UFO Mail - No 241 - 2017

Magazine Overview

This issue of *Skandinavisk UFO Information*, published by Danmarks UFO Forening on July 5, 2017, is titled 'Nogle hovedregler for ufo-efterforskning' (Some main rules for UFO investigation). The main article, written by Henning Dethlefsen, presents and discusses 10 rules for investigating UFOs, originally proposed by the skeptical journalist and engineer Philip J. Klass (1919-2005).

Skepticism and Debunking

The article introduces Philip J. Klass as a prominent skeptic and debunker of UFO claims. Klass was an electronics engineer and journalist who edited *Aviation Week and Space Technology* for 34 years and co-founded the skeptical organization CSICOP. He published the *Sceptics UFO Newsletter* (SUN) from 1989 to 2003. Despite his critical stance, Klass was known for his thorough research and dedication, though sometimes he resorted to attacking the personalities of his opponents when natural explanations were elusive. He is particularly known for his theory that many UFOs are actually ball lightning.

Klass's 10 rules, detailed in his books *UFOs Explained* (1976) and *UFOs: The Public Deceived* (1983), are presented as a framework for evaluating UFO reports. The magazine emphasizes that even if extraterrestrial visitors are eventually proven, these rules remain valuable for assessing witness accounts.

The 10 Rules of UFO Investigation

Hovedregel 1: Imprecise Descriptions

Even honest and intelligent witnesses can provide imprecise descriptions of sudden, surprising events, especially when encountering unknown objects. Low-flying balloons, for example, might be described as metallic and fast-moving when they are actually something else. The Zond IV incident and the Phoenix Lights case are cited as examples where witness descriptions were significantly distorted.

Hovedregel 2: Precise and Imprecise Elements

Witness descriptions can contain both accurate and highly inaccurate elements. It can be difficult to distinguish between them until the UFO is identified. In cases with multiple witnesses, statistical analysis can help, but single-witness cases can become unsolvable if no further information is available. The article stresses the importance of separating direct observations from interpretations or assumptions.

Hovedregel 3: Subjective Reactions

When people believe they are seeing a spaceship from another planet, they tend to perceive the object as reacting to their presence, even if it is not. Excitement and nervousness can influence perception. The Rendlesham incident and the Phoenix Lights case illustrate how witnesses' heightened emotional states can lead to misinterpretations.

Hovedregel 4: Media Influence and Selection Bias

News media are quick to report sensational UFO sightings but slow to follow up with mundane explanations. This selection bias favors exciting stories over factual ones, often amplified by ufologists. The Phoenix Lights case is used to show how sensational descriptions gain prominence while more conventional explanations are ignored.

Hovedregel 5: Difficulty in Estimating Size and Distance

Humans, including trained observers like pilots and military personnel, are generally poor at estimating the size and distance of objects in the sky, especially at night. This makes reports of speed and altitude unreliable unless the object is near a known reference point. The article notes that pilots can even mistake planets like Venus for other aircraft.

Hovedregel 6: Self-Reinforcing UFO Waves

Once the media creates public belief in nearby UFOs, many natural or man-made objects can be misinterpreted as unusual. These reports fuel public excitement, leading to more sightings and a self-perpetuating cycle that lasts until media interest wanes. The Phoenix Lights incident coincided with public attention on Comet Hale-Bopp, and the Rendlesham incident followed a meteor sighting, both increasing sky-watching.

Hovedregel 7: Focus on Evidence, Not Credibility

When evaluating a UFO report, investigators should focus on concrete evidence (or its absence) rather than the credibility of the witnesses. While witness trustworthiness is a factor, it should not overshadow the examination of physical proof. The article cautions against relying solely on positive assessments of witnesses' character.

Hovedregel 8: Unexplained Does Not Mean Extraterrestrial

Even if experienced investigators cannot fully explain a UFO report due to lack of information, it does not prove that Earth is being visited by spaceships. This is linked to the 'argument from ignorance' fallacy.

Hovedregel 9: Radar and Signal Interpretation

Radar systems, especially older primary radars, can often detect 'angels' (false signals) caused by atmospheric conditions or other factors. If an operator is specifically looking for an unidentified signal, they are likely to find one. The Belgian UFO wave of 1989-1990 is cited, where F-16 radar signals were later attributed to radar reflections between the jets themselves or atmospheric anomalies, not actual UFOs.

Hovedregel 10: Thorough Investigation is Crucial

Many UFO cases appear mysterious simply because investigators have not been thorough enough. The case of the 'UFO crash on Amager' in 1983 is presented as an example of a case that was eventually solved through diligent investigation by SUFOI researcher Arne S. Petersen. The initial report involved a falling light, a red spot, and perceived military activity. However, Petersen's investigation revealed the light was likely a meteor, and the perceived activity was related to illegal waste burning on a nearby peninsula, not a UFO crash.

Modgift mod ufo-kuller (Antidote to UFO Sickness)

The article concludes by noting the abundance of wild UFO stories online, especially on YouTube, making it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. It reiterates the value of Philip J. Klass's 10 rules as an 'invaluable contribution' for anyone interested in the subject. The magazine highlights Tim Printy, who publishes the e-magazine *SUNlite* as a successor to Klass's *SUN* newsletter, continuing the tradition of skeptical and well-researched UFO analysis. SUFOI aims to provide a rational counterweight to UFO myths by offering well-supported knowledge to the public.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine strongly advocates for a skeptical and evidence-based approach to UFO investigation. It emphasizes the unreliability of eyewitness testimony, the psychological and media influences that contribute to UFO beliefs, and the importance of identifying mundane explanations. The editorial stance is that ufology, as commonly practiced, is largely based on myth and ignorance, and that rigorous scientific investigation is necessary to separate fact from fiction. The publication positions itself as a source of rational, well-researched information to counter the spread of UFO myths.