UFO Mail - No 173 - 2014

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: nr. 173
Date: April 21, 2014
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of UFO-Mail is primarily a promotional piece, offering special discounts on various UFO-related books and CD-ROMs to its readers. It also features several articles detailing recent UFO sightings and related discussions.

Special Offers

The magazine announces significant price reductions on several products available through the ufo.dk webshop. The main offers include:

• SUFOI's Historie 1975-2000 (CD-ROM): Originally kr. 179,-, now offered at kr. 49,-. This CD-ROM contains a PDF version of a 240-page illustrated book detailing the history of SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information) from 1975 to 2000, covering its development, reporting activities, publications, sales, grassroots involvement, and amateur research. The print edition is long sold out.
• Projekt UFO - tro, løgne og kold krig (CD-ROM): Originally kr. 239,-, now offered at kr. 49,-. This CD-ROM contains a PDF of a 454-page book published in 2011, which explores UFO phenomena within the context of the Cold War. It includes numerous illustrations and an extensive list of references. The print edition is also sold out.

Several other books by Klaus Aarsleff are offered at a special price of kr. 48,- each (down from kr. 98,-). These include:

• Det skjulte kammer: Explores ancient knowledge hidden in the Cheops Pyramid.
• Tempelriddernes skat: Investigates the fate of the Knights Templar's fleet and their legendary treasures.
• Den magiske jord: Discusses places and landscapes with special energies and their connection to ancient rituals.
• Troldsten i Guds hus: Examines mysterious stones found in Danish village churches and their connection to pagan cults and ancient magic.

Additionally, a section titled "Bøger til kun 9 kroner!" (Books for only 9 kroner!) highlights other books and booklets available for purchase, including the 'Fakta & Myter' series, with the fifth title, 'UFO-styrt', released in January 2014. Proceeds from these sales go towards the operation of the ufo.dk website.

UFO Sightings and Reports

1. Lights over Virum/Værløse, Denmark (April 1, 2014)

An article by Ole Henningsen details a sighting by a 45-year-old observer in Virum on April 1, 2014. The observer reported seeing two clear orange lights in the western sky, which alternately flashed on and off. These were followed by a series of 3-5 smaller red light spheres that flew rapidly in different directions. The observer estimated the altitude of the orange lights to be between 2-300 meters. The observer captured photos and video footage of the phenomenon. The article includes a screenshot from the video footage and notes that the lights appeared "U-shaped" due to long exposure times and camera shake. The observer speculates about possible explanations, including hot air balloons with burners or fireworks, but notes the unusual duration and behavior.

2. Lights near Lappeenranta, Finland (March 26, 2014)

This section, also by Ole Henningsen, reports on photos taken near Lappeenranta, Finland, by Sami Niemimuukko on March 26, 2014. The photos, taken with long exposure and without a tripod, showed bright, elongated lights. These lights were initially reported to Finnish authorities as "burning lights" in the sky. Björn Borg from FUFORA (a Finnish UFO organization) sought further information. Mikhail Gershtein from Russia confirmed that the lights were indeed related to the Russian military exercise Ladoga-2014 near the Finnish border, and that missiles were fired at these targets. A video sequence from the St. Petersburg area is also mentioned.

3. Mysterious Light Spots on Mars (April 3, 2014)

This article discusses images captured by NASA's Mars rover Curiosity, showing mysterious light spots on the Martian surface. The article references various websites that speculated about these lights being signs of extraterrestrial life. However, NASA issued a press release clarifying that these lights are not indicative of life. According to NASA, the spots are likely reflections from the Sun or cosmic radiation interacting with the rover's camera. Justin Maki from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory stated that such light spots are observed almost weekly. The article notes that the light is visible in the right camera of the rover's stereo camera system (Navcam) but not the left, and suggests that the phenomenon could be caused by glinting stones or cosmic rays. The article also includes a commentary from Asmus Koefoed of the Niels Bohr Institute, who expresses skepticism towards sensationalist claims from sites like ufosightingsdaily.com, emphasizing NASA's mission to determine Mars' habitability. Koefoed also mentions a video production by Asmus Koefoeds titled "Dreaming of Martian Rivers."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the work of SUFOI and its related publications, offering them at discounted prices. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical investigation into UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the detailed reporting on sightings and the scientific explanations provided for the Mars light spots. There is a clear emphasis on factual reporting and debunking sensationalist claims, while still acknowledging the ongoing mystery surrounding many UFO cases. The magazine also highlights the work of authors like Klaus Aarsleff, who explore ancient mysteries and historical enigmas.

