UFO Mail - No 250 - 2017

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: 250
Date: November 28, 2017
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information focuses on a recent claimed UFO sighting and a review of a new book.

Book Review: "UFOer - Myter og viden"

The magazine opens with a positive review of the book "UFOer - Myter og viden." Lector Sanne Mendel is quoted as describing the book as "exciting and beautiful," highlighting the authors' engagement and passion for UFO myths and stories. Mendel praises the book for being factual, well-researched, well-written, and having an attractive layout complemented by numerous photographs and illustrations. The book was published to commemorate SUFOI's 60th anniversary. The magazine also notes that the book is hardcover, large format, 204 pages, contains 120 black and white and color illustrations, and costs 349 Danish Kroner. Additionally, it mentions that SUFOI has found a few remaining special anniversary envelopes from the organization's 25th anniversary in 1982, available for purchase.

News from SUFOI's Photo Department: The Sønder Felding "UFO"

The main article details an incident reported by TV MidtVest on October 26, 2017, where a woman from Sønder Felding, Gudrun Bjerre, claimed to have photographed a UFO with her mobile phone. The photos were taken by her friend, Agnethe Grønbæk, from the front seat of a car while capturing sunlight and clouds. One photo, zoomed in, shows an object near a church tower.

SUFOI's Photo Department, however, concluded that the object was a water droplet on the car's windshield. They point out that the marking clearly shows the prominent light color of the church reflected on one side, consistent with a reflection on a wet surface.

SUFOI and Photographer Disagree: It's a Raindrop!

TV MidtVest featured photographer Ole Mortensen, who firmly stated that the object was a raindrop that was not noticed during the photography of the weather through the car window. The report also mentioned a lively debate at a local hair salon, Salon Cherie, in Sønder Felding. Links are provided to the TV MidtVest report and a news article from TV2.dk where SUFOI reportedly debunked the sighting.

Despite SUFOI's explanation, the case was "revived" when the daily newspaper Politiken's back page section contacted Agnethe Grønbæk for an interview in mid-November. The SUFOI Photo Department further explained their reasoning to the journalist, using newly taken photos to demonstrate the optical effect that creates the "UFO-like" appearance.

In an article in Politiken on November 19, 2017, the photographer again denied it was a water droplet, stating "There was nothing on the window. It hadn't rained that day, and it didn't rain. That was what I found so fantastic: That there was such a sky, but nothing happened. The sun shone on the other side, and the clouds disappeared. I thought it would end in a real bang," she told Politiken's Back Page.

SUFOI's Comments on Politiken

SUFOI emphasized that nothing unusual was observed during the photo session. They reiterated that Agnethe Grønbæk mentioned it hadn't rained, and the photos show the sun shining and dry roads. However, the dark storm clouds visible in the background, though not directly overhead, were close and at a certain height. SUFOI stated that the appearance of a few raindrops due to wind movements higher up in the clouds is not unlikely. The absence of widespread rain was evident as the car window was not covered in droplets.

The "mystery" only emerged when the photographer reviewed her images and spotted the "object" in two photos near the church and on another photo. SUFOI explained that the droplet, being close to the camera, was not perfectly round and appeared slightly blurred and elongated, which could look unusual at first glance.

They addressed the photographer's objection that the white in the marking could not be a reflection of the white church building, stating that this objection lacks a basis in physics. SUFOI suggested that the photographer repeat the process by taking a photo at the same location while holding a small magnifying glass in front of the camera to demonstrate this common optical effect.

SUFOI concluded that it would likely remain difficult to convince the photographer and the salon's guests that it was not a special mystery, even though the marking looked peculiar. While Politiken's back page section appreciates a good story, they also value solving mysteries. In response to Politiken's coverage, SUFOI's Photo Department took a series of photos to illustrate that the photograph in question does not indicate a visit from outer space.

Demonstration of Optical Effect

Ole Henningsen from SUFOI's Photo Department is shown demonstrating with a clear glass sphere how the "UFO" mentioned in Politiken's article was created. The glass sphere, like the water droplet, forms a clear inverted reflection of the landscape, illustrating the same optical effect.

Links to other cases involving markings caused by water droplets are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical yet open-minded approach to UFO reports. The editorial stance is to investigate claims thoroughly and provide rational explanations based on evidence and scientific principles. The debunking of the Sønder Felding photograph exemplifies this approach, emphasizing the importance of understanding optical phenomena and misidentifications. The review of the book "UFOer - Myter og viden" suggests an ongoing interest in UFO lore and history, while the publication of the detailed analysis of the photograph demonstrates a commitment to clarifying public perception of UFO events.