UFO Mail - No 137 - 2011

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue Date: November 12, 2011
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening
Content Focus: This issue delves into the controversial claims made in Annie Jacobsen's book "Area 51. An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base," which suggests the 1947 Roswell incident involved a Soviet-designed craft. It also investigates a notable increase in UFO sightings reported in Denmark on October 8, 2011, examining potential causes such as the Draconids meteor shower and hot air balloons. The magazine includes detailed case studies, photographic and video analysis, and discussions on satellite observations.

Annie Jacobsen's 'Area 51' and the Roswell Incident

Kim Møller Hansen critically examines Annie Jacobsen's book, which presents a theory from an anonymous source, identified as engineer Alfred O'Donnell. O'Donnell claims the Roswell crash was not extraterrestrial but a Soviet propaganda stunt orchestrated by Josef Stalin, inspired by the 1938 'War of the Worlds' radio broadcast. The craft was allegedly built by former German engineers and 'piloted' by misformed children experimented on by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele. Hansen systematically debunks this theory, pointing out several logical inconsistencies:

1. Lack of evidence for alien craft: The original witness, Mac Brazel, found wreckage consistent with a weather balloon payload, not alien technology or deformed children.
2. Mengele's whereabouts: Josef Mengele was not in the Soviet Union and fled to South America, making his alleged involvement with Stalin unlikely.
3. Pilot survival risk: Stalin would not risk having child pilots survive a crash who could reveal their true origin.
4. Technological feasibility: The idea that the Soviets could develop such advanced technology and deceive the US so effectively is questioned.
5. Timeline: The timeline for developing such technology, even from 1938, seems improbable.

Hansen suggests that O'Donnell's story might have been inspired by James Blish's 1956 short story "Tomb Tapper," which features a rocket-like craft piloted by a young girl with a large head, possibly indicating a conflation of memory and fiction over time.

Book Review: 'Besøg fra rummet' (Visit from Space)

This section reviews a Danish non-fiction book for young readers (11+) titled "Besøg fra rummet" by Kim Møller Hansen. Mads Overmark from DBC A/S provides a positive assessment, noting the book's coverage of UFO phenomena, including the 'War of the Worlds' broadcast, Area 51, Roswell, spy planes mistaken for UFOs, ancient alien theories, and crop circles. The review highlights the book's ability to explain phenomena, often with prosaic explanations, and its good use of illustrations. It is recommended for its quality and comprehensive coverage of the subject.

UFO Wave Over Denmark? The Draconids and Hot Air Balloons

Toke Haunstrup reports on an unusually high number of UFO sightings reported to SUFOI on the evening of Saturday, October 8, 2011. Nine reports were received, mostly concerning phenomena observed in the sky. While variations in sightings are normal and often linked to weather, this specific evening stood out. The author suggests that the increased activity was likely a side effect of public interest in the Draconids meteor shower, which was heavily publicized. Many people went out to observe the meteor shower, increasing the chances of observing other phenomena. Haunstrup analyzes the reports, noting that five of the observers explicitly mentioned looking for shooting stars. When these are discounted, the number of unusual sightings drops to a more typical level for a Saturday evening. The article emphasizes that most reported phenomena are natural or man-made, such as stars, meteors, planets, and small hot air balloons.

Hot Air Balloons - Again and Again

A significant portion of the October 8th sightings are attributed to small hot air balloons, a recurring explanation for yellow-orange lights reported to SUFOI over the past 5-10 years. Ole Henningsen provides an introduction to this phenomenon.

Case Example: Ebeltoft, August 3, 2010

An observer in Ebeltoft reported seeing a luminous sphere moving across the sky for about 35 seconds. Analysis of photos confirmed it to be a small hot air balloon.

Case Example: Slagelse, October 8, 2011

Two observations from Slagelse are detailed. In the first, a group saw seven luminous orange or 'flame-yellow' dots moving in an arc. The second, shortly after, described a luminous orange spot gliding across the sky. Both descriptions are consistent with small hot air balloons launched locally, with their movement patterns aligning with wind direction.

Lights in Triangular Formation (Holbæk, October 8, 2011)

This case involved a report from Holbæk of three objects moving in a triangular formation. The witness described them as white, moving slowly but with slightly uneven paths, and disappearing behind clouds. While hot air balloons were initially considered, their white color and rapid movement made this explanation less likely. The possibility of satellites was then explored. The article discusses the NOSS (Navy Ocean Surveillance System) satellites, which sometimes fly in formation, but notes that the observed number (three) and timing did not perfectly match NOSS formations. Further analysis considered satellites USA 186 and Spot 4, which moved in parallel paths. However, their appearance time was later than reported, and there were only two of them. The case remains officially 'unresolved,' though natural explanations are not ruled out.

Satellites in Formation?

The article explains that while most satellites are observed individually, formations can occur. Examples like NOSS satellites (two or three at a time) and the parallel paths of USA 186 and Spot 4 are presented. The article includes star charts showing the paths of these satellites. Despite the analysis, the Holbæk case remains unexplained, with the author inviting reader input.

Video Recordings

Three of the October 8th cases included video or photo evidence. SUFOI's Ole Henningsen investigated these. One case involved Michael Jeppesen from Næstved, who recorded video of a red object flying towards the moon. His analysis, along with that of other observers, suggests it was a hot air balloon with burning material at the bottom.

