UFO Mail - No 146 - 2012

Magazine Overview

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, dated May 15, 2012, is UFO-Mail nr. 146 and focuses on recent UFO sightings and their investigations, as well as updates on the organization's resources. The magazine highlights new features on their website ufo.dk, including an 'Education' section for school assignments, an FAQ section to answer common questions about UFOs, and a collection of 'Online Books' published by SUFOI over the years.

Undervisning (Education)

SUFOI provides a two-page information sheet titled "To you who want to work with the subject of UFOs" to assist school students with their assignments on UFOs. This resource can be downloaded from the 'Undervisning' section on their website.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

To provide precise and concise answers to common questions like "How many reports does SUFOI receive?", "Who sees UFOs?", and "What are UFOs?", SUFOI has launched a new FAQ section on their website. They encourage users to contact them if they cannot find the answers they are looking for.

Online Bøger (Online Books)

The 'Online Bøger' section on ufo.dk features numerous titles published by SUFOI over the years, ranging from recent publications like '50 years with UFOs' to older ones such as 'UFOs over New Zealand'. While older publications offer historical and nostalgic value, they may contain outdated facts or viewpoints. Some of these books are also available as print versions for purchase at the SUFOI Shop at a reasonable price, as many people still prefer reading physical books.

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

This section details several UFO sighting reports from April and May 2012.

Nakskov, April 15, 2012

Lars Erik Nielsen from Nakskov reported seeing a red sphere flying from west to southwest. After about a minute, another red sphere appeared and flew in the same direction. He managed to photograph the second object. Two people observed these red lights in the sky around 21:10, each visible for about a minute before disappearing southwest, about 30 degrees above the horizon. Analysis of the photos, including zooming and applying filters, revealed that the objects strongly resembled small hot air balloons with a burning material at the bottom for buoyancy. DMI weather data also supported the possibility of airborne objects moving southwest. Other similar observations were reported on the same date, with one from Haslev showing a clearer image of a hot air balloon.

Haslev, April 15, 2012

A couple from Haslev reported observing mysterious lights in the sky around 20:37 for 3-4 minutes. They described seeing 8-10 orange lights that were much brighter than stars and moved in formation from west to east. The lights maintained a constant distance and speed. As they disappeared over the horizon, three more appeared from the same spot, identical to the first two. These also disappeared, followed by another three. The observer noted that the lights had a red glow at their 'drop-shaped' ends and seemed to 'scan' the ground. The couple took photos with a Canon EOS 550D camera. Subsequent analysis by SUFOI's photo department concluded that these were small hot air balloons with lights at the bottom, due to their 'drop-shaped' appearance and the visible red light. The analysis of the original photos, including enlargements and adjustments to lighting, clearly indicated they were hot air balloons. The couple was informed of this conclusion and expressed their thanks.

København NV, April 27, 2012

A 21-year-old HF student from Copenhagen reported seeing two lights in the sky around 23:15. They were not hovering but flying very fast, suggesting a powerful engine. The lights were bright, appearing to be close, and occupied an area about 14 times larger than a star. The distance between the lights remained constant, and they flew in a straight line from west to northeast without deviation. Three witnesses observed the orange lights for 3-4 minutes. The observer had taken photos with a Nikon D40 camera, but the quality was poor due to low light conditions and camera shake. The photos were heavily zoomed in. Analysis of these photos, including enlargement and adjustments to light and contrast, also concluded that they were small hot air balloons with lights at the bottom and an elongated shape above the bright part. This conclusion aligns with the description of their appearance and flight behavior, and is supported by DMI weather data for the Copenhagen area. Further information on hot air balloons and related photos/videos can be found at http://www.sufoi.dk/info/balloner.php.

Vanløse, May 5, 2012

A 48-year-old man from Vanløse reported observing and filming lights in the sky. At approximately 22:19, he noticed 8-10 orange lights, brighter than stars, moving in formation from west to east. He filmed the event for 84 seconds with his Nokia E75 phone. He managed to get a friend in a taxi and his mother to witness two of the objects. The lights appeared to be moving in a similar speed and color, with one possibly being brighter and larger than the others. His mother mentioned that one of the objects seemed to fall. The total number of observed lights was estimated to be up to 13. The video was uploaded to YouTube under the title "05052012 22:19 orbs/objects Copenhagen." SUFOI's photo department is working to obtain the original video file for further analysis.

