UFO Mail - No 032 - 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: Nr. 32
Date: March 22, 2004
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information delves into the phenomenon of celestial objects, particularly the planet Venus, being mistaken for UFOs. It features several reports from observers and provides astronomical explanations, alongside a historical account involving a prominent figure.

Venus på spil igen (Venus Playing Up Again)

This main article, authored by Ole Henningsen, addresses the frequent reports of unidentified lights in the southwestern evening sky that have been attributed to the planet Venus. The article highlights that Venus has been a dominant, bright object in the sky for several months, leading to numerous inquiries and reports submitted to SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information).

A specific report comes from an observer identified as LBC in Kolding. On February 9, 2004, around 7 PM, while cycling towards Kolding, LBC noticed a very bright, circular light in the south-southwest. Initially, LBC thought it was Mars, but the light's intensity was far greater than expected, and it had a less reddish hue than Mars typically exhibits. A friend also observed the light, and both were puzzled by its brightness. LBC dismounted to observe it further. The light was visible for a few hours and then disappeared, possibly due to the Earth's rotation or it being a star. LBC inquired if others had similar sightings around the same time and noted the object was approximately 40 degrees above the horizon. A sketch was included to illustrate the observation.

Following LBC's report, the magazine presents an illustration based on the description and a subsequent printout from a PC astronomy program. This analysis concludes that the observed phenomenon was indeed the planet Venus, visible a few hand-breadths above the horizon between approximately 7 PM and 9 PM.

Videooptagelse af? (Video Recording of?)

Another report details an observation made by a 23-year-old ship's assistant, identified as TH, from Højbjerg, Denmark, on February 12, 2004, around 8:15 PM. TH reported seeing a strange light in the sky, located to the south and moving westward. TH, being a sailor, stated they knew what a flare looked like and that this was not one, as it moved horizontally. The object was described as starting orange and larger than a star, then flaring up and changing color to green for short periods, before becoming clear. It then stopped, held its position to the southwest, faded, but flared up again a couple of times before disappearing. TH had recorded this on video and sought information from others who might have seen the same thing. TH had also inquired on tv2.dk, where some suggested it could be Venus, but TH found this unlikely due to the object's perceived speed.

The article then discusses how to use astronomical calendars or software to verify such sightings. It reiterates that astronomical programs confirm Venus was low on the horizon in the west-southwest at the time of TH's observation. While not definitively identifying the object, the explanation strongly suggests Venus. A crucial point is raised: if the observed light was not Venus, then Venus itself should also have been visible in the sky, meaning two bright objects would have been present. Since no such dual observation was reported, the likelihood of Venus being the cause is high.

The section emphasizes that it is difficult to determine the distance of a light in the sky in darkness, and bright celestial bodies like Venus or Jupiter, especially when low on the horizon and under varying weather conditions, often cause confusion.

Jagerfly og patruljevogne jagter Venus (Fighter jets and patrol cars chase Venus)

This section recounts past incidents where bright lights in the sky, later identified as Venus, led to confusion and pursuit. It mentions instances where police in Jutland and on Lolland searched in patrol cars for a luminous object low in the sky. During World War II, American fighter pilots attempted to shoot down what they believed to be enemy aircraft, which were likely Venus.

Jimmy Carter så lys på himlen (Jimmy Carter saw a light in the sky)

This article, also by Ole Henningsen, revisits a well-known case from 1969 where Jimmy Carter, then Governor of Georgia, reported an unusual aerial phenomenon. The report, submitted to the National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), describes an event in October 1969 near Leary, Georgia. Carter and ten members of the local Lions Club observed a bright light in the western sky around 7:15 PM EST. The object was described as being about 30 degrees above the horizon and appeared to move horizontally. It was initially brighter than planets but later seemed to shrink to about the size of the moon. The object's color changed, and it seemed to move closer and then away before disappearing. The distance was estimated between 300 and 1,000 meters.

The article includes a reproduction of the NICAP report form filled out by Jimmy Carter. It details his background as a nuclear physicist and naval officer. The report indicates the object was visible for 10-12 minutes, starting as a bright orange light that intensified, changed color to green, then to a clear light, and finally faded out. It also mentions the object stopped and held its position before fading. The report notes that the object's brightness was comparable to the moon, and its apparent size varied. The witnesses were outdoors waiting for a meeting to begin at 7:30 PM.

The article highlights that this observation was made by a future U.S. President, thus drawing significant attention. It also mentions that the report was submitted in 1973 to NICAP, detailing an observation from October 1969.

Jimmy Carters skriftlige ufo-beretning til NICAP (Jimmy Carter's written UFO report to NICAP)

This section further elaborates on the Jimmy Carter incident, noting that many prominent individuals, including politicians and fighter pilots, have reported observing Venus as a bright morning or evening star. It encourages readers who witness unusual aerial phenomena to contact SUFOI via www.ufo.dk, especially if they have photographic evidence or know others who have.

Når hunden alligevel skal luftes (When the dog still needs to be walked)

This article shifts focus to the International Space Station (ISS), providing information on its visibility from Danish latitudes. It lists specific dates and times in late March 2004 when the ISS would be visible in the evening sky, appearing as a bright star moving from west to east. The article includes a table detailing the date, start time, elevation, direction, maximum altitude, and end time for these sightings. It also mentions that the ISS orbits the Earth approximately 15 times a day at an altitude of 360-374 km. The current crew consists of Alexander Kaleri (Russia) and Michael Foale (USA), who have been aboard for over 155 days and are scheduled for replacement in April. The article notes that the ISS's average altitude has decreased due to atmospheric density changes caused by solar activity, but its orbit can be adjusted. The ISS was launched in parts starting in 1998, and by the time of this publication, it had completed 30,500 orbits.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the common misidentification of bright celestial objects, primarily Venus, as UFOs. The magazine consistently provides astronomical explanations and encourages rigorous investigation of sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards conventional UFO reports when a clear astronomical explanation is available, while still encouraging the reporting of genuine unexplained phenomena. The inclusion of the Jimmy Carter case serves to illustrate how even well-known figures can be mystified by celestial events, and how such reports, when investigated, often lead back to known astronomical bodies. The ISS section provides a contrast, offering factual information about a known human-made object in orbit.

Title: UFO-mail
Issue Date: March 21, 2004
Content Type: Newsletter/Email content featuring UFO and space-related information.

ISS Sighting Over Denmark

The primary focus of this page is a report and photograph of the International Space Station (ISS) as seen from Sydvest Himlen, Denmark, on March 21, 2004, at 20:13 DNT. The ISS appeared as a small, luminous streak because it was moving across the sky while the photograph was being taken. The photograph is credited to Ole Henningsen.

Call to Action: Share UFO-mail

The page also includes a prominent call to action encouraging readers to forward the "ufo-mail" to their family, friends, and acquaintances. The message emphasizes that this sharing allows others to receive exciting information and interesting reading about UFOs for free and without obligation.

It highlights that UFO-mail contains current Danish and international observations or photographs, celestial phenomena, and special offers on UFO-related materials. This section aims to expand the readership and community around UFO and unexplained phenomena topics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the dissemination of information related to UFOs and space phenomena. The editorial stance is one of encouraging engagement and sharing of such content within a community, promoting awareness of both terrestrial and extraterrestrial observations. The content is presented as interesting and informative, with a clear objective to grow the audience for UFO-related news.