SUFOI's Conclusion on Video Evidence

Based on video footage and witness accounts, SUFOI concludes that the observed phenomena were likely hot air balloons with burning material, launched from the local area.

9700 Brønderslev - October 8, 2011

A 34-year-old woman reported seeing an extremely bright, orange light that appeared suddenly, moving from north to northwest. She ruled out fireworks, planes, flares, or fireballs, stating it was "really real" and not a balloon. She provided video footage for analysis.

SUFOI's Conclusion (Brønderslev): Despite the witness's strong conviction, SUFOI's analysis of the video and her description leads them to conclude it was a hot air balloon with burning material launched from the vicinity.

4000 Roskilde - October 8, 2011

A nature photographer took a series of 19 photos of the night sky while attempting to photograph the Draconids meteor shower. An unusual light phenomenon was discovered upon reviewing the images on his computer. The object appeared high in the sky. DMI (Danish Meteorological Institute) suggested it could be lens flare or sensor noise. The photographer disagreed, proposing it might be ice crystals from a comet. SUFOI's photo consultant, Hans Bødker, created a timelapse of the photos. While the photographer and SUFOI disagree on the conclusion, the case is considered 'on hold,' and readers are invited to contribute ideas. The phenomenon showed a color spectrum in its magnified view, similar to a rainbow, leading to theories of it being formed by a water droplet on the lens.

Warm Air Balloons - Also in Greenland

A report from Tasiilaq, East Greenland, describes an observation of a bright light in the sky on October 19, 2011. The observer took 25 photos. While the light resembled a hot air balloon, its intensity was puzzling. SUFOI's conclusion is that it was likely a hot air balloon, based on the analysis of the sharpest photo, though the brightness was noted.

Løst og facts...

Interview with SUFOI's Chairman

Ugebladet Ude og Hjemme published a brief interview with SUFOI's chairman, Kim Møller Hansen, in its October 26, 2011 issue. The accompanying article, "Mystikkens verden" (World of Mystery), briefly mentions unexplained Danish cases and the Roswell incident.

Photo Received for Investigation

An inquiry from MM in Sakskøbing, who sent a paper photo of a strange green light spot, is mentioned, seeking an explanation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of sensational UFO claims, the persistent identification of common phenomena (especially hot air balloons and satellites) as explanations for sightings, and the importance of photographic and video evidence in UFO investigations. SUFOI's stance is generally skeptical of extraterrestrial explanations, favoring prosaic, terrestrial causes for reported anomalies. The magazine encourages reader participation and the sharing of information to aid in the investigation of UFO phenomena.

Title: UFO-Mail
Issue Date: 2011 (raw date)
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

This issue of UFO-Mail focuses on the work and experiences of British police officer Gary Hesseltine, who has a special interest in UFO phenomena. The magazine also serves as a platform to promote membership and support for Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI).

Gary Hesseltine's UFO Interest and Visit to Denmark

The article introduces Gary Hesseltine, a British police officer whose interest in UFOs began years ago after an observation. He has since specialized in collecting UFO reports from fellow police officers. Hesseltine recently visited Denmark as a guest speaker and took the opportunity to visit the TV-redaktion at Ekstra Bladet. The magazine provides a link to an article and interview with him on ekstrabladet.dk.

Video Evidence: Luminous Object Filmed by Police

A significant part of the content discusses a video sequence shown during Hesseltine's interview. This video, filmed by a British patrol car, captured a luminous object in the sky. The magazine notes that UFO-Mail had previously covered this specific video sequence in issue number 82, in an article titled "Britisk politiassistent filmer UFO?" (British police assistant films UFO?). The footage itself, dated May 2003, shows the object, and the accompanying text explains that two smaller lights visible in the video are stationary reflections in the patrol car's windshield, not part of the observed phenomenon.

Photographic Reflection Explained

One of the cover images features a green light sphere. The text accompanying this image provides a technical explanation: the phenomenon is a reflection in the camera's objective lens, caused by the strong light of the Sun. The light source (the Sun) is typically found diametrically opposite the reflection's position in the image, at a similar distance from the center. The text encourages readers to experiment with photographing the Sun to observe this effect themselves under the right conditions.

SUFOI Membership and Support

Another section of the magazine is dedicated to promoting SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information). It highlights that SUFOI is run by volunteers and its primary mission is to provide the public with serious information about the UFO phenomenon through its website, ufo.dk, and to register observations of unusual aerial phenomena. Readers are encouraged to become members of SUFOI's "Støttekreds" (Support Circle) with a contribution of 250 DKK or more. This support is vital for the continued operation of ufo.dk and for conducting investigations. Payment details for giro and online banking are provided, along with instructions for specifying the desired free title upon contribution. Membership in the support circle does not entail any obligations.

Publication Information

UFO-Mail is published by Skandinavisk UFO Information. The copyright notice states that news media may quote from signed articles with clear attribution, but full reproduction requires written agreement. Printing and photocopying of UFO-Mail content are subject to Copydan fees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly those reported by law enforcement, the investigation and documentation of such phenomena through photography and video, and the importance of supporting organizations like SUFOI that disseminate information and collect data. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFOs, providing explanations for common visual artifacts (like lens flares) while also acknowledging and encouraging the reporting of genuine unexplained observations. The emphasis on police involvement suggests a focus on credible witness accounts.