UFO-Nytt - 1979 No 6

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-NYTT
Issue: 6
Volume: 1979
Publisher: Kalmar Ölands UFO-Förening (UFO-KO)
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-NYTT, dated 1979, is a Swedish magazine focused on UFO phenomena, space exploration, and related scientific topics. The cover features a stylized illustration and a headline in Swedish: "Kavalkad över aktuella UFO - händelser och ökad kunskap om UFO fenomen" (A cavalcade of current UFO events and increased knowledge about UFO phenomena).

Key Articles and Reports

Nytt i korthet (News in Brief)

This section provides several short reports:

• The Mysterious "Himlafonometer": This report clarifies that a bright, large object seen in the sky is actually the planet Venus, not a UFO. It describes Venus's appearance and its proximity to the sun.
• Titan: A Potential Haven for Life: Recent research suggests that Titan, a moon of Saturn, might be the only celestial body in our solar system, besides Earth, capable of supporting life due to its dense atmosphere of hydrogen and methane, which creates a greenhouse effect. NASA plans to land humans on Titan in the 1990s.
• The Origin of "Flying Saucer": The term "flying saucer" was coined by Kenneth Arnold in 1947 after he observed disk-shaped objects flying at high speed over Mount Rainer in the USA.
• The Sun's Mass and Energy Production: The sun accounts for 99.9% of the solar system's mass. Every second, 700 million tons of hydrogen are converted into helium, with 400,000 tons of mass lost as radiation energy. Despite this, the sun's size does not noticeably decrease.
• Humanoid Fossils Found: Researchers in France have returned 300 fossils to Ethiopia, believed to be from a 3.5-million-year-old ape-like, upright-walking creature.
• Mysterious Holes in the Roadway: Ten mysterious holes were discovered on a highway in Pihtipudas, Finland. Some were deep enough to extend below the frost line. Investigations by officials found no radioactivity. Theories suggest they might be caused by meteorite impacts or fragments from a burnt-up satellite.
• Sweden in Space: The European Space Agency (ESA) is planning surveillance satellites for land and sea monitoring, with launches scheduled for 1985 and 1987. Sweden is contributing 3.4 million kronor to the preparatory program (1979-1981).

Inte bara äventyr i rymden (Not Just Adventures in Space)

This article discusses NASA's investment of 275,000 kronor in a research project studying the human-powered aircraft "Gossamer Albatross." The project, led by Aero Vironment Inc., aims to study the flight characteristics of lightweight aircraft to gather insights applicable to future high-altitude aircraft. The research will be conducted at NASA's Dryden and Langley centers.

Många rapporter om himlafenomen (Many Reports of Celestial Phenomena)

This section compiles several eyewitness accounts of unexplained aerial phenomena in Sweden:

• Kalmar Region Sightings: Multiple individuals reported seeing a large, white, blinking object in the sky over Kalmar and Mönsterås. One observation lasted for three hours. Traffic control at F 12 stated that no aircraft were flying in the area after 8 PM.
• "Ballong med eld" (Balloon with Fire): A phenomenon resembling a balloon with internal flames, displaying red and green colors, was observed over Kalmar. It moved slowly southeast. A bright blue light was also seen higher in the sky.
• Internal Movement: Yvonne Thorsson reported seeing a yellow blinking object that appeared to have internal movement when viewed through binoculars. A faint rumbling sound was also noted.

Till slut blir solen JÄTTESTJÄRNA (Eventually the Sun Becomes a GIANT STAR)

This article, based on information from G-P, discusses the future evolution of the Sun. It explains that the Sun converts 700 million tons of hydrogen into helium every second, losing 400,000 tons of mass as energy. Contrary to popular belief, the Sun will not cool down but will expand and become hotter, eventually turning into a giant star. This process is expected to occur billions of years in the future and will render Earth uninhabitable.

"VAR DET ETT TEFAT FLYGLEDAREN SÅG?" (Was it a Flying Saucer the Air Traffic Controller Saw?)

