UFO-Nytt - 1980 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO NYTT
Issue: nr-2 80
Date: 1980
Publisher: Västerbergslagens UFO-förening

This issue of Västerbergslagens UFO Nytt, published in 1980, is a magazine for members of the UFO association, appearing four times a year. The cover prominently features the word "NYTT" (News) and the association's name and contact details.

From the Editors

The editorial section, "FRÅN REDAKTIONEN," expresses that the second issue of UFO-NYTT for 1980 did not turn out as planned. They had advertised for translators but received no applications. Similarly, they sought individuals who had witnessed significant events to write about them, but again, no one came forward. They also inquired about more witnesses to an event in Smedjebacken without success. The editors speculate that many people may be afraid to engage with the topics they cover, despite them being everyday matters. They announce another attempt to recruit contributors. A member received a gift of old Science Fiction magazines, "HÄPNA" (1959-64) and "Galaxy" (1959), and some content from these will be included in the next issue. The responsible publishers are listed as Conny Persson and Seija Niittula, with editors Bernt Berglund, Tommy Palo, and Berith Manzanares. Membership for 1980 is 30 kronor, with a reduced rate of 20 kronor for those under 16. The address is Box 71771, 01 Ludvika, and the local office is at Tre Krokars Gata 13, Ludvika. The office is closed during the summer, and all work for UFO-NYTT is voluntary and unpaid.

Is There Life on Other Planets?

The article "DET FINNS LIV PA ANDRA SOLARS PLANETER" (There is life on other planets) explores the vastness of the universe and the probability of extraterrestrial life. It begins by discussing the Andromeda galaxy, located 2.2 million light-years away, highlighting the immense distances involved. The article notes that our own galaxy, the Milky Way, is a spiral galaxy similar to Andromeda but half its size. The Sun is described as an average star, and the Milky Way contains about 200 billion stars. The authors estimate that within the Milky Way alone, there could be 10 billion planets suitable for life. Therefore, it is considered highly probable that intelligent life exists elsewhere. However, reaching these planets presents significant challenges. Even the nearest stars are light-years away, making interstellar travel with current technology impractical, with round trips taking thousands of years. The article touches upon the theoretical possibility of faster-than-light travel but dismisses it based on current understanding of physics, citing paradoxes like causality violation. It also briefly mentions the Big Bang theory as the origin of the universe.

The section "HAR DU SETT NÅGOT?????" (Have you seen anything?????) is a call to action for readers to report any interesting observations, articles, or information related to UFOs. The organization assures confidentiality and states that all contributions are valuable for their work and for the members' interest.

UFO Course Initiated in Mora

The article "UFO-kursen inledd" (UFO course initiated) reports on a UFO course starting in Mora. Five participants are gathering knowledge and discussing the possibilities of life on other planets, with all agreeing that life on other planets is highly probable. The course includes discussions on UFO reports, media and government attitudes towards the phenomenon, and astronomical questions. The course leader, Ragnar Birgersson, is a pilot with good knowledge of astronomy. He admits to not having personally seen a UFO.

Mysterious Phenomenon in Lofttjärn

"Mystiskt fenomen i Lofttjärn" describes an incident where a large flame was reported over a lake. Police and the fire department responded, but no explanation was found. The report came from a credible witness, a firefighter. The phenomenon was described as a ten-meter high flame. The only possible explanations considered were a meteor or satellite debris, but official sources like FOA could not confirm any aircraft involvement.

Himlafenomen i Äppelbo

"Himlafenomen i Äppelbo" recounts the experience of Fru Majlis Jansson, who witnessed a strange object while walking. She described it as a 1-meter long, grey-blue metallic cylinder that transformed into a ball and then disappeared. Her companion also saw a red object. The incident occurred around 3:30 PM. The witness is curious if anyone else saw the object.

Scientists Believe They Know How UFOs Fly!

