UFO Mail - No 097 - 2008

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: UFO-Mail nr. 97
Date: March 31, 2008
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information focuses on the Danish television program 'Aftenshowet' and its coverage of UFO phenomena on February 13th and 14th, 2008. The program, broadcast from Rådhuspladsen in Copenhagen, featured interviews and reports that generated significant public interest.

Aftenshowet Segments

The magazine details the two-part 'Aftenshowet' segments. The first evening featured UFO-Mail's Ole Henningsen being interviewed by program host Jens Blauenfeldt. The program opened with a meteorologist, Jesper Theilgaard, who had previously observed mysterious lights in the night sky, presenting the weather forecast outdoors. A model of a flying saucer, created by DR technician Bjarke and suspended by a fishing rod, was used as a visual gimmick outside the studio, which was located in a bus terminal on Rådhuspladsen. The segment included clips from DR's archives of older UFO footage.

Ole Henningsen, representing SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information), discussed his 50 years of experience with UFO phenomena. He stated that while he was initially convinced of extraterrestrial spacecraft as an explanation in the late fifties, his views evolved over time, favoring more down-to-earth explanations for most cases investigated by SUFOI. Personally, he has not witnessed any truly inexplicable phenomena.

Examples of Danish UFO cases were presented, including a 2006 video from Virklund near Silkeborg, which SUFOI's photo department later identified as a local hot air balloon launch. A report on this case can be found in UFO-Mail nr. 79. Another case featured a photograph from Avedøre Holme taken in 1975 by a commercial photographer, which SUFOI still lacks a definitive explanation for. This photo is detailed in UFO-Mail nr. 93.

Henningsen emphasized SUFOI's motto: "We don't believe in everything, but we investigate everything." He also quoted the late Mars researcher Jens Martin Knudsen: "One should follow those who seek the truth, but be wary of those who claim to have found it."

The second evening of 'Aftenshowet' featured Egon Dalsgaard from the organization IGAP (International German Aviation Research). Dalsgaard expressed no doubt that Earth is visited by alien spacecraft, recounting personal sightings since childhood. His first sighting at age 10 involved a silent object with lights that moved at high speed. He later came to understand such craft as 'motherships' originating from within or beyond our solar system. Dalsgaard also mentioned his involvement with IGAP since 1968, following the work of pens. major H. C. Petersen.

Dalsgaard asserted that there is abundant photographic evidence of UFOs and that while UFO cases are not officially acknowledged, they do exist. He countered Henningsen's earlier statement by calling the non-existence of UFOs the "official stance." Regarding extraterrestrial beings, Dalsgaard confirmed their existence, citing Swedish contactee Sten Lindgren's accounts of encounters with beings similar to humans.

A clip from a 1963 TV news report featuring American contactee George Adamski's visit to Denmark was shown. The segment concluded with an interview with pens. lieutenant colonel Kurt Abildskov of IGAP, who suggested that inhabitants of other planets in our solar system resemble us and could live on Earth. Dalsgaard also recounted a 1970 observation by police officer Evald Hansen Maarup in Sønderjylland.

Reader Reactions and Reports

The 'Aftenshowet' coverage prompted numerous reader responses, both positive and negative, directed at the participants. The magazine then presents a selection of these reports, focusing on older observations that were highlighted due to the program.

7990 Vester Assels, ca. 1995: A 55-year-old man from Nykøbing M. reported being followed by a bright, spherical light from his mother's home to his own. The light, initially like a projector, transformed into a white sphere with a reddish glow and maintained a consistent distance throughout his 30-minute drive, even as he made turns. He felt no fear, attributing it to faith. The object stopped briefly at his home before accelerating rapidly towards Sallingsund and disappearing.

9700 Brønderslev, 1983: A 35-year-old woman recalled seeing a large, silent object, initially mistaken for a balloon, during a sunny day in her childhood. It moved silently and disappeared behind a cloud, never reappearing.

8900 Randers, ca. February 1953: A 66-year-old man described hearing a 'boomerang' sound and seeing a round, metallic object, about a meter in diameter and 30 cm thick, hovering silently over a streetlamp. The object, resembling a stainless steel disc, emitted a faint hum like a high-voltage transformer. The observation lasted only a few seconds before it disappeared over the rooftops.

2400 København N, 2001-2002: An individual reported seeing an oval object from below while driving near the Hillerød motorway. The object emitted red lights at each end and displayed a zig-zag pattern underneath. The witness expressed curiosity about logical explanations or similar observations after seeing 'Aftenshowet'.

Hamburg: A person from Christiansfeld recounted seeing a large formation of blinking lights in a hexagonal pattern in the sky while driving north of Hamburg. The formation rotated alternately left and right.

2900 Gentofte, ca. 1981: A person from Hellerup asked about an experience where their family observed a large, flying carpet-like object with green lights underneath, hovering silently at the altitude of private planes. The object remained stationary for about 10 minutes before disappearing.

