UFO Mail - No 119 - 2010

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: Nr. 119
Date: April 28, 2010
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, dated April 28, 2010, presents itself as a preview of the upcoming issue of UFO-Nyt, offering readers a glimpse into its contents. The magazine focuses on critical analysis of UFO phenomena, emphasizing grounded investigation over sensationalism and conspiracy theories.

Ned på jorden...

This article, written by Kim Møller Hansen, introduces the idea of approaching UFO phenomena with a more critical and down-to-earth perspective. It quotes British ufologist David Clarke, who, after successfully obtaining declassified UFO documents from the British Ministry of Defence, expressed that ufology groups often expect more than what is revealed. Clarke's experience suggests that official bodies, while possessing data on radar and accidents, do not hold definitive answers to the core UFO question. The article draws a parallel to the situation in Denmark, where many still believe military authorities are hiding the truth about UFOs, despite the Danish Air Force's UFO archive being publicly accessible online since January 2009. The author questions the silence from conspiracy theorists, suggesting they may not have found what they hoped for or have given up on paper-based investigations. The piece advocates for focusing on reality and critical thinking rather than wishful thinking or overly open-mindedness that leads to a lack of critical thought.

The Danish Air Force UFO Archive

The article mentions that the Danish Air Force's UFO archive, comprising 329 pages of UFO reports from 1978-2002, was made accessible a year prior. Ole Henningsen is highlighted for his efforts in documenting this archive, and the upcoming issue of UFO-Nyt will delve deeper into its contents. While no epoch-making revelations are expected, the reports are considered valuable and historically significant reading material.

Alene igen? (Alone Again?)

Authored by Dr. David Clarke, this section reviews Professor Paul Davies' book, "The Eerie Silence: Are We Alone in the Universe?" published on March 5, 2010. The book is recommended for those interested in SETI and UFOs. Davies, who once believed UFOs were alien craft visiting Earth, has, after 40 years of SETI research, shifted his perspective. As head of the SETI Post-Detection Task Group, Davies would be the first to announce confirmed contact with an extraterrestrial civilization through scientific channels, without government interference. The review notes that Davies' comments on UFOs and government cover-ups are particularly noteworthy. A question posed to Davies at a Royal Society conference highlighted the discrepancy between the perceived evidence of UFOs (e.g., abductions, cattle mutilations) and SETI's focus. Davies' response suggested that expecting alien technology to be only slightly more advanced than ours is unrealistic. He finds the mysteries of the universe, physics, and astrobiology more compelling than the 'abduction industry,' which he likens to medieval demonology. Davies concludes that UFO reports, like ghost stories, are entertaining but not proof of extraterrestrial beings. He posits that they reveal more about human imagination and how we conceive of aliens and technology, noting that the characteristics described are often too human-like and not extraordinary enough for non-terrestrial visitors.

En mand fuld af numre (A Man Full of Tricks)

This article by Kentaro Mori exposes Almiro Baraúna as a hoaxer who created trick photographs of flying saucers published in the magazine 'Mundo Ilustrado' in 1954. The article, based on information from historian Rodolpho Gauthier, reveals how Baraúna's staged photos were presented as evidence. Vinicius Lima, writing in 'Mundo Ilustrado,' explained that flying saucers could be easily faked, and the article provided instructions on how to do so using camera techniques.

Skatte og kranier (Treasure and Skulls)

The article details how Baraúna staged a photograph of a sunken ship by placing a miniature ship on glass over a jug. Another hoax involved a 'treasure find' in Espirito Santo, featuring a skull and a chest, which was revealed to be staged in Saco de São Francisco. Joaquim Simões confirmed that the skull was borrowed from a local school and the chest was an old one. These staged images were sold to a newspaper without Simões' knowledge. The article notes that photographers from Niterói claimed they could create anything from flying saucers to sputniks.

The Trindade Incident

On January 16, 1958, Almiro Baraúna was aboard the ship "Almirante Saldanha" when he allegedly photographed a Saturn-shaped object over the island of Trindade. He claimed to have taken four photos. However, analysis of these photos by Claude Covo and Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos suggests that the cloud formations are inconsistent and that the time between shots may have been longer than the stated 30 seconds, possibly 1-3 minutes. The exact technique used by Baraúna to create these images remains undisclosed.

Baraúna's Confession and Legacy

Baraúna's involvement with other photographers in creating manipulated images is mentioned, including Valter Quota, Carlos Ruas, the Delio and João Limoeiro brothers, Lívio Campos, and Geraldo from the Police Technical Institute. While Baraúna initially denied any fraud regarding the treasure and skull photos, he eventually admitted to the hoax 39 years later in a 1997 interview with Marco Petit. He attributed the exposure to a "frustrated photographer" (likely Joaquim Simões) who borrowed material and did not return it, possibly out of jealousy. Baraúna explained that he, Ubiratan Fernandes, and others created the treasure story to trick a newspaper. He maintained that the treasure hoax was separate from the Trindade observation. Baraúna died on July 20, 2000, without confessing that the Trindade photos were also fake. The article notes that astronomer Donald Menzel and a report from the US naval attaché in Rio had already cast doubt on the Trindade images shortly after the event. The article aims to correct the oversight of Baraúna's delayed confession regarding the treasure hoax and his continued denial of the Trindade hoax.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical and evidence-based approach to ufology. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, thorough investigation, and a rejection of unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy theories. The editorial stance is to encourage readers to "come down to earth" and engage with reality rather than succumbing to wishful thinking or sensationalism. The publication also highlights the value of official archives and documented reports, even if they do not yield extraordinary findings, as they contribute to the historical understanding of the UFO phenomenon.