UFO Mail - No 167 - 2013

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: Nr. 167
Date: October 30, 2013
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information explores the burgeoning world of drones and their potential to be mistaken for UFOs, alongside historical UFO cases and the legacy of Danish ufology.

From the World of Drones

The lead article, "Fra dronernes verden" (From the world of drones), by Ole Henningsen, discusses how the rise of various drones may have contributed to UFO sightings, particularly in England. Søren Rosenberg Jensen from Nakskov shares his experience building remote-controlled multirotor drones, noting that their appearance, especially at night, can lead to misidentification due to difficulties in judging distance. He provides links to his drone footage. The article also mentions how drones are being used for photography and 3D mapping, citing an example from Nakskov Havn, and suggests that drones are here to stay for both private and commercial use.

Further articles detail the extensive media coverage of drones in Denmark, with Politiken publishing a series on their diverse applications and regulations. Links to various Politiken articles and a YouTube clip showcasing different multirotor models are provided. A case from Germany describes a drone pilot being sought after their quadrocopter damaged a carport, with damages estimated at least 500 euros.

An ongoing three-year project involving the University of Copenhagen and the Department of Computer Science, commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency, aims to use drones equipped with cameras and GPS to create 'weed maps' for farmers. This technology could significantly reduce pesticide use by precisely identifying areas that require treatment. Jesper Rasmussen, a researcher, highlights the potential of drones in agriculture due to their self-driving capabilities and ease of surveying large areas. The decreasing cost of drones is expected to create a substantial market in the agricultural sector.

Odense Airport is serving as a European test center for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) through a collaboration between Boeing, the city of Odense, and the airport. Boeing is conducting experiments with these drones to support their research and development goals.

A news segment from TV2 Øst featured a drone in the background during a report on a Danish championship in flatfish fishing. The drone was observed flying erratically and approaching the camera.

The magazine concludes this section by stating that the increasing variety of drones, for both hobby and professional purposes, will present a growing challenge for individuals and groups investigating and explaining UFO experiences.

The Vancouver Baseball Game UFO Stunt

Michael Jeppesen's article, "Overværede rumvæsner baseballkamp i Canada?" (Witnessed an alien baseball game in Canada?), debunks a widely reported UFO sighting. The "near-contact" reports were attributed to an extensive advertising stunt by the H.R. MacMillan Space Center in Vancouver, Canada. The planetarium collaborated with the advertising firm MacLaren McCann to create a campaign that involved releasing photos of a drone, shaped like the planetarium's top, via webcams, mobile phones, and video. This "drone" was filmed in various locations around Vancouver, including during a Vancouver Canadians baseball game on September 3, 2013. The campaign's slogan was "New and improved. H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Planetarium Theatre." The stunt gained significant attention, with a YouTube video of the Nat Bailey Stadium sighting quickly reaching over 200,000 hits. The story was reported in Danish media, including Ekstra Bladet and TV2 Nyhederne.

The article further explains that the drone was filmed near Nate Bailey Stadium, which is within 5 km of Vancouver Airport. However, the direction of flight did not align with typical air traffic from the airport. The stunt was revealed as a marketing ploy, with the planetarium aiming to draw attention to its new facilities.

The Legacy of H.C. Petersen and SUFOI

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the life and work of H.C. Petersen, the founder of SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Investigation) in 1957. Petersen, a former air force major, was a passionate advocate for UFO research and transparency, often clashing with authorities and the media. He was instrumental in making UFOs a topic of public discussion in Denmark.

The article details Petersen's early life, his military career, and his dedication to investigating UFO phenomena. It recounts his discovery of the Project Blue Book headquarters in the USA, which contradicted official statements about the project's closure. Petersen's belief in the authenticity of UFOs was further solidified by his interactions with George Adamski, a contactee who claimed to have met Venusians. Petersen became a strong proponent of Adamski's teachings, which emphasized spiritual development and a peaceful coexistence among planets.

