UFO Mail - No 142 - 2012

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: 142
Date: February 15, 2012

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, published by Danmarks UFO Forening, focuses on a widely reported mysterious light phenomenon over Brøndby, Denmark, and includes discussions on skepticism and other UFO-related reports.

Det lysner for Brøndby? (Is it getting brighter for Brøndby?)

The main article details a report from Philip Bern Aller of Hvidovre, who contacted ekstrabladet.dk about a mysterious light he observed on the evening of February 8, 2012. Aller described the light as hovering motionless in the western sky for about an hour, at times illuminating his entire room. He attempted to locate it using Krak (a mapping service) and estimated it was near Glostrup. While he considered the possibility of northern lights, he was not entirely certain.

Following the initial report on ekstrabladet.dk, the newspaper's editorial office was inundated with responses from other readers who had also witnessed the strange light and taken photos. The article notes that nearly 200 comments were generated across two related articles, though many were deemed irrelevant.

Several readers shared their own photos and accounts. Søren from Nivå and Peter Kolding suggested the light was from the floodlights of Brøndby Stadium, which they believed were being tested. Mikael Jensen, observing the light while driving on the Amagermotorvejen towards Ishøj, also concluded it was not supernatural but likely reflections from the training facilities around Brøndby Stadium, possibly enhanced by low-lying clouds. Steffen from Albertslund also saw the light and noted that the chimney in his photo belonged to the Brøndby heating plant.

Kirsten Schwartz reported seeing a similar mysterious light at 01:05 AM, which disappeared quickly.

Anders, writing from Holmelundsvej in Hvidovre, was quite sure the light was from Brøndby Stadium, citing its direction and the usual brightness when something is happening there. Kenn Hammer submitted a photo taken from Ishøj.

Uddrag af kommentarer hos eb.dk (Excerpts from comments on eb.dk)

This section compiles reader comments, many of which identify the light as originating from Brøndby Stadium. Michael Hertz reported seeing a similar 'light cone' from Valby Langgade between 9 PM and midnight. Johnny L. urged for a serious investigation if the photos were genuine. Lars C. mentioned the light was visible on Bornholm despite heavy snowfall. Henrik P. identified it as light from greenhouses near a garden center in Hundie. Tobias P. stated it was a common sight from Vallensbæk strand, referring to it as 'lortestadion' (shitty stadium). Peter N. confirmed the lights from Brøndby Stadium were visible from his home. Lars S. reiterated it was Brøndby Stadium lights, visible from Motorring 3 and even further south towards Køge, attributing the phenomenon to clouds and the amount of light. Dan M. called it the 'beautiful Brøndby Stadium' and suggested it symbolized a bright future for the team. Belinda S. from Brøndby Nord saw the light from 6 PM, assuming a match was on, though the light looked different. Morten J. identified it as a stadium light, visible from Herlev, and criticized the light pollution. Kristina L. confirmed it was Brøndby Stadium lights, visible from her home about 700 meters away.

SUFOI's konklusion (SUFOI's Conclusion)

SUFOI noted the unusual number of people observing and commenting on the phenomenon, and the widespread sharing of photos. They contacted Brøndby Stadium, who initially found the report of lights at 11:30 PM unusual but promised to investigate. While no immediate further information was available from the stadium at the time of writing, SUFOI concluded that further investigation by them was unnecessary, as it was clearly Brøndby Stadium lights and not northern lights.

Der VAR Brøndby Stadion (It WAS Brøndby Stadium)

An update from ekstrabladet.dk just before the issue went to print provided definitive information: David Azlak from Brøndby Stadium confirmed that a commercial filming was taking place on the stadium, using the regular stadium lights which were active until 00:30 AM. This confirmed that the readers had photographed stadium lights.

Fra SUFOI's Fotoafdeling (From SUFOI's Photo Department)

This section covers two other reported sightings.

Er dette en UFO? (Is this a UFO?)

On February 11, 2012, the Guldhammer family in Malling, near Århus, sent footage to TV2 Østjylland of a light they had observed. TV2 Østjylland contacted SUFOI for commentary. Upon reviewing the video sequences, SUFOI's photo department noted similarities to other recordings of small hot air balloons. They identified a brighter area at the bottom, likely the flame providing lift and light, and a darker, reddish area above, possibly the upper part of the balloon. The flight pattern described also matched that of hot air balloons. SUFOI informed TV2 Østjylland that while the image quality made a 100% certainty impossible, it was highly probable that it was a small hot air balloon, and referred them to other examples on their website.

