UFO Mail - No 106 - 2009

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: UFO-Mail nr. 106
Date: February 17, 2009
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, edited by Kim Møller Hansen, focuses on debunking common myths surrounding UFO crashes and sightings. The central theme, as highlighted in the cover headline "Når myter falder til jorden" (When myths fall to the ground), is to critically examine alleged UFO incidents and reframe them, often as misinterpretations of terrestrial phenomena or deliberate fabrications.

Debunking UFO Crash Myths

The lead article by Kim Møller Hansen discusses how many UFO crash stories are likely distorted accounts of accidents involving secret experimental aircraft, rather than alien spacecraft. This perspective is influenced by the book "X-Plane Crashes. Exploring Experimental, Rocket Plane, and Spycraft Incidents, Accidents And Crash Sites" by Peter W. Merlin and Tony Moore, who have extensively researched experimental aircraft crashes.

The Aztec, New Mexico Incident

The issue revisits the alleged UFO crash in Aztec, New Mexico, in March 1948, which was popularized by Frank Scully's book "Behind the Flying Saucers." The story, based on claims by Silas Newton and Leo GeBauer, involved a crashed alien spaceship and a piece of non-terrestrial metal. However, journalist J.P. Cahn exposed Newton and GeBauer as fraudsters in 1952, revealing that the mysterious metal was merely terrestrial aluminum. Despite this, the Aztec legend persists, as evidenced by a DR2 television program that revisited the site.

Roswell and Other Crash Sites

The magazine also touches upon the famous Roswell incident, stating that SUFOI (the Danish UFO organization) does not believe it involved alien spacecraft. Ryan S. Wood is mentioned for his claim of 72 other UFO crash sites worldwide and his annual "Crash Retrieval Conference." However, the article cautions against equating quantity with quality, emphasizing that anecdotes without documentation are insufficient evidence, and Wood's method is criticized for prioritizing sensational stories over facts.

Astronaut Sightings and Misinformation

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to examining claims of UFO sightings by astronauts, particularly focusing on Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

Buzz Aldrin and the Apollo 11 Mission

An article by David Morrison addresses the claim that Buzz Aldrin saw a UFO during the Apollo 11 mission, often amplified by YouTube videos. Morrison explains that Aldrin's comments were taken out of context by the Science Channel's video production. Aldrin himself clarified that while the Apollo 11 crew did observe an unidentified object following their spacecraft, it was later identified as a panel from the spacecraft's upper stage. The editing of the interview deliberately omitted Aldrin's explanation, creating the false impression of a UFO sighting. Aldrin expressed anger over this misrepresentation.

General Astronaut Claims

Morrison, a senior researcher at NASA, notes that no NASA astronaut has officially reported seeing a UFO in space or encountering aliens. He acknowledges that some astronauts, like Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14), believe some UFO reports are genuine and that governments may be aware of extraterrestrial visits, though Mitchell himself has not claimed to have seen aliens. The article also addresses persistent internet claims about secret communications between astronauts and Houston regarding alien spacecraft accompanying NASA missions, including the Apollo 11 landing, and claims of alien craft observing the moonwalk. These claims are dismissed as lacking documentation and often based on misinterpretations or fabricated stories.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for a skeptical and evidence-based approach to UFO phenomena. It aims to demystify sensational stories by providing factual counter-narratives and exposing hoaxes. The editorial stance is critical of unsubstantiated claims and highlights how media manipulation and the desire for a good story can distort reality. The magazine encourages readers to question popular narratives and seek verifiable evidence, distinguishing between genuine mysteries and manufactured myths. The recurring theme is that many phenomena attributed to extraterrestrial activity can be explained by human technology, misidentification, or outright deception.