UFO Mail - No 198 - 2015

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: UFO-Mail nr. 198
Date: 15. juni 2015
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, published by Danmarks UFO Forening, focuses on recent photographic evidence and analyses of potential unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) submitted to SUFOI's photo department. The magazine presents several case studies from Denmark, detailing observations, photographic evidence, and the subsequent investigations and conclusions drawn by SUFOI's experts.

Case Study 1: Aarhus C, October 17, 2014

A 23-year-old student reported observing small red lights moving silently in the sky while walking with their sister and dog. The lights were described as moving simultaneously and without any sound, unlike aircraft. The student managed to capture images of these lights using an iPhone 5s. The report notes that the strong light on the left is a street light, but the origin of the smaller red lights remains unknown to the observer. The lights' simultaneous movement without sound is highlighted.

Case Study 2: Aalborg Ø, January 17, 2015

A 52-year-old observer from Nr. Tranders, on the outskirts of Aalborg, reported seeing 10-15 low-flying, candle-light-like vessels at helicopter altitude and speed. Some were observed individually, while others were in formation, moving from the southwest over the city and disappearing towards Kalk søen in the northeast. The observer recorded some of this event on their iPhone. Following a detailed review of the photographic material, SUFOI's photo department concluded that the observed phenomena were small hot-air balloons launched from the local area.

The observer raised several questions regarding this conclusion:
1. Why don't they ascend?
2. Can they be turned on and off?
3. Why did they all move in the same direction initially, with some deviating later?
4. Why did some appear individually and others in formation?
5. In one formation of five, why did they change positions internally?

SUFOI's photo consultant, Ole Henningsen, provided detailed answers. He explained that the objects were likely 'rispapirlamper' (rice paper lanterns) with a burning material at the bottom, which can have various appearances. Regarding the questions:
1. They do ascend, but if they ascend at the same rate they move away from the observer, it can appear as if they are not ascending.
2. They are 'turned off' when the material burns out, which can happen quickly or slowly depending on the material. They can also appear to 'turn off' by rising into low-hanging clouds, which might not be clearly visible to an observer.
3. If launched from the same location, they generally move in the same direction, but this can change due to variations in wind, temperature, and terrain, especially near buildings.
4. Their appearance individually or in formation depends on the people launching them and how quickly they can ignite the material and release the balloons.
5. It is normal for them to change positions within a 'formation' because the formation is not rigid and can appear so from a distance.

SUFOI suggested inquiring in the neighborhood, especially in the direction of the wind, to confirm a launch. The event was likely a celebration, possibly occurring on a Saturday evening, with the launch site estimated to be about 500 meters southwest of the observation point.

Case Study 3: Nordborg, May 1, 2015

This case began with a report from a resident in Nordborg who, while photographing the Moon at 21:03 on May 1st, observed an unexplainable object moving quickly past. The observer captured two images, one zoomed in, and then overlaid them to show the object's flight path. The images were taken with a shutter speed of 1/13 second, and both JPG and RAW files were available.

SUFOI's photo department's initial assessment considered the possibility of glints from iridium satellites or a meteor, but these were ruled out after checks with satellite tracking websites and meteor reporting stations. The low angular velocity and constant appearance over 5 seconds made a meteor unlikely. A more plausible explanation, also considered by Anton Norup Sørensen, was a short contrail from a high-flying aircraft, illuminated by the sun, which had set.

Karsten Bomholt and Hans Bødker, SUFOI photo consultants, analyzed the precise timing and location. They noted that the sun was less than 2 degrees below the horizon at the time of the photos, allowing it to illuminate a high-flying aircraft. The object's rapid movement across the sky within 5 seconds suggested a very high speed. Calculations based on potential flight paths to Kastrup Airport indicated that if the object were at a certain altitude, its speed would be exceptionally high. Further calculations suggested that if the object were at 10 km altitude, its distance would be 29 km, and its speed approximately 900 km/h.

Using FlightRadar24 data, Hans Bødker identified two potential aircraft matching the calculated data: an Estonian Air flight at 37,000 ft with a ground speed of 866 km/h, and a British Airways flight at 10,058 m with a speed of 980 km/t. The Estonian Air flight, traveling from Amsterdam to Tallinn, was considered a strong candidate. Further analysis of jet stream data suggested a possible tailwind could have increased the ground speed to 900 km/h. The conclusion was that the luminous trails were a contrail from one of these aircraft, illuminated by the sun below the horizon.

Case Study 4: Nr. Lyndelse, February 25, 2015

A 38-year-old woman reported observing a large, round, luminous sphere hanging in the air over a field behind her house around 8 PM. She could see it clearly, and it remained in the same position for 5-10 minutes. After about 20 minutes, it appeared to have drifted over a nearby forest, losing some of its clarity. After approximately 45 minutes, it had disappeared. The object was described as round, clear, and luminous for a long time. The observation took place in clear weather, with no other lights in the sky except for stars, which were small in comparison.

