UFO Mail - No 120 - 2010

Magazine Overview

Title: Mystiske lys over Østersøen (Mysterious Lights over the Baltic Sea)
Issue: UFO-Mail nr. 120
Date: June 30, 2010
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information / Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of UFO-Mail focuses on unexplained aerial phenomena, primarily detailing a significant sighting over the Baltic Sea near Bornholm and compiling numerous other reports from across Denmark.

Mystiske lys over Østersøen (Mysterious Lights over the Baltic Sea)

This main article details an observation made by Peter Loman, an air traffic controller at Poulsker on eastern Bornholm, on May 25, 2010. Loman, with a guest, observed a bright, star-like point in the sky starting around 22:30. The object varied in brightness, sometimes blinking, other times pulsing slowly. His guest perceived multiple points, while Loman saw a single one. He estimated its distance to be at least several kilometers away.

After 5-7 minutes, a smaller point appeared below and to the right of the main object, moving rapidly to merge with it. Both points then disappeared. This merging event caused a slight increase in brightness before they vanished, without any visible explosion. Shortly after, another point reappeared in the same location, and the process repeated. In one instance, the smaller point hit the larger one, causing both to disappear. In another, the points merged but did not disappear immediately.

Loman contacted his colleague at Bornholms Lufthavn, who confirmed seeing the object. The military firing ranges east of Bornholm were not active. An incoming aircraft was approaching from the west.

The observation lasted for about an hour, with the last light disappearing around 23:30.

Bornholms Marinedistrikt orienteret (Bornholm Maritime District Informed)

The following day, Bornholms Tidende reported that Rønne Police had informed the Bornholm Maritime District about a possible distress flare observed from Svaneke Lighthouse. The patrol vessel "Vestkysten" was dispatched to investigate the area between Svaneke and Nexø but found nothing unusual.

Også observeret fra Nakskov? (Also observed from Nakskov?)

The report also mentions a similar observation made by a 35-year-old man in Nakskov, Vestlolland, around 23:05 on the same night. He saw a star-like object that appeared to move, first slightly to the right, then slowly upwards.

Hvad var det? (What was it?)

Common explanations like meteors, hot air balloons, and satellites were ruled out due to the observed appearance and movement patterns.

Flyaktivitet i området (Activity in the area)

Ole Henningsen of SUFOI investigated a similar case from May 23, 2007, involving a webdesigner named John Christiansen from Bønnet on Falster. Christiansen had observed and filmed strange lights that resembled Loman's description. These lights also appeared low over the horizon, over the sea, and blinked on and off.

SUFOI's investigation revealed that at the time of the Falster sightings, there was foreign military air activity over land and the Baltic Sea between Stralsund and Rostock, Germany. Cross-referencing observer directions with known military activity areas led Henningsen to conclude that the lights were likely related to this military exercise, possibly flares or searchlights.

Militær flyaktivitet? (Military activity?)

The May 25, 2010 sighting from Bornholm, being in an east/southeast direction, suggested potential activity over Polish territory. Loman himself speculated about a military exercise or test in that region.

Flyvevåbnet (The Air Force)

The Flyvertaktisk Kommando (FTK) in Karup was contacted. They confirmed that their radar units did not register any Danish military aircraft in the area at the time of the observation, nor any NATO exercises. However, radar records did show Polish military aircraft flying at altitudes up to 30,000 feet in the relevant area, with flight patterns consistent with the report. FTK suggested that the light phenomenon could be caused by flares, though this was considered a qualified guess.

SUFOI concluded that the lights seen from Bornholm could be explained by the registered Polish military air activities.

Man kunne undre sig (One might wonder)

Henningsen expressed surprise that the maritime authorities on Bornholm did not immediately consult experts like SOK or FTK before dispatching the patrol vessel "Vestkysten." He added that if observations seem imprecise, it might be better to err on the side of caution.

Flares

The article includes a section explaining flares, which are pyrotechnic devices deployed from aircraft to decoy heat-seeking missiles. They can be fired individually or in series and can appear in various forms.

