UFO Mail - No 148 - 2012

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: UFO-Mail nr. 148
Date: July 16, 2012
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information focuses on recent developments in UFO research and historical anomalous phenomena. It features updates on the release of British government UFO files, a local sighting report, and an in-depth look at ball lightning phenomena.

New UK UFO Document Release

Under the headline "Ny offentliggørelse af britiske ufo-dokumenter" (New publication of British UFO documents), Ole Henningsen reports on the ninth release of UFO files by the British National Archives on July 12, 2012. This release, part of the Ministry of Defence's UFO files, was influenced by Dr. David Clarke's campaign under the Freedom of Information Act. The documents contain photographs, drawings, and eyewitness accounts of unexplained aerial phenomena. The article mentions Nick Redfern's initiative to urge the government to make UFO reports accessible and references a 1998 UFO briefing prepared for former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Links are provided to the National Archives' UFO section, Dr. David Clarke's detailed analysis, and previous mentions in UFO-Mail.

Roskilde Sighting: "Fra SUFOI's Fotoafdeling"

Ole Henningsen also contributes a report from SUFOI's Photo Department concerning an observation made on June 20, 2012, in Roskilde, Denmark. A 21-year-old man reported seeing a round, glowing object (red and yellow, like a bulb or flame) that later turned black and appeared to tumble. Despite efforts to locate it, no physical evidence was found. The observation was documented with three videos and one photograph. The conclusion reached by SUFOI's Photo Department, after analyzing the evidence and considering DMI weather data, was that the object was a small hot air balloon. The report details the object's appearance, movement, and the subsequent investigation, noting the observer's disappointment at not finding the balloon.

"UFO-skyer" (UFO Clouds)

This section presents a collection of photos from around the world showcasing unusual cloud formations, termed "UFO-skyer." Mentz D. Kaarbø, editor of the Norwegian magazine UFO, is credited with presenting these images, noting that the interplay of clouds and direct sunlight can create peculiar effects. A specific case from Prato, Tuscany, Italy, on June 16, 2012, is highlighted, where a Danish family submitted photos of a peculiar object observed from their terrace. The object was described as moving slowly and disappearing over the mountains. The family's report suggests it might be a "loose balloon" but questions its size and behavior, noting similar observations in the past.

Ball Lightning: "Skyformationer og sol" and "De stadigt forunderlige kuglelyn"

The magazine dedicates significant space to the phenomenon of ball lightning. Thomas B. Jørgensen writes about a case from Svaneke, Denmark, on May 3, 1946, where a severe thunderstorm led to an unusual 'attack' of ball lightning. The event caused widespread electrical damage, including 140 blown fuses at the telephone exchange, and affected residents and animals. The article cites newspaper reports from Politiken, Bornholms Social-Demokrat, and Sydsvenska Dagbladet. It also references Kim Møller Hansen's book "Projekt UFO - tro, løgne og kold krig." An earlier account of ball lightning from 1917 in Ribe, Denmark, is recounted from a letter by engineer Otto Mikkelsen, describing a fire-like sphere emerging from an electrical meter.

The section "De stadigt forunderlige kuglelyn" (The ever-mysterious ball lightning) discusses the nature of ball lightning, acknowledging that despite numerous attempts to recreate it in laboratories, its exact nature remains elusive. The article points out that "ball lightning" is a broad term, and not all reported cases necessarily involve the same phenomenon, cautioning against using it as a simple explanation for unknown events. It also mentions a potential recent photo of ball lightning identified by Spanish UFO researcher Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a consistent editorial stance of investigating anomalous phenomena with a critical yet open mind. While acknowledging the possibility of unusual events, the magazine emphasizes the importance of scientific analysis and the search for logical explanations, as seen in the Roskilde case and the discussion on ball lightning. There is a clear interest in government transparency regarding UFO information and a commitment to documenting and analyzing witness reports and photographic evidence. The magazine also highlights the role of organizations like SUFOI and international collaborations in UFO research.

This issue of 'the olive press' focuses on UFO-related phenomena and research, featuring articles on a mysterious aerial event over Spain, the archiving of UFO materials, and historical UFO cases.

Løst og facts: Arkivmateriale til AFU This section details the transfer of archive materials from Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI) to the Arkivet för UFO-forskning (AFU). SUFOI, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 1997, created a large exhibition of 20 posters covering various UFO-related topics. Most of these posters remained intact and were used for different exhibitions. The article highlights that the recent 15 years of development in Danish UFO work were evident in the posters' texts and photos. SUFOI decided to transfer its archive materials to AFU, which was established in 1973 by Håkan Blomqvist, Kjell Jonsson, and Anders Liljegren. AFU is described as the world's largest archive for UFO-related documents and is supported by donations. The transfer of materials, including SUFOI's report archive in March 2003, books, and periodicals, ensures that these 'ufo treasures' are stored in suitable locations and managed by dedicated individuals who register, catalog, and make them accessible for future studies.