This article critically examines UFO sightings, suggesting that many are due to misidentification of natural phenomena or man-made objects. It mentions that scientists are largely dismissive of UFO claims, attributing them to "nonsense." The article notes the commercialization of UFOs, with books, exhibitions, and even religious interpretations capitalizing on the phenomenon. It cites examples like the "Cosmos 954" satellite crash in Canada and a recent incident where a pilot in Valencia, Spain, reported being threatened by stationary lights.

Vrakgods från rymden (Wreckage from Space)

• Skylab Debris: Wreckage from the Skylab space station, which re-entered Earth's atmosphere on July 11th, was sent from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center to Australia. Analyses showed that the heat generated during re-entry was not as high as expected, with the station breaking up at an altitude of 19 km. The debris landed over a large area.
• Large-Scale Hydroelectric Power Plant in Norway: Norway's largest hydroelectric power plant, Ulla-Förre, is scheduled for completion in 1986, with an output of 2000 megawatts. The project, which began in 1974, involves extensive road construction and rock excavation.
• West German TV in Sweden 1984: Joint direct-broadcast television satellites from France and West Germany are planned to begin service in 1984, with signals receivable in Sweden up to the Stockholm region. Two satellites are planned initially, with a third to follow.

Vet Ni Det? (Did You Know?)

This Q&A section addresses concerns about space debris. It states that since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, approximately 12,000 satellites have been launched, with about half of them and other space debris still orbiting Earth. The speed of these objects is 8 km per second. While most debris burns up in the atmosphere, some objects have reached the ground intact, like the Soviet satellite "Cosmos 954." The article warns that the increasing amount of space debris could eventually form a ring around Earth.

Äntligen upprättad (Finally Vindicated)

This brief report notes that the Catholic Church, which condemned Galileo Galilei in the 17th century for his heliocentric views, has now acknowledged its error. The Pope recently compared Galileo to Albert Einstein, suggesting the Church was wrong to condemn him.

Solkraftverk för rymdfärjor (Solar Power Plants for Space Shuttles)

This article describes a planned solar power plant for space shuttles and space laboratories, expected to be operational in the early 1980s with a capacity of 250 kW. Lockheed is developing a 25 kW model. These plants would allow space shuttles to dock for charging, extending their mission duration from 7 to 30 days.

Rymdskytteln fördröjd (Space Shuttle Delayed)

The launch of the US space shuttle "Columbia" has been postponed to June 1980 due to issues with its main engine during testing. A hydrogen pipeline rupture caused an overly oxygen-rich combustion, damaging the engine. The problem was traced to the use of incorrect welding wire.

Roligt att veta (Fun to Know)

• Rescue Boats for Astronauts: Despite numerous space missions since 1961, plans for rescuing stranded astronauts remain largely conceptual. Sending rescue vessels from Earth is deemed too difficult and costly. The focus is shifting to developing "on-board rescue boats."
• Atmospheric Pressure Drop: A large meteor impact on a spacecraft could cause a sudden drop in atmospheric pressure, posing a fatal risk to astronauts before any rescue could arrive.
• Moon Missions: Assisting astronauts on a mission to the Moon, or those already there, is currently beyond the capabilities of rescue systems.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena with a critical yet open-minded perspective. While acknowledging numerous eyewitness reports and the public's fascination with the topic, the editorial stance often leans towards rational explanations, attributing many sightings to misidentified natural phenomena, satellites, or hoaxes. There is a clear interest in scientific advancements, particularly in space exploration, astronomy, and the potential for life beyond Earth. The magazine also touches upon historical events and scientific theories, providing a broad overview of topics related to space and the unexplained. The editorial team emphasizes that the magazine's work is voluntary and that the focus is on the content rather than the production quality.

This issue of FAETON, identified as issue II from the TAURINA series and dated 1980, delves into speculative theories about ancient celestial bodies, personal encounters with unexplained phenomena, and the ongoing efforts of UFO-Sverige to educate the public about UFOs.