9850 Hirtshals, June 1980: A 55-year-old woman and her sister-in-law observed a stationary, cigar-shaped object with smoke emanating from it, positioned between two fir trees near the coast. The object then moved at a 45-degree angle over the North Sea and vanished.

3910 Søndre Strømfjord, Greenland, September 2006: A 44-year-old man from Ålborg reported seeing a powerful, stationary light object in the northern sky after a musk ox hunt. The object, resembling an ice projector, ascended rapidly and disappeared within moments. He speculated that the object might have detected their observation.

6200 Aabenraa, February 11, 2008: A 37-year-old woman inquired about a fast-moving object she saw near the moon, initially thought to be a star. Ole Henningsen identified it with certainty as the International Space Station (ISS), which was visible that evening. He mentioned receiving a similar report from Lolland and provided photographs of the ISS taken by himself.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue highlights the contrast between the more skeptical approach of SUFOI, represented by Ole Henningsen, and the firm belief in extraterrestrial visitation held by IGAP, represented by Egon Dalsgaard. The editorial stance of Skandinavisk UFO Information, as stated in the 'Kommentarer og ældre rapporter' section, is to maintain a critical perspective, emphasizing investigation and evidence over blind faith or conspiracy theories. The magazine serves as a platform for sharing eyewitness accounts and fostering discussion within the UFO community.

This issue of UFO-Magasinet, dated February 2008, focuses on aerial phenomena observed in Denmark and Greenland, alongside intriguing discoveries made through satellite imagery. The magazine features personal accounts, scientific analysis, and photographic evidence, aiming to shed light on unexplained sightings.

Witness Account: Fredericia Sighting

The issue begins with a detailed report from Fredericia, Denmark, dated February 18, 2008. The witness describes observing a bright white light directly overhead at 20:40. Initially mistaking it for a star, the witness soon realized it was moving. After ruling out logical explanations like aircraft due to its sudden, rapid acceleration northward, the situation escalated. The witness called their spouse, and together they observed approximately 20 to 25 similar bright white lights crossing the sky. These objects maintained a consistent formation and speed, with hundreds or even thousands of meters between them, appearing to be at a very high altitude. The entire observation, from the initial appearance of the first object to its disappearance, lasted about 10-15 minutes. The witness emphasizes that the objects were clear and white, did not blink, and made no sound, distinguishing them from conventional aircraft. The weather was described as lightly overcast with a slight breeze.

A follow-up letter from a reader named Karsten E. J. references an earlier observation made by him and his wife on August 23, 1992, at 01:00 AM. They reported seeing three large, triangular objects flying from south to north in a clear sky over Fredericia.

SUFOI's Role and Methodology

Ole Henningsen addresses the process of UFO reporting and SUFOI's role. He explains that all reports submitted to SUFOI are registered and archived, with a selection published in their journal and electronic newsletter. He acknowledges that not all observations can be explained, citing approximately 15,000 reports in their archive, with a small percentage deemed unidentified. Many reports lack sufficient data for a thorough investigation. SUFOI's approach is to investigate people's accounts of unusual phenomena, believing that witnesses are describing their genuine experiences. They do not investigate UFOs directly but rather the reports about them.

Fireballs (Ildkugler) Observed

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to reports of fireballs (meteors) seen in Denmark and Greenland.

On February 14, 2008, at 18:50, many Danes witnessed a very bright meteor, or fireball. The event occurred on a clear winter evening and was observed visually and also captured by an automatic camera at Brorfelde, operated by the Niels Bohr Institute. Initial observations suggest the meteor moved over Germany.

On February 15, 2008, another bright fireball was witnessed by many Danes at 21:49. This event was also captured by an automatic camera in Copenhagen, operated by the Niels Bohr Institute. Observations indicated the meteor moved over southern Sweden.

On February 17, 2008, in northwest Greenland, several people observed a very bright meteor that left a spectacular smoke trail visible for nearly an hour. A photograph of this trail was taken by Farda Olsen from Qaanaaq. The trail's spiral shape was attributed to perspective and wind variations at different altitudes. Observations from Thule Air Base suggested a southwest trajectory, but more data is needed to determine its path.

The magazine explains that meteors occur when small stone fragments enter Earth's atmosphere at high speed, causing intense heat and glowing air, which appears as a meteor or fireball. Observations of fireballs are crucial for determining their trajectory and potential landing sites. People who witness fireballs are encouraged to report their observations via www.ildkugle.dk.

Mysteries from Above: Google Maps and Earth

Another section explores unusual findings discovered through Google Maps and Google Earth. The article highlights how users can upload 'mysterious' finds to www.mapofstrange.com. Examples include crop circles, advertisements visible only from aerial views, and drawings marked on the ground.

