UFO Norr - 1995 No 7

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-Norr
Issue: 7
Volume: 3
Date: April 1995

This issue of UFO-Norr, a Swedish magazine focused on UFO phenomena, presents a mix of case studies, theoretical discussions, and organizational updates. The cover prominently features a fisherman's sighting of a delta-format UFO and a brief mention of an explanation for strange tracks found in Finnträsk. The magazine aims to inform its readers about UFO events and explore various hypotheses surrounding them.

Contents

Editorial (Ledare) by Steve

Steve's editorial reflects on the widespread interest in UFOs, suggesting that approximately 75-80% of people are curious about the subject. He contrasts the two primary frameworks for understanding the world: science and religion. While science seeks to explain the universe through fundamental physics and the study of matter, and religion through divine scriptures, both struggle to fully account for human experience and the irrational aspects of life. The editorial posits that UFO phenomena might offer new insights into the meaning of life, especially since both mainstream science and religion tend to dismiss them. It questions why people are afraid of UFOs and suggests they have reason to be.

New Facts Support an Old Case (Nya fakta stöder gammalt fall)

This article, written by Steve Sandström, revisits the 'Ursviken case' from the previous year. It details the investigation into a landing imprint found in the snow on a marsh. The author and Melle Lundberg returned to the site in winter to rule out natural explanations like a cold spring. Their thorough examination confirmed no such causes and reinforced the conclusion that the imprint was made from above, as the ice crust was broken. The article notes the effort involved in re-investigating the site, which covered ten square meters, and mentions the imprint measured approximately 3.3 x 1.5 meters with three deeper depressions.

Facts About the Ursviken Case (Fakta om Ursvikenfallet)

This piece, also by Steve Sandström with an illustration by Tecknar-Olle, recounts the Ursviken incident that occurred on February 5, 1994. Six people witnessed a peculiar UFO object near Skellefteå and Skelleftehamn. A family returning home saw an object in the sky described as having a dark core, about 10 meters in size, surrounded by a flickering red glow resembling electrical discharge. Initially mistaken for a comet or falling debris, the object was later observed to be silent and moving at low altitude. The family followed the object, which then stopped and transformed its red glow into an intense white light before descending and disappearing behind trees. The UFO-Skellefteå field investigators located the imprint in the snow based on witness accounts, with details of the investigation published in UFO-Norr issue 4.

UFO Theories 5: Holistic Phenomena (UFO-teorier 5. Holistiska fenomen)

Authored by Steve Sandström, this article explores the concept of holism as a potential explanation for UFO phenomena, contrasting it with the reductionist worldview derived from Sir Isaac Newton's laws. Reductionism posits that everything can be understood by breaking it down into its fundamental particles and their interactions, implying a deterministic universe where free will is an illusion. The article argues that modern physics, while acknowledging the role of consciousness in experiments, still struggles to provide complete answers. Holism, on the other hand, suggests that emergent properties arise at higher levels of complexity (e.g., water from hydrogen and oxygen, a cell's function, or consciousness from cells) that cannot be predicted solely from the properties of the lower levels. The 'Hundredth Monkey' phenomenon is cited as an example of a collective consciousness shift. The author suggests that UFO phenomena might be manifestations of a higher, holistic state of consciousness, and that our current understanding is limited. The article concludes by recommending books by Paul Davies and Lyall Watson for further reading on the subject.

UFO-Norr Grows Bigger (UFO-Norr blir större)

This article announces that starting with this issue, UFO-Norr will have a wider distribution, including members of the newly established UFO associations in Umeå and Luleå. This expansion covers a large geographical area in northern Sweden. The magazine, which began in autumn 1993, is now in its seventh regular issue. The collaboration between the three associations (Skellefteå, Luleå, and Umeå) is expected to increase the number of UFO cases investigated and reported, thereby maintaining a high quality of content. The broader coverage also facilitates the detection of potential temporal and spatial connections between UFO incidents and fosters a more dynamic debate on investigation methods. The editorial team remains in Skellefteå, with material submissions directed to the address on the inside cover.

A Small UFO Was Heard (Litet UFO lät)

Written by Steve Sandström, this piece recounts a sighting by Martell Åström from Floda. While fishing on a calm summer day on a lake near Skellefteå, Åström heard a distinct sound and saw an object resembling an arrowhead, about two meters long, flying at a low altitude (around 50 meters). He described it as black and emitting a sound similar to a jet engine, but was certain it was not a conventional aircraft due to its clear visibility against the bright sky. The object disappeared over the lake, appearing as a small black dot. The article notes that with only one witness, the sighting's veracity cannot be fully confirmed, but there's no reason to doubt Åström's sincerity. It considers the possibility of misidentification with a jet plane like a Viggen, but concludes it's less likely given the clear observation.

What Do You Think of UFO-Norr? (Vad tycker du om UFO-Norr?)

This section is a call for reader feedback, marking the magazine's one-and-a-half-year anniversary. It asks readers for their opinions on what is good and bad about UFO-Norr and what they might be missing. Readers are encouraged to send in their thoughts and any articles they wish to submit. Contact information for UFO-Norr in Skellefteå is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO-Norr include the investigation of specific UFO sightings (Ursviken case, fisherman's sighting), the exploration of theoretical frameworks for understanding UFO phenomena (holism vs. reductionism), and the promotion of UFO research and awareness through its associated organizations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging critical thinking and a search for knowledge beyond conventional scientific and religious explanations. The magazine positions itself as a platform for sharing and discussing UFO-related information, fostering a community of researchers and enthusiasts.