On June 10, Ole Henningsen of SUFOI delivered the remaining exhibition posters, periodicals, and other archival materials to AFU in Norrköping, Sweden. Space-related archival material was also given to Clas Svahn, chairman of UFO-Sverige, who has a special interest in this type of material. AFU's archives are constantly growing, with its book archive alone increasing by 700 titles in some years. Financial contributions from UFO enthusiasts enable AFU to acquire private collections globally. The article notes that SUFOI's contribution is small compared to the extensive materials AFU has acquired from abroad through good contacts. In May 2012, Clas Svahn, Håkan Ekstrand, Anders Persson, and Carl-Anton Mattson from UFO-Sverige collected new archival materials from England and Wales. This included books, periodicals, audio tapes, video recordings, images, and correspondence from individuals like John Rimmer, Lionel Beer, Margaret Fry, Dave Sankey, Omar Fowler, Fran Copeland, Geoff Amber, Mike Hutchinson, Georgina and Alexandra Buhler, and Valentine Ward. Bob Rickard's basement in northeast London housed over 100,000 newspaper clippings on forteana and numerous books and periodicals, some of which were stored in poor, damp conditions and have now been rescued. The article mentions the possibility of finding a mummified rat among the materials, humorously suggesting it be placed on the shelf under duplicates if found in Danish material. Links are provided for more information on AFU and the unpacking of the archive.

Fly jager ufo ved Costa del Sol? This article reports on an incident on Easter morning where residents on the Costa del Sol claimed that low-flying military jets were chasing a UFO. The Olive Press received numerous calls and emails from concerned citizens. One British reader described the event as 'terrible' and the pursued object as 'long and thin with flashing lights,' unlike any known aircraft. Another witness, whose neighbor is a former RAF engineer, described a strange humming sound. When reported to the police, their behavior was deemed 'suspicious.' A former English military pilot suggested the jets might have been involved in illegal activities like drug trafficking or terrorism, as flying so low at night in a mountainous area would not be for recreational purposes. Air traffic control in Malaga declined to provide information about the type of aircraft involved. The Gibraltar airport spokesperson stated they had no knowledge of the incident as their operations were closed at the time. Spanish UFO researcher Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos commented on the event, and a link is provided for further details. The Spanish Air Force reported detecting an unidentified aircraft flying low without identification, prompting a Eurofighter from the Moran de la Frontera AFB to investigate. The unidentified aircraft was suspected to be a drug transport from Africa. The fighter jet had to fly low, causing significant noise, but failed to intercept the target.

Sensationel svensk video på YouTube This section discusses a video uploaded to YouTube by 'Hunterfir' on February 19, 2012, which purportedly showed a UFO. The video, allegedly filmed in Dalarna, Sweden, had garnered over 250,000 views by early June. However, it was later revealed to be fake, with several YouTube videos pointing out the flaws. UFO-Sverige attempted to contact Hunterfir, who finally responded on June 7, stating that the interview contained all the information they wished to share.

UFO på Østersøens bund eller pr-stunt? This article examines an unusual formation discovered on the seabed of the Baltic Sea on June 11, 2011, by a sonar vessel searching for shipwrecks. The formation, dubbed 'First Anomaly,' sparked debate and UFO headlines. Clas Svahn, chairman of UFO-Sverige and journalist at Dagens Nyheter, interviewed divers who had investigated the site. While the divers found no evidence of human creation, they suggested it might be a geological formation, a theory Svahn also supported, casting doubt on UFO explanations. The article provides links for further reading on the case.

Roswell - igen, igen This brief mention marks the 65th anniversary of the Roswell incident on July 8. It references a story from eb.dk about a supposed former CIA agent, Brandon Chase, who claimed to have found a box labeled 'Roswell' in a secure area. Chase, a CIA veteran and author of a science fiction book, is presented as a source, but the article notes that his credibility is questioned due to his imaginative writing. The story is presented under the 'World upside down' section.

Tunguska - kommentarer This section discusses the Tunguska event of June 30, 1908. It references a recent scientific article by Italian researchers who believe they found evidence of a meteorite under a lakebed, suggesting it could be the solution to the mystery. However, lektor Henning Haack expresses skepticism, stating that finding an object in a lakebed does not definitively prove it's a meteorite and calls it unlikely. He recommends reading reader comments on videnskab.dk, particularly those by amateur astronomer Karsten Bomholt. The article also mentions that a Danish expedition to the Tunguska region in the 1950s brought back material samples analyzed by the National Museum, which indicated a comet theory. Haack leans towards the comet theory but remains open to other explanations, emphasizing the importance of finding a definitive answer. The article notes that a comet fragment is the most likely explanation for the explosion. It also mentions a Russian researcher, Yuri Labvin, who believes aliens were responsible, citing quartz stones with mysterious markings found by his team as evidence. Labvin suggests that aliens intentionally collided their spaceship with a large asteroid to protect Earth. The article concludes by stating that the Tunguska explosion continues to inspire various writers.

Bliv medlem af SUFOI's Støttekreds This is a call for membership and support for SUFOI. It explains that the organization is run by volunteers and its primary task is to provide serious information about the UFO myth through ufo.dk and to register observations of unusual aerial phenomena. Financial contributions are requested to support the continuation of ufo.dk and research into UFO experiences. Members can contribute via giro or online banking. The article also mentions that UFO-Mail is published by Skandinavisk UFO Information and that copyrighted material requires written agreement for reproduction.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, historical UFO cases, and the archiving of UFO-related information. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry and documentation, aiming to provide factual information and preserve the history of UFO research. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of archiving and research, as seen in the detailed coverage of SUFOI and AFU's efforts. The articles also touch upon skepticism towards sensational claims, as exemplified by the comments on the Tunguska event and the Swedish YouTube video. The magazine aims to present a balanced view, including scientific perspectives and eyewitness accounts, while also acknowledging the ongoing mystery surrounding many UFO phenomena.