Uddrag af seneste ufo-beretninger til www.ufo.dk (Excerpts from recent UFO reports to www.ufo.dk)

This section compiles several shorter UFO/UAP sighting reports from various locations in Denmark:

• 6300 Gråsten - 1968-69: Two friends observed unexplained lights resembling an aircraft but moving irregularly, sometimes appearing as multiple lights.
• 4440 Mørkøv - April 1992: Three clear, bright lights in a "diamond shape" formation flew silently at high speed.
• 2000 Frederiksberg - April 2010: A pyramid-shaped object blocked out stars and moved behind a church tower, with its form visible. The sighting was later linked to a YouTube video.
• 2610 Rødovre - April 10, 2010: An orange/red sphere flew overhead silently, followed by similar spheres on three occasions, moving in the same direction.
• 8800 Viborg - April 12, 2010: Three red/orange lights formed a triangle with a dark body, moving silently and appearing to hover before moving west.
• 3250 Gilleleje - April 14, 2010: A small object with multiple colors, unlike an aircraft, hovered silently.
• 5220 Odense SØ - April 18, 2010: Five to seven orange lights were seen, with three in a line. Two lights disappeared at a specific angle.
• 5220 Odense SØ - April 18, 2010 (second report): Two orange spheres moved east, followed by a third, all silent and moving at the same speed.
• 4600 Køge - April 18, 2010: Four orange lights flew in formation towards Sweden, without sound or change in direction.
• 4200 Slagelse - March 28, 2010: A blinking white light, resembling a helicopter but moving erratically, was visible for a few seconds.
• 6541 Bevtoft - April 18, 2010: A strange "star" that constantly changed color and moved erratically was observed for about 10 minutes.
• 2100 København Ø - April 19, 2010: A white, luminous star-like object moved south-southwest and disappeared.
• 8230 Åbyhøj - April 20, 2010: A boomerang-shaped object flew silently at high speed, about 300 meters overhead.
• 2670 Greve - April 20, 2010: A yellow, oval light appeared in a grey cloud, splitting into two oval lights before disappearing.
• 3550 Slangerup - April 24, 2010: A sharp, silent light, described as a bus-shaped object, moved southwest and disappeared.
• 3600 Frederikssund - April 29, 2010: Three to five similar orange/red spheres were observed flying in formation, silently and at a steady speed.
• 4000 Roskilde - May 1, 2010: Four objects flew rapidly eastward and disappeared into the blue sky, not like planes or remote-controlled toys.
• 9990 Skagen - May 1, 2010: Nine objects flew silently in a line, some appearing to move erratically, disappearing without going behind anything. These were later identified as small sky lanterns.
• 2600 Glostrup - May 2, 2010: Two bright orange objects were observed with atmospheric shimmering, moving southwest and slowly disappearing.
• 9700-9760 Brønderslev-Vrå-Børglum - May 3, 2010: A light object was observed moving in a curve, then hovering, and later appearing as a red sphere above a white sphere, resembling a toy rattle. Photos were taken but later deleted.

Ingen militær flyvning (No military flight)

SUFOI contacted the Flyvertaktisk Kommando (FTK) regarding the Brønderslev sighting. FTK confirmed that their radar archives showed no military flights matching the observation in that area. They also confirmed no helicopter activity matching the observation. However, they did not have information on civil flights.

Det var sandsynligvis fly og Venus (It was likely planes and Venus)

Ole Henningsen provides a commentary on the Brønderslev observation. He suggests that the initial part might have been an aircraft with landing lights, as the observer noted it was low and resembled a Cessna. The silent, non-blinking lights and movement were unusual. Henningsen also points out that the planet Venus was very bright and low on the western horizon at the time, and its setting could coincide with the latter part of the observation. He concludes that it is most likely that the observers focused on Venus, and it was not a unique or isolated case.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the issue is the reporting and investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP/UFOs). The magazine presents a wide range of sightings, from lights to structured objects, and attempts to provide explanations, often involving conventional aircraft, atmospheric phenomena, or military activities. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation, encouraging public reporting while also applying critical analysis and seeking logical explanations. The issue highlights the challenges in definitively identifying such phenomena and the importance of detailed reporting and expert analysis.

This issue of Lolland-Falsters Folketidende, dated May 13, 1980, focuses heavily on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and related phenomena, with a particular emphasis on reports from 2010. The cover story highlights a historical incident where former US President Jimmy Carter, as governor, mistook the planet Venus for a UFO in 1969. It also details a local event from May 13, 1980, where employees of the newspaper and police officers pursued what they believed to be a UFO, which turned out to be Venus.

