UFO Mail - No 189 - 2015

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: nr. 189
Date: 8. januar 2015
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information focuses on the prevalence of hoaxes and manipulated videos within the UFO community, while also touching upon historical sightings and recent unexplained phenomena.

The Pelican Myth: Kenneth Arnold's UFO Experience

The lead article, "En flok pelikaner satte gang i ufomyten" (A flock of pelicans started the UFO myth) by Kim Møller Hansen, revisits the seminal 1947 sighting by Kenneth Arnold. Arnold, a businessman flying his own plane, reported seeing nine silver, disc-shaped objects near Mt. Rainier, Washington. Initially, he did not connect them to extraterrestrial visitors but rather to experimental aircraft or Soviet technology. The article notes that while many explanations have been proposed over the years, a likely candidate for the 'objects' is a flock of pelicans, given their large wingspan, ability to fly at high altitudes, and prevalence in the area. The significance of Arnold's sighting is highlighted by its timing during the Cold War, a period of heightened fear and suspicion between the US and the Soviet Union. The term 'flying saucer' itself may have originated from this event, whether coined by Arnold or a journalist, and it sparked a major wave of UFO sightings in the summer of 1947.

The article references an analysis by Martin Shough and includes a drawing by Henrik Klinge Pedersen, which was used on the cover of Arnold's book "The Coming of the Saucers" (1952). A still from a video of flying pelicans is also shown for comparison.

The Battle for UFO Videos: Hoaxes and CGI

"Kampen om ufo-videoerne" (The Battle for UFO Videos) by Michael Jeppesen discusses the long history of UFO videos, dating back to the invention of the video camera. With the advent of digital media, the production of fake UFO videos has increased significantly. The article explains that many of these videos are not intended to promote belief in aliens but are part of viral marketing campaigns designed to generate clicks and revenue for advertisers or to promote products. The ease with which convincing fake videos can be created using video editing software is emphasized.

The author warns readers about the proliferation of fake videos and the difficulty in distinguishing them from genuine recordings, especially with the use of Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). The article highlights several examples of viral UFO videos that have circulated online:

• Christopher Kenworthy's Project: In 2006, the Australia Film Commission funded a digital video project that resulted in 31 UFO clips shared online. While initially successful, many were later revealed to be manipulated, with some resembling hot air balloons or Chinese lanterns.
• The Haiti UFO: This video, posted in 2007, was one of the first CGI videos on YouTube that caused a stir.
• Fishing Boat UFO: A video from 2009, resurfacing in 2014, showed men on a fishing boat witnessing military aircraft and a UFO releasing a 'rescue capsule'. This video was created by the company El Ovni Gallego as a promotion for their website, Terra Spain, and was presented as a tribute to Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" broadcast.
• Atitude Comunicado Video: A Brazilian PR company created a video for Atitutde MediaBox (selling pizza boxes) that was initially uploaded in low quality. They even invited viewers to find 'the 7 errors' they had intentionally included.
• Oondyla's Videos: The creator, Roberto Godani (also known as Robert Wilson), produced several viral clips, including one posted in 2011 that was later revealed to be a hoax by 'Hoaxkiller1'. Godani's marketing website, 'Oondyla', aimed to create shocking videos to promote companies. His Facebook post from July 2014 urged people to share a video that was allegedly being erased from the internet.

The article also mentions a video posted on "Latest-ufo-sightings.net" in April 2010, showing jet fighters chasing a UFO over the West Midlands, which was also reported by Ekstrabladet.

How to Assess UFO Videos

Pages 6 and 7 offer practical advice on how to evaluate UFO videos. The advice is divided into eight points:

1. Discard Obvious Fakes: Recognize videos that are clearly poorly made or unbelievable.
2. Study the Object Thoroughly: Look for signs of attachment (strings, wires), unusual movements (jerking, wobbling), or sudden disappearances that defy physics.
3. Listen Carefully: Assess the realism of any sounds. Unnatural sounds or background music can indicate a fake.
4. Examine the Surroundings: Check for moving trees in the background, consistent shadows, reflections that reveal miniature models, or repeating patterns that suggest digital manipulation.
5. Consider Familiar Objects: Be aware that many fakes use common objects like clouds, toys, lights, or even simple disc shapes (like plates or cans) to create the illusion of a UFO.
6. Check Online Information: Verify the date of the sighting, look for follow-up reports, and search for articles that have debunked the video.
7. Use Reverse Logic: Understand how these videos are made to better identify them.
8. Be Cynical and Suspicious: Question videos showing massive objects over populated areas with few witnesses, or where people behave unnaturally. Also, be wary of videos that are too perfectly filmed, suggesting extensive editing.