"Vetenskapsmän tror sig veta hur UFO flyger!" (Scientists believe they know how UFOs fly!) discusses research by three French scientists: Dr. Mayrice Viton, Dr. Claude Poher, and Dr. Jean-Pierre Petit. They claim to have solved the mystery of UFO propulsion, enabling them to hover like helicopters and fly at supersonic speeds without sonic booms. Their theory involves a mini-hydrogen bomb-like principle, but controlled to generate immense thrust. This energy is used to heat gases, which are then expelled to create lift. The disc shape of UFOs is said to facilitate fast, quiet movement. The scientists have reportedly built a working model of a UFO motor, capable of speeds three times the speed of sound without sonic booms. Their findings have been published by the French Academy of Sciences, and they have lectured in the USA. The article highlights the scientists' backgrounds and their involvement in projects like Concorde and Skylab.

The Great Bang

This section, "Den stora skrällen," explains the Big Bang theory of the universe's origin. It posits that all matter was once compressed into a single point and then exploded, leading to the formation of galaxies and stars as the universe expanded. The universe is described as continuously expanding, with galaxies moving away from each other at increasing speeds.

UFOs in Åstorp - Worth a Million?

"UFO-bild i Åstorp kan vara värd milj." (UFO photo in Åstorp might be worth a million) is a call for information from anyone who saw and photographed a UFO in Åstorp in April. Mikael Nanne from UFO-Syd is seeking contact with the photographer, suggesting the photo could be significant. The article notes that in nine out of ten cases, UFO reports are explainable, but the possibility of genuine sightings remains. The organization has received many reports in April, indicating increased UFO activity.

Himlafenomen in Kölnäs - Now UFO-Noted!

"Himlafenomen i Kölnäs blir nu UFO-noterat!" reports on an unexplained aerial phenomenon over Kölnäs. The event, described as a fireball descending into the ground, could not be attributed to natural causes like satellites or aircraft. This designation comes from the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, which investigates such reports. The article mentions that many seemingly inexplicable events have simple explanations, such as airplanes or satellites, but their role is to verify these. The Kölnäs event remains unexplained. The meeting also included a screening of the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and a presentation of UFO photos from around the world.

Swedes Who Saw Flying Saucers...

"Svenskar som sett flygande tefat..." (Swedes who have seen flying saucers...) presents several accounts of UFO sightings in Sweden. Gösta Carlsson built a monument where he claimed a UFO landed in 1946. Stig Ekberg and Harry Sjöberg reported seeing a 15-meter diameter, triangular, glowing object land near Väddö in 1959. The object emitted a yellowish-red light and hovered before departing. Stig Ekberg found a warm, heavy metallic fragment at the landing site, which analysis could not identify beyond containing tungsten, carbon, calcium, and cobalt. Gunnel Nilsson reported seeing a blinding yellow light with red edges in Värmland in 1975, during which her car's engine stopped. The article notes that many people in Värmland reported strange aerial phenomena around the same time. It also mentions the "Tefatet" (The Saucer) in Vegeholmsskogen as a well-known UFO site in northern Skåne. The article notes an increase in UFO reports towards the end of the decade, with April being a particularly active month.

The "Flying Saucer" Fever of 1947

"Flygare startade tefatsfeber 1947" (Flyers started saucer fever in 1947) recounts the origin of the term "flying saucer." Pilot Kenneth Arnold reported seeing nine disc-like objects in 1947, describing their movement as similar to a saucer skipping over water. The article notes that UFOs have been described in various ways throughout history, from "fiery chariots" to "angels," with the term "flying saucer" emerging in the space age.