However, Petersen's involvement with Adamski also led to internal conflicts within SUFOI. The organization experienced a schism in 1964 when Petersen, along with other members, left to form IGAP (Dansk International Get Acquanted Program) due to disagreements over Adamski's claims and the direction of the organization. Petersen's departure was a significant blow to SUFOI, and the magazine notes the lasting impact of this division on personal relationships within the ufology community.

Despite the internal strife, SUFOI eventually evolved into a more fact-based and scientifically oriented organization. The article highlights Petersen's later years, his struggles with cancer, and his passing in July 2013 at the age of 89. His extensive archive of UFO materials has been donated to the Archives for the Unexplained (AFU) in Sweden.

Other Sections

Peru Opens UFO Office: The Peruvian Air Force has reopened its UFO office (DIFAA) to investigate reports of unusual aerial phenomena, with sociologists, archaeologists, astronomers, and military personnel collaborating on the investigations.

AFU Archives New Website: The Archives for the Unexplained (AFU) in Norrköping, Sweden, has launched a new website showcasing its extensive collection of UFO-related materials, including H.C. Petersen's personal archives.

Hjernekassen på P1: A segment on the radio program "Hjernekassen på P1" discussed human senses, specifically the sense of sight, with a focus on visual perception processes.

Weather Detectives: The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) has a project called "Vejrets Detektiver" (Weather Detectives) that investigates mysterious weather phenomena reported by the public. The article mentions their work on unusual cloud formations and light phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of critical investigation and the need to distinguish between genuine phenomena and misidentifications or hoaxes. There is a clear focus on factual reporting and scientific methodology, particularly in the later sections discussing SUFOI's evolution. The magazine also highlights the historical development of UFO research in Denmark, with a strong emphasis on the pioneering role of H.C. Petersen. The potential for drones to be mistaken for UFOs is a recurring theme, reflecting contemporary concerns. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry combined with a commitment to evidence-based analysis.

Title: UFO-Mail
Issue: 2015
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish
Date: 2015

This issue of UFO-Mail focuses on a membership drive for SUFOI's 'Støttekreds' (Support Circle) in 2015. The cover features a striking image of a lens-shaped cloud formation over the Annapurna region in Nepal, with the headline "Bliv medlem af SUFOI's Støttekreds i 2015" (Become a member of SUFOI's Support Circle in 2015).

SUFOI's Mission and Membership Drive

The main article details the purpose and activities of Foreningen Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI). It states that SUFOI is run by volunteers and its primary mission is to provide the public with serious information about the UFO phenomenon via its website, ufo.dk. Additionally, SUFOI registers observations of unusual aerial phenomena. The article encourages readers to support their work financially, suggesting a contribution of 250 Danish Kroner (kr. 250), or more, to enable SUFOI to continue operating ufo.dk and conducting investigations into UFO experiences.

Readers are invited to become members of the 'Støttekreds' and are offered a free book as a thank you. Payment can be made to giro account 9 11 77 25 or via netbank to account 3113-9117725. Members are instructed to use the short code '01' and to provide their name, address, and the order number of their chosen free title (e.g., B-075). It is emphasized that membership in the 'Støttekreds' carries no obligations for the member, and the support amount is valid for one year.

Publication and Copyright Information

Below the membership drive information, the publication states that UFO-Mail is published by Skandinavisk UFO Information. It includes a copyright notice from SUFOI 2013. The notice permits news media to quote from signed articles with clear attribution, according to copyright law. However, articles may only be reproduced in their entirety after obtaining written permission from Skandinavisk UFO Information - SUFOI. It also mentions that printing and photocopying of content from UFO-Mail are subject to Copydan fees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is fundraising and membership recruitment for SUFOI. The editorial stance is one of seeking public support to continue their work in disseminating information about UFOs and registering sightings. The organization positions itself as a source of "serious information" about the "UFO phenomenon" and "unusual aerial phenomena," suggesting a commitment to a factual and investigative approach. The use of a photograph of a natural atmospheric phenomenon (a lenticular cloud) as a visual element on the cover, while the main text is about UFOs, might suggest an awareness of the broader category of unusual aerial phenomena or a way to attract attention to the topic of unexplained sightings.