UFO-Nytt - 1977 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-NYTT
Issue: 3
Volume: 1
Date: 1977
Publisher: Kalmar Ölands UFO-Förening

This issue of UFO-NYTT, published by the Kalmar Ölands UFO-Förening, focuses on a variety of UFO-related topics, including astronomical discoveries, eyewitness accounts, organizational activities, and discussions on the nature of unexplained phenomena.

Magnetfält unik upptäckt (Magnetic Field Unique Discovery)

The lead article reports on a significant discovery by West German astronomers at the Max Planck Institute: the largest magnetic field ever detected in the cosmos. This field belongs to a neutron star within the 'Hercules X-1' binary star system, located 12 million light-years away. The magnetic field strength is measured at 4.5 billion gauss, vastly exceeding Earth's magnetic field. The discovery is hailed as potentially the most important of its kind since World War II.

UFO Sightings and Reports

Several eyewitness accounts of unidentified flying objects are detailed:

• Borgholm: Two families reported seeing a large, yellow object moving erratically, disappearing and reappearing, and emitting a beam of light. A local UFO enthusiast, Gunnar Schelin, collected these reports.
• Böda and Räpplinge: Similar sightings were reported by people in these nearby locations.
• Misterhult: Einar and Karin Hogfors observed three glowing orbs in a line, with a crimson glow on the top orb and blue light between them. They noted a persistent humming sound, unlike that of an airplane.
• Högsby: Two boys, Robert Wallenstein (12) and Roger Ekberg (8), described a 'hissing fireball' that floated between trees, emitted intense light, and made a buzzing sound.
• Östra Öland: A man reported seeing two football-sized red glowing orbs on the ground that then lifted off and disappeared vertically.
• Kalmar: A police patrol reported observing an unidentified flying object.
• Germany: Two tourists reported similar sightings in Bielefeld, Germany, which were also covered by German newspapers.

UFO-Förening Activities and Discussions

Kalmar Ölands UFO-Förening: The organization is planning a UFO camp for young people on Öland and is preparing its observation tower for the summer season. They also held a meeting where a film about UFOs was shown.

UFO-Sverige: The national organization held its annual meeting in Malmö, attended by about seventy representatives from local chapters. The organization has 1600 members, primarily young people, and expresses disappointment with the Swedish authorities' lack of involvement in objective UFO research. They also believe that many people who have witnessed UFOs are afraid to report them due to fear of ridicule.

UFO-visning av Flygande Tefat (UFO Showing of Flying Saucers): A public presentation was held at Ljungnässkolan in Mönsterås, organized by Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan and the Kalmar Ölands UFO-avdelning. Members presented images and discussed UFOs from the 17th century onwards, including a Swedish case of a fruit tree being damaged by a supposed alien visitor.

UFO-debatt: Arne Arvidsson, chairman of the Kalmar Ölands UFO-avdelning, spoke at the Kalmar radioflygklubb about the UFO phenomenon. The subsequent debate highlighted differing viewpoints, with the conclusion that UFOs are a phenomenon that is here to stay.

Flygande tefat – finns dom? (Flying Saucers – Do They Exist?): This section discusses the ongoing debate about the existence of UFOs. It notes that about a quarter of all reported UFOs remain unexplained. The term 'UFO' is defined as 'Unidentified Flying Objects'.

Ord och Bild (Word and Image): The UFO-föreningen in Kalmar-Öland organized an information meeting in Nybro. Approximately 70 people attended, and speakers presented images and discussed UFO experiences. The presentation touched upon the military's reluctance to investigate or acknowledge UFOs.

Scientific and Skeptical Perspectives

• Professor Martin Jonsson: During the UFO-Sverige meeting, Professor Martin Jonsson, a parapsychology expert, drew parallels between parapsychology and ufology, suggesting that UFOs might be misinterpretations. This view was met with criticism from the audience.
• Professor Gunnar Larsson-Leander: A renowned astronomer from Lund, stated that to his knowledge, no astronomer has ever seen a flying saucer.
• Bengt Ronde (Mars, Malmö astronomy and spaceflight society): While acknowledging the possibility of intelligent life on other planets, Ronde questions the likelihood of such beings traveling light-years to land in a forest and only reveal themselves to a few individuals.
• Dr. Edward Condon's Investigation: A federally funded study in 1969 concluded that UFO phenomena were not 'real', a conclusion that was reportedly influenced by censorship, particularly regarding astronaut observations during moon missions.

