UFO-Nytt - 1982 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO NYTT
Issue: 1
Volume: 1982
Date: 1982
Publisher: Västerbergslagens UFO-förening
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of "Västerbergslagens UFO NYTT" is a magazine for members of the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, published quarterly. This particular issue, number 1 of 1982, contains a variety of articles, including translations from "FSR=Flying Saucer Review" and "UFO-Report," a piece on the conclusion of the "Dolomiterfallet" (Dolomites Case), and an article by Gösta Linderholm about filming a flying object. A notable article titled "UFO-jättebluff" (UFO giant bluff) is presented, featuring the views of Ing. Henry Svensson, described as a veteran in the UFO field.

The magazine also reports on the organization's annual meeting, introducing the new board and presenting the activity report for 1981, along with plans for 1982. While local events are scarce, an interesting article discusses a person who spoke about UFOs in Avesta, with responses from UFO-Sverige noted.

Articles and Content

The Origin of Life: Panspermia Theory

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the theory of panspermia, exploring the idea that life originated in space. The article references Nobel laureate Sir Francis Crick, who believes life's "seeds" arrived on Earth via a spacecraft. It also details the work of astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle and Professor of Mathematics Chandra Wickramasinghe from the University of Cardiff. They propose that life did not originate on Earth but rather in interstellar clouds, where bacteria and other microorganisms formed and were later transported to planets.

Hoyle and Wickramasinghe's hypothesis suggests that interstellar dust grains, composed of graphite and ice, might actually be remnants of bacteria. They further theorize that organic molecules, including alcohol and formaldehyde, found in space, could be precursors to life. Their book, "Evolution from Space," is highlighted. The theory posits that life's building blocks, such as genes for chlorophyll and hemoglobin, may not have had enough time to evolve on Earth alone, suggesting continuous input from space.

This perspective challenges traditional evolutionary models, with some biologists arguing that Hoyle and Wickramasinghe misunderstand Darwinian evolution. However, the idea of "directed panspermia," where life was intentionally sent to Earth by advanced extraterrestrial civilizations, is also discussed, referencing Crick's belief that such civilizations could have sent microorganisms in spacecraft.

UFO Sightings and Incidents

Several UFO sightings and incidents are documented:

• January 21, 1976: A train-like object with circular lights was observed near Lidköping by a bus driver and 20 passengers. Later that evening, a disc-shaped craft landed outside Nobel Industries in Gyttorp.
• March 2, 1976: A large, arrow-shaped craft with a visible light was seen flying from the northeast towards Skövde. The event caused a significant stir, with a local newspaper covering it extensively.
• March 13, 1976: In Skövde, a young woman reported seeing a disc-shaped craft, described as having a clear underside and sharp edges, hovering silently. The encounter reportedly caused her extreme fear and distress.
• 1946 "Spökbomberna" (Ghost Bombs): The issue includes images and references to newspaper articles about the "Ghost Bombs" phenomenon over Sweden in 1946, indicating a historical interest in unexplained aerial phenomena.

Ufologi and Ing. Henry Svensson's Presentation

Ing. Henry Svensson, described as a veteran in the UFO field, gave a presentation at Lundby Gymnasium in Gothenburg to an audience of approximately 500 people. His talk, titled "UFO-jättebluff," likely challenged common perceptions of UFOs. The magazine provides excerpts from his speech, highlighting his extensive experience interviewing people and reviewing UFO reports.

UFO-Sverige and Media Coverage

The magazine features an interview with Christer Nordin, chairman of "Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige" (The National Organization UFO-Sweden). He explains that the organization was founded in the early 1970s to address the UFO issue more concretely and to provide support to individuals who have had experiences. UFO-Sverige has 22 local chapters and approximately 3,000 active members.

An analysis of how UFO topics are treated in the Swedish press is also included. A study by students from the Journalism School examined articles in "Dagens Nyheter," "Göteborgs Tidningen," and "Året Runt." The findings suggest that UFO topics are generally treated seriously, with irony being less common, especially in "Året Runt." "Dagens Nyheter" reportedly contained the most ironic commentary. The study also noted that 70% of reported observations were made by men.

Editorial and Contact Information

The editorial team for this issue included Bernt Berglund, Gudrun Andersson, Eivor Johansson, Per-Elis Schröder, and Ing-Marie Strömberg. Contact information for the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening is provided, including their postal address in Ludvika and telephone number.

Book Reviews and Advertisements

The magazine includes advertisements for several books related to UFOs and astronomy, such as "UFO - Fakta och spekulationer" by Jean-Claude Bourret, "Universum - den stora gåtan" by Jean-Claude Pasquiez, and "Kosmos" by Carl Sagan. Books like "Astronomi" and "Raketer, Robotar, Rymdskepp" (Rockets, Robots, Spaceships) are also featured.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the scientific exploration of extraterrestrial life and the origins of life (panspermia), alongside the documentation and discussion of UFO sightings, particularly within Sweden. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, providing a platform for members to share information and experiences, and engaging with scientific theories that challenge conventional understanding. The organization aims to influence public opinion, authorities, and the media regarding the reality of UFOs.

