UFO-Nytt - 1977 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: UFONYTT
Issue: 3-77
Date: March 1, 1977
Publisher: Ludvika UFO Förening and Bärke UFO Förening
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFONYTT, the member magazine for Ludvika and Bärke UFO associations, focuses on recent sightings and historical UFO cases, alongside discussions on scientific theories and research.

Key Articles and Reports

Smedjebacken Sighting (March 1, 1977)

The issue prominently features a detailed account of a UFO sighting in Smedjebacken, Sweden, on March 1, 1977. Two primary reports are presented. The first, from Thor-Leif Andersson, describes a white object approaching from over a rooftop at an estimated altitude of 100-130 meters and a distance of 200-250 meters. The object displayed multi-colored lights (green, white, yellow, blue, red) and moved towards Smedjebacken before disappearing. The observation lasted approximately one minute.

The second report comes from two anonymous women who witnessed a similar phenomenon near Uvberget. They heard a low, airplane-like sound and saw two yellow lights with a rotating red light in the center. They described the object as round, very bright, and descending behind trees, leading them to believe it was landing. They estimated its size at about 30 meters in diameter and noted it was moving slowly. The sky was clear with temperatures around minus 2 degrees Celsius. They also mentioned that other people saw the same object, but the UFO associations had not yet made contact with them.

The Socorro Case (April 24, 1964)

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the Socorro, New Mexico incident on April 24, 1964, based on research by Ray Stanford. The report details police officer Lonnie Zamora's encounter with a metallic, egg-shaped object. Zamora, while on patrol, noticed a fast-moving object and a loud, high-pitched sound. He followed the object, which landed in a ravine. He observed two figures in white overalls near the object. The object then ascended rapidly with a deafening roar and blue flames, leaving behind four deep impressions in the ground arranged in a square. The report mentions that the sand at the landing site was radioactive and that physical evidence, including small metal fragments, was collected and analyzed, suggesting a non-natural origin.

The article also touches upon the official investigation, including the involvement of FBI agents and military personnel who reportedly tried to silence Zamora and downplay the humanoid aspect of the sighting. The symbol seen on the object's side was also a point of interest, with suggestions that it was deliberately concealed.

Historical Context and Terminology

The magazine delves into the history of the term "flying saucer," tracing it back to Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting of disc-shaped objects near Mount Rainier, Washington. Arnold described their movement as similar to saucers skipping on water. The article notes that despite millions of reported sightings worldwide, understanding of these phenomena has not significantly advanced. It also discusses the shift in terminology from "flying saucer" to "UFO" (Unidentified Flying Objects) and the broader implications, including potential physical and psychological explanations.

Other Sightings and Phenomena

• Kramfors, Sweden (September 17, 1977): A yellow-green fireball was observed moving erratically before changing color and disappearing.
• Siljansnäs, Sweden (September 21, 1977): A bright, moon-like object was seen rising and moving across the sky.
• Bermuda Triangle: The article discusses the mysterious disappearances of ships and aircraft in the Bermuda Triangle, referencing the disappearance of Joshua Slocum and his boat "Spray" in 1909. It mentions strange lights and electromagnetic effects reported by pilots and sailors in the area, suggesting a possible connection to Atlantean technology.

Scientific Research and Theories

A team of three French scientists (Dr. Maurice Viton, Prof. Claude Poher, and Dr. Jean-Pierre Petit) claim to have solved the mystery of UFO propulsion. They have developed a laboratory model of a UFO craft that utilizes electromagnetism and nuclear energy, describing it as a controlled version of a hydrogen bomb. They believe they can build a functional UFO within 8-10 years, capable of inter-system travel.

The magazine also lists books available from the Ludvika and Bärke UFO associations, including works by Erich von Däniken and Eugen Semitjov, and provides contact information for various UFO groups and organizations in Sweden and internationally.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance is one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting witness testimonies and research findings without immediate dismissal. It highlights the persistence of these reports over decades and acknowledges the scientific challenges and official reluctance to investigate thoroughly. The editorial team encourages member contributions and aims to keep its readership informed about UFO-related events and research, both domestically and internationally. There is a clear interest in detailed case studies, physical evidence, and potential scientific explanations for the observed phenomena.

This issue, identified by the number 11, delves into the persistent mysteries surrounding the Bermuda Triangle and unexplained disappearances. The cover story, "Flight 19," recounts the famous incident where five US Navy planes vanished during a training flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in December 1945. The planes lost navigation, their compasses failed, and they were never seen again. The article notes that a search plane sent to find them also disappeared.

Unexplained Disappearances

The magazine presents a list of various unexplained disappearances, stating that a record of vessels vanishing without a trace could be practically endless. It highlights the disappearance of a 20,000-ton cargo ship in March 1973 with its 32-person crew as the largest such incident. On average, one pleasure boat disappears each month. The historical case of the 1840 French ship "Rosalie," found sailing towards Havana with no crew or passengers—only a canary—is also mentioned, questioning whether it was piracy given the untouched cargo.

The Bermuda Triangle Under Investigation

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the "Polymode" expedition, a large-scale joint American-Soviet scientific endeavor involving nine Soviet research vessels. This expedition aims to investigate the "mysterious currents" or "vortices" within the Bermuda Triangle, an area notorious for disappearances. According to the official Soviet news agency TASS, the work began in June. These vortices are described by TASS as similar to atmospheric cyclones and are found in the region between Bermuda, Florida, and Puerto Rico. The TASS statement indicated that the research would focus on calculating the interactions between the sea and the atmosphere. Notably, Soviet scientists have dismissed theories of "mystical conditions" in the area as Western press fantasies.

Personal Accounts and Observations

The text includes a brief, anecdotal account of a strange light and a dark shape observed in the dark surroundings. This phenomenon caused a compass to stop working, but after the object disappeared, the compass resumed normal function, and a boat was able to proceed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently focuses on unexplained phenomena, particularly maritime and aerial disappearances. It presents factual accounts of incidents and the scientific efforts to understand them, while also acknowledging the speculative nature of some theories. The editorial stance appears to favor scientific investigation, as evidenced by the coverage of the "Polymode" expedition and the dismissal of "mystical" explanations by Soviet scientists.