UFO-Nytt - 1978 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NYTT
Issue: 4-78
Date: October 23, 1978
Publisher: Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, Ludvika, Sweden
Content: This issue of the member magazine for Västerbergslagens UFO-förening covers a range of UFO-related topics, including sightings, investigations, and related phenomena.

Editorial and Association News

The editorial section begins with a "HEJ" (Hello) from the editors, reflecting on the past year since the merger of Ludvika and Bärke UFO associations and the formation of Västerbergslagens UFO-förening. They note the association's efforts, including a UFO film and the magazine itself, but emphasize the need for more members, even passive ones, to strengthen the organization. A recent crisis with the UFO-Sverige leadership is mentioned, with hopes for resolution after a planning conference in Björsjö. The editors also remind members of the upcoming annual meeting on January 26th at 7 PM in Söderbärke and wish readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New UFO Year.

"UFO - NYTT" is identified as the member magazine for Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, published four times a year. Subscription and membership fees for 1978 are listed as 20 SEK for a full year and 10 SEK for those under 16. Contact information for the association in Ludvika is provided, including a postal box, telephone numbers, and a local meeting place at Tre Krokarsg. 13, open every Monday from 4 PM to 6 PM.

UFO-Related Incidents and Reports

Veteran Pilot Sights "Disk" in Daylight:

This article details a sighting by veteran pilot Floyd Hallstrom on January 1, 1978, near Santa Monica, California. While flying a Cessna 70A, Hallstrom observed a disk-shaped object at approximately 7500 feet altitude. He initially mistook it for another plane but soon realized it was something else. The object lacked wings, horizontal tail planes, or vertical fins, leading him to consider it a helicopter. However, its high speed (estimated at 650 miles/hour) and its appearance – a round, disk-like shape with a dome and evenly spaced windows – were unlike any known aircraft. Hallstrom described the object's metallic surface as resembling polished nickel or chrome. The report includes a sketch of the object and notes that it was investigated by MUFON and Lt. Col. Robert F. Bowker.

"Flying Saucer" Crashed in Siberia:

This report revisits the 'Tunguska mystery' of 1908, proposing that a 'flying saucer' or an extraterrestrial probe exploded over Siberia, causing immense destruction, radiation, and forest fires. The theory is supported by astronomer Felix Zigel, whose findings were published by the Tass news agency. Zigel's analysis of the object's flight path and the unusual elements found (zinc, bromine, sodium, lead) suggest an artificial origin. Recent expeditions have also found insect and plant mutations, hinting at a 'biophysical' transformation.

"Flying Saucer" Was Just a Rocket:

This article from Lund, Sweden, debunks a UFO sighting. Police in Lund reported that a mysterious red, glowing object seen on a Saturday night was actually a rocket launched earlier that evening. The initial report came from a couple who saw the light, and police officers also observed it before it disappeared. The explanation was confirmed by a woman who called the police, stating the light came from a rocket they had launched.

Space Debris: Two Collisions Already in Orbit:

This piece discusses the growing problem of space debris. It highlights two incidents: a plastic balloon colliding with a rocket casing in 1965, and a solar cell on the European satellite Geos 2 being damaged in 1978. Experts had previously considered such collisions unlikely, but these events suggest otherwise. Calculations indicate that at the current rate of space traffic, collisions could occur every hundred years, but the number of trackable objects is increasing rapidly, with 510 new objects added annually since 1975. By the 1990s, the first collisions are predicted to be unavoidable, and by 2020, a dozen are expected. The article warns that if this debris is not managed, it could form a ring around Earth, similar to Saturn's rings.

Fantastic Experience in Torshälla! Light Phenomenon Observed:

This report details an unusual event witnessed by an 11-year-old boy in Torshälla, Sweden. He observed multiple points of light moving under the water, which then shot away. One light remained, and upon closer inspection, it appeared as a glowing sphere, about the size of a football, that rose slightly from the water. The boy and later his father, along with three other children, witnessed the object. The father, who wished to remain anonymous, described the light as blindingly bright and the object as moving towards the harbor.

Night Mutilations in the Southwest:

This extensive article investigates a series of mysterious cattle mutilations occurring in the southwestern United States, particularly in Colorado and New Mexico. Ranchers report that animals are killed silently at night, with specific body parts (tongues, eyes, ears, genitals, anus) removed with extreme precision, sometimes described as laser surgery. The mutilations are often found with no tracks, except for peculiar round imprints and large trampling marks. The phenomenon has been occurring for years, with over 100 animals killed in Colorado and 50 in New Mexico by July 1978. The article notes that scavengers avoid the mutilated carcasses. Strange lights, including orange and blue lights, have been observed during these events, along with low-flying, unmarked helicopters. The report mentions the "ZYTO" cult as a possible explanation, linking it to satanic rituals and animal sacrifice. The article includes a map showing the affected areas in New Mexico and Colorado.

UFO Planning Conference

UFO Association Plans for Broader Information:

This article reports on a planning conference held at Björsjö Skogshem, attended by about 30 participants from across central Sweden, organized by Riksorganisationen UFO. The conference, led by UFO-Sverige chairman Thorvald Berthelsen, aimed to plan and discuss various issues, including the national meeting, education, finances, the UFO-information magazine, and report follow-up. A press and information group was also discussed. The participants also viewed a UFO film produced by Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, which is used for discussions and information at schools. Future plans include "telephone planning" with UFO associations in northern and southern Sweden due to the economic difficulty of sending delegates.