This issue of Lolland-Falsters Folketidende, dated February 20, 2014, includes a prominent article about a fire incident caused by a Chinese lantern, alongside features on UFOs, media manipulation, and the Apollo program.

Fire Incident in Rødbyhavn

The main news story, titled "ILD I FERIEHYTTE" (Fire in Holiday Cottage), reports on an incident in Rødbyhavn, Denmark. A Swedish family, while celebrating a two-year anniversary of their father's death at a holiday cottage in Lalandia, released a popular Chinese paper lantern. Due to the wind, the lantern changed direction and flew over to a neighboring house. It landed on the roof, igniting a plastic vent cap and the roof itself. The Lolland-Falster Fire Department was alerted around 6:15 PM. Before their arrival, a 37-year-old Swedish man attempted to climb onto the roof to extinguish the fire but fell, damaging his trousers. He was also fined for violating emergency preparedness laws. Fortunately, no greater damage occurred.

UFOs and Media

The issue delves into the topic of UFOs with several related segments:

Radio Program: "Radioklassikeren: Mellem himmel og jord"

A Danish radio program, "Radioklassikeren: Mellem himmel og jord" (Radio Classic: Between Heaven and Earth), broadcast on DR P1, featured a discussion on UFOs. The program highlighted warnings from former Canadian Minister of National Defence Paul Hellyer, who claimed that Earth is being invaded by extraterrestrials who have infiltrated governments and militaries of nuclear-armed powers. The program explored the UFO phenomenon, which gained significant media attention in the 1950s and is again relevant due to the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight M370. The program was hosted by Jon Kaldan.

Skandinavisk UFO Information's Stance

An article titled "Ikke besøg fra rummet..." (Not visits from space...) presents the views of Kim Møller Hansen, chairman of Skandinavisk UFO Information. Hansen believes there is no evidence to suggest that Earth is visited by beings from other planets. He characterizes the UFO myth as a narrative that is partly about psychology and pop culture. This interview was featured in Ringsted Weekend and can be found in full on page 14.

Tycho Brahe Planetarium Event

An event was held at the Tycho Brahe Planetarium on May 8, 2014, titled "Fup eller fakta om Månelandingen" (Hoax or fact about the Moon Landing). This event addressed doubts raised by a 2003 TV2 film produced by Fox News, which questioned whether humans had actually landed on the moon. The program explored whether the Apollo program was impossible to complete, presenting claims that images from the program were staged in a studio and that the mission was technically unfeasible. The event offered attendees a chance to watch or rewatch the program and participate in a discussion of its claims. The speaker was Kristoffer Leer, a Post doc at DTU Space, who is described as holding the clear opinion that the TV program was a hoax and an example of media manipulation. Leer argued that many arguments in the film were based on ignorance or were outright false. He also presented evidence that the Apollo program was indeed carried out. The event began at 7 PM and concluded at 9 PM.

Membership and Information

UFO-Mail and SUFOI

The publication is identified as "UFO-Mail," issued by Skandinavisk UFO Information. The organization is run by volunteers and aims to provide serious information about the UFO myth through ufo.dk, and to register observations of unusual aerial phenomena. They invite readers to become members of SUFOI's Support Circle with a contribution of 250 Danish Kroner, which helps fund their operations and investigations. Payment can be made via giro account or online banking. Members receive a free title and have no further obligations.

Online Resources

Readers are encouraged to read UFO reports on www.ufo.dk under the "Observationer" (Observations) section.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unexplained and the critical examination of information. The fire incident serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of seemingly innocuous activities. The UFO-related articles highlight the ongoing public fascination with extraterrestrial life and the critical analysis of evidence and media portrayals. The discussion on the Apollo moon landing and media manipulation underscores a theme of questioning official narratives and understanding how information is presented and perceived. The editorial stance appears to be one of providing factual reporting on incidents, while also engaging with and critically examining popular phenomena like UFOs, encouraging informed discussion and participation from the public.