UFO Mail - No 026 - 2003

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: Nr. 26
Date: 23. december 2003
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information delves into various celestial and extraterrestrial topics, blending astronomical observations with UFO phenomena and space exploration news.

Julestjernen på himlen (The Christmas Star in the Sky)

This article by Ole Henningsen discusses the visibility of the International Space Station (ISS) as a bright 'star' in the night sky during the Christmas and New Year period. The ISS, which orbits Earth at an altitude of approximately 400 km, is crewed by American astronaut Michael Foale and Russian cosmonaut Aleksander Kaleri, who are spending Christmas in space. The article notes that due to the ISS's rapid orbit, determining the exact time for 'Christmas morning' or 'New Year's morning' is challenging for the astronauts. Despite the lack of gravity, the ISS is decorated with a Christmas tree and stockings from previous crews. A table provides specific dates and times for observing the ISS from Denmark between December 24th and January 1st, detailing its start and end times, maximum altitude, and direction of travel across the sky.

The ISS is described as weighing 450 tons, equivalent to 24 city buses, and houses numerous laboratories. Its length is comparable to a football field, and its height is 10 meters more than the Round Tower in Copenhagen. The ISS will remain visible from Denmark until the beginning of the new year, with further visibility expected in late January.

Enestående meteorit fra Mars på Geologisk Museum (Unique Meteorite from Mars at the Geological Museum)

Ole Henningsen reports on the acquisition of a remarkable Mars meteorite by the Geological Museum at the University of Copenhagen. The meteorite, named Sayh al Uhaymir 051, is 1.3 billion years old and weighs about 400 grams, being the size of a clenched fist. It is described as a piece of volcanic rock and is considered a significant find due to its large size for a Mars meteorite. Lektor Henning Haack, the museum's curator for meteorites, stated that the museum would not disclose the cost of the acquisition, emphasizing its incalculable value. Visitors have the opportunity to see this rare meteorite during the Christmas holidays, specifically on December 27th and 28th, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Permanent exhibition will be available from autumn 2004.

Meteoritter er vigtigt studiemateriale (Meteorites are Important Study Material)

This section elaborates on the significance of meteorites, particularly those from Mars. The Geologisk Museum's collection includes pieces from 3 other Mars meteorites. The Sayh al Uhaymir meteorite was discovered in the summer of 2000 in the Sayh al Uhaymir desert area in Oman. Meteorites are named after their fall or find location; hence, this one is named Sayh al Uhaymir 051. It was found alongside other fragments scattered over a large area, likely from the same event thousands of years ago. The meteorite is a volcanic rock, allowing scientists to estimate the eruption time of its parent volcano. While not yet precisely dated, the youngest known Mars meteorites are 170 million years old, and this new one is estimated to be around 1.3 billion years old. Mars meteorites are crucial because they are the only material from another planet accessible to Earth, providing a unique chance to test theories about planetary development.

Hvorfor finder man stumper af Mars på jorden? (Why are fragments of Mars found on Earth?)

This article explains the process by which Mars fragments reach Earth. Asteroid impacts on Mars, which occur more frequently than on Earth due to its position in the asteroid belt, can eject surface material into space. These fragments then orbit the solar system for millions of years before some eventually fall to Earth. Lektor Henning Haack from the Geological Museum in Copenhagen highlights that these ejected pieces can escape Mars' gravity and thin atmosphere.

Hvor på Mars kommer meteoritten fra? (Where on Mars does the meteorite come from?)

Scientists believe that several Mars meteorites originate from a specific crater in Mars' northern hemisphere, an area with recent volcanic activity. This crater meets the criteria for age and local geology and is unusually elongated. Such elongated craters are formed by asteroids hitting the surface at a very shallow angle, grazing the surface. These types of impacts are thought to be the most effective at dislodging fragments from Mars and sending them into space.

Aktuelle Mars-missioner (Current Mars Missions)

The magazine highlights three missions en route to Mars. The European probe Mars Express, consisting of an orbiter and the Beagle 2 lander, is set to arrive on Christmas Day, December 25th. This marks Europe's first mission to the red planet, with Beagle 2 tasked with searching for signs of life. On January 4th, NASA's first of two identical rovers, Spirit, will land on Mars. The Tycho Brahe Planetarium is hosting a "Mars brunch" event on January 4th, featuring Danish Mars researcher Jens Martin Knudsen, Planetarium director Bjørn Franck Jørgensen, and astrophysicist Michael Linden-Vørnle, to discuss the Mars missions. The event costs 40 Danish Kroner (free for members) and includes a light breakfast buffet.

Live fra Mars (Live from Mars)

For those interested in following the Mars missions, the landing of Beagle 2 is expected around 2:25 AM on Christmas night and will be broadcast as a live stream. American company Speedera Networks and Dutch company Capcave are collaborating with ESA to provide these images globally. The feed can be accessed via ESA's website.

Smukt syn på aftenhimlen - hvis vejret altså vil (Beautiful sight in the evening sky - if the weather permits)

Ole Henningsen writes about a celestial event occurring on Christmas Day, December 25th: a close conjunction of the two-day-old Moon and the planet Venus. Around 4:00 PM, Venus will be about 10 degrees above the horizon in the south-southwest. The thin lunar crescent will be visible below Venus, about four degrees away. Astrophysicist Michael Linden-Vørnle notes that the phenomenon of 'earthshine' will also be observable. More information can be found at a provided URL.

Orberne kommer (The Orbs are Coming)

This article discusses the phenomenon of 'orbs,' which are increasingly appearing in foreign UFO journals and on internet sites. These are described as new types of UFO photos that have emerged in recent years, mystifying observers. Orbs are typically small, luminous, spherical blobs that appear in photographs without the photographer noticing anything unusual at the time. They are often captured with digital cameras using a flash. The magazine presents several photos of orbs from Denmark and abroad without commentary, inviting readers to submit their own photos and theories about the cause of these phenomena. The magazine plans to feature more orb photos and discussions in future issues.

Julemand med drøn på! (Santa Claus with a Bang!)

This humorous piece by /kmh speculates on the logistics of Santa Claus's annual delivery. It calculates that even with incredible speed, delivering gifts to 100 million homes would take Santa three years, assuming one second per home. Even if his reindeer travel at the speed of light (300,000 km/s), the task would still take three years, not just a few hours on Christmas Eve. The article playfully questions whether Santa can travel faster than light and if being 'good' helps. It concludes with Christmas greetings and a promise of more UFO-Mail in 2004.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, astronomical phenomena, and space exploration, with a particular focus on current events and scientific findings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, while also providing factual information about space missions and celestial events. There is a clear interest in engaging readers by soliciting their contributions and theories, as seen in the 'Orbs' section. The publication aims to inform and intrigue its readership about UFOs and related subjects, often linking them to current scientific endeavors and astronomical observations.