UFO Mail - No 103 - 2008

Magazine Overview

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, titled 'UFO-Nyt fylder 50' (UFO-Nyt Turns 50), dated November 19, 2008, is published by Danmarks UFO Forening. The magazine celebrates the 50th anniversary of its publication, UFO-Nyt, and reflects on its evolution and the state of UFO research.

UFO-Nyt at 50 Years

Kim Møller Hansen's article details the history of UFO-Nyt. It began in November 1958, founded by Captain Lieutenant H. C. Petersen and friends, with the ambitious goal of proving that humans from other planets were visiting Denmark and establishing contact. The initial editorial expressed hope for official recognition of extraterrestrial visitors. However, after 50 years and 15,000 Danish reports, the organization has not found definitive proof of alien visitation. Today, SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information) sees its primary task as an educational organization, informing the public about what is actually happening in the skies, with support from entities like the Ministry of Science.

The article notes that the latest issue of UFO-Nyt, the 50th-anniversary issue, examines how phenomena like lens-shaped clouds and balloons have historically played a role in people's perceptions of aerial events. The magazine offers a preview of UFO-Nyt issue no. 4, 2008, for its subscribers. An annual subscription to UFO-Nyt costs 307 DKK in 2009.

Project Hessdalen Update

Erling Strand provides an update on Project Hessdalen in Norway. He addresses recent press claims that a solution to the Hessdalen phenomenon has been found, stating this is incorrect. Hessdalen, a valley about 120 km south of Trondheim, has been known for numerous observations since the 1980s. The 'UFO wave' began in late 1981 and lasted until mid-1984. Project Hessdalen was established in 1983 and conducted field studies in 1984 and 1985, with Professor J. Allen Hynek participating in the latter. After a pause in observations until 1993, renewed reports led to the revival of Project Hessdalen and a conference in 1994.

In August 1998, an automatic monitoring station was established in Hessdalen, sending data to various international research groups, including those in Bologna, Italy, and Princeton University in the USA. Since 2002, a 'Science Camp' has been held annually (except in 2005) for high school students. These students, accompanied by teachers and engineering students, explore the Hessdalen phenomenon at field stations equipped with cameras, spectral analysis equipment, weather stations, and Geiger counters. The camp involves 70-100 participants and aims to provide hands-on learning in technology, physics, and natural sciences.

Spectral analysis of light phenomena observed in Hessdalen has revealed weak emission lines consistent with elements like scandium, helium, oxygen, and nitrogen, with possible indications of iron and silicon. However, the intensity of these lines is weak, and the light source is diffuse, making definitive conclusions difficult. Strand emphasizes that the origin of the phenomenon is far from solved, raising questions about how these elements could become airborne and luminous. He states that the solution is not as close as the media might suggest.

Close to the World's Largest UFO Archive

Kim Møller Hansen reports on the Arkivet för UFO-forskning (AFU) in Norrköping, Sweden, described as the world's largest UFO archive. Located in basement premises, it houses a vast collection of reports, books, magazines, clippings, audio tapes, posters, DVDs, and UFO models, all documenting UFO experiences and related topics. The archive was founded in 1973 by Håkan Blomqvist, Kjell Jonsson, and Anders Liljegren. It began small but has grown to encompass 700 shelf meters of material. The core objective of AFU is to build ufology on well-substantiated facts rather than rumors.

The archive has undergone several relocations due to renovations, impacting its ability to respond promptly to inquiries. Currently, they are working on cataloging and indexing their material, with future plans for scanning and digitizing unique items. Access to the archive is granted to anyone with a serious interest, with researchers potentially receiving enhanced service. While most materials are accessible, exceptions may apply for copyright reasons or integrity concerns.

AFU's collection includes approximately 17,000 Swedish reports and about 10,000 Danish and Norwegian reports, along with 9,600 books, 24,000 periodicals, 25,000 Swedish clippings, 14,000 database entries, and 2,000 audio tapes. Overviews and catalogs are available on www.afu.info and www.afu.se/mags.htm.

SUFOI's Appreciation for Collaboration with AFU

This section highlights the ongoing collaboration between SUFOI and AFU. SUFOI has contributed its report archive to AFU, and AFU has provided books and periodicals to SUFOI. This partnership has eased the burden on Danish homes and ensured that UFOological materials are stored and managed by dedicated individuals. Since 1975, AFU has published the English-language 'AFU Newsletter,' detailing its work, plans, and new acquisitions, which is available on www.afu.info.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine reflects a shift in UFO research from seeking definitive proof of alien visitation to a more educational and informative approach. It emphasizes the importance of rigorous research based on facts and the careful collection and preservation of data, as exemplified by the extensive AFU archive. The publication also covers ongoing scientific investigations into unexplained aerial phenomena, such as those at Project Hessdalen, acknowledging the complexity and the need for continued study.