Title: UFO-NORR
Issue: 7
Date: April 1995

This issue of UFO-NORR, a Swedish publication focused on UFO phenomena, features several case studies, investigative reports, and news updates. The cover story, "SOM REAPLAN" (As a Reconnaissance Plane), highlights a sighting by Martell Åström near Floda.

Article: Martell Åström Sighting

The article discusses a sighting by Martell Åström, who was alone in his rowboat outside Floda when he observed a two-meter-sized UFO flying at high speed. The author notes that while it's impossible to definitively verify such accounts with the military, Åström's detailed description suggests it was not a conventional aircraft. The case is compared to a similar one from Brandstorp, where five witnesses reported a small, delta-shaped UFO flying at high speed over water. The article questions the military's suggestion of a radio-controlled plane as an explanation, arguing that model airplane enthusiasts are unlikely to fly their craft over difficult terrain or water.

Article: Was it a Flying Object or an Unusual Natural Phenomenon?

This feature details a significant UFO encounter that occurred on the night of March 4-5, 1967, in Lövåsen, a small village near Vilhelmina, Sweden. Elsa Söderström's two sons, Lenny and Tommy, were returning home late when they spotted a strange object hovering over the Vojmån river. The object was described as cigar-shaped, approximately 30 meters long and 5 meters wide, and vibrated strangely while stationary. The sons woke their parents, and the family observed the phenomenon from their kitchen window. Elsa Söderström noted a feeling of intense cold during the event. Later, Elsa saw another UFO, this one disc-shaped, hovering near a power line, about 35 meters from their house. Both objects then departed rapidly towards the northwest. The case was investigated by Sven Schalin and K. Gösta Rehn, who concluded that conventional explanations like known objects, meteors, planets, or atmospheric-optical phenomena could be ruled out based on the proximity and characteristics of the objects. They also dismissed theories like ball lightning or plasma. The article suggests that a combination of extreme cold, strong auroras, and atmospheric moisture might produce unusual phenomena like lens-shaped clouds or even self-luminous effects, but admits that no theory fully explains the sudden departure of the objects. The author estimates the probability of finding a definitive explanation at around 50%.

Article: Strange Footprints Got an Explanation

This article reports on an incident involving Anna Jacobsson from Finnträsk, Byske, who found peculiar round marks in the snow, covered with a fine ash-like powder. Journalist Göran Abramsson visited the site with Melle Lundberg from UFO-Skellefteå. The marks were not pressed into the snow but rather consisted of a light brown powder scattered on the surface. Radioactivity measurements showed normal levels. The explanation for the marks was later provided by one of Anna Jacobsson's grandchildren, who revealed that they were caused by a potato sack that had been carried and set down several times on the snow the previous evening. The article concludes by humorously noting that for every genuine UFO case, there are many mundane explanations.

Article: UFO Over Skellefteå

This piece describes a sighting by Johan Westerlund in Skellefteå on January 3rd of the current year (1995) at 22:41. While talking with his father, Johan observed a strange object in the sky, initially a distant orange dot that grew closer. He described it as not shining brightly but having a flickering, glowing appearance, not like fire. He managed to take some photos, but they were too small to reveal details. The object's appearance was noted as unusual, and while it occurred shortly after the new year, it was definitively not a rocket. Johan's father also witnessed the phenomenon and noted the time.

News and Announcements

UFO-Sverige Annual Meeting 1995 in Skellefteå: The magazine announces the UFO-Sverige annual meeting to be held in Skellefteå on May 27-28, 1995. The Saturday meeting is internal for members, while Sunday features a public program with lectures by Clas Svahn on UFO history, Håkan Blomqvist on UFO cults and myths, and Steve Sandström on UFO phenomena in Västerbotten. Tickets are available for purchase.

• Notices:
• Historic Space Missions: Updates on Eileen Collins becoming the first female pilot on a space shuttle mission, Norman Thagard's journey to the MIR space station, and the Endeavour's extended mission due to weather.
• New UFO Organization: The formation of Luleå UFO-förening is announced, with Andreas Wikström elected as chairman.
• UFO-Skellefteå "Abolishes" Holidays: A production error in the UFO-Skellefteå almanac resulted in the misrepresentation of certain dates as holidays.
• UFO on TV: Reports on Steve Sandström appearing on TV Norrbotten and TV4 Botnia to discuss UFO phenomena.
• Fuglesang Remains on Earth: Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang will not be going to the MIR space station this fall unless a crew member becomes ill.
• Astrid Satellite: Sweden's latest satellite, Astrid, was successfully launched and will collect data on auroras.
• Gigantic Cosmic Collision: NASA's Hubble telescope filmed a collision of two galaxies, involving billions of stars.
• Gigantic Alcohol Cloud: British astronomers discovered a massive cloud of alcohol in space.
• Little Chance of Life in the Universe: Researchers suggest that the chances of finding intelligent life on planets near our solar system are slim due to the lack of necessary materials for gas giants.

Field Investigation Course Autumn 1995: UFO-NORR announces a field investigation course covering methodology, source criticism, and common misinterpretations of UFO phenomena. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Steve Sandström.

Congratulations, Esbjörn! The magazine congratulates Esbjörn Stenlund for winning a recruitment campaign prize.

Next Issue Preview: The next issue will feature articles on a mysterious water pillar near Renholmen, UFOs in Tornedalen, and UFO theories.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings and phenomena, often presenting eyewitness accounts and the results of investigations. There is a clear emphasis on attempting to find rational explanations, whether natural or man-made, while also acknowledging the possibility of genuinely unexplained events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging readers to critically evaluate evidence and consider various possibilities. The publication also serves as a platform for UFO organizations like UFO-Sverige and UFO-Skellefteå to share news and promote their activities.