SUFOI's commentary and conclusion identified the object as the planet Venus. The clear light and slow movement strongly suggested an astronomical origin. A check with the planetarium program 'Starry Night' confirmed that Venus was very prominent low on the western horizon at 20:00 on February 25, 2015. The report notes that the photographs taken were out of focus, as the camera automatically tried to focus on the planet against the dark sky. The similarity between the photographed object and a photo of Venus taken by Ole Henningsen on December 1, 2013, from Søllested on Lolland, further supported this conclusion.

Astronomical Events: Venus and Jupiter Conjunction

The magazine also informs readers about the upcoming conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in June 2015. The planets would appear to approach each other, with their distance being less than half a degree by June 30th, potentially appearing as a single bright spot to the naked eye. The report anticipates many inquiries about these bright, stationary lights in the western sky during the latter half of June.

Loose Facts: Minister for Space

In a brief section titled 'Minister for Space,' a reader, H. O. Axelsen, inquired if SUFOI had a new minister responsible for space matters, referencing the Danish Minister Sofie Carsten Nielsen, who had recently taken on responsibility for an additional area that included space.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the rigorous analysis of photographic evidence of UAP, the application of scientific methods and available data (such as FlightRadar24), and the identification of celestial bodies as explanations for sightings. SUFOI's stance is one of careful investigation, seeking rational explanations, and educating the public about common misidentifications, such as hot-air balloons, contrails, and planets. The magazine aims to provide detailed case studies and expert commentary to demystify UAP reports.

Title: UFO-Mail
Issue: 10
Volume: 10
Date: October 2015
Publisher: SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information)
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

Article 1: Government Support for UFO Research and Education

The issue opens with a statement from Sofie Carsten Nielsen, the newly appointed Minister for Higher Education and Science, regarding the upcoming 10-day mission of ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen to the International Space Station (ISS). Nielsen expresses excitement about the mission, which will involve transport problem-solving and scientific projects. She also hopes that Mogensen's work will inspire young people to pursue technical and science-related studies. The article highlights that SUFOI's guide to identifying celestial phenomena, titled "Når du ser et stjerneskud?" (When you see a shooting star?), received economic support from the Ministry of Education/Tips- og Lottomidlerne for its 2000 edition and from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Development for its 2005 revised edition. The article clarifies that SUFOI, while collaborating with relevant government bodies like the Ministry of Education and Research (which now also covers 'regulation of Danish activities in outer space'), does not operate under a 'space ministry'. SUFOI emphasizes that its official support has been crucial for its public education efforts to inform about various phenomena that can lead to UFO experiences. The 27-page guide is available for free on ufo.dk or can be borrowed from libraries. The article notes that while SUFOI's primary focus is not space exploration, it covers astronomical and space-related topics in UFO-Mail to align with its educational mission. The goal is to equip readers with facts about meteorology, astronomy, and space travel, thereby reducing their susceptibility to sensationalized online articles about 'mysterious space events'. The article quotes the acting 'space minister' Sofie Carsten Nielsen from a humorous interview in Politiken on May 26, 2015: "If there is life in space, we should welcome it on Earth."

Article 2: Review of Revised Swedish UFO Book "Mötet i gläntan"

This section, written by Ole Henningsen, reviews the newly released, revised edition of the Swedish UFO book "Mötet i gläntan" (The Meeting in the Clearing) by Clas Svahn and Gösta Carlsson. The book is described as a significant revision of Svahn's earlier work and focuses on Gösta Carlsson's spectacular account of a UFO encounter in 1946. According to Clas Svahn, the former chairman of UFO-Sverige, the book was released before the holiday season and is a substantial work of 360 pages with approximately 80 images. Forty-one pages are entirely new, covering developments since the first edition was published by Parthenon in 1995. Svahn suggests that the new material will surprise readers and potentially change their perspectives on the event. Gösta Carlsson's story about meeting a flying saucer with its crew in a clearing near Ängelholm on May 18, 1946, is considered a Swedish UFO classic. The book can be ordered directly from Parthenon for 246 Swedish kronor, including postage, via plusgiro 1959-6. A link to Clas Svahn's blog post about the book is also provided: http://csblogg.ufo.se/csblogg3/?p=34247.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO-Mail revolve around the intersection of UFO phenomena, scientific inquiry, and governmental involvement. The magazine adopts an educational stance, aiming to provide factual information about astronomy and space to counter misinformation and sensationalism. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between genuine astronomical events and potential UFO sightings, with SUFOI's guide serving as a primary tool for public education. The editorial stance supports transparency and scientific investigation, while also acknowledging the public's interest in unexplained aerial phenomena. The magazine also highlights the importance of government support for research and public awareness initiatives in the field of UFO studies.