dependence between Geomagnetic Disturbances and Eyewitness UFO Reports)

Authored by Claude Poker, a doctor of engineering, this article explores a method for studying the UFO phenomenon by correlating UFO sightings with existing recordings of Earth's magnetic field. The author discusses the challenges of automated observation stations due to the low probability of sightings. The study focuses on data from the Chambon-la-Foret geomagnetic station in France, analyzing UFO reports from its vicinity since 1886. The research aimed to determine if abnormal fluctuations in the magnetic field coincided with UFO sightings. Initial findings indicated no direct correlation, but further analysis suggested that significant magnetic disturbances might be associated with UFO activity, particularly when considering the distance from the observation site. The article concludes that while a direct statistical link was not definitively established, the methodology shows promise for investigating UFO phenomena, especially with a larger dataset and more automated stations. It suggests that UFOs might generate magnetic disturbances of up to 10 gamma at a distance of 40 km.

Vitenskpsmenn tar UFO mer alvorlig (Scientists Take UFO More Seriously)

This article, a translation from 'The Christian Science Monitor', reports on the increasing acceptance of UFO studies within the US academic community. Universities and laboratories are hosting lectures on the subject, and several doctoral dissertations are directly addressing UFO phenomena. Opinion polls indicate a growing interest among scientists and engineers. The article mentions a debate held by the 'American Association for the Advancement of Science' and an upcoming event sponsored by the 'American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics'. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, director of the Center for UFO-Studies, notes the shift from skepticism to a more serious consideration of UFOs. The article also touches upon the Condon Report, arguing that it actually confirms the existence of the UFO phenomenon rather than dismissing it, and criticizes those who misinterpret or ignore its findings.

"Mystiske fremmede" (Mysterious Strangers)

This is a review of Jacques Bergier's book "Mystiske fremmede" (Mysterious Strangers), which explores themes of astroarchaeology. The book posits that an external intelligence has influenced the development of life on Earth, including human intelligence. Bergier suggests that UFO sightings and various unexplained historical events might be part of this intelligence's ongoing 'monitoring' or 'experiments' to understand humanity. The review notes that while Bergier's sources may be debatable, the book presents intriguing accounts and theories that offer potential explanations for phenomena that defy conventional explanations. The reviewer highlights that Bergier avoids the simplistic 'savior' narrative often associated with alien contact theories.

NUFOC's samarbeide med Forsvaret (NUFOC's Cooperation with the Military)

This section includes a letter from a reader expressing concern about potential censorship in NUFOC's cooperation with the Norwegian military's high command. The reader, who has experience in the military, questions the military's past dismissiveness of UFO reports and worries that NUFOC might not receive all relevant information if the military retains the right to censor. The response from NUFOC clarifies that the agreement focuses on military security restrictions for specific data, not on suppressing interesting UFO reports. NUFOC expects to receive relevant data from the military for its research. The response also addresses the reader's negative experiences discussing UFOs with military personnel, attributing it to a lack of knowledge about the subject matter, and draws parallels to the initial skepticism of prominent UFO researchers like Dr. J. Allen Hynek.

Hovedkasse på landsbasis (National Central Fund)

This announcement details the establishment of a central fund for NUFOC to address increasing financial challenges. The fund aims to support specific projects and initiatives that are deemed significant for NUFOC's overall development. Members are encouraged to contribute, with a minimum contribution of 25 Norwegian Kroner per year. The fund will be managed by Erik Fjeldberg in Lillestrøm.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the organizational development and challenges of NUFOC, and the increasing acceptance of UFO studies by the scientific community. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded yet rigorous scientific inquiry, emphasizing data collection and analysis while acknowledging the complexities and potential skepticism surrounding the topic. There is a clear effort to foster a sense of community and collaboration within NUFOC and with external entities like the military, albeit with a strong emphasis on transparency and the free dissemination of information.

Title: UFO FORUM
Issue: nr. 5/76
Date: 1976
Publisher: Norsk UFO Center
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of UFO Forum focuses on the organization's research activities and administrative updates. It addresses the ongoing debate surrounding UFO phenomena, the challenges of scientific investigation, and the role of organizations like NUFOC in gathering and analyzing data.

Editorial and Letters

The editorial section begins by addressing a correspondent, likely from a military background, who seems dismissive of UFO reports. The author argues that military personnel should be more open to investigating UFOs, suggesting they read Dr. Hynek's book on the subject. The piece criticizes a lack of scientific rigor in dismissing reports and emphasizes that UFOs are an empirical fact, not a matter of belief. It encourages readers to report dismissive attitudes from military personnel to the Norsk UFO Center. The text also references the work of Dr. Claude Poher and Dr. Jacques Vallee as examples of serious scientific analysis of UFO phenomena.

New Research Section

A significant announcement is the establishment of a new research section for Norsk UFO Center, located in Kongsvinger and now relocated to Drammen. The section is headed by Tom Runar Lemb, with Pavel Tichy as group leader for instrumentation. Other group leaders include Thore Magnussen (Photography), Lage Hunstad (Chemistry), Jan Røren (Technical Assistant), Rune Bjørkvik (Astronomy), Tom Evensen, and Jan O. Stavenes. The section has access to specialists and consultants, including Pavel Tichy, who has prior UFO research experience in Czechoslovakia. The section is expected to contribute significantly to UFO research, having already undertaken tasks effectively despite being operational for only about two months.

UFO Detectors

This section details the development of two types of UFO detectors by the research section in Drammen. The first is a mobile detector, designed for mass production and affordability, powered by a 4.5-volt battery. The second is a larger, stationary detector with an electrostatic reaction method, priced at approximately kr. 175,- and powered by 220-volt AC. This detector is built with a field-effect transistor and a holding circuit to maintain a signal even if the energy field is brief, ensuring a warning light stays illuminated. It is designed to react to electrostatic, field, or magnetic/static energy sources. The article notes that while these detectors can indicate the presence of something unusual, they cannot definitively identify it as a UFO due to the limited understanding of these objects. The goal is to help identify UFOs "in the act" and to rule out other explanations like conventional aircraft or meteors. The article encourages readers to acquire these instruments and provides contact information for inquiries.

Financial and Membership Updates

Several sections deal with administrative and financial matters for Norsk UFO Center (NUFOC). The "NB!" section provides crucial updates for the upcoming year (1977). The subscription price for "RAPPORTNYTT" will increase to kr. 30,-, while the price for "UFO FORUM" will remain at kr. 20,- per year. The annual affiliation fee for NUFOC will be kr. 25,-. New roles are being established, including a National Board (LANDSSTYRE) composed of department and organization leaders, which will have authority over the central administration in specific matters. Two different giro cards are included with the issue: one for new UFO Forum subscriptions and another for the membership/affiliation fee, both to be sent to the main post office box in Lillestrøm.

The magazine also mentions that the 1977 issues of UFO Forum will feature articles on astronomical news by consultant Øyvind Andreassen. The organization is seeking funds to realize larger projects and improve the technical standard of the publication, emphasizing that a larger subscriber base is key to this development. The issue concludes with a Christmas greeting to the readers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the professionalization of UFO research, the development of scientific tools (UFO detectors), and the organizational growth of NUFOC. The editorial stance is one of advocating for serious, empirical investigation of UFO phenomena, countering skepticism, and encouraging active participation from members and the public. There is a clear emphasis on documenting evidence and treating UFOs as a legitimate scientific problem.