Mockfjärd Meeting on Extraterrestrial Beings

Mockfjärd's youth UFO group organized an informational meeting where members discussed UFOs and extraterrestrial beings. The group showed a film and provided information about their activities. The article includes a photo of Juan Manzanares with three other members of the Mockfjärd group.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, unexplained aerial events, and related mysteries. There is a strong emphasis on reporting sightings, investigations, and potential explanations, ranging from conventional (rockets, space debris) to the more speculative (extraterrestrial probes, cult activities). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, encouraging member participation and information sharing. The association's goals highlight a desire to prove the existence of UFOs, educate the public, and advocate for scientific study.

This issue of Dagens Nyheter, dated October 25, 1978, focuses heavily on the phenomenon of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and related events. The cover story details the mysterious disappearance of Australian pilot Frederick Valentich, who reported a UFO before losing contact. The magazine also features reports from Sweden, including an unexplained light observed over Nacka and a sighting in Leksand. Additionally, it includes historical accounts of UFO sightings from the 19th century and explores scientific perspectives on extraterrestrial contact and the origin of influenza.

Pilot Kidnapped by Flying Saucer?

The lead story reports on the disappearance of 20-year-old pilot Frederick Valentich in Australia. Valentich reported seeing a long, flying object with white and green lights that seemed to be 'playing a game' before his radio contact was lost. Despite extensive searches, no trace of him or his Cessna aircraft has been found. Aviation authorities suggested Valentich might have lost his bearings in the dark, but his last radio transmission indicated a large object with 'four strong lights' passing above him. He described the object as stationary while he circled it, noting its green light and metallic sheen. His engine then began to stall, and he lost contact.

Unexplained Light Over Nacka

Another significant report details a powerful, unexplained light observed over Nacka, south of Stockholm, on a Thursday night. Neither airports nor weather observers could provide an explanation. While weather phenomena like lightning reflecting off clouds were considered, the clear sky ruled this out. A weather balloon released from Bromma was also deemed too slow to be the cause. The light was observed for a couple of hours by multiple witnesses, including police officers. Authorities were hesitant to use terms like 'flying saucer' or 'UFO'.

Scientific Perspectives on UFOs and Contact

The magazine presents various viewpoints on UFOs and potential extraterrestrial contact. A letter from Herr Schelin suggests that prominent people who see UFOs are not 'fools'. Professor Adamski is cited for his explanations of how UFOs maneuver and their 'resonant field' that can cause them to appear to disappear by bending light. The article mentions that many valuable UFO observations have been made at close range, with good photographic evidence. C.A. Honey vouches for Adamski's credibility, stating he took clear photographs and received written testimonies from witnesses.

Dr. Leopold Diaz, an academician from Mexico, recounts an encounter with a man who claimed to be from another planet. This individual described the evolution of the human race, the imminent end of Earth, and the use of electricity in the atmosphere for power by extraterrestrials. He also claimed that 12 planets exist in our solar system, not nine, and that aliens are already among us, trying to guide humanity away from destruction. Diaz has reportedly shared this message with members of the UN UFO committee, including Sir Eric Gairy, Prime Minister of Grenada.

Scientists in Washington are reportedly urging Congress to prepare for contact with extraterrestrial beings, viewing it as an inevitable event. Dr. Richard Berendzen and others propose a 'signal intelligence program' with an annual budget of $50 million to detect radio or electromagnetic signals from outer space. While intergalactic travel or 'flying saucer' landings are considered unlikely in the near future, the possibility of contact is seen as a natural chapter in human history. Dr. Phillip Morrison notes that while advanced civilizations might be sparsely distributed, they could exist in many places, and current technology is limited in its ability to detect them. New data technology, however, could enable receivers to scan millions of wavelengths simultaneously.

Influenza from Space?

A scientific article by Harry Bökstedt discusses the controversial theory proposed by astronomers Fred Hoyle and Chandra Wickramasinghe. They suggest that the 'Russian' influenza that affected western England and Wales originated from space, possibly carried by meteor particles. They argue that the pattern of illness, with cases occurring simultaneously in isolated shepherds and nearby towns, suggests a source other than individual-to-individual transmission. They propose that influenza viruses, like other life forms, can originate in space. This theory is presented alongside the conventional scientific understanding of influenza virus mutation and spread.

Historical UFO Sightings (Miscellanea)

A section titled 'Miscellanea' lists numerous UFO sightings from as far back as 1845. These entries describe various phenomena, including fiery discs, luminous objects, flying discs emitting gel, spherical craft, and objects described as 'stars' or 'dark bodies'. Locations mentioned include Italy, China, USA, Scotland, Switzerland, England, France, and Sweden. Some reports detail specific characteristics like size, color, movement patterns, and sounds.

Swedish Satellite Project

Separately, the issue mentions that Sweden and France have agreed on Swedish participation in the French satellite project 'Spot', scheduled for launch in 1983. Sweden will invest 30 million Swedish kronor in the project, which aims to launch a remote sensing satellite to collect data for creating images of the Earth's surface. These images will be received at the Esrange space base in Kiruna and can be used for inventories in agriculture, forestry, environmental protection, and natural resources.

Mysterious Object Over Smedjebacken

A brief report from Smedjebacken describes a mysterious, strong, orange-colored light witnessed by a 12-year-old boy. The object, described as a beam with smaller beams beside it, moved rapidly, stopped, turned red, and then disappeared, leaving smoke. The boy initially thought it was a helicopter crash but noted the absence of sound. He expressed interest in UFO phenomena after this experience.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and the scientific and public response to these events. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from eyewitness accounts and enthusiast beliefs to scientific explanations and skepticism. There is a clear interest in exploring the possibility of extraterrestrial life and contact, with some articles leaning towards the acceptance of UFOs as alien craft, while others offer more conventional explanations or focus on the scientific pursuit of detecting extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various claims and theories without definitively endorsing one over the others, though the 'UFO-experten är övertygad' (UFO expert is convinced) headline on the final page suggests a leaning towards the reality of UFOs as alien visitors.