UFO Information - 1979 No 02

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO Information, issue number 2 from 1979, is published by UFO-Sverige, a Swedish organization dedicated to the study of UFO phenomena. The cover prominently features the headline "LA NOTTE DELL'UFO" (The Night of the UFO), accompanied by a dramatic black and white photograph of a Carabinieri vehicle with a bright light in the sky. The issue includes a report from an Italian journalist, Giuseppe Grazzini, detailing a personal UFO sighting and investigation in Italy.

Italian UFO Investigation: The Night of the UFO

Giuseppe Grazzini recounts his experience in the Pavia province of Italy in July 1976, during a period of heightened UFO activity. He begins by quoting an alarmed carabiniere who reported a flying saucer. Grazzini's own investigation stems from a rumor of a UFO sighting on July 9th, which he followed up on in Pavia. He describes a personal encounter on the night of July 18th, where he observed a bright, pulsating light that stopped, changed direction, and then ascended at incredible speed. He attempted to photograph it, but the resulting image was merely a blurry light. Grazzini details his efforts to investigate the event, including speaking with witnesses, contacting the Linates airport, and interviewing pilots. He notes that pilots are often reluctant to report UFO sightings due to fear of public reaction and potential career repercussions. The report highlights the unusual behavior of the object, which defied conventional explanations for aircraft.

Scientific Theories: The Big Bang and Black Holes

In an article titled "Var det så det började? är det så det kommer att sluta?" (Was that how it began? Is that how it will end?), K-E Karlsson explores cosmological theories. He discusses the Big Bang hypothesis, which posits the universe originated from a dense point that expanded. Karlsson also delves into the concept of a pulsating universe and the more recent discoveries of "black holes." He explains that black holes are the final stage in the life of massive stars, where matter collapses into a point of infinite density and gravity, from which not even light can escape. He touches upon the implications of black holes for the total mass of the universe and speculates whether the universe might eventually be consumed by them, potentially leading to a new Big Bang.

Psychic Contact Cases

Jenny Randles contributes an article presenting two "psychic contact" cases from England. The first involves a housewife, Mrs. Hamilton, who describes being transported to a craft where she interacted with beings who taught her new cooking methods. She also claims to have received precognitive information about future events, such as Princess Anne having twins. The second case, kept anonymous, describes an encounter with a humanoid being in a bedroom, characterized by its unusual physical features.

Other Content

The magazine also includes practical information for its readers, such as details about the UFO-Sverige support fund, subscription information, and a notice about changing addresses. It also mentions a new slide show available for information and education purposes, produced by the Central Group.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

UFO Information magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, investigations, and related phenomena. It aims to provide information and foster knowledge about UFOs, acting as an organ for the national organization UFO-Sverige. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting both eyewitness accounts and scientific perspectives, while also acknowledging the more speculative and controversial aspects like psychic contact. The magazine encourages reader contributions and aims to be a platform for discussion within the UFO community.

This issue of UFO-Information, dated 1978 and identified as Volume 222, Number 6/1976 (though the date appears inconsistent, with the content primarily focusing on 1978 events and older cases), presents a collection of UFO reports and analyses. The cover features a stylized drawing of a UFO with the headline 'Pilot Observations - near Bogota,' and the issue includes articles on various sightings, investigations, and related phenomena.

Pilot Observations - near Bogota

The issue begins with an account of a Colombian passenger pilot who claimed to have observed a UFO three times larger than his aircraft, traveling at an astonishing 44,000 km/h. The pilot and his crew spotted the brightly lit object at an altitude of 600 meters. Bogota's control tower reported an unknown radar echo moving at high speed, though no official UFO was detected on radar.

The UFO Phenomenon Itself Claims to be Extraterrestrial

This section discusses the nature of UFO encounters, questioning whether they are objective realities, hallucinations, or dreams. It touches upon the 'controlled' state of witnesses and the potential for deliberate misinformation or psychological manipulation by the phenomena themselves. The author notes the lack of a coherent narrative in many contact cases and suggests that UFOs might exploit prevailing beliefs, such as the idea of extraterrestrial visitors.