TV2 Østjylland also contacted Ole J. Knudsen, a planetarium leader at Steno Museet in Århus. Knudsen, a former active leader of SUFOI's alarm center, also concluded that the object was a hot air balloon after viewing the footage. He expressed strong confidence in this identification, stating he would bet on it after seeing the film a couple of times.

5620 Glamsbjerg 3. juni 2011

In September 2011, HB from Flemløse, near Glamsbjerg, submitted a photograph taken on June 3, 2011, showing an object in the sky. HB questioned whether it was a UFO or a bird. SUFOI's photo department examined the image, including a magnified view. Due to the small size of the object and the available pixels, it was not possible to definitively identify it. However, based on the photograph's exposure time (1/1250 sec.), SUFOI's assessment was that it was a bird seen at a distance.

Solsort fra Torsted (Blackbird from Torsted)

This section features a report from Lars Henrik Andersen, a former SUFOI employee, who shared a photograph he took on December 19, 2010, in Torsted. While he didn't notice anything unusual at the time, upon downloading the photo to his PC, he spotted a 'mysterious' object in the left side. He later identified it as a blackbird that had flown past while he was taking a picture of the village church. He humorously noted the potential headline 'UFO seen over graveyard'. SUFOI acknowledged his contribution, noting that if all photo submissions were of similar quality and clarity, their work would be significantly easier but less challenging.

Sandheden - mon dog? (The Truth - Or Is It?)

This is a review of Carmen McLaren's book "UFO Conspiracy." Author Kim Møller Hansen praises McLaren's upfront approach but critically analyzes the book's content. McLaren, an American who has studied UFOs since age 9, claims 30 years of research have led him to the 'truth' that governments and scientists are hiding. Hansen argues that McLaren's conclusions are basic and could be reached by a Danish school student after minimal online research. He finds it contradictory that McLaren urges readers to pressure authorities for the truth while simultaneously claiming authorities are inherently deceitful and suppress information.

Hansen points out inconsistencies in conspiracy theories, such as the belief that Apollo 16 astronauts met aliens while simultaneously claiming the moon landing was faked and filmed in a studio. McLaren's book is described as a compilation of UFO experiences from biblical times to the present, interpreting all as visits from extraterrestrials. Hansen criticizes McLaren for not utilizing the many available illustration possibilities and for repeating old myths without offering new insights.

The review notes the book's price (£24.95 + £8.50 postage) and details (352 pages, not illustrated).

Folk vil gerne fuppes (People Like to Be Fooled)

This section features an interview with Michael Shermer, an American psychologist and author, director of the Skeptic Society and Skeptic Magazine. Shermer argues that people find it easier to believe in absurd things like parapsychology, horoscopes, and flying saucers than to think critically and ask questions. He explains that the brain is evolutionarily programmed to recognize faces and patterns, leading to phenomena like seeing faces in clouds. He dismisses claims of psychic abilities, stating that investigations have revealed hidden microphones and that photographic evidence of UFOs is often fabricated or misinterpreted.

Shermer addresses the perception that women are more prone to believing in absurd things than men, stating that both genders tend to believe, but in different categories: women in mediums, spiritualists, and healers, while men lean towards the paranormal, pseudoscience, and UFOs. He explains the distinction between a magician, who admits to using tricks, and a medium, who claims supernatural abilities, noting that historical persecution of those claiming supernatural powers (like witches and fortune-tellers) led to the development of the magician's craft as a way to avoid persecution.

He discusses how mediums and psychics today face less risk and can make claims about visions, talking to the dead, or reading fortunes. Shermer attributes the public's willingness to believe to the ease of accepting claims without critical thinking, which requires education and reflection. He argues that while fraudulent claims can be legally pursued, mediums and psychics are protected by rights to free speech and religion, making it difficult to prosecute them. He concludes that individuals who believe in these phenomena either participate in the deception or have lost their sanity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently approaches UFO reports with a critical and skeptical eye. While acknowledging the public's interest and the numerous reports received, the editorial stance leans towards rational explanations. The Brøndby light phenomenon, initially perceived as a potential UFO, was definitively identified as stadium lights. Similarly, other reported sightings were attributed to mundane causes like hot air balloons or birds. The inclusion of Michael Shermer's interview strongly reinforces a skeptical perspective, emphasizing the psychological and evolutionary reasons behind belief in the paranormal and the importance of critical thinking. The magazine appears to aim at debunking sensational claims and promoting a scientific approach to unexplained phenomena.

