UFO Mail - No 042 - 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: nr. 42
Date: July 12, 2004
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information focuses on reader-submitted UFO sightings and astronomical observations, particularly concerning the International Space Station (ISS).

Feriefoto fra Østrig (Vacation Photo from Austria)

The main article details a photograph submitted by a 15-year-old reader named Jannie, taken during a family vacation in Austria. While driving through Austria, Jannie's stepmother took numerous photos with a new digital camera. Upon reviewing the photos later, one image stood out, showing a small, CD-shaped object in the upper corner of the frame. Jannie zoomed in to 400% and, believing it to be an unidentified flying object (UFO), sought an explanation.

Analysis of the Austrian Photo

SUFOI's photo consultants, Dan Frederiksen and Hans Bødker, analyzed the image. Initially, the editorial staff suspected it might be a bird. Dan Frederiksen noted that the object's dark color and the hazy atmosphere suggested it was relatively close to the camera, not high up near the mountain peaks. He considered the possibility of a bird in an awkward pose or a 'smoke trail' caused by a spotted cloud formation. However, he ultimately leaned towards the explanation of a bird.

Hans Bødker offered a surprising alternative: a stone chip on the car's windshield. He explained that light refraction through a stone chip could create a CD-shaped appearance. He also pointed out that the Nikon E2500 digital camera used might have artificial contrast enhancement and 'edge enhancement' features, which could create artificial visual effects, such as the white line on the object's right side, making it appear glassy. Bødker suggested that checking the car's windshield would be an easy way to verify this.

Dan Frederiksen agreed that digital camera artifacts could distort small details. While a definitive conclusion couldn't be reached, both consultants suggested more mundane explanations than a UFO. The magazine also appealed to readers to help identify the photographer, Jannie, or another reader named Birgit Skov, as the provided email address was no longer valid.

ISS på sommerhimlen (ISS in the Summer Sky)

This section provides information on how to observe the International Space Station (ISS) from Danish latitudes. It explains that the ISS can be seen for a short period before and after midnight. A table is included (though not fully detailed in the text) that would specify the times, altitudes, and directions for viewing. The ISS is described as appearing like a large, bright star moving slowly across the southern sky from west to east.

At the time of writing, the ISS was crewed by two astronauts: Mike Fincke (American) and Gennady Padalka (Russian). They had recently conducted spacewalks as part of their mission. The article also mentions a personal event for astronaut Mike Fincke: he became a father for the first time while in orbit, an event celebrated at the control center.

A detailed table follows, listing dates from July 12 to July 24, 2004, with data on the ISS's trajectory, including start and end times, maximum altitude, and direction (e.g., SV, VSV, V, SSV, S, SSØ, Ø, ØSØ, SØ). The table entries include values for 'Mag.' (magnitude), 'Højd' (altitude in degrees), and 'Retn.' (direction).

The text notes that viewing times can vary slightly and advises observers to be punctual. It also states that after July 24, there would be a month-long gap before the ISS would again be visible from Denmark.

ISS foran Solen (ISS in Front of the Sun)

This article describes a unique observation made by Tomáš Maruška from Bratislava, Slovakia, on June 8, 2004. On this day, many people worldwide observed the planet Venus passing in front of the sun. Maruška, having studied ISS passage times, realized that if he visited his uncle in the small village of Stupava, he could potentially photograph the ISS passing in front of the sun at the same time as the Venus transit.

He set up his astronomical telescope and photographic equipment in Stupava, a location within a narrow 4.5 km wide corridor from which the phenomenon would be visible. The article includes a photo of Tomáš Maruška's wife, Gitka, and their 7-year-old daughter, Zuzka, with the equipment used for the photography. The accompanying caption indicates that the photo of the ISS passing in front of the sun and Venus was taken by Tomáš Maruška.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently encourages reader participation, soliciting UFO photos and experiences. It maintains a balanced approach by presenting reader reports alongside expert analysis and potential conventional explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, while also grounding discussions in scientific analysis and photographic expertise. The publication also promotes sharing information by encouraging readers to forward the 'ufo-mail' to others.