UFO Mail - No 204 - 2015

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: Nr. 204
Date: September 24, 2015
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, published by Danmarks UFO Forening, focuses on how scientific endeavors can sometimes be mistaken for UFO phenomena. The main article, "Ufoer i videnskabens tjeneste" (UFOs in the service of science) by Henning Dethlefsen, details how a Lufthansa pilot's sighting in 2014 was ultimately explained by a scientific experiment.

UFOs in the Service of Science

The Lufthansa Pilot's Sighting

On November 24, 2014, a Lufthansa A330-343x aircraft was flying home to Germany from Bucharest. While over Romania, the captain observed a clear light streak with three red points. He initially considered it a rocket launch but contacted the European Space Agency (ESA), which had not launched anything. Subsequently, he contacted CENAP (Centrales Erforschungsnetz Aussergewöhnlicher Himmelsphänomene), a German UFO organization.

Scientific Explanation: The C-REX Mission

CENAP's investigation, prompted by the pilot's description, quickly pointed towards scientific experiments involving barium in the atmosphere. A quick check revealed that such an experiment had indeed taken place around that time over the Greenland Sea. Further information from NASA confirmed that the C-REX (Cusp Region Experiment) mission was the cause. This mission involved launching a four-stage, 21-meter-high Black Brant 12 rocket from Andøya Space Center in northern Norway. The rocket carried 24 canisters filled with barium and/or strontium, intended to be released at altitudes between 150 km and 400 km over the Greenland Sea, west of Svalbard, to create large, colored dust clouds.

Purpose of the Experiment

The C-REX mission, a collaborative effort with NASA as a primary initiator, aimed to study meteorological conditions and electrical fields in the area. These fields are crucial for understanding how solar wind affects Earth's atmosphere, forming phenomena like the aurora borealis (northern lights). The increased density in the upper atmosphere, potentially caused by solar wind, poses a risk to spacecraft and satellites. NASA sought to understand the causes and connections of these atmospheric changes, particularly their link to solar wind. Dr. James LaBelle, chief scientist from NASA, explained that the CAPER (Cusp Alfven and Plasma Electrodynamics Rocket) mission, also planned, would study waves and particles in the upper atmosphere, with a planned height of over 500 kilometers.

The Visual Phenomenon

The barium clouds would create a glow of blue and green, while strontium in combination with barium would produce blue-violet colors. These colors are used to measure ion speeds and wind conditions. The experimenters assured that the trace substances posed no danger to humans or the environment. The rocket was launched on November 24 at 03:05 EST, and the resulting colorful displays were visible from the launch site and were indeed observed by the Lufthansa pilot over Bucharest.

Aurora Borealis and UFO Alarms

The magazine also touches upon the aurora borealis, noting that it can be seen at Danish latitudes and has occasionally led to UFO alarms in central Germany. An example cited is from January 24, 2005, when TV2 Nyheder reported that strong northern lights caused a UFO alarm in Germany, with people contacting CENAP in Mannheim about perceived UFOs. The article provides links for further information on polar lights and related phenomena.

New from SUFOI's Photo Department

ISS Live Stream Sighting

In a separate section, Ole Henningsen reports on an observation made during a live stream from the International Space Station (ISS) on May 11, 2015. While watching the stream, a "dim" or object appeared out of nowhere as the camera panned. The live stream then went down. The author sent screenshots and noted the large number of viewers, suggesting others might have seen it. The issue includes photos of computer screens showing the ISS live feed, with one image appearing blue, explained as a transmission interruption. Another image shows various reflections, attributed to the Sun's reflection in the camera lens or station windows.

Further ISS Information

Following a successful mission by astronaut Andreas Mogensen to the ISS, interest in the station has increased. The article provides a link to a site where one can follow live streams from ISS cameras and track the station's position.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of unexplained aerial phenomena with scientific explanations. It highlights how natural or experimental atmospheric events can be misidentified as UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking rational explanations for sightings while acknowledging the existence of unexplained cases. The use of scientific data, reports from organizations like CENAP and NASA, and pilot testimonies suggests a commitment to investigating UFO phenomena through a combination of eyewitness accounts and scientific analysis. The recurring theme is the importance of scientific understanding in demystifying UFO reports.