The bulk of the magazine is dedicated to a collection of eyewitness accounts from various locations in Denmark, primarily from May and June 2010. These reports describe a wide range of aerial phenomena, including luminous objects, lights in formation, and unusual movements.

Key Articles and Reports

Historical Context: Jimmy Carter and the Venus UFO

The issue opens with the story of Jimmy Carter's 1969 observation of Venus, which he and others perceived as a UFO. The article provides a web address for more detailed information. It then transitions to a local event on May 13, 1980, where two Lolland-Falsters Folketidende employees and police patrol cars were involved in chasing the planet Venus, mistaking it for a UFO. The headline for this section sarcastically notes that they did not catch it.

SUFOI's Role and Analysis

SUFOI (a Danish organization for the study of UFOs) plays a significant role in analyzing the reported sightings. The magazine frequently includes SUFOI's comments, which often identify the observed phenomena as known objects like the International Space Station (ISS) or Iridium flares. The organization commends observers for their detailed reports, which aid in their analysis.

2010 Sightings: A Chronological Collection

The majority of the magazine presents a series of dated reports from various Danish towns:

• May 4, 2010 (Fredericia): A witness reported waking to a loud, jet-engine-like noise and violent shaking, suggesting a significant event occurred nearby.
• May 4, 2010 (Gudme): A witness observed a clear, star-like object moving slowly across the sky.
• May 4, 2010 (Næstved): Two witnesses saw a sharp, luminous, star-shaped object moving silently from west to east. SUFOI suggests this was likely the ISS.
• May 7, 2010 (Århus C): A witness described a round, wingless object moving smoothly with abrupt stops, estimated to be traveling at approximately 500 km/h. The object had no visible aerodynamic features.
• May 13, 2010 (Frederikssund): Two observations of objects moving from east to west, followed by a similar object moving silently from the northwest.
• May 13, 2010 (Måløv): Witnesses observed an oblong, luminous object ascending rapidly and then descending, disappearing behind trees.
• May 13, 2010 (Hillerød): Four orange lights were seen in formation, moving silently. Later, two more appeared, totaling eight lights moving in a controlled manner.
• May 14, 2010 (Glostrup): Four to five bright, luminous objects were observed flying in formation at high speed, estimated at least 1,500 km/h. The accompanying photo shows four lights. SUFOI suggests these were likely small hot air balloons.
• May 15, 2010 (Århus C): A witness described a round, orange-yellow glowing object moving at a constant speed, estimated at 250 km/h. It was observed under low cloud cover and was not identified as a satellite or conventional aircraft.
• May 19, 2010 (Ølstykke): A black object, described as similar to an E.T. spaceship with pulsating orange lights, was observed hovering and then slowly disappearing.
• May 22, 2010 (Frederiksberg): Five orange/gold colored objects were seen moving silently and slowly across the sky.
• May 22, 2010 (Greve): One red/orange luminous object was observed, followed by two more, forming a line and then a triangle. The objects moved without sound or visible trails.
• May 22, 2010 (København N): A 20-year-old student reported seeing 10-15 strongly luminous objects in the sky, possibly one crashing. A 3-minute video recording exists. SUFOI suggests these were small hot air balloons.
• May 24, 2010 (Ringsted): A witness observed a strange object, a mix between round and cigar-shaped, about 1.5 km high.
• May 29, 2010 (Stenstrup): Two orange, comet-like objects with fiery tails were observed moving together, filmed with a digital video camera.
• May 30, 2010 (København K): A 36-year-old man and his daughter observed two black, spherical objects flying slowly in formation without sound. They were estimated to be at an altitude of about 200 meters. The observer initially considered an Iridium flare or ISS but later suggested it might be a toy balloon.
• June 4, 2010 (Lundby): A witness observed an object with a color similar to a plane but moving slower and without a contrail. The object lacked reflections and appeared to be plate-shaped with an "overbuilding".
• June 4, 2010 (Horsens): A witness reported a bright red circular light moving rapidly, then stopping and hovering before accelerating eastward and disappearing without sound or smoke. SUFOI suggests this was likely Jupiter and the ISS.
• June 5, 2010 (Rødovre): Four luminous objects were observed, with one large object slowly disappearing. SUFOI suggests this was likely the ISS.
• June 6, 2010 (København Ø): Four connected luminous round balls were seen moving in a zig-zag pattern.
• June 12, 2010 (Odense S): A witness observed a clearly luminous "ball" moving from west to east, estimated to be about 500 meters high. The object was silent and appeared to be a shiny ball. A passerby also seemed affected by the sighting.
• June 15, 2010 (Frederiksberg): A SUFOI employee observed two lights, one brighter than Venus, moving parallel from south to north. The observer noted the lack of sound and unusual movement.
• June 17, 2010 (Jyderup): Two bright white lights were observed moving in formation with a degree of separation.
• June 18, 2010 (Svendborg): A very bright, slow-moving light was observed, which stopped and remained stationary before disappearing.
• June 19, 2010 (København S): Multiple red, luminous objects (initially one, then three, then about 10-12) were observed moving slowly and then extinguishing one by one. The witness contacted the police, who had received no other reports.
• June 19, 2010 (Hvidovre): Approximately 15 slow-moving lights were observed coming from the south, disappearing over the Avedøreværket. Photos were taken. SUFOI concluded these were small hot air balloons.
• June 19, 2010 (Hjallerup): Two clear lights were observed moving from west to east without sound, lasting a few minutes. The observation was compared to the ISS.
• June 20, 2010 (Fårvang): A bright, luminous star-like object was observed moving silently. SUFOI identified the stationary star as Jupiter and the moving object as likely the ISS.

