UFO Mail - No 183 - 2014

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: 183
Date: October 2, 2014
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, published by Danmarks UFO Forening, focuses on new developments regarding British UFO documents and an analysis of a photographic anomaly.

British UFO Documents and the Freedom of Information Act

The main article details a response from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on September 11, 2014, regarding a request for UFO-related documents. The MoD stated that 18 documents concerning UFO policy and related matters, covering the periods 1971-76 and 1996-2000, as well as documents from June-December 2000, December 2000-March 2004, and March 2004, still exist and have not yet been transferred to The National Archives (TNA). These documents are being processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

The article lists five specific documents related to 'UFO Policy' and provides their file references and titles, including 'UFO Policy 1971-96', 'UFO Policy 1996-2000', 'UAP Policy June-Dec 2000', 'UAP Policy Dec 2000-March 2004', and 'UAP Policy March 2004'. Additionally, a longer list of 18 documents found by the MoD and slated for public release in 2015 is provided, with file references and titles such as 'C31 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL LOW FLYING UFOS', 'ADGE UFO REPORTS', 'FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 (FOI)', and 'PUBLICATION REPORTS OF UFO SIGHTINGS'.

Dr. David Clarke is quoted commenting on Facebook that the MoD has not publicly stated that *all* these UFO files have been released. He notes that in the summer of 2013, the MoD concluded a major program to release 209 UFO files, comprising over 50,000 pages. Clarke also points out that due to the MoD's vast size, some documents might have been overlooked and not included in the earlier releases (2008-2013). He specifically mentions five 'UFO Policy' files prepared by analysts for the Condign report. Clarke anticipates that those generating 'hot air' about these newly discovered documents will be disappointed by their content.

The article references several online sources for further information on the UK government's UFO document releases.

Analysis of a Moon Photograph: A Bird in Flight?

This section details an investigation by SUFOI's Photo Department into a photograph taken on April 11, 2014, in Brønshøj, Denmark. The photographer initially questioned if a dark marking on the Moon was a space shuttle or similar object. The Tycho Brahe Planetarium forwarded the photo to SUFOI for analysis.

The analysis quickly ruled out a space shuttle, as they were retired by July 2011. The possibility of the International Space Station (ISS) or another satellite was also considered. However, precise location and timing data were crucial, and the camera's original time setting was found to be incorrect.

Further analysis, including calculations based on the Moon's position and distance, indicated that the object was not a satellite or the ISS. The possibility of a conventional aircraft was also dismissed due to its position relative to the Moon and the horizon.

Photographic consultant Karsten Bomholt provided detailed insights, discussing the concept of hyperfocal distance in photography. Calculations suggested that for an object to be sharply in focus when the camera is focused at infinity (on the Moon), it would need to be within a certain distance range. The observed object's blurriness was noted, but its movement was considered unlikely to be the sole cause given the exposure time.

Comparing the silhouette to images found online, a Eurasian spoonbill (fiskehejre) was suggested as a possible match. However, the angle and proportions of the silhouette did not perfectly align. Bomholt noted that even a large bird like a spoonbill would appear small against the Moon unless it was at a considerable distance.

Using trigonometric calculations based on an estimated wingspan of a meter for a bird in flight, and the object's apparent size relative to the Moon, Bomholt estimated the object's distance to be around 5.7 kilometers and its flight altitude to be 3.3 kilometers. If it were a smaller bird, the distance would be closer to 600 meters with an altitude of 330 meters.

SUFOI's conclusion is that the dark marking was most likely a bird that coincidentally passed in front of the Moon during the exposure. The analysis ruled out spacecraft, satellites, and conventional aircraft.

Historical UFO Observations: P. Darnell's Account

The issue includes an excerpt from a 1946 article by veterinarian and amateur astronomer P. Darnell, published in the journal URANIA. Darnell describes peculiar observations made in early October 1946, in connection with an expected meteor shower. He noted small, fast-moving objects passing the Moon's disk. These objects appeared in small groups, often with brief intervals, and were mostly without visible extension, though some had a slight extension, and the largest had a diameter three times that of Aristarchus. They appeared to rotate irregularly and moved at high speed, crossing the Moon's disk from right to left in fractions of a second.

Darnell observed that these objects seemed to originate from the same part of the sky. He noted their direction was nearly perpendicular to the Moon's North-South axis, with angles not exceeding 15 degrees. He counted 38 such objects in the first hour. The phenomenon intensified on Wednesday but decreased significantly by Friday, with no further observations after that.

Darnell contrasts these objects with typical meteors, which are generally small and have little mass. He suggests that these observations might offer a method for estimating the density of a meteor swarm by using a telescope and the Moon as a backdrop, and that these observations might represent larger components of such a swarm.

Other News and Features

New Weather Radars: The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) is modernizing its radar network to improve weather forecasting and identification of precipitation. Minister Rasmus Helveg Petersen highlights the importance of better radar coverage for more accurate weather predictions, especially in the context of extreme weather events. Information is available on the DMI website.

NASA Honors Danish Researchers: NASA has recognized researchers from DTU Space for their work on a short film capturing unique footage of the Earth and Moon from space. Professor John Leif Jørgensen received NASA's Group Achievement Award and the 'Exceptional Public Achievement Medal' for this achievement, which has been featured by international news media.

SUFOI Activities: The magazine promotes participation in the SUFOI Facebook group for UFO discussions and encourages readers to submit UFO reports via www.ufo.dk. It also invites readers to become members of SUFOI's support circle ('Støttekreds') for 2015, offering a free book as an incentive for contributions.

Copyright Notice: UFO-Mail is published by Skandinavisk UFO Information. Citations are permitted with clear attribution, but full reproduction requires written agreement. Printing and photocopying of content are subject to Copydan fees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO and UAP-related news, focusing on official document releases, eyewitness accounts, and scientific analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and dissemination of information, encouraging public engagement through reporting and discussion. There is a clear emphasis on providing factual accounts and reasoned analysis, as seen in the detailed examination of the Moon photograph and the reporting on government transparency regarding UFO data. The inclusion of historical accounts and scientific achievements (like the NASA recognition) broadens the scope of UFOlogy beyond mere sightings.