This issue of UFO-Aktuelt, dated 2008 and published by Archives for UFO Research (AFU), focuses on significant developments in UFO research, including the acquisition of Russian UFO reports and a critical re-examination of the Condon Report.

Russian UFO Reports

The issue highlights that AFU's Clas Svahn and Stefan Roslund brought approximately 1,000 original Russian UFO reports home after a visit to Moscow in the mid-1990s. The magazine invites anyone interested in UFO phenomena to contact AFU for their own studies or to donate money or objects to the archive. Contact information for AFU, based in Norrköping, Sweden, is provided, including their website www.afu.info.

UFOs on TV

A section discusses an upcoming TV program on DR2 titled 'Temalørdag om ufoer' (Themed Saturday about UFOs), which was scheduled to air on November 29th. This program revisits Nick Pope, who worked for the British Ministry of Defence's secret UFO project from 1991-1994, and features other individuals involved in UFO research. The program is described as over two hours long and is produced by Ole Retsbo from DR Kultur. Other participants mentioned include Ole Henningsen, Toke Haunstrup, and Kim Møller Hansen.

Book Review: 'Mysteries from Space'

The issue features a review of the book 'Mysterier fra rummet' (Mysteries from Space) by Klaus Aarsleff. Aarsleff, described as a globetrotter and former chairman of the Adventurers' Club, has undertaken expeditions worldwide to investigate mysteries and ancient riddles. His new book delves into the greatest mysteries of outer space, including near-contact experiences, unexplained UFO observations, cattle mutilations, and messages from the universe. The first print run of the book includes a DVD with sensational film and photo material from the archives of Skandinavisk UFO Information, as well as an animated version of Orson Welles' radio play 'War of the Worlds'. The book is 183 pages, illustrated, and costs 269 DKK including the DVD.

Revelations about the Condon Report

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to new revelations concerning the Condon Report, based on a collection of over 1,200 pages from MUFON's Project Pandora archive, originating from the estate of the late Roy Craig. Roy Craig was a chemist and a key figure in the University of Colorado's UFO investigation project.

MUFON's research chief Robert Powell and historian Michael Swords visited Texas A&M University in 2008 to examine and copy the Craig archive. The report details the controversial Colorado UFO project, which was a scientific study of UFOs funded by the U.S. Air Force from 1966 to 1969, with a budget of $525,000. The final report, published in January 1969, was widely criticized by UFO researchers for its anti-UFO conclusions, authored by project director Dr. Edward U. Condon. The report was endorsed by the National Academy of Science and is seen as having set back scientific UFO research by decades.

Key criticisms of the Condon Report highlighted include:

• Lack of Connection: The report's conclusions and recommendations section did not align with the actual content and findings of the investigations conducted by the rest of the staff.
• Condon's Involvement: Many observers felt that Condon had not thoroughly read the report, given the large number of observations his own project had documented but could not explain.
• New Evidence from Craig's Notes: Craig's notes provide documentation that he had daily meetings with Condon and other staff members. On September 13, 1968, Condon presented a draft of his 'Conclusions and Recommendations' chapter. Crucially, Condon had not read the rest of the report because he wrote his conclusion *before* the rest of the report was completed. Craig's notes indicate that Condon's conclusions remained unchanged despite the fact that the rest of the report was still being written.
• Joseph Rush's Memo: In a confidential memo dated September 5, 1968, Joseph Rush, a physicist at NCAR and a researcher on the project, revealed that while he started his investigation without prejudice, he became more skeptical as a result of the project. He noted that a significant number of their UFO investigations resulted in unexplainable cases, stating, "This seems to be an abnormal conclusion, as among the C-cases [CU Project investigations], there are more unexplained than explained."
• Percentage of Unexplained Cases: Rush's memo indicated that over 50% of UFO observations remained unexplained after review by the Colorado project. This contradicts the Condon Report's conclusions, which did not mention such a high percentage. Critics had previously pointed out that the Condon Report itself contained about 30-34% unexplained cases.
• Conscious Suppression: The issue suggests that Condon was made aware of the high percentage of unexplained cases in September 1968 by Rush, but he took no action to revise his conclusions. This deliberate suppression is presented as damaging to the scientific standard and integrity of the Condon Report.
• Reduction of Unexplained Cases: By the time the final report was completed in October 1968, the percentage of unexplained cases had been reduced to around 34%. The magazine questions how this reduction was possible, as all investigations had concluded months earlier, and the contract period had already been extended once. The implication is that some unexplained reports may have been reclassified as explainable through manipulation or falsification to meet the project's objectives.

Call to Action

The issue concludes with a call to share 'ufo-mail' with family and friends, encouraging readers to forward the information and subscribe to receive updates on Danish and international UFO observations, photographs, and related materials.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of official UFO investigations, the importance of archival research, and the ongoing efforts to uncover the truth behind UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards official conclusions that dismiss UFOs and a strong advocacy for thorough, independent research and the preservation of evidence. The magazine actively promotes organizations like AFU and MUFON that are dedicated to these pursuits.