The Case of the Vanishing Pilot

"Flygkapten Zoerb flög vid sidan om det lilla sportplanet. Med häpnad i rösten meddelade han via radio: - Jag kan se in i kabinen. Det finns absolut ingen där..." (Flight Captain Zoerb flew alongside the small sport plane. With astonishment in his voice, he announced via radio: - I can see into the cabin. There is absolutely no one there...) details a perplexing incident involving a Cessna 441 Conquest aircraft. The plane, piloted by Lou Benscotter with passenger Robert Rein, deviated from its flight path, climbed to an unusually high altitude, and then disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean. Air traffic control lost contact, and fighter jets were scrambled. The pilot of a pursuing jet, Captain Daniel Zoerb, reported seeing the cabin was empty. The plane later reappeared, ascended from 13,000 meters, and then vanished into the Atlantic. Wreckage was found later, but no trace of the occupants. The article also references a similar, older case from 1968 involving a DC-3 where a passenger vanished from the toilet area, and the plane later crashed. The article explores possible explanations, including suicide or accidental ejection, but finds them unlikely given the circumstances and safety features of the DC-3.

Star Trek - Adventure in Space!

This section briefly introduces "Star Trek - FRAMTIDENS ÄVENTYR I RYMDEN!" (Star Trek - Adventure in the Future in Space!). It mentions the character Ilia, a navigator from the planet Delta, and the spaceship Enterprise. It highlights that the film had its premiere in Sweden and touches upon the concept of love and celibacy on the Enterprise.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, witness testimonies, and the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the existence of UFOs, often presenting anecdotal evidence and theories that support these beliefs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging reader participation and sharing of information. While acknowledging that many sightings can be explained, the magazine highlights unexplained cases as evidence of something extraordinary. The articles often blend factual reporting with speculative discussions, reflecting a commitment to exploring the UFO mystery from various angles, including scientific, historical, and personal accounts.

This issue of the magazine, identified as issue number 19 and likely from 1978, focuses on investigations into the Shroud of Turin and various UFO and paranormal phenomena. The cover story, "Jesu Svepning - Gatan som löstes efter 2000 år" (Jesus' Shroud - The Mystery Solved After 2000 Years), by Eva Louis, details the scientific efforts to understand the ancient linen cloth.

The Shroud of Turin Investigation

The article by Eva Louis describes the meticulous examination of the Shroud of Turin, beginning with photographic analysis and progressing to direct examination in 1969. A secret scientific group, including members from the church and scientific fields, was granted access to inspect the cloth. Over two days, they used microscopes and ultraviolet and infrared light to assess its condition. They recommended taking small samples for further, in-depth analysis.

Four years later, in 1973, four nuns expertly extracted seventeen small thread samples. Professor Gilbert Rae from the Textile Institute in Gent analyzed two larger samples, identifying the weave as 'herringbone twill,' a pattern known from textiles of Christ's era. He also discovered traces of cotton, specifically *Gossypium herbaceum*, characteristic of the Middle East, suggesting the cloth was woven there, as cotton was not common in Europe in the first century.

A significant part of the investigation focused on the 'bloodstains.' A chemical test for blood turned the suspected fibers bright blue, but the stains were only on the surface of the threads, not penetrating them, and the inner fibers were white. This led to suspicions that they were not actual blood. Further chemical tests yielded no results, and the substance remained unidentified, resembling modern dry copying.

An electro-microscope examination with up to 50,000x magnification also failed to identify the substance. The possibility of forgery was considered, but the unknown nature of the substance made it difficult to explain how it could have been faked.

In 1977, a conference in New Mexico brought together American researchers. Physicist Dr. John Jackson proposed that parts of the imprint might have been created without direct contact. He conducted experiments with a 'living model' whose dimensions matched the shroud's imprint, suggesting that parts of the image could have been formed from a distance of up to four centimeters.

The article also mentions the desire for more sample pieces, particularly from Dr. Walter McCrone, a micro-analyst from Chicago.

Public Viewing and New Leadership

The issue details a public viewing of the Shroud in Turin in 1978, coinciding with the 400th anniversary of its arrival. Archbishop Anastasio Ballestrero, who replaced the older Cardinal Pellegrino, facilitated this viewing. The shroud was displayed for 42 days, attracting 3,300,000 visitors. During this period, Pope John Paul I was elected but had a short reign. Following the public viewing, further scientific investigations were permitted.

UFO and Paranormal Encounters in Sweden

The magazine features several personal accounts of UFO and paranormal experiences, primarily from Sweden.

