UFO Mail - No 058 - 2005

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: UFO-Mail nr. 58
Date: 27. juni 2005
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information focuses on two main topics: peculiar markings observed on Danish webcams and a retrospective on Orson Welles' famous 'War of the Worlds' radio broadcast and its film adaptation. It also includes a reader's report of an unusual celestial observation.

Webcam Markings on Danish Webcams

The lead article, "Aftegninger på danske webcams" (Markings on Danish webcams) by Ole Henningsen, details an investigation initiated by reader Ove Kristiansen from Fyn. Kristiansen noticed strange markings on webcam images and initially suspected camera malfunctions or unidentified objects. He shared these images, taken from webcams in Hasle, Rønne, and Christiansø on Bornholm, with SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information).

Kristiansen sought explanations from official sources like SOK (Danish Navy's Operational Command), Bornholms Marinedistrikt, and Flyvertaktisk Kommando, but none reported any unusual aerial activity over Bornholm at the times the images were captured.

SUFOI's photo consultant, Hans Bødker, and another reader, Richo Andersen of Nakskov, who operates two webcams, provided insights. They explained that webcams, due to their resolution and data processing methods, can create artifacts or 'interference' when capturing moving objects. These artifacts can appear as lines or patterns, especially with fast-moving subjects or long exposure times.

Further analysis of webcam images from Christiansø, particularly those taken on June 21 and 22, 2005, revealed that the peculiar markings were indeed birds. The article notes that birds flying close to the camera, especially when moving quickly, create the most pronounced 'markings' or 'bars' due to the camera's exposure settings. The conclusion is that the 'mysterious' markings were caused by flying birds.

SUFOI encourages readers to examine Danish webcams themselves and to contribute any technical explanations or observations of other phenomena.

Unusual Celestial Observation

Another report details an observation by a reader in Odense SV on June 11, 2005. The observer described looking at the night sky and noticing a very clear star. Upon looking away and then back, they observed two additional 'stars' that were significantly brighter than the original and appeared to be the same size. These new 'stars' were positioned above the original one and shone with a beautiful white light. The observer noted that the objects moved vertically upwards, maintaining their formation, and their light gradually faded until they disappeared. The observer described the formation as looking like a triangle standing on its tip.

'War of the Worlds' Radio Hoax and Film Adaptation

Ole Henningsen also covers the historical 'War of the Worlds' radio broadcast. On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre on the Air presented a dramatized adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel, which caused widespread panic among listeners in New York and surrounding areas who believed it was a real alien invasion. The article highlights how realistic and dramatic the broadcast was, leading many to lose their heads and react as if facing an actual threat.

It is mentioned that SUFOI had previously released this radio play on cassette tape 25 years prior. Now, to commemorate the event, they are offering the original historical recording on CD.

The article also discusses Steven Spielberg's 2005 film adaptation of 'War of the Worlds,' starring Tom Cruise. The film is presented as a modern update of H.G. Wells' classic science-fiction work, with David Koepp credited for the screenplay and other actors like Tim Robbins, Miranda Otto, and Dakota Fanning in the cast. The article touches upon the secrecy surrounding the depiction of the alien creatures and their 'tripods' in the film.

Comparative images are shown, including Orson Welles in the studio, an illustration of the historical radio play's impact, and production art from the film depicting tripods attacking a ferry.

Bronze Age Exhibition

A brief mention is made of an exhibition at the National Museum in Copenhagen titled "Himmelskiven og Solvognen udstilles i København" (The Sky Disc and Sun Chariot Exhibited in Copenhagen). This exhibition features two unique finds from the Bronze Age's sun cult, the German Sky Disc and the Danish Sun Chariot, displayed together for the first time in Denmark.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO and UAP phenomena, encouraging reader participation and investigation. It balances reports of unexplained sightings with rational explanations, such as the webcam bird sightings. The publication also delves into historical events related to the genre, like the 'War of the Worlds' broadcast, and connects them to contemporary cultural phenomena like film adaptations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, seeking to demystify phenomena while acknowledging the public's interest in the unexplained.