Dansende lys over Søhøjlandet (Dancing Lights over Søhøjlandet)

This section, authored by Toke Haunstrup, details multiple reports of unusual lights observed in the sky over East Jutland (Østjylland) around Easter 2012. The reports, received by SUFOI, describe phenomena that were initially thought to be UFOs.

Initial Reports (April 8, 2012)

Several individuals reported seeing two white, hazy or diffuse lights moving in a west/northwest direction. The lights appeared to dance, move towards each other, meet, and then disappear. This pattern repeated for about 20 minutes. The observations came from a wide geographical area, including Svejstrup Enge, Gedved, Tebstrup, and Resenbro, indicating a phenomenon visible over a large region. An observer from Resenbro described the lights as dancing and moving in a way that could not be explained by car headlights or flashlights, and that they seemed to come from above.

Follow-up and Investigation

SUFOI contacted Lokalavisen Skanderborg, a local newspaper, to help investigate the source of these lights. The newspaper published an article on its front page with the headline "UFO'er over Skanderborg" (UFOs over Skanderborg) on April 17, 2012. This article generated seven new reports, largely confirming the initial observations.

Misidentification as Projector Lights

One report from a 50-year-old teacher described two oval lights that seemed to 'dance' and move erratically. Another report from a woman living between Ry and Skanderborg described similar dancing lights that moved quickly and changed shape. She initially thought they were UFOs. Her daughter shone a flashlight towards the lights, and they immediately disappeared. This led to speculation about the cause. The article suggests that these phenomena were likely caused by powerful projector lights, a common sight at various events like festivals and parties, especially in the 1990s. While less common in recent years, four independent reports of the same projector lights prompted SUFOI to investigate further.

Fort Østerlund?

Two of the reports suggested that Fort Østerlund, a paintball and action center near Silkeborg, might be the source of the lights. However, the manager of Fort Østerlund denied any events taking place there on Easter Sunday, ruling it out as the source. The location of the lights was estimated to be between Ry and Silkeborg.

Resolution: TV2 Østjylland Broadcast

On April 29, 2012, TV2 Østjylland aired a news segment that finally resolved the mystery. The report revealed that the observed lights were indeed projector lights set up for an FDF (a Danish youth organization) event at Sletten, near Julsø and Himmelbjerget. Helle Tølbøl Lauritsen, the journalist, confirmed with the FDF course leader, Martin Aamann, that two 2,000-watt projectors were used for a senior leader course for FDF scouts aged 15-19, held from April 4-9, 2012. The projectors were operated for 'fun'. Aamann noted it was peculiar that observations were only reported on Easter Sunday, suggesting that specific weather conditions on that day might have contributed to the visibility of the lights. The broadcast included interviews with observers and footage of the projector lights. The case of the dancing lights over Søhøjlandet was thus closed. A link to the TV2 Østjylland report is provided.

Løst og facts (Loose and Facts)

Flyvende hollænder faldt til jorden... (Flying Dutchman fell to the ground...)

This section discusses the case of "Jarno Smeets," who claimed to have built a flying device with homemade wings to fly like a bird. Videos of his alleged flights were posted online and gained significant attention. The article reveals that this was a large-scale project orchestrated by filmanimator Floris Kaayk. Kaayk, along with collaborators, explained the hoax on the Dutch TV show "De Wereld Draait Door." The video spread rapidly on YouTube, aided by uncritical media coverage. The article includes links to the videos and related media coverage, including from financial news outlets like FINANCIAL TIMES DEUTSCHLAND.

Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman)

This German-language article from FINANCIAL TIMES DEUTSCHLAND details Jarno Smeets's project to fly with wings made of kite fabric, two lightweight engines, and sensors from a Wii controller. Smeets, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci and Otto Lilienthal, aimed to fly like a bird. The article describes his eight-meter wingspan, the technology used (including affordable motors and Wii sensors), and the material costs (estimated at 5000 Euros). It highlights the challenge of mastering the correct flying technique, referencing Otto Lilienthal's work on bird flight. Smeets's first flight attempt resulted in small hops, but he expressed confidence in his wings and planned further attempts. The article also mentions that Norwegian media (NRK and Dagbladet.no) reported on the "flight" and showed the video. Following the revelation of the hoax, Danish media like Videnskab.dk reported on such internet hoaxes, including "Flapping fantasy figures, taco copters, bears from space: The world wants to be fooled, and the internet knows best how to do it." Links to the Dutch "flying project" videos are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the investigation and explanation of UFO sightings, with a strong emphasis on identifying misidentifications, particularly of natural phenomena or human-made objects like hot air balloons and projector lights. The magazine demonstrates a methodical approach to analyzing evidence, including photographs and witness testimonies. There is also an underlying commentary on how media can amplify and spread information, sometimes without critical evaluation, as seen in the Jarno Smeets case. The editorial stance appears to be one of rational inquiry, seeking to debunk sensational claims with factual evidence while acknowledging the public's fascination with the unknown.

