UFO Mail - No 172 - 2014

Magazine Overview

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, dated March 20, 2014, is titled 'Nærved og næsten...' (Near miss and almost...). It is published by Danmarks UFO Forening and features a cover story about a near-miss incident involving an English passenger plane and a UAP over England.

Main Article: Near Miss Over England

The primary article, written by Henning Dethlefsen, details an incident on July 19, 2013, where an Airbus A320 passenger jet flying west of London at approximately 10 kilometers altitude had a close encounter with an unidentified flying object (UFO). The co-pilot described the object as cigar or rugby-shaped with a silvery metallic color and saw it pass directly in front of the plane. His immediate reaction was to duck. The pilots checked the radar, but nothing appeared. The report, an excerpt from UK Airprox Report No. 2013086, indicates that the object was not identified by the authorities. The UK Airprox Board, composed of experts, investigates near-collision reports primarily for safety reasons. The article notes that while other possibilities like other aircraft, private planes, or balloons were ruled out, the object remained unidentified, leading to the conclusion that it was a 'real' UFO.

Commentary by David Clarke

Professor David Clarke comments on the significance of the incident, stating that pilots do not report such events lightly and that they often indicate a potential risk. He mentions that between 2004 and 2011, the British aviation authorities registered 15 similar UFO observations reported by crew members. Clarke suggests that many pilots are reluctant to report sightings when there is no apparent risk. He also notes the closure of the UK's defense office for UFO investigations in 2009, leaving the UK Airprox Board as the primary authority for registering such incidents, mainly for safety purposes.

Clarke explores possible explanations for these sightings, including ordinary objects like balloons. He emphasizes that the common factor is that the objects are unidentified, not necessarily unexplainable. He points out that with the volume of modern air traffic, it might be surprising that more UFO observations are not registered.

The article includes a radar image from the UK Airprox Report, showing the traffic in the area. The experts examined radar data and found four objects, but none were in immediate proximity to the A320. One object, a Tiger Moth biplane flying at low altitude, was identified and ruled out as the cause. Three other aircraft were also identified and excluded.

Media Frenzy and Danish Reception

The incident quickly gained media attention, with The Telegraph and Ekstra Bladet reporting on it. The Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet sensationalized the event, claiming the pilot had to change course to avoid a collision. A subsequent poll by Ekstra Bladet asked readers for their explanations, with 'An unidentified flying object from an alien planet' being the most popular answer (29.46%), followed by 'secret military project' (22.07%) and 'drone' (14.52%). Other explanations included hallucinations, lies, missiles, and 'something else entirely'.

The article critiques the media's tendency to conflate 'UFO' (unidentified flying object) with 'alien spaceship' and how this sensationalism reinforces existing UFO myths. It also notes the common explanations of secret military projects and drones.

The author highlights that the original report's explanation – that the pilot accurately described what he saw, but the circumstances made identification difficult, possibly a reflection – was not offered as an option in the poll. The article suggests that ordinary explanations like reflections are often overlooked by the media in favor of more dramatic narratives.

Book Reviews: Conspiracy Theories and Anomalistic Psychology

Kim Møller Hansen reviews two books published by MacMillan: 'Conspiracy Theories. A Critical Introduction' by Jovan Byford and 'Anomalistic Psychology. Exploring Paranormal Belief & Experience' by Christopher C. French & Anna Stone. Hansen addresses the common claim by UFO enthusiasts that science ignores paranormal phenomena due to fear of reputation or collusion with authorities. He argues this is incorrect, as science has historically studied such phenomena.

'Conspiracy Theories. A Critical Introduction' (90 USD, 179 pages) is described as a book that documents how conspiracy theories have moved from fringe groups into the mainstream political system. It highlights that conspiracy theorists see themselves as investigators rather than disseminators of stories. The book points out that few theorists have actually uncovered real conspiracies, citing the Watergate scandal as an example of journalistic investigation. It also notes that logical inconsistencies do not deter theorists, who often interpret them as proof of masterful deception. The book traces the roots of paranoia in the US back to the American Revolution and argues that modern governments are more transparent than ever, despite conspiracy theorists' claims of secrecy. Conspiracy theories often use vague terms like 'the medical industry' or 'international financiers' and rely on manipulating information and quoting each other to appear well-supported.

'Anomalistic Psychology. Exploring Paranormal Belief & Experience' (38 USD) is presented as a well-written overview of psychological models explaining paranormal phenomena, including 'alien abductions'. The reviewer suggests that readers familiar with SUFOI's own publications might find this book redundant. The book notes that significant events, from election results to natural disasters, often trigger conspiracy theories. It also discusses how conspiracy theorists interpret the lack of clear evidence as proof of a cover-up and how their theories are increasingly seen as rational responses to societal uncertainty.

Photo Department: Sightings and Analysis

SUFOI's Photo Department reports on several photographic submissions and analyses:

• Vordingborg Sighting (July 6, 2013): A woman from Vordingborg submitted photos of two flying objects. One was a dark, elongated shape in the sky, and another smaller one was near the horizon. The larger object was described as vertical and parallel to a plane's contrail. The analysis suggests these might be insects captured by the camera at close range, with the elongated shape being an insect's wings. The photo department concludes it was a flying insect close to the camera lens.

• Ringkøbing Sighting (November 17, 2013): A colleague reported observing a strange, orange, luminous object from his terrace. He initially thought it was a plane or a bright full moon but noted its movement westward. A photograph was taken, and upon review, it appeared to be more than just a regular aircraft. The analysis suggests it could be a small hot air balloon, but the recorded wind conditions do not strongly support this explanation, classifying the photo as having insufficient data.

