UFO Mail - No 282 - 2019

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-Mail nr. 282
Issue Date: February 19, 2019
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI)
Content Focus: This issue of the UFO newsletter presents recent photographic analysis and a retrospective case study, exploring potential explanations for observed phenomena.

Nyt fra SUFOI's Fotoafdeling (News from SUFOI's Photo Department)

This section details a report received by SUFOI in January 2019 from an astronomy-interested photographer near Brønderslev, Denmark. The photographer took three photos on January 18, 2019, at 07:13 AM, intending to capture Venus and Jupiter. While reviewing the images on a PC, an unusual marking was noticed in the lower left corner of three zoom shots. This marking moved in relation to the stars, leading the photographer to question if it was a lens flare.

The photographer noted that the movement over 54 seconds between the first and third image suggested a speed similar to an aircraft, but the colors and light did not match typical aircraft. The photographer asked SUFOI for their opinion.

SUFOI's Comments and Conclusion

SUFOI's initial assessment suggested the marking was likely an ordinary reflection within the camera's lens system. However, they noted that such reflections typically appear diametrically opposite the image center, which was not the case here. They referred to their website's explanation of 'Reflexions' under 'Himlens fænomener mv.' (Heavenly Phenomena etc.).

Photo consultant Karsten Bomholt commented that the photos were taken with a 500mm telephoto lens, resulting in a narrow field of view (4-5 degrees) with faint background stars. He explained that the apparent movement of Venus and stars to the right within a minute was due to Earth's rotation, making it highly unlikely for an aircraft, bird, or other object to move in the opposite direction at the same speed.

The photo department concluded that the reflection was likely caused by the bright light from Venus, possibly formed by a lens hood or other external equipment. The photographer agreed with SUFOI's conclusion.

Fra arkivbunkerne... (From the Archive Stacks...)

This section revisits a UFO observation from March 21, 1989, reported by a young worker from Ans, Denmark, located between Viborg and Silkeborg.

The observer and a friend were watching stars at 19:32 when they spotted a flying object moving from left to right in a large arc over the town, approximately 40 degrees above the horizon in a south-southeasterly direction. It was silent.

They ran to a factory yard and then to a street to observe it for about 5 seconds. Remembering they had a camera, they ran to a school sports field. The observer stopped and took a picture of the object in a southerly direction. They then moved to the end of the sports field and took another picture, by which time the object was in a south-southwesterly direction. It emitted a constant light.

Report Details and Photographs

The extensive written material from this case is archived at SUFOI. The report details that the object hovered lower and disappeared behind a hill near a forest. At that point, it was about 20 degrees above the horizon in a southwesterly direction, and the time was 19:34.

The object was described as being about 1.5 cm long when viewed between the fingers at arm's length. It was oval or disc-shaped, with an orange color on the left side and white for the rest. It was described as unlike anything commonly seen in the sky and was self-luminous, with no visible metal parts. It was completely silent.

The observer also mentioned having seen UFOs 14-15 times before and being very interested in the night sky, often carrying a camera and binoculars.

Photographs taken by the observer showed the object as a bright white light with a stronger orange/purple hue on the left side. A drawing made by the observer depicts the object as resembling a shoe print, with a bright, steady light, and a distinct orange/purple color on one side.

Analysis of Photographic Negatives

SUFOI's photo consultant, Hans Bødker, analyzed the photographic negatives. He noted that due to the dark conditions, little detail was visible even when enlarged. Negative 10 showed a faint point of light, Negative 11 showed two points of light possibly affected by camera shake, and Negative 12 was identified by the photographer as the Moon.

Bødker stated that the lights were too small to identify definitively, and the similarity to the Moon in Negative 12 was poor, making it unsuitable for comparison.

SUFOI does not possess the negatives, limiting further analysis with modern scanning methods.

Despite the limitations, the photographic evidence supports the observers' account of seeing something unusual. However, the images themselves do not clarify what was observed.

Også set i andre lande (Also seen in other countries)

Several European UFO organizations reported similar observations on the same date and time. The Italian UFO Reporter (June 1989) documented thousands of people in Northern and Central Italy, as well as in Switzerland and parts of France, observing a large light phenomenon on March 21, 1989, around 19:30.

Sketches from Italian observers showed various phases and light phenomena associated with these observations.

Forsvarsministerium bekræfter (Ministry of Defense confirms)

The French Ministry of Defense later confirmed that the large light phenomenon was caused by the launch of an S-3 ballistic missile from the 'Centre d'Essais des Landes' near Biscarosse on the coast of southwestern France. The S-3 missile was 14 meters long, weighed 25.8 tons, and had a range of 3,000 km.

Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, who has cataloged UFO sightings worldwide, reported that this phenomenon was recorded from 8 locations in Switzerland, Spain, France, and Italy.

Upon re-examining the Danish case files, SUFOI became convinced that the two young observers from Ans, despite the 1,300 km distance, had indeed observed and attempted to photograph this missile launch phenomenon.

While acknowledging differences in descriptions and distance estimations, SUFOI found enough consistent parameters to support this explanation. They also referenced Toke Haunstrup's book, "50 år med ufoer - erfaringer fra halvtreds års rapportarbejde" (50 Years with UFOs - Experiences from Fifty Years of Report Work), for further insights.

The case reinforces the idea that prompt information gathering and synthesis, especially with modern electronic and social media, often leads to natural explanations for seemingly unusual phenomena.

Læs ufo-beretninger på www.ufo.dk (Read UFO reports on www.ufo.dk)

Recent UFO reports submitted to SUFOI can be found on www.ufo.dk under 'Observationer'.

Bliv medlem af SUFOI's Støttekreds i 2019 (Become a member of SUFOI's Support Circle in 2019)

SUFOI is run by volunteers and aims to provide the public with serious information about the UFO phenomenon through ufo.dk, and to register observations of unusual aerial phenomena. The organization's purpose and vision are detailed on their website.

Financial contributions of 250 DKK or more are welcomed to support the continued operation of ufo.dk and investigation of UFO experiences. Members can choose one of four free titles as a thank you, including 'Ildkugler over Danmark' and 'UFO'er - Myter og viden'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue highlights SUFOI's commitment to rigorous investigation and analysis of UFO reports. It emphasizes the importance of photographic evidence and its technical examination, while also acknowledging the limitations of such evidence. The magazine demonstrates a tendency to seek natural explanations for reported phenomena, as seen in the re-evaluation of the 1989 Ans case as a missile launch. The publication also promotes public engagement through its website and membership program, aiming to disseminate information and encourage reporting of unusual aerial events.