'Ghost Flyers' of the 1930s Landed in Canada

This article recounts the 'ghost flyer' phenomenon in Scandinavia during 1933-1934, where unexplained flying objects were reported. It then shifts focus to a Canadian case from the same period. In the summer of 1933, near Nipawin, Saskatchewan, witnesses observed strange lights. Two men and a woman investigated and found a large, oval-shaped object with legs and a ladder, with about a dozen figures dressed in silver-like uniforms and helmets repairing it. The object emitted a clear orange light. The witnesses later found six square imprints, 60-75 cm each, spaced 2.4-3 meters apart, and a large burnt mark in the center, indicating a landing.

'Concorde-UFO' Landed in Canada

This section details an incident involving the Concorde 001 aircraft on June 30, 1973. During a solar eclipse observation flight over Africa, researchers aboard the Concorde took photographs. One photo, after enlargement, revealed a small orange spot. Initially speculated to be a UFO, later analysis by astrophysicists suggested it was not an optical effect but possibly a meteor or a satellite. The article mentions that the French Institut d'Astrophysique concluded it was likely a meteor. However, UFO enthusiasts continued to believe it was evidence of UFOs. The article also references a report by James Mullaney in 'Science Digest' about the Apollo 11 crew reporting a 'mass of intelligent energy' accompanying them. It also discusses the 'Matsumura UFOs,' alleged photos from the Apollo 11 mission, which were later analyzed by photo analyst Richard Underwood, who concluded they were lens flares and reflections from the camera equipment.

What Has Happened Lately

This section compiles a series of UFO sightings from Sweden in 1978, categorized by location and date:

• Värmland, Väse (November 28, 1978): Bo Helin reported a close encounter with a UFO described as having two red lights, about 8-10 meters in diameter, hovering about 50 meters above him. The object circled his tractor before moving north.
• Värmland, Sysslebäck (October 17, 1978): Erik Halvarsson described an object three times larger than the moon, shining like stainless steel, which hovered and then disappeared westward.
• Västergötland, Mariestad and Götene (October 19, 1978): Multiple reports of phenomena described as boomerang-shaped, large as two jumbo jets, and formations of 'light points' like V-formations.
• Öland, Hjälmstad (October 24, 1978): Sven-Åke Carlsson observed a cigar-shaped object, the size of a cigarette filter, moving at high speed.
• Södermanland, Oxelösund (November 23, 1978): Two witnesses saw three triangles in formation, moving southwest at high speed.
• Småland, Västervik (December 5, 1978): Inger Streiffert reported seeing three sharp white-lit objects and a smaller round object making a sudden 180-degree turn.

Retroactive

• Västergötland, Alingsås (May 11, 1978): Flygmekaniker Lars Edlund observed a red-orange shimmer, followed by a bright light that moved erratically, then ascended rapidly. He described a spotlight effect and blinking red lights.
• Östhammar (September 16, 1978): Evert Dahlin reported seeing a 'star' that merged with another, followed by a humming sound and a 'plop' in the water. He described the sound as a coded signal.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO reports with a critical eye, often seeking scientific explanations or debunking sensational claims. While acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena, the editorial stance appears to favor rational explanations, as seen in the analysis of the Concorde photos and the 'Matsumura UFOs.' The compilation of numerous sightings from 1978 suggests an ongoing effort to document and analyze UFO activity in Sweden. The magazine also highlights the challenges of investigating UFO cases, including the tendency for authorities to dismiss or 'cover up' information, and the difficulty in verifying photographic evidence.

Title: UFO-Aktuellt
Issue: 1/1979
Date: 1979
Publisher: UFO-Aktuellt
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-Aktuellt critically examines alleged UFO evidence, focusing on photographic evidence, purported secret communications, and eyewitness accounts.

The Matsumura UFO Photos: A Case of Forgery?

The article begins by scrutinizing photographs attributed to Matsumura, allegedly taken during the Apollo 11 mission. The author contends that these photographs were not only cropped to remove extraneous reflections but also retouched to enhance the visibility of the UFOs. The publisher, Robert Whalen of 'Modern People', is quoted as stating the photos were not retouched, but refused to elaborate when questioned. Matsumura himself is described as boasting about the photos' authenticity and their exclusive release. The author dismisses the possibility of an honest mistake, labeling the alleged tricks as 'deceptive photo tricks' supplemented by fabricated astronaut accounts. The article criticizes the spread of such forgeries, noting how they are amplified and reinterpreted in various publications without regard for credibility.

