UFO Mail - No 125 - 2011

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: UFO-Mail nr. 125
Date: 14. januar 2011
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, titled 'Nyt fra SUFOI's Fotoafdeling' (News from SUFOI's Photo Department), focuses on the analysis of photographic evidence of alleged UFO sightings. The magazine presents several cases where photographic anomalies were investigated by SUFOI's photo consultants, with explanations ranging from astronomical objects to aircraft and photographic artifacts.

Case 1: Fredericia Light - Identified as Venus

The issue begins with a report originally featured in Ekstra Bladet's online newspaper, concerning a man from Fredericia, Jørgen Bertelsen, who submitted photos of a bright light seen in the morning sky on January 2, 2011. SUFOI investigated these images. The analysis, aided by astronomical software like 'Starry Night', revealed that the bright light, along with four other stars, perfectly matched the position of the planet Venus and surrounding stars at that specific time and location. The elongated streak in one of the photos was identified as a reflection. The article notes that Venus has often been mistaken for a UFO, but it has never been successfully 'captured' as such.

Historical Context: Venus as a UFO

To further contextualize the Fredericia case, the magazine recalls other instances where Venus has been mistaken for a UFO. It mentions a similar observation by former US President Jimmy Carter in 1969, detailed in a previous UFO-Mail issue (nr. 32). It also references an event on Lolland, Denmark, on May 13, 1980, where journalists and police reportedly chased what they believed to be a UFO, which was later identified as Venus.

Case 2: Valby Lights - Identified as Aircraft

Another significant case involves a 19-year-old man from Valby who captured peculiar light trails on two photos taken at Ny Ellebjerg Station on the evening of September 22, 2010. The photos, taken with a 6-second interval, showed two horizontally placed lights that were not present in a third photo taken later. SUFOI's photo consultants discussed several explanations, including reflections. However, based on the analysis, particularly by veteran photo consultant Hans Bødker (a former air traffic controller and pilot), the lights were identified as those of an airplane. Bødker drew parallels to a case from Washington D.C. in 2005, where a webcam captured similar light streaks and dots, identified as an aircraft's landing lights and flashes due to long exposure. Bødker's own experiments with timelapse photography, including capturing a small plane passing overhead, further supported this conclusion. He stated that the long exposure time (2 seconds) caused the lights to appear as streaks and the flashes as dots, similar to the Valby photos and the train lights also visible in the images.

Case 3: Aunsbjerg 'Orb' - Identified as Photographic Artifact

The magazine then addresses a case from Aunsbjerg forest near Kjellerup, where a photographer captured a round, bright light trace in a photo taken on November 1, 2010. The photographer did not observe the phenomenon at the time and only noticed it upon reviewing the image on his computer. The electronic data from the photo indicated that the camera's flash had been used. SUFOI's analysis concluded that the round trace was caused by a very small particle in the air, very close to the camera lens, illuminated by the flash. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as an 'orb'. The article explains that such particles could be dust or moisture and that the flash caused them to appear brightly lit. The magazine also references a demonstration in UFO-Mail nr. 114 showing how 'orbs' can be artificially created by placing a dusty cloth in front of a camera lens, though this is not recommended due to potential damage to the camera.

Case 4: Sydsjælland Lights - Unresolved

Finally, the issue presents photos taken by Daniel Irvold from Dybsø Fjordbanke in Sydsjælland on December 12, 2010. Irvold photographed four bright dots on the southwestern sky just after sunset. He described them as three in a line and the fourth at a right angle. The lights were visible for a period and disappeared as the sun set. The article poses the question of what Daniel Irvold observed and photographed, but does not offer a definitive conclusion for this specific case, other than noting their disappearance with the setting sun.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical analysis of photographic evidence related to UFO sightings. SUFOI's photo department employs a methodical approach, often using astronomical software, expert knowledge of aviation and photography, and comparisons with known phenomena to explain sightings. The magazine demonstrates a commitment to debunking misidentifications, such as Venus or aircraft, while also acknowledging photographic artifacts like 'orbs'. The editorial stance appears to be one of rational investigation, aiming to provide plausible explanations for unexplained aerial phenomena based on available evidence and scientific understanding.