Gösta Carlsson's Encounter: Gösta Carlsson, known as 'Pollen King,' recounts an experience on the night of May 18, 1946, near Ängelholm. While out in nature, he was drawn by a bright light to a forest clearing where he saw a disc-shaped craft being repaired by several men and women. He initially mistook them for fleeing German soldiers but later realized they were extraterrestrial. He observed them working on the craft, noting the pulsating orange light and a ladder. He approached but was stopped by a male figure. He observed the beings, noting their human-like features and clothing, including a hood and cloak. He was given two mugs with lids and straws, smelling faintly of cinnamon. He found a large, burnt ring in the clearing and footprints with ribbed soles, size 42. He also found two mugs with lids and straws, smelling faintly of cinnamon. He was never afraid, as they carried no weapons. He left the scene but returned later, finding evidence of the landing site. He also experienced a vivid dream or telepathic communication where he was inside the spacecraft and conversed with a 'guard,' learning about an accident and three deceased crew members.

Folklore Encounters:

• 'Vittran' Encounter: Gabriella recounts a childhood experience in Norrland where she and other girls attempted to 'lure out' a 'vittran' (a folklore spirit) by making a smacking sound. They claim to have seen an old, hunched woman with a head covering and a bundle on her back emerge from behind a large stone and walk away. No one in the area recognized the description of such a woman.
• Vision from the Past: Gabriella also describes seeing a procession of black-clad nuns walking towards S:ta Klara Church in Stockholm, which she interprets as a vision from the past, possibly related to a former convent.
• Mysterious Knocking: LW recounts an experience as an air watchman during the war in Bergslagsskogen. While resting in a guard hut, he was awakened by persistent knocking on the wall, but found no one there when he investigated.
• Sailor's Story: A former sailor shares an experience of seeing a mysterious figure on deck at night, who then vanished. He was told by the ship's captain that this might be related to a past murder on board.

UFO Organization News

Thorvald Berthelsen's Resignation: The magazine reports that Thorvald Berthelsen, a dedicated leader of the Köping UFO-förening and UFO-Sverige for six years, has stepped down. He cited the demanding nature of the work and criticism directed at the organization. Ingvar Damm has taken over as the new chairman. The Köping branch will reduce its involvement in national UFO-Sverige activities, focusing on training and exhibitions.

Carl-Axel Jonzon's Departure: Carl-Axel Jonzon, founder and chairman of the national organization UFO-Sverige from 1970 to 1976, has also decided to leave the organization. His departure is linked to a motion at the national assembly questioning his voting rights concerning subscribers of the UFO-Information magazine.

Technical and Scientific Articles

Pioneer 11 at Saturn: An article details the achievements of the American probe Pioneer 11, which passed Saturn at high speed (114,240 km/h). It discovered three new rings and reported that the rings filter cosmic radiation and solar wind, and that the rings consist of ice and ammonia particles. The probe narrowly avoided a collision with an unknown object. Information was also gathered about Titan, Saturn's largest moon, indicating a frozen world with an atmosphere.

Superbubbla Threat: Another article discusses the discovery of a massive, glowing 'superbubble' in space, 2 million degrees hot and 1,200 light-years in diameter, located 6,000 light-years from Earth. Researchers believe it is formed by multiple supernova explosions. If it expands towards Earth, humanity might need to abandon the planet in a few thousand years.

UFO Observation Form

The issue includes a detailed 'Rapportformulär för U.F.O. Observation' (UFO Observation Report Form) for readers to submit their own sightings. It requests information such as name, address, date, time, location, duration, weather conditions, object characteristics (shape, color, speed, behavior), and personal opinions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features a blend of scientific investigation, personal testimonies of unexplained phenomena, and news from the UFO community. The editorial stance appears to be open to exploring various theories and experiences related to UFOs and the paranormal, encouraging reader participation through the observation form and letters. There is a clear interest in presenting both scientific analysis (like that of the Shroud of Turin) and anecdotal evidence, suggesting a belief that the unexplained warrants thorough investigation and documentation.