This issue of the magazine focuses on significant archaeological finds and astronomical observations. The primary feature is the "Himmelskiven fra Nebra" (The Nebra Sky Disc), detailing its dramatic discovery and historical context. It also covers the "Solvognen" (Sun Chariot) from Trundholm Mose and provides practical information for observing the International Space Station (ISS).

The Nebra Sky Disc

The Nebra Sky Disc is presented as a dramatic historical find. It was discovered by local grave robbers in 1999 near Nebra in Germany using a metal detector. Two men found a bronze disc measuring 32 cm in diameter. The disc was offered to archaeologists through various channels, but a police operation in 2002 successfully recovered it, along with other artifacts, preventing their sale on the black market. Following extensive research and restoration, the disc and other finds are now housed at the Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte in Halle, from where the National Museum has borrowed the items.

The 3600-year-old bronze disc weighs 2.1 kg and depicts the Sun, Moon, and stars in the sky. Researchers and museum staff are shown preparing an exhibition. The disc is described as Europe's oldest representation of the cosmos, dating back to approximately 1600 BC. It shows a gilded sun, a crescent moon, and stars, possibly the Pleiades (Seven Sisters). A gilded ship suggests ancient beliefs about the journey of the sun, moon, and stars across the sky. The edge of the disc is adorned with two gilded arcs, each covering 82 degrees of the disc.

The text explains that the distance between sunrise and sunset depicted on the disc corresponds to the distances at midsummer and midwinter from the location where the disc was found. It is speculated that the disc represents the Sun, or possibly a full moon. The seven stars shown together are believed to be the Pleiades, a constellation important to ancient Greek seafarers for navigation.

The Trundholm Sun Chariot

The history of the Sun Chariot begins over 3400 years ago when the artifact was found broken and lying on the ground in what is now Trundholm in Northwest Zealand, Denmark. The circumstances of its discovery were peaceful: during the first plowing of an area in Trundholm Mose, the different parts of the Sun Chariot were found within a short distance of each other. The finder, superintendent Frederik Willumsen, initially thought it was a toy. His son played with the horse, while the rest was stored in the attic. A neighbor, forest treasurer West, saw the unique find after a few days and reported it to the National Museum. The exhibition reunites the plow from the Northwest Zealand farmer with the Sun Chariot for the first time since 1902.

Exhibition: The Sun, the Horse, and the Ship

The Nebra Sky Disc and the Sun Chariot are highlighted as key pieces in an exhibition at the National Museum, running from July 1 to October 23, 2005. The exhibition features approximately 25 displays of various Bronze Age objects, including beautiful, partly gilded swords and axes, which offer insights into the religious life and worldview of the Bronze Age. The sun, the horse, and the ship transporting it are important focal points, along with sacred objects and gifts to the gods. The story of the Nebra Sky Disc's discovery and its find site are included, and a DVD film explores its mythological and archaeo-astronomical aspects. The exhibition's themes are also discussed in the National Museum's magazine, NYT. Links are provided for more information.

ISS for Night Owls

This section, written by Ole Henningsen, informs readers that the International Space Station (ISS) is once again visible from Danish latitudes, particularly during the hours around midnight. The ISS orbits the Earth in approximately one and a half hours, at an altitude of 347-352 km. The article provides detailed tables with dates, times for start, maximum height, and end of visibility, along with direction (e.g., SØ - Southeast, VSV - West-Southwest) and maximum altitude in degrees above the horizon. The ISS will appear as a very bright star moving from west to east across the southern sky.

Detailed schedules for June 27 to July 10 are provided, listing specific times and directions for the ISS's appearance, peak altitude, and disappearance. The article encourages readers to go out in good time to ensure they see the space station in the summer sky.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores ancient history, archaeology, and astronomy, linking past discoveries with current scientific endeavors like space observation. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting knowledge and public engagement with these subjects, encouraging readers to learn more and share information. The inclusion of practical guides, like the ISS visibility schedule, demonstrates a commitment to making complex topics accessible and relevant to the reader's everyday experience. The call to "Send ufo-mail" suggests an interest in broader unexplained phenomena and a desire to foster a community around such topics.