Additional tips include being aware of sequences taken from other films, the use of digitized war footage, and the importance of reading comments on YouTube for potential clues. The article stresses the need to rely on credible sources and to be critical.

News from SUFOI's Photo Department

"Nyt fra SUFOI's Fotoafdeling" (News from SUFOI's Photo Department) by Ole Henningsen reports on two photographic cases:

• Aalborg Light Anomaly (November 18, 2014): A photographer in Aalborg captured an evening photo of Budolfi church that, upon editing, revealed an unusual light artifact. Initially thought to be a plane, further analysis suggested it was a lens flare caused by a strong light source, possibly a projector beam, reflecting in the camera's lens. The object was not visible at the time of capture.
• Børkop Bird Sighting (July 18, 2014): A photograph submitted from Børkop showed an object that was initially questioned. After analysis by SUFOI's photo department and consultation with an ornithologist, it was identified as a bird in flight, with its wings sharply defined against its body.

SUFOI's Comments and Conclusion

SUFOI's commentary on the Aalborg photo case concludes that the strange light artifact was indeed a lens flare, a common phenomenon caused by strong light sources reflecting in camera lenses. The department explains how such reflections can vary in form and intensity depending on lighting conditions. They provide links to resources on lens flares and previous UFO-Mail issues discussing similar reflection phenomena.

Brief Reports (Løst og facts)

This section contains several short reports:

• Rocket Launches from the Baltic Sea: Copenhagen Suborbitals (CS) is planning to test two rockets, Nexø 1 and Nexø 2, with liquid-fuel engines over the Baltic Sea in the summer, aiming to advance Danish amateur spaceflight.
• "Shot-down Sky" over Copenhagen: An explanation is provided for a spectacular cloud formation observed over Copenhagen on November 25, 2014, identified as a 'hole-punch-cloud'.
• UFO Research - Cloud Phenomenon over Oberfranken: This report references photos of similar cloud formations shared by German UFO blogger Hansjürgen Köhler, who also covers other UFO and astronomy topics on his blog.

The issue concludes with a call to action for readers to submit their UFO reports to www.ufo.dk.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO hoaxes, the impact of CGI technology on the authenticity of UFO evidence, and the importance of critical analysis. The magazine actively seeks to debunk false claims and educate readers on how to discern genuine sightings from fabricated ones. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards unverified claims, particularly those presented as viral videos, while remaining open to credible evidence and promoting responsible investigation within the UFO community. The publication also highlights the efforts of organizations like SUFOI in analyzing photographic and video evidence.

This document is a single-page flyer or announcement from Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI) for their "Support Circle" (Støttekreds) in 2015. It details how individuals can become members and support the organization's activities. The content is primarily in Danish.

Membership and Support

The organization, Skandinavisk UFO Information, is operated by volunteer and unpaid staff. Its main objectives are to provide the public with serious information about the UFO phenomenon via the website ufo.dk and to document observations of unusual aerial phenomena. Readers are encouraged to learn more about SUFOI's purpose and vision via a link (not provided in the text).

Financial contributions are solicited, with a suggested amount of 250 DKK, or more, to enable the continued operation of ufo.dk and investigations into UFO experiences. The appeal expresses hope that many will continue to support their work by joining the Support Circle.

Payment and Benefits

Payments can be made to giro account 9 11 77 25 or via netbank to account 3113-9117725. When making a payment, contributors are asked to use the short code "01" and to include their name, address, and the order number for their chosen free book.

Membership in the SUFOI Support Circle entails no obligations beyond the financial contribution, which is valid for one year. As an added benefit, members can choose a free book.

Publication and Copyright

The publication "UFO-Mail" is issued by Skandinavisk UFO Information. The copyright law is mentioned, stating that news media can quote from signed articles with clear source attribution. However, reprinting articles in their entirety requires prior written agreement with Skandinavisk UFO Information - SUFOI. Printing and photocopying of content from UFO-Mail are subject to Copydan fees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document clearly promotes active support for an organization dedicated to UFO research and information dissemination. The editorial stance is one of seeking serious, public-facing engagement with the topic of UFOs, emphasizing the importance of volunteer effort and financial contributions to maintain these efforts. There is a clear call to action for readers to become paying members to ensure the continuation of their work and publications.