The Fate of Faeton

The lead article explores the hypothetical planet Faeton, which is proposed to have existed between Mars and Jupiter approximately 75 million years ago. According to Soviet scientists, Faeton was an ancient planet, about 1.5 times older than Earth, and may have harbored organic life and a highly developed civilization, evidenced by findings in meteorites. The prevailing theory suggests that Faeton was gradually pulled closer to Jupiter until it reached a point where the gravitational forces of the sun and Jupiter were equal, causing it to be torn apart. This catastrophic event is compared to the future fate of Earth's Moon, which is predicted to be similarly destroyed in about 100,000 years, potentially forming rings similar to those observed around Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Fragments of Faeton are believed to have become moons of Saturn and Uranus, with one significant piece forming the planet Pluto. The article questions whether future generations of astronauts might visit Pluto to search for traces of Faeton's civilization, noting the immense travel time involved—a journey to Pluto is estimated to take 6,000 million kilometers, compared to a four-month trip to Venus.

Mysterious Lights and Omens

Another section recounts personal anecdotes related to mysterious light phenomena that allegedly preceded deaths. One story describes how a father saw a mysterious light near a ditch, which vanished upon approach. The following morning, they learned that a sick woman in their household had died. Another account details three light points observed under a table in a neighboring farm, which also disappeared, and was interpreted by some as a sign from the deceased. The article highlights that no natural explanation has ever been found for these light phenomena associated with deaths.

A separate narrative recounts an experience from the late 1940s where two brothers witnessed a strange, cloaked figure walking behind a young woman named Elsa. The figure then transformed into a bright light that hovered above her before vanishing. The brothers were left stunned by this inexplicable event.

UFO-Sverige's Outreach Efforts

The magazine announces a significant development for UFO-Sverige: Niels Nielsen, the district chief for Dalarna, will dedicate himself full-time to promoting UFO-Sverige's goals to the public. Nielsen is scheduled to travel across Sweden for 300 days a year, giving lectures and engaging with communities. The organization seeks support from interested individuals to help with logistics such as finding venues, distributing posters, and arranging talks in schools and educational institutions. To sustain this extensive outreach, an entrance fee will be charged for lectures, with previous events having been free or costing around three kronor. The article also promotes the organization's new 'Handlingsprogram' (Action Program), a 50-page booklet providing background information on UFOs, methods for interviewing witnesses, and conducting site investigations, available for 30 Swedish kronor.

Upcoming Information Program

A detailed announcement is made for a large information program organized by Riksorganisationen UFO-SVERIGE in collaboration with the Enköpings UFO-förening. This event is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 1980, at 14:00 at Sandbroskolan in Enköping. The program includes presentations by notable figures such as Director Gösta Carlsson (Pollenkungen) on his encounter with "space beings," Professor Jens Tellefsen on "Physics and UFO-login," Engineer Henry Svensson on "UFO-logic and Democracy," and space journalist Eugen Semitjov on "The Future in Space." The event will also feature a film screening and a debate panel. Tickets cost 25 Swedish kronor, with options for advance purchase via postal giro.

How a Spacesuit Works

A visually detailed article explains the function of a spacesuit, emphasizing that the astronaut's life depends on all its systems being operational. It outlines the various components, including the oxygen supply system, reserve oxygen, visor, backpack control box, communication and cooling systems, and the suit's meteor and heat resistance. The article highlights the suit's weight (over 82 kg) and the limitations it imposes on movement, especially near the ground. It also details the cooling system, which uses small, water-filled plastic tubes to prevent the astronaut from overheating, and mentions the urine collection bag and radiation meter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of the unknown, the scientific, and the personal. It presents speculative scientific theories about celestial bodies and ancient civilizations alongside anecdotal accounts of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs and related mysteries, with a strong emphasis on public education and awareness through organizations like UFO-Sverige. The magazine promotes a proactive approach to understanding and investigating UFOs, encouraging reader participation and support for these efforts.