Special Feature: Iridium Flares

A dedicated section explains the phenomenon of Iridium flares. It describes how sunlight reflecting off the antennas of Iridium satellites creates bright flashes in the sky. The article includes links to resources for further information and provides instructions on how to observe these events using websites like Heavens-Above.com.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, misidentification of celestial bodies (like Venus and ISS) as UFOs, and the analysis provided by organizations like SUFOI. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, presenting eyewitness accounts while also offering plausible explanations based on known phenomena. There is a clear effort to demystify some sightings by identifying them as satellites or balloons, but a portion of the reports remain open to interpretation or further investigation. The magazine encourages reader participation and feedback on these phenomena.

Title: UFO-Mail
Issue: July 2010
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information - SUFOI
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

This issue of UFO-Mail focuses on recent sightings and observations of unexplained phenomena, including aerial objects and satellite anomalies.

Article: Hvilket fly er det? (What plane is it?)

This introductory section discusses the common question of identifying aircraft in the sky and introduces the website www.flightradar24.com as a tool to track civilian air traffic over Europe. It explains that by using the site, one can see the position, type, altitude, speed, origin, and destination of many aircraft.

Article: 6000 Kolding - 20. juni 2010

This report details an unusual nighttime observation in Kolding, Denmark. The author and a friend observed a silent, white light moving like an aircraft but without engine noise. Using binoculars, they could only see the light, which remained sharp and did not exhibit the typical blinking lights of an aircraft. The object was at an altitude similar to domestic flights landing in Billund. The article speculates on the object's identity.

SUFOI's Comment: The International Space Station (ISS) is suggested as a possible explanation, noting its appearance as a bright, white light. The ISS was visible that evening around 03:15:31 at an altitude of 10 degrees above the western horizon, moving eastwards and disappearing around 03:21:03.

Article: ISS - Rumstationen på himlen (ISS - The Space Station in the Sky)

This section provides information on how readers can observe the ISS themselves. It directs them to the website http://www.heavens-above.com/ to register their location and receive a list of upcoming ISS passage times. It also mentions the Tycho Brahe Planetarium's website (www.tycho.dk) for similar information and provides a YouTube link to a video of the ISS over Lolland.

Article: 5700 Svendborg - 23. juni 2010

This report describes an observation made from a yacht in Svendborg, Denmark. Two 'clear stars' appeared, and one began moving towards them, initially mistaken for an aircraft with a malfunctioning strobe light. Approximately 90 seconds later, a second 'clear star' appeared next to the first. After another 90 seconds, a third appeared. The author, who holds a pilot's license, observed that these were not ordinary aircraft. Using binoculars, the first object appeared as a large orange/brown light with a clear core, seemingly reflecting in a parabolic shape. This object passed directly overhead at a speed faster than a sports plane.