Other Topics

• Var det fullmåne eller...? (Was it a full moon or...?): A personal account from Leif Andersson about the magazine's content and upcoming events.
• Tusentals människor ser UFO (Thousands of people see UFOs): A detailed account of a sighting on August 20, 1974, involving a bright, disc-shaped object with a dome, observed by hospital staff and residents in Borgholm.
• Från Läsekretsen (From the Readership): A section for reader contributions. One reader notes that UFOs are increasingly recognized as capable of functioning in water, snow, and ice, not just air. They also suggest that UFOs may have a form of protection against photography, implying they do not wish to be closely observed.
• Det övernaturligas värld (The World of the Supernatural): This section features a story about a haunted house in America where a family experienced strange phenomena after moving in.
• Mars Måner (Mars Moons): New images suggest that Mars' moons, Phobos and Deimos, may be captured asteroids rather than material ejected from Mars.
• Pluto är minst (Pluto is Smallest): Astronomers suggest Pluto is smaller than Mercury and even Earth's moon, with its apparent size enhanced by an ice crust.
• Liten stjärna (Small Star): Astronomers have photographed a pulsar, believed to be the smallest star ever observed.
• Klotblixt (Ball Lightning): A personal account of experiencing ball lightning, which was described as cold to the touch.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea that UFOs are a genuine phenomenon worthy of study, despite skepticism from the scientific establishment and authorities. There's a recurring theme of perceived censorship and a lack of official acknowledgment. The publication seems to lean towards the belief in extraterrestrial visitation and encourages readers to remain open-minded. The editorial stance is clearly pro-UFO investigation and aims to inform and engage the public on these matters.

This issue of UFO-NYTT, dated 1977, is primarily focused on the themes of extraterrestrial contact, space exploration, and related phenomena. The cover boldly proclaims, "People on other planets will meet us in a hundred years." The magazine features articles on scientific predictions, historical space achievements, and intriguing personal accounts of unusual experiences.

"People on other planets will meet us in a hundred years"

The lead article presents the views of Rudolf Pecek, a prominent Czechoslovakian space researcher and chairman of the International Academy of Astronautics' committee for communication with extraterrestrial intelligence (CETI). Pecek predicts that within a century, humanity will make contact with an alien civilization, and he anticipates this encounter to be friendly rather than hostile. He dismisses claims related to flying saucers and the works of authors like von Daeniken, emphasizing the serious, international scientific efforts underway to find definitive answers about extraterrestrial life. The article highlights the construction of the world's largest radio telescope, Ratan-600 in the Soviet Union, and future plans for satellite telescopes that could potentially study planets around stars like Epsilon Eridani and Tau.

Unique Planetarium

This section reports on the opening of the world's most modern planetarium in Stuttgart, West Germany. The facility will showcase celestial phenomena, including satellite orbits and ancient cometary paths. It is expected to attract 100,000 visitors annually and serve as a hub for scientists and enthusiasts.

Meteorite in China

A brief report mentions the recent fall of the largest known meteorite in China, weighing 1,770 kg, which landed near Kirin city.

Nature's Wonders

This article discusses the findings from space missions, particularly the American "Skylab 2". It details how astronauts experienced weight loss and changes in muscle tension and heart rate due to weightlessness, noting that the human body gradually adapts. The article also touches upon the fate of animals on board, including the spider Arabella, who survived, and the fish Phoxinus phoxinus, one of which produced the first offspring born in space.

The Space Age: 20 Years On: The Dog Laika Opened the Door to the Universe

This historical piece commemorates the 20th anniversary of the space age, beginning with the Soviet launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957. It describes Sputnik 1's impact as a scientific breakthrough and a psychological shock to the West, demonstrating Soviet missile capabilities. The article recounts the dog Laika's journey on Sputnik II, which provided crucial data for future human space travel. It then details the US reaction, including the initial failures of Project Vanguard and the eventual success with Explorer 1. The narrative culminates with the Soviet triumph of sending Yuri Gagarin into space in 1961 and the US achieving its goal of landing on the Moon in 1969 with Neil Armstrong, marking the definitive US lead in the space race. The article concludes by mentioning the ongoing use of spy satellites and future plans for manned missions to Mars.

Astral Traveler Appears as a Ball of Fire

This article introduces Stuart "Blue" Harary, a psychology student who claims to be able to leave his body and observe it from above, a phenomenon described as astral projection. Researchers are reportedly testing his abilities, comparing him to Uri Geller. Harary's experiences, including purportedly passing through walls and seeing events remotely, are being studied to understand the nature of death and the possibility of consciousness surviving bodily death. The article recounts an incident where Harary appeared as a ball of fire to a friend at the exact time he was projecting his consciousness.

New Journal for Parapsychology: SPEKTRA

A short announcement introduces "Spektra," a new journal dedicated to parapsychology, psychology, and life issues, which will also cover UFO phenomena from a non-traditional perspective. It is described as a comprehensive forum for exploring the paranormal and human potential.

Contact Information

The final page provides contact details for individuals associated with "UFO-NYTT" and a listing of moon phases for 1977. It also includes information about ordering a UFO emblem.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of science, the unknown, and human curiosity. There is a clear interest in scientific advancements in space exploration, coupled with an openness to phenomena that challenge conventional understanding, such as extraterrestrial life and parapsychological experiences. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, presenting both scientific perspectives and more speculative or personal accounts, while maintaining a focus on the potential for future discoveries and understanding.