Title: UFO-Mail
Issue: 1
Volume: 2012
Date: February 2012
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

This issue of UFO-Mail delves into a variety of topics, including the decline of religion, paranormal experiences, and astronomical observations, with a focus on the potential for misinterpretation and the role of human psychology in phenomena.

Religion and Atheism: An Interview with Michael Shermer

The issue begins with an interview featuring Michael Shermer, who identifies as an atheist and optimist. Shermer discusses the decline of religion in developed countries, attributing it to rising living standards, increased education, and scientific advancement. He argues that this trend is inevitable and that countries should invest in high-quality education. Shermer expresses indifference to religious beliefs, stating that his interest lies in the hundreds of millions of people who are not religious. However, he acknowledges that religion can become problematic when used to justify violence, such as in terrorist attacks or clinic bombings, or to restrict individual freedoms and hinder the teaching of evolution.

The interview also touches upon the concept of religious syncretism, with Shermer noting that while some regions like Brazil may still be highly religious, the global trend is towards secularization.

Ghosts and the Paranormal: A Call for Stories

Ole Henningsen contributes a piece titled "Løst og facts" (Loose and Facts), focusing on the prevalence of belief in ghosts and paranormal experiences in Denmark. According to YouGov Zapera for metroXpress, 21 percent of Danes believe in ghosts, 16 percent claim to have seen one, and 24 percent know someone who has. Furthermore, 28 percent of Danes believe that some individuals possess the ability to communicate with the deceased, while 54 percent reject this notion.

The article highlights that encounters with the paranormal have not disappeared with the 19th century and continue to be discussed online and on television. Anne Mia Steno, a research assistant at the Danish Folklore Collection, is quoted stating their desire to collect contemporary experiences to document stories from the present day. A website, "minhistorie.net," has been created for Danes to share their encounters with the supernatural.

Radio Features and Astronomical Insights

This section highlights two radio broadcasts from Danmarks Radio (DR) on P1.

"Fejltagelsen" (The Mistake)

This segment, aired on February 11, 2012, features astrophysicist Anja C. Andersen, who shares insights inspired by the quote, "Follow the one who seeks the truth, and fear the one who has found it," attributed to Mars researcher Jens Martin Knudsen. Andersen, a researcher in dust and planets, discusses her work with celestial bodies and notes that scientific findings are not always definitive, emphasizing the nature of the scientific process.

The broadcast also includes a story about Robert Dam, who, at 19, aspired to be a musician. His life takes a turn when he experiences a profound shift after seeing a postcard of a volcano and receiving an offer for 10 hours of therapy, leading him to join Scientology. The segment "Fejltagelsen" is available for listening (27:22) via a provided link.

"Mystik på himlen ... eller i folks hoveder?!" (Mystery in the Sky... or in People's Heads?!)

This article, by astrophysicist Michael Linden-Vørnle, published in the February 2012 newsletter of Tycho Brahe Planetarium, questions the common understanding of UFOs. Linden-Vørnle suggests that the mystery surrounding UFOs might be rooted in human perception and psychology rather than in actual extraterrestrial phenomena. He draws a parallel between believing in UFOs and believing in unsolved car thefts, implying that the issue lies in how we interpret evidence and phenomena. The full article is accessible via a link.

Venus and Jupiter in the Evening Sky

The issue also notes that the planets Venus and Jupiter are visible in the evening sky, prompting UFO reports in Germany and Denmark. Venus appears very bright after sunset, while Jupiter sets later in the evening. More information about planets is available from Tycho Brahe Planetarium.

SUFOI's Support Circle

Page 3 is dedicated to encouraging readers to become members of SUFOI's Support Circle for 2015. The organization, Skandinavisk UFO Information, operates on volunteer work and aims to provide serious information about the UFO phenomenon through ufo.dk, as well as to register observations of unusual aerial phenomena. Members contributing 250 DKK or more annually help sustain the website and research efforts. Payment details and information about choosing a free book are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the intersection of science, belief, and the unknown. The magazine presents a skeptical yet open-minded approach, featuring scientific perspectives from astrophysicists while also acknowledging the public's interest in paranormal phenomena and UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging critical thinking and evidence-based investigation, as seen in the questioning of UFO phenomena by Linden-Vørnle and the scientific discussions by Andersen. There is also a clear effort to engage the public by soliciting personal experiences with the paranormal and promoting membership in SUFOI to foster informed discussion.