Secret Radio Communication from Apollo 11

Another significant section discusses claims of secret radio communications from the Apollo 11 mission, primarily attributed to author Otto Binder. Binder's report alleges that radio amateurs intercepted a transmission from the astronauts describing large, enormous UFOs lined up on the lunar surface, observing the mission. This message was reportedly censored by NASA officials in Houston. The article notes that such 'secret recordings' often surface in ufological circles but are difficult to verify. NASA maintains that it was impossible to interrupt astronaut transmissions and that the tapes were never delayed. While acknowledging that NASA would deny such claims if true, the author finds their version more plausible than Binder's. The report mentions that hundreds of reporters observed the mission for two hours, suggesting limited opportunity for clandestine communication.

Further details emerge regarding the alleged interception. Radio amateurs reportedly picked up signals around 2270 MHz, requiring specialized equipment like large dish antennas. The content of these signals was reportedly similar to what was broadcast publicly. A specific report suggests that the origin of Binder's story might stem from astronaut Mike Collin's search for the lunar module. Collin reported seeing 'strange small white objects' at coordinates 0.3,7.6 near a crater's edge. However, the article points out that these words were allegedly translated into Japanese by Mr. Matsumura and then back into English for his magazine. When compared to the official Apollo transcripts, Collins's statement is presented as a discussion about the lunar module's position and potential visibility from the crater's slope, not a sighting of multiple UFOs. The author suggests Matsumura intentionally distorted this observation to create a UFO mystery.

The article then reflects on how modern electronic media accelerate the spread of myths and legends, making extraordinary events easier to comprehend and more mysterious. It references J. Allan Haynek's book 'Edge of Reality', which summarizes the Apollo 11 UFO incident as a rumor, highlighting a lack of thorough investigation into such reports.

The Official Broadcast Interrupted

An additional note from APRO Bulletin (February 1976) is included, detailing an account from a person identified as 'Mr. X'. Mr. X, whose father had access to a NASA control center, claims to have witnessed a transmission from astronauts during Apollo 11 stating, "There they are again!" simultaneously with the interruption of the official broadcast. The broadcast reportedly showed three disc-shaped shadows following the astronauts. Mr. X's father allegedly advised him to keep silent about this. The report also mentions that NASA personnel were reluctant to discuss UFOs, with some fearing public panic if such information were revealed. The article advises readers to critically evaluate such information and form their own opinions.

Telemeterskiva vid Jukkasjärvi?

The final section of the magazine shifts focus to a specific sighting in Sweden. The article, titled 'Telemeterskiva vid Jukkasjärvi?', investigates an event that occurred on January 17, 1978, near Jukkasjärvi. The primary witness is Vilhelm Häggroth, who reported seeing a bright red, spherical object, approximately 6-8 decimeters in diameter, hovering near the ground on the right side of the road. He described it as having a steady, dark red light and being about as high as the snowplow bank. Häggroth did not stop, feeling uneasy as he was alone. He estimated the object was about 200 meters away when it appeared and decreased in distance as he approached.

Two days later, Häggroth and his brother-in-law visited the site, but no traces were found. District chief Gunnar Thorén conducted measurements seven days after the incident, including using a Geiger counter, but found nothing of significance.

Another witness, Maria Torneus, reported observing a similar dark red light phenomenon falling slowly from the sky towards the area where Häggroth was located, around 5:00 PM. She described it as being as large as the moon and having a low humming sound. She immediately reported the incident. The article notes that these objects are sometimes referred to as 'telemeter discs' in UFO reports, believed to be instruments for recording images and sound, remotely operated from a larger UFO.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO evidence, particularly photographic and anecdotal accounts. The magazine adopts a skeptical yet investigative stance, aiming to debunk hoaxes and misinformation while also exploring unexplained phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on the potential for manipulation and censorship of UFO-related information, especially concerning NASA and space missions. The editorial stance encourages readers to critically analyze information and form their own conclusions, rather than blindly accepting claims. The issue highlights the role of media, both traditional and electronic, in shaping public perception of UFOs and the challenges of verifying such reports in an era of rapid information dissemination.