UFO Forum - 1977 - No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO FORUM
Issue: 1
Volume: 1977
Issue Date: January 1977
Publisher: Norsk UFO Center
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

Editorial Content

Redaksjonelt (Editorial)

The editorial welcomes readers to the new year and the fifth volume of UFO Forum, expressing gratitude to the subscribers who make the publication possible. It notes the continued interest and development in UFO research worldwide and highlights the challenge of fitting all relevant material into the magazine's limited space. The editorial mentions an attempt to launch an internal newsletter to disseminate more information and improve internal communication, requiring financial support from interested individuals.

The editorial also discusses the growth and development of NUFOC, citing specific advancements such as the streamlining of NUFOC Sørlandet and the integration of the 'Globalseksjonen' (Global Section). It emphasizes the organization's commitment to further development and its improved standing in the media.

Dr. Hynek til Norden? (Dr. Hynek to Norden?)

This article recounts a visit by Harald Thuresson, a colleague from the Swedish UFO-RAPPORT magazine, to Dr. J. Allen Hynek at the Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois. The visit provided insights into Hynek's work and the Center's operations. Thuresson describes his journey to Evanston, including a challenging taxi ride. He details his conversation with Dr. Hynek, who was interested in the goals and progress of the 'Prosject URD' (Project URD). Thuresson expresses hope that he convinced Hynek of the seriousness of their work, leading to potential future collaboration. The article mentions a near-observation incident reported by a colleague of Hynek's, involving a house-sized circular object seen by schoolchildren. It also introduces the 'International UFO Reporter,' a new publication from the Center for UFO Studies, which is expected to be a significant resource.

Dr. Hynek's plans to visit Eastern Europe in August-September 1977 are mentioned, with a possibility of him visiting Sweden to give a lecture. The article also touches upon a potential Nordic UFO gathering in Lillestrøm and the idea of a Scandinavian UFO center.

Stjerners Fødsel, Liv og Død (The Birth, Life, and Death of Stars)

This is the first part of a series by Øyvind Andreassen exploring how astronomers understand the formation, evolution, and death of stars. The article begins by explaining the fundamental question of what makes stars shine and the energy transport involved. It outlines three potential mechanisms for stars to emit energy: simple cooling, the release of gravitational energy through contraction, and internal heat sources like controlled nuclear fusion. The article discusses the limitations of the first two mechanisms in explaining the long lifespan of stars like our Sun, concluding that controlled fusion is the most likely source of stellar energy. It also briefly touches upon the mystery of neutrinos.

The article then delves into the formation of stars, describing the process within interstellar space filled with gas and dust. It explains how gravitational collapse can occur in dense regions called 'kondruller' (condensations), leading to the formation of a protostar. The process involves heating due to compression and the eventual ignition of nuclear fusion, marking the birth of a star. The article promises to continue this discussion in the next issue.

Presserunde (Press Round-up)

This section highlights the extensive media coverage of the UFO issue and the Norsk UFO Center in 1976. It includes selected press clippings that are of indirect interest. One article discusses the possibility of planting life on Mars, with biochemist James F. Danielli suggesting that if Mars has no native life, humans should consider introducing plants to make it more hospitable for future astronauts. He notes that Mars's environment is similar to a desert and that hardy plants could potentially survive. The article also mentions the Viking I mission's findings regarding life on Mars.

Another clipping from Moscow discusses the possibility of contact with extraterrestrial civilizations by the year 2100, citing Czech space researcher Rudolf Pecek. It mentions the Soviet Union's Ratan 600 radio telescope and the belief that any advanced civilization would be interested in knowledge.

A third article from Mountain View, California, reports on a Jupiter conference where scientist Dr. Cyril Ponnamperuma suggested the possibility of life on Jupiter's moons, citing the presence of organic molecules. While Jupiter's atmosphere is considered too harsh for life, its moons like Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto are seen as more promising candidates, with evidence of atmospheres and potential water.

"Et Gufs Fra Himmelerommet" ("A Chill from Outer Space")

This is a humorous report about a prank by graduating students in Kristiansand, Norway, who created a mock flying saucer using wood, paper, and smoke effects to simulate a UFO encounter.