• Fireball Registration (November 17, 2013): Automatic cameras in Copenhagen and Silkeborg registered and photographed the trajectory of a fireball over Denmark. Details and a short film are available at www.stjerneskud.info.

• Silkeborg Sighting (November 17, 2013): A luminous fireball was observed falling towards the ground for 3-5 seconds. It was described as round and easily visible before extinguishing shortly before impact. This observation is believed to be the same fireball registered by automatic cameras.

• Odense NØ Sighting (November 17, 2013): A family observed a luminous, moon-like sphere in the sky that was smaller than the moon and very white. It appeared suddenly and disappeared rapidly like a shooting star.

• Nykøbing F Sighting (November 17, 2013): A flying object resembling a flare, but smaller and not blinking, was observed for 10 minutes. The shape appeared strange when magnified. The report suggests it was likely a small hot air balloon.

• Ringsted Sighting (February 3, 2014): A 55-year-old man observed a rectangular, completely black object stationary against the sun for about 5 minutes. He attempted to photograph it with his mobile phone, but the images were unclear. He wondered if it could be a geostationary satellite. Subsequent analysis by SUFOI's photo department, in consultation with amateur astronomer Karsten Bomholt, concluded that the observation was likely of a large sunspot, specifically sunspot AR1967. The observer's description of a sharp, dark rectangle was attributed to the limitations of human vision and the sunspot's shape. The sunspot was visible for at least 1.5 rotations of the sun.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO/UAP sightings and related phenomena, presenting official reports like the UK Airprox Board findings alongside eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence. There is a clear interest in investigating and analyzing these reports, often consulting experts. The publication also engages with broader topics like conspiracy theories and the psychology of belief, offering critical perspectives on media sensationalism and the public's interpretation of unexplained events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, seeking rational explanations while acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena.

Title: UFO-Mail
Issue: 171
Volume: 2014
Date: April 2014
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

This issue of UFO-Mail, published by Skandinavisk UFO Information, focuses on a variety of topics ranging from space exploration and astronomical events to potential UFO hoaxes and upcoming lectures.

Mysterious Stone on Mars

The lead story, "Mystisk sten på Mars?" (Mysterious stone on Mars?), by Ole Henningsen, discusses a peculiar rock discovered on Mars. Images from NASA's Opportunity rover, specifically comparing photos taken on sol 3528 and sol 3540 (Mars days after the rover's arrival), showed a stone that was not present in the earlier image. This stone, approximately the size of a clenched fist and nicknamed "Pinnacle Island," sparked speculation, including the unlikely theory of a meteorite landing. Planetary physicist Morten Bo Madsen from the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen clarified that the stone is actually a fragment of a larger rock that the Opportunity rover had driven over and broken. A piece of this rock was then propelled by the rover's own movements to its current location.

The article includes links to media reports about the stone from sources like the Daily Mail and provides information about the Mars group at the Niels Bohr Institute and the Lollands Astronomiske Forening.

Astronomy Lectures and Events

The magazine promotes several upcoming events related to astronomy:

• "After Dark" at Tycho Brahe Planetarium: A monthly lecture series covering various astronomical topics. The next event on April 3, 2014, is themed "Truslen fra rummet" (The Threat from Space) and will discuss asteroids and the search for other solar systems with life.
• Henning Haack Lecture: Henning Haack, a lecturer and researcher at the National History Museum of Denmark and responsible for the Danish meteorite collection, will give a lecture on "Er der andre solsystemer med liv?" (Are there other solar systems with life?). This lecture will explore the origin of the solar system and the possibility of life elsewhere. It will also cover the threat posed by asteroids, using the Siberian event as an example. The event begins at 7:00 PM and lasts for two hours, with an entrance fee of 99 DKK (free for Planetarium members). Tickets can be purchased online.

Space Missions and Competitions

• Andreas Mogensen's Mission: The issue announces a competition for naming the upcoming 10-day mission of Danish ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2015. Mogensen, an engineer with experience in ESA projects and astronaut training, is involved in testing new technologies like the "Skinsuit." The competition invites creative name suggestions, with a few rules regarding brevity and copyright.

UFO Hoax and Information

• The Big UFO Project: UFO author Nigel Watson has identified plans for a large-scale UFO hoax, dubbed "The Big UFO Project," intended for April 1st but rescheduled to April 5, 2014. The plan involves drone owners worldwide using LED lights on their drones to create a wave of UFO sightings in the media. Participants are expected from the USA, UK, France, South Africa, and Holland. The article warns readers to be aware of this potential deception.
• SUFOI Information: The magazine highlights the work of SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information), a volunteer organization dedicated to providing serious information about UFO phenomena and registering sightings. Readers are encouraged to become members of SUFOI's "Støttekreds" (Support Circle) with a contribution of 250 DKK per year, which helps fund their work and allows them to receive a free book. Payment details are provided.

Earth's Cosmic Encounters

• Asteroid Impacts: The article "Katastofer på lokalt og globalt plan" (Catastrophes on a local and global scale) states that Earth is impacted by approximately 75,000 tons of material from space annually. While most of this material burns up in the atmosphere, larger pieces can cause local or global catastrophes. Impacts of the magnitude seen in Siberia are estimated to occur about once per century.
• Chelyabinsk Meteor Event: The issue details the February 15, 2013, event where a 10,000-ton rock entered Earth's atmosphere over Siberia, causing an explosion 30 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb and resulting in numerous injuries in the city of Chelyabinsk.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the exploration of Mars, the scientific investigation of unexplained phenomena, the potential threats from space (asteroids and meteorites), and the dissemination of information about UFOs and astronomy. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting scientific inquiry, providing factual information, and raising awareness about both genuine astronomical events and potential hoaxes. The publication encourages public engagement through lectures, competitions, and support for UFO research organizations.