As the first object passed, a shadow briefly obscured its light, and it then became completely dark for about 45 seconds. The author observed this procedure repeated ten times in an unbroken sequence over approximately 15-20 minutes. Despite a quiet evening, no sound was heard from the objects. Two aircraft crossed the path of these objects at a higher altitude, their engines audible. The last 'clear star' remained stationary for about 40 minutes before moving off on a northerly/northeast course and disappearing below the horizon at precisely midnight. The author contacted air traffic control and the local police about the incident.

Article: 8000 Århus C - 24. juni 2010

This brief report from Århus, Denmark, describes observing a light resembling a flare appearing in the west, moving east, and disappearing into cloud cover. The observation was made three times between 23:40 and 00:20, with an estimated speed of 5-600 km/h, based on comparisons with aircraft and helicopters.

Article: Mange varmluftballoner blandt beretningerne (Many hot air balloons among the reports)

This section acknowledges that many reported sightings, which might initially seem unusual, can likely be attributed to small hot air balloons. It directs readers to further information on hot air balloons and mentions that other 2010 reports are available via www.ufo.dk.

Article: Ørsted-ufoer (Ørsted UFOs)

This article, written by Ole Henningsen, discusses the Danish Ørsted satellite and its unexpected detection of 'UFOs' in space. Professor John Leif Jørgensen from DTU Space presented findings on May 31st about using three-body gravity forces for space navigation, referencing the Apollo 13 mission as an example of successful problem-solving.

During his presentation, a slide showed images labeled 'UFOs detected by Ørsted.' Professor Jørgensen explained that these 'UFOs' were designated as such because they were not present in NORAD's databases. He analyzed the images and concluded they likely represented a large satellite passing the Ørsted satellite at approximately 5 km/s. He suggested it might be an American spy satellite that was inadvertently registered by Ørsted on April 19, 2002, and that NORAD, which tracks all Earth-orbiting objects, might have overlooked this particular one in its public lists.

The article includes images of the Ørsted satellite's data, showing the detected objects in negative format. The objects appeared as streaks, with apparent magnitudes of 3 and 4. Professor Jørgensen clarified that the images were taken on April 19, 2002, and showed a single recording of two objects in motion, appearing as doubles due to an interlaced format.

Article: Hemmeligt filmet af amatører - mini-rumfly (Secretly filmed by amateurs - mini-spaceplane)

This article reports on the US Air Force's launch of the X-37B mini-spaceplane on April 23, 2010. Information about the mission was initially classified. Four weeks later, amateur photographers captured images of the mini-spaceplane. The X-37B is described as the first spaceplane since the space shuttles, capable of returning equipment and experiments to Earth. Its maiden flight was intended to test its guidance, navigation, and software for unmanned landings. The X-37B is 9 meters long, 2.9 meters high, has a wingspan of 4.5 meters, and weighs five tons. It was built by Boeing's Phantom works division.

The article notes that it is not always easy to find information in databases about orbiting satellites. Amateur satellite watchers began searching the night sky for the new, secret mini-spaceplane. Images of the X-37B were captured by Gary O. in Fort Davies, Texas, on May 24, 2010. The article provides a link to more photos and explains that the X-37B's trajectory was unknown until May 20th, when satellite hunters Greg Roberts and Kevin Fetter independently located it. Ted Molczan helped combine observations to determine its orbit. Kevin Fetter was then able to find and record the X-37B again. The article also provides links to articles about the X-37B and a website where its orbit can be tracked, though it notes the spaceplane cannot be observed from Denmark.

Section: Tilbud til samlere (Offer for collectors)

This section advertises a package of UFO-related publications for sale, including issues of Forteana, UFORALIA, Skeptica, UFO-Aspekt, UFO-Nyt Junior, and UFO Kontakt, along with a technical study booklet. Interested parties are instructed to contact Skandinavisk UFO Information - SUFOI.

Section: Send ufo-mail til familie, venner og bekendte! (Send ufo-mail to family, friends, and acquaintances!)

This is a call to action encouraging readers to forward the UFO-Mail newsletter to their contacts to help spread information about UFOs, observations, astronomical phenomena, and UFO-related materials.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the use of technology for tracking and observation (both civilian and satellite-based), and the potential for misidentification of objects (e.g., ISS, hot air balloons). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting eyewitness accounts and scientific analysis while also offering plausible explanations and encouraging further investigation. The magazine aims to inform its readers about UFO-related news and events.