"Løgn Eller Selvbedrag Dersom Man Ser Kulelyn?" ("Lies or Self-Deception If One Sees Ball Lightning?")

This article questions the scientific understanding of ball lightning, referencing a Danish newspaper article that suggests people who report seeing ball lightning are often self-deceivers or liars. It contrasts this with the common description of ball lightning as rare but known phenomena, often appearing as glowing spheres of light during thunderstorms. The article notes that science has been skeptical due to the lack of explanation for its occurrence and slow movement. It also mentions that a Swiss lightning researcher, Prof. Karl Berger, has re-evaluated photographic evidence and found that many sightings could be explained by other phenomena. However, the article also presents a report from the US where researchers found images of ball lightning captured by cameras monitoring meteorites.

"Kulelyn – Et Uforklarig Fenomen" ("Ball Lightning – An Unexplained Phenomenon")

This article delves deeper into the phenomenon of ball lightning, describing a case where a blue-violet luminous ball struck a British housewife. It highlights the lack of scientific explanation for ball lightning, with theories ranging from water molecules forming a 'shell' around light energy to atomic reactions. The article mentions that the British Ministry of Defence reportedly possesses many accounts of such phenomena but has denied researchers access to the data. It also recounts a case from Norwich where a ball of fire entered a tram and exploded. The article concludes by stating that science still lacks a definitive explanation for ball lightning.

"Søker Å Ettersore Det Usynlige I Tilværelsen" ("Seeking to Trace the Invisible in Existence")

This is a review of the book "Den fantastiske videnskab" (The Fantastic Science) by Peter Andreas and Casper Kilian. The book compiles research from various scientific institutes worldwide in fields like parapsychology, psychology, medicine, and physics. It presents evidence for the extraordinary and suggests the existence of a 'fine-matter double body' alongside the physical body, citing research on plants and Kirlian photography. The review notes that while some claims may be hard to accept, the book encourages readers to consider the possibility of phenomena beyond current scientific understanding.

"Er Vi Alene?" ("Are We Alone?")

This article discusses the Soviet astronomer Josef Sjklovski's view that the probability of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe is low. He argues that any advanced civilization would have made itself known by now. Sjklovski concludes that humanity is likely alone in our galaxy, a view that contrasts with earlier beliefs about life on other planets.

Avstandsbestemmelse (Distance Determination)

This section, authored by Erik Fjeldborg, explains methods for calculating the distance to an object of unknown size. It requires observations from at least two locations with a known distance between them, and compass bearings from each observer to the object. The article details four methods: trigonometric calculation, using millimeter paper and a compass, using a map and compass, and a less common method with a ruler and compass. It provides mathematical formulas and diagrams to illustrate the trigonometric and graphical methods.

Geiger Counter Ready for Delivery

This announcement from the Utrykningsseksjonen (Emergency Section) of the Instrumentutviklingsgruppen (Instrument Development Group) in Tønsberg states that newly developed Geiger counters are available for purchase. It lists the specifications of the device, including its dimensions, power requirements, sensitivity, and price. The article suggests that these Geiger counters would be valuable tools for field researchers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO Forum include the exploration of UFO phenomena, astronomical discoveries, and scientific research into unexplained phenomena. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of open-minded inquiry, presenting various theories and reports while also critically examining them. There is a clear emphasis on promoting serious research and providing information to an interested public. The publication also highlights the activities and achievements of the Norsk UFO Center, positioning itself as a key resource for UFO enthusiasts in Norway and beyond.

Title: UFO FORUM
Issue: 1/77
Date: 1977
Publisher: NUFOC
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of UFO FORUM provides a detailed look at UFO-related press coverage in Norway during 1975 and 1976, alongside internal organizational news and a listing of UFO literature.

Press Coverage Overview (1975-1976)

The magazine presents two extensive tables summarizing press mentions of UFOs and specifically NUFOC. The first table, for 1976, lists 44 press mentions, detailing the date, publication (avis/blad), and the individual credited (kredit). The second table, for 1975, lists 32 press mentions with similar details. A concluding note highlights that NUFOC was represented in the press 32 times in 1975 and 44 times in 1976, indicating a positive trend. The total number of general mentions for the UFO concept in 1976 was 121, and 152 in 1975. When NUFOC's direct involvement is factored in, these numbers rise to 165 for 1976 and 184 for 1975.