This issue of UFO-Mail, dated 2012, is published by Skandinavisk UFO Information and focuses on a variety of topics related to astronomy, UFO phenomena, and related mysteries. The cover prominently features a large group of sunspots visible on the sun, with the headline "Stor gruppe solpletter synlige" (Large group of sunspots visible).

Sunspots and Auroras

The issue begins by detailing a significant group of sunspots observed on May 9th, which spans an area equivalent to nearly 14 times the diameter of Earth. These sunspots are explained as areas where the Sun's magnetic field breaks through the surface, causing them to be cooler than the surrounding solar surface. The article highlights the potential for these sunspots to cause a large solar eruption, which could lead to disruptions in power supplies, problems for satellites, and the possibility of beautiful auroras on Earth.

Pilot's Near-Miss Incident

A significant article recounts an incident on April 18, 2012, where a pilot for Air Canada, flying a Boeing 767 from Toronto to Zürich, mistook the planet Venus for an oncoming aircraft. The pilot, reportedly drowsy after a long flight, initiated a steep dive to avoid a collision, resulting in 16 passengers and crew members being injured. The incident underscores the challenges of fatigue in aviation and the potential for misidentification of celestial bodies.

Venus Transit 2012

The magazine announces the upcoming Venus transit on June 6, 2012, visible at sunrise. Readers are advised to use protective eyewear to observe this rare astronomical event, where Venus will appear as a small dark spot on the Sun's disk. The article references an astrophysicist's detailed explanation of the phenomenon and notes that the next Venus transit will not occur until December 2117.

Book Reviews

Several books are reviewed in this issue, focusing on themes of ancient mysteries and UFOs:

• "Det skjulte kammer" (The Hidden Chamber) by Klaus Aarsleff, which explores the mysteries of the Cheops Pyramid in Egypt, including potential hidden chambers and an Osiris tomb.
• "Tempelriddernes skat" (The Templars' Treasure) by Klaus Aarsleff, which investigates the fate of the Templar Knights' fleet and their legendary treasures after the order's dissolution in 1319.
• "Den magiske jord" (The Magical Earth) by Klaus Aarsleff, examining places with unusual energy, ancient rituals, and the significance of the spiral symbol in relation to death and rebirth.
• "Troldsten i Guds hus" (Troll Stone in God's House) by Klaus Aarsleff, which delves into the history of pagan cult sites and the use of stones in ancient magic and church architecture.
• "The Everything UFO Book, An investigation of sightings, cover-ups, and the quest for extraterrestrial life" by William J. Birnes. This review is critical, suggesting the book is aimed at beginners and may mislead them with unsubstantiated claims, despite its broad coverage of UFO topics.

International UFO Reporter Closes

The issue reports that the International UFO Reporter (IUR) magazine, published by the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies, is ceasing publication with its 34th volume, number 2. The reasons cited are the internet's impact on its relevance and ongoing financial losses. The future of IUR in digital format is uncertain.

SUFOI's Activities

Information is provided about SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information), a volunteer organization dedicated to providing information about UFO phenomena. Readers are encouraged to become members of SUFOI's support circle with a donation of 250 DKK, which helps sustain their work and allows members to choose a free book.

UFO Events and Conferences

• BUFORA's 50th Anniversary: The British UFO Research Association (BUFORA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a conference in London on September 22-23, 2012, featuring various speakers.
• UFO Festivals: A list of UFO festivals held in the USA is provided, including the Roswell UFO Festival, McMinnville UFO Festival, The Mothman Festival, Kecksburg UFO Festival, Exeter UFO Festival, Shag Harbour Incident Festival, and Little Green Men Days Festival.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO phenomena, ancient mysteries, and astronomical events. The editorial stance appears to be one of disseminating information within the UFO community, while also offering critical reviews of books and acknowledging the challenges faced by traditional UFO publications in the digital age. There is a clear emphasis on providing resources for enthusiasts, such as book recommendations and event listings. The inclusion of a critical review of William J. Birnes' book suggests a commitment to a degree of discernment, even within a specialized field.