This issue of the magazine, dated June 2011, focuses on unexplained aerial phenomena and astronomical events, with a prominent feature on a mysterious photograph from 1974. The magazine is published by Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI) and is in Danish.

Mysterious Photo from 1974

The lead article, "Mystisk foto fra 1974" (Mysterious photo from 1974), presents a black and white negative from 1974 submitted by John Valbjørn Christensen. The photo features an unusual marking, prompting analysis from SUFOI's photo consultants. While some suggest it could be distant aircraft with contrails illuminated by the setting sun, or even aircraft with landing lights on, others propose astronomical explanations like the planet Mars. The photographer, Daniel Irvold, later recalls seeing similar lights with tails, suggesting they were aircraft, but initially considered satellites. He also mentions that the object in the photo is not necessarily a reflection.

SUFOI's investigation, led by photo consultants, explores various possibilities. They consider whether the object is a chimney, power lines, or a reflection of a lamp. One consultant suggests it might be an arranged photo or an attempt to create an exciting image. The 'halo' around the object could indicate chemical processing effects. However, an examination of the negative by expert Hans Bødker finds no chemical residues and notes that the grain in the ring is consistent with the rest of the negative, arguing against chemical alteration. Bødker leans towards the explanation of a reflection of a round ceiling lamp seen through a window, noting the oval shape due to the viewing angle and the presence of power lines in front of the object.

John Valbjørn Christensen rejects the reflection theory, stating that as a photographer with over 40 years of experience, he is certain it is not a reflection and that there was no lamp in the room that could have caused such an image. He has sent the material to the USA for further comments and expresses his belief that the photo is exciting, but laments that few people believe in UFOs, including SUFOI.

Other Sightings and Observations

Fireball in Germany

The magazine reports on a spectacular fireball sighting on January 8, 2011, at 17:51 MEZ, observed across large parts of Southern Germany. Automatic cameras belonging to members of Arbeitskreises (AK) Meteore e.V. captured the event in Gais, Switzerland, and Fornach, Austria. The bright object streaked across the sky in a northerly direction. Investigations are underway to determine if the meteorite fell near Geislingen in Southern Germany. The last such event in Germany was in 2002. The article provides links for further information and video footage.

Meteorite Recovery in Denmark

Mark Vornhusen, a meteorite enthusiast from Switzerland, assisted in the search for a meteorite that fell southwest of Maribo, Lolland, Denmark, on the evening of January 17, 2009. After an intensive six-day search, German meteorite expert Thomas Grau found 25.8 grams of the fallen meteorite.

International Space Station (ISS) Observations

Several articles cover the observation and photography of the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS has been visible in the Danish evening sky. Photographers are increasingly attempting to capture images of the ISS transiting in front of the Sun and Moon.

One such event occurred on January 4, 2011, during a partial solar eclipse, where French astrophotographer Thierry Legault successfully captured the Sun with a sunspot, the Moon, and the ISS in a single photograph. The ISS was seen at an altitude of 500 km above Earth.

On January 10, 2011, amateur astronomer Wolfgang Dzieran from Bad Lippspringe, Germany, photographed the ISS moving towards the Moon. The ISS appeared as a small, bright streak due to long exposure. Dzieran also created a video clip showing the ISS passing in front of the Moon. Links to his blog and video are provided.

Readers are encouraged to use resources like Tycho Brahe Planetarium's website and Heavens-Above.com to track ISS and other satellite sightings.

SUFOI's Vision and Membership

SUFOI's vision is to foster familiarity with the sky, assist observers of unknown phenomena, provide information, and offer a balanced perspective on myth-creating phenomena. The magazine announces the establishment of a "Støttekreds" (Support Circle) to ensure the organization's financial stability and continued work in investigating observations and informing the public. Membership costs a minimum of 200 DKK per year, with payment details provided. Readers are also encouraged to share the UFO-Mail newsletter with friends and family.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena through photographic analysis, astronomical events such as meteor showers and fireballs, and the tracking and photography of space objects like the ISS. SUFOI positions itself as an investigative organization that seeks to provide explanations for sightings, while also acknowledging the possibility of genuinely unexplained events, as highlighted by the ongoing debate surrounding the 1974 photograph. The magazine encourages reader participation and offers resources for further information and observation tracking.