This issue of "Ufologin" (published by SRT, likely in late 1982 based on article dates) delves into the world of UFO research, with a strong focus on the Swedish archive "Arkivet för UFO-forskning" (AFU). The magazine presents a blend of personal accounts, research initiatives, and astronomical observations, reflecting the diverse interests within the UFO community.

AFU: An Information Problem Archive for UFO Research

The lead article, "Ufologin alltmer ett informationsproblem - arkivet för UFO-forskning kan hjälpa dig som vill forska," highlights the crucial role of the AFU. It explains that AFU engages in various projects, including bibliographic compilations, indexing, and statistical analyses. Interesting material is published as special editions, such as Kjell Jonsson's "Svenska UFO-bibliografi 1946 - 1975." The archive began in 1973 due to the difficulty UFO enthusiasts faced in keeping up with the vast amount of published material. It started as a lending library, pooling collections from several UFO researchers. Since 1979, AFU has been a foundation and renamed "Arkivet för UFO-forskning." The library has grown to approximately 60 shelf meters of literature, housed in Norrköping. Loans are available via mail order for Swedish residents, with a requirement for a yearly contribution of 150 SEK. The article notes that while AFU has a dedicated user base, it has struggled to gain widespread support from the broader Swedish UFO community. AFU's focus is described as specialized and critical, avoiding sensationalism and aiming for a high intellectual standard. They review a selection of books, emphasizing quality and providing guidance on what is worth reading. The archive also increasingly looks internationally, with its newsletter now published half in English. AFU collaborates with researchers in the USA and has digitized much of the Swedish UFO literature into a database.

Personal Accounts and Sightings

The Linderholm Film

A prominent feature is the story of musician Gösta Linderholm and his wife Lena, who claim to have filmed a "flying saucer." The film was taken during a trip in West Germany and shows an unidentified object. Gösta Linderholm is convinced it's a flying saucer, and several UFO experts who have viewed the film agree it's an "unidentified flying object." The film is unique because Lena Linderholm did not see the object through the camera at the time of filming, suggesting modern film sensitivity might capture things invisible to the naked eye. The film is being further examined by UFO experts.

Other Sightings

The magazine also reports on other alleged sightings:

• Hasjön, Sweden (Monday evening): Rudolf Andersson reported seeing a strange light phenomenon, about twice the size of a bright star, moving southwards, hovering, and sometimes standing still. The light was yellow, sometimes shifting to orange.
• Falun, Sweden (Tuesday evening): A mysterious light phenomenon, brighter than a star and changing colors (red, yellow, orange), was observed descending slowly towards the horizon.

Alve Holmqvist's Views

Alve Holmqvist, founder of the Malmö Interplanetary Society, presented a lecture titled "Flying Saucers - Fantasy or Reality?" He firmly believes that flying saucers are real and that visitors come from Mars and Venus. He cited George Adamski as a source, mentioning Adamski's alleged trips to Saturn and his interactions with extraterrestrials. Holmqvist also discussed theories about the human brain and its limits in space travel, linking it to magnetic fields and citing alleged incidents of Russian cosmonauts experiencing brain explosions. He also spoke about his own UFO encounter in Skabersjö and a "dancing table" experience.

Astronomical Discoveries

Pulsars and Planets

An article titled "En pulsar med planeter" (A Pulsar with Planets) discusses the astronomical discovery of a pulsar, PSR0329 +54, that appears to be orbited by a planet. This discovery supports the theory that planets can exist around stars other than our sun. The planet is estimated to be about half the size of Mars and has an orbital period of over three years. Astronomers do not expect life on this planet due to the violent nature of pulsar formation.

The Great Void

Another astronomical piece, "Stort hål i stjärnhimlen förbryllar astronomer" (A Large Hole in the Starry Sky Puzzles Astronomers), reports on the discovery of a vast empty region in space, approximately 300 million light-years across, located in the direction of the constellation Bootes. This void contains virtually no galaxies, which is surprising even though galaxies are known to be unevenly distributed in the universe. This discovery is contrasted with the dense galaxy cluster in Virgo.

Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Ufologin reflects a community deeply interested in UFO phenomena, ranging from archival research and cataloging to personal sightings and speculative theories. The AFU represents a serious, research-oriented approach, aiming to provide a comprehensive resource for those studying UFOs. The inclusion of personal accounts, like the Linderholm film, and the more controversial claims of figures like Alve Holmqvist, show the spectrum of beliefs and interests within ufology. The astronomical articles provide a scientific counterpoint, exploring the universe and its mysteries from a different perspective. The magazine appears to be a platform for sharing information, fostering discussion, and documenting the ongoing investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena, while also acknowledging the scientific exploration of space.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of documentation and research, particularly through the AFU archive. There's a clear distinction made between rigorous, evidence-based UFO investigation and more speculative or sensational claims, as seen in the critique of Alve Holmqvist's views. The editorial stance seems to favor a serious, albeit open-minded, approach to UFO research, encouraging critical thinking and the pursuit of verifiable information. The inclusion of both UFO-related content and general science articles like those on pulsars and cosmic voids suggests an interest in broader scientific and technological advancements, placing UFO phenomena within a larger context of human inquiry into the unknown.