The analysis also points out that the number of press mentions tends to increase during periods of concrete events and that NUFOC's information activities significantly influence these trends. The magazine emphasizes the importance of noting which newspapers and magazines are covering these topics and where in the country they are located.

For comparative purposes, the issue notes that in 1976, 96 press clippings were received from Swedish newspapers and 65 from Danish newspapers, suggesting a basis for comparison with Norway's coverage.

Organizational News (Organisasjonsnytt)

Starting in 1977, the Globalseksjonen (Global Section) of NUFOC has been transferred from the Central Administration to NUFOC SØRLANDET in Arendal. Fru Ingjerd Stobbe has been appointed as the section leader.

Herr Odd Bjørn Rørendal, also from NUFOC Sør, who handles a significant portion of the organization's printing tasks, has been appointed as the section leader for the Trykkeriseksjonen (Printing Section) within NUFOC Sørlandet.

Internal NUFOC Newsletter

The magazine discusses the challenge of fitting all received material into the published journals due to space limitations. To address this and improve internal communication, NUFOC is launching an internal newsletter. This newsletter will be produced approximately every three weeks and will feature submissions from any NUFOC member, covering news, suggestions, ideas, and other relevant information. The newsletter will be printed using a spirit duplicator.

Herr Terje Hansen from the Utrykningsseksjonen (Emergency Section) in Moss has taken on the role of editor and publisher for this internal publication. He has already purchased the necessary equipment with his own funds.

A crucial factor for the success of this initiative is securing enough subscribers to finance it. The estimated cost per year is expected to be between 10 and 20 Norwegian Kroner, possibly less if there is strong participation. An initial cost estimate suggests that if the newsletter is 10 A4 pages and has 20 subscribers, it would cost 2.49 Kroner per copy. The magazine encourages interested individuals to send in 20 Kroner to Harald Taxt at Vestbysvingen 8, Grorud, Oslo 9, to help get the project started. A postgiro account will be set up later.

UFO Literature and Astroarchaeology

The issue includes a comprehensive listing of UFO literature available from Danish and Swedish sources. The Danish section features books such as "UFO-Landinger i Danmark" by Willy Wegner (kr. 21.50), "UFO-Orientering" by F. Pedersen & I.O. Kjems (kr. 8.50), and "UFO-Myten og de Psykiske Fenomener" by Trench (kr. 25.00). It also lists works by authors like Adamski, John A. Keel, and Jacques Bergier.

The Swedish section includes titles like "UFO och Bibeln" by M. K. Jessup (kr. 22.25), "Flygande Tepats...vad Säger Vetenskapen?" by Sven Magnussen (kr. 54.90), and various books on flying saucers and related theories by authors such as K. Gösta Rehn, Staffan Stigsjöö, Wilbert B. Smith, Borgny Tingstedt, Bjarne Håkansson, Eugen Semitjov, Daniel W. Fry, and George Adamski.

All listed prices are in Danish Kroner, excluding VAT. The literature is available from Jensen & Suadicani, Odense Antikvariat & Bogimport in Denmark.

Editorial (Redaksjonelt)

The editorial discusses the persistent problems within UFO organizations and the importance of finding solutions. It highlights that NUFOC has experienced success and stability due to its approach to understanding the causes and nature of these problems. The editorial contrasts this with other organizations that struggle with internal issues, hindering cooperation. NUFOC is exploring collaborations with colleagues in neighboring countries, with positive initial responses, and the idea of a Nordic UFO Congress is mentioned.

The editorial also touches upon the "Spaceship Theory," stating that NUFOC neither denies nor exclusively promotes it, maintaining a scientific, agnostic stance as long as the available material supports arguments both for and against it. It emphasizes the distinction between objective research and dogmatic "preaching," advocating for a balanced approach to discussing hypotheses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes the importance of systematic documentation and reporting, particularly concerning press coverage. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded scientific inquiry, avoiding dogmatism while actively seeking to understand UFO phenomena. There is a clear focus on improving internal communication and collaboration within NUFOC and potentially on a Nordic level. The inclusion of a literature list suggests an effort to provide members with resources for further study.