One reader reported a peculiar image near Glamsbjerg-Hallen on Fyn, suggesting it resembled a person with a rocket pack. Another reader inquired about mysterious tracks in a field on Zealand, questioning if they were ancient symbols, 'space art' (rummaleri), or mere coincidences.

A reader further shared an image from Google Earth near EKRK (Roskilde Airport) and Gadstrup, describing it as resembling Erich von Däniken's style. The reader noted the presence of many burial mounds in the Ramsø area but could not identify the pattern. The image can be found by searching for Brordrupvej 33, 4621 Gadstrup, and using the 'Combined' view.

While the UFO-Mail editorial team doesn't see a strong connection to UFO phenomena, they invite readers to share their interpretations of these aerial images.

UFO-Montage: A Look at the Danish UFO World

The final section announces a radio segment titled "UFO-Montage" broadcast on Copenhagen University's radio. This segment offered a colorful insight into the Danish UFO world, featuring eccentric eyewitness accounts, revelations, and a look into the British intelligence service's UFO department. The report was produced by radio staff who attended SUFOI's 50th-anniversary conference in Lyngby on November 10, 2007.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are eyewitness accounts of unexplained aerial phenomena, the scientific analysis of such events (particularly fireballs), and the exploration of anomalies discovered through modern mapping technologies like Google Earth. SUFOI maintains its stance that while they cannot confirm UFOs are extraterrestrial spacecraft, they take all witness reports seriously and aim to provide explanations where possible, acknowledging that some phenomena remain unexplained. The magazine encourages continued reporting of sightings to aid in their ongoing research.

Title: UFO-Mail
Issue: 95/2007
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Content Summary

This issue of UFO-Mail features several key articles and reports.

Interview with Nick Pope

The magazine includes an interview with Nick Pope, a former employee of the British Ministry of Defence's UFO desk. The interview was conducted by reporters from Copenhagen University Radio. The full audio of the interview can be accessed via the address www.blindvinkel.blogspot.com. A link to the UFO montage is also provided at the bottom of the page, with a note to have patience as it takes time to start: http://www.oermen.dk/denblindevinkelufo.mp3.

Arthur C. Clarke Dies

The issue reports on the death of science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke. Clarke, who turned 90 in December 2007, passed away on March 18th at his home in Sri Lanka. On his 90th birthday, he expressed three wishes for the future: the discovery of new and cleaner energy resources, lasting peace in Sri Lanka, and the discovery of other intelligent beings in the universe. He had always believed that humanity is not alone in the universe and expressed hope that contact would be made soon. Arthur C. Clarke had a prolific career, authoring over 100 books, including the renowned "2001: A Space Odyssey," which achieved worldwide success and was also adapted into a film. His writings often explored space travel long before it became commonplace, and he is recognized for his early descriptions of the practical applications of communication satellites. Further details about Arthur C. Clarke can be found in UFO-Mail issue 95/2007.

Review of "50 Years with UFOs"

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a review of the publication "50 Years with UFOs - experiences from fifty years of report work" by Toke Haunstrup. This book, published by Skandinavisk UFO Information in 2007, is a 141-page (or 144 pages according to another mention) illustrated work detailing the organization's 50 years of UFO report writing. The book is priced at 180.00 DKK net and is cataloged under the subject headings: UFOs, optical phenomena, atmospheric phenomena, light phenomena, and specific time periods from 1950-2009. The review, written by Lector Carsten Güllich-Nørby from Dansk BiblioteksCenter, describes the book as being primarily for highly dedicated UFO enthusiasts, but also accessible to others interested in the solid and serious work of Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI) in Denmark.

Toke Haunstrup, a long-standing member of SUFOI's representative body, provides a status update on the organization's report writing over five decades. The book covers over 15,000 reports of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) in Denmark. It includes a section titled "The Eyes That See," which discusses various theories about UFOs, moving beyond the common "spaceship hypothesis" of alien visitors. Other theories explored include unknown natural phenomena, psychological phenomena, cultural myths, hoaxes, misinterpretations, and conspiracy theories. The review emphasizes that the book is a detailed and methodical presentation of SUFOI's serious and professional work, rather than a source for sensational discoveries.

The review notes that there is no comparable status report on UFO observation work in Denmark. The book is described as well-illustrated.

Conclusion on "50 Years with UFOs"

The concluding remarks state that the book is most suited for very interested UFO enthusiasts. "50 Years with UFOs" is sold out but is available as a free e-book.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine focuses on UFO phenomena, including interviews with experts like Nick Pope, obituaries of significant figures in related fields such as Arthur C. Clarke, and in-depth reviews of books documenting UFO research. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious and professional reporting on UFOs, emphasizing the methodical work of organizations like SUFOI rather than sensationalism. The inclusion of links to audio and e-books suggests an effort to make information accessible to readers.