UFO-Nytt - 1983 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO NYTT
Issue Date: 1983
Publisher: Västerbergslagens UFO-förening
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of the Swedish UFO magazine "VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO NYTT" from 1983, published by the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, covers a range of topics related to UFOs, unexplained phenomena, and extraterrestrial life. The magazine is published four times a year and serves its members.

From the Editors

The editorial section announces that the final issue of the year will include translations from FSR (Flying Saucer Review), featuring articles such as "Habitable Planets in Our Galaxy," "The Case of the Missing General," and "The Little Oriental Space Man," as well as US investigations into unknown life in space. An article titled "Soon We Will Be Invaded by Underground Creatures" is highlighted as belonging to the "Unsolved Mysteries" category. Another piece, "A Drama from Reality: An Unknown Spaceship Has Landed," prompts readers to consider the line between fantasy and reality. The editors also mention a new magazine called "Det Okända" (The Unknown) and a local event from the past summer. A proposal for the UFO-förening's activities in 1984 will be presented at the annual meeting, and members are encouraged to participate. The annual meeting is scheduled for January 29, 1984, at Söderbärke Folkets Hus at 6:00 PM. The editorial team expresses gratitude for the past year and wishes readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Habitable Planets in Our Galaxy

This article reports on a study by two astronomers, Professor Helmut Abt and Saul Levy, from the Kitt Peak Observatory in Arizona. They suggest that the number of habitable planets in our galaxy might be significantly larger than previously believed. Their research indicates that stars considered "hot" can have planets orbiting them, contrary to the earlier belief that such stars rotated too fast to retain planets. A study of 123 "cold" stars in 1976 revealed that about 10% had celestial bodies too small to be other stars, likely planets. A more recent study of four systems with "hot" stars found that approximately 16% had satellites. Abt and Levy conclude that most stars have companions, and between 10% and 20% of these could be planets. Professor Abt estimates that out of the 100 billion stars in the Milky Way, 10 billion may have planets, but the proportion of these that are habitable remains unknown.

Soon We Will Be Invaded by Underground Creatures!

This feature article explores the intriguing possibility of intelligent underground civilizations. It begins by describing mysterious sounds and vibrations reported near Ayers Rock in Australia, which geologists and researchers have been unable to explain. The article then introduces the "Hollow Earth Society," a London-based organization led by Brinsley Le Poer Trench, who claims that the Earth is hollow and inhabited by beings far superior in intelligence to humans, preparing for an invasion. Trench's theory is based on popular science works from the 18th and 19th centuries, including the idea proposed by astronomer Dr. Edmund Halley in 1692 that a hollow void exists beneath the Earth's crust. The article traces the history of the Hollow Earth concept, mentioning mathematician Leonard Euler and adventurer John Cleves Symmes, who proposed expeditions into the Earth's interior. It references Marshall Gardner's "A Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1982) and William Reed's "The Phantom of the Pole" (1906) as influential texts. The "Hollow Earth Society" claims to have identified 60 alleged entrances to the Earth's interior, presenting what they consider "decisive proof" of the main entrance's location. Satellite images from the American weather satellite ESSA-3, taken on January 6, 1977, are presented as evidence of a giant hole at the North Pole, interpreted as the main entrance. The article addresses NASA's explanation that the images are not sequential and that the dark appearance of the North Pole in winter is due to darkness, not a hole. The text also mentions that most alleged entrances are located in the USA and South America, with fewer in Europe and Asia. It recounts a story of a miner in Staffordshire, England, who discovered a stone staircase leading underground after hearing strange noises. Another incident describes a large, black, disc-shaped cylinder found in a cave in the Tatra Mountains during World War II. Professor Albert De Laurier of Canada's observatory reported a mysterious, giant cylindrical object, about 32.5 kilometers long, beneath the Alert weather station on Ellesmere Island. The article details phenomena in southern Nevada and Utah in February 1974, including strange sounds resembling generators and a disembodied voice. Brinsley Le Poer Trench warns that these underground beings might be preparing an invasion due to human nuclear testing posing a threat to their world. He suggests that these beings are responsible for "flying saucers" and are monitoring human activities. The article concludes by noting that 5,000 believers in 39 countries support the "Hollow Earth Society."

Images Reveal the Entrance to Earth's Interior!

This section continues the theme of underground entrances, noting that while many are claimed to be in Britain, Australia, and Asia, Scandinavia has few reported. One alleged entrance in Finland is mentioned but not investigated due to a lack of local members in the English society. The article dismisses some 17th and 18th-century claims as less reliable due to their remote locations. A story from 1770 about a miner in England finding a stone staircase is presented as credible. The discovery of a large, black, disc-shaped cylinder in a cave in the Tatra Mountains during the Czech uprising against the Nazis is recounted. Professor Albert De Laurier's 1965 announcement of a massive cylindrical object under Canada's Alert weather station is also detailed. The article then shifts to phenomena in southern Nevada and Utah in February 1974, including reports of sounds resembling generators and a mysterious voice. Brinsley Le Poer Trench is quoted as believing that these underground beings are significantly more intelligent than humans and are responsible for "flying saucers" as they survey human activities, possibly due to the threat posed by nuclear testing. The article questions the existence of such an underground realm, noting that 5,000 believers worldwide support the "Hollow Earth Society."

Is a Russian Editor Suited for Work on the Space Elevator?

This short piece discusses a report from the Soviet newspaper "Sovietskaya Kultura" about the existence of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). It mentions a Soviet fighter pilot encountering a mysterious object two years prior. The newspaper emphasizes the need for scientists to collect and compare information on these phenomena. An example from 1981 describes a fighter jet encountering a "fireball" about 5 meters in diameter, with damage inconsistent with a "light ball." The article also reveals that the Soviet Union is planning long, unmanned space missions to search for signs of civilization on distant planets. The author expresses a sense of caution regarding the magazine's publisher, suggesting they might be looking for work on the space elevator.

The Case of the Missing General

This article discusses a report from the London evening newspaper "The Evening Standard" on August 19, 1982, concerning the alleged abduction of General William Westmoreland by a flying saucer. The report originated from Edith Mello, who claimed the general was taken. The police initiated a search, but after four hours, deemed the claim too fantastic and called off the search. The army later stated they had found the general but refused to disclose his location. The article questions the army's stance, given that UFOs are considered non-existent and those reporting them are often dismissed as eccentric. It draws a parallel to alleged UFO sightings by Ike Eisenhower near Edwards Air Force Base in 1954. A more detailed version of the story appeared in a London morning newspaper the following day, describing panic and the mobilization of 20,000 troops due to the report of the general's abduction by a flying saucer.

USA Increases Investigations into Unknown Life in Space

According to British press reports from late 1982, NASA has received increased funding from the US Congress for a significantly expanded radio search program aimed at finding unknown civilizations in the universe. With an annual budget of one million pounds, astronomers hope to scan eight million frequencies for signals of artificial origin. The search will focus on 773 stars within approximately 80 light-years, whose age and composition suggest the possibility of habitable planets. Giant telescopes controlled by NASA, located in California (USA), Australia, and Spain, will be linked to a special computer. The chosen radio frequencies are around the "water hole," a range where signals lose minimal strength during transmission, including frequencies for hydrogen and hydroxyl, which are components of water. This decision by Congress to support NASA's space research stems from discussions between Professor Carl Sagan and Senator William Proxmire, who was previously a strong opponent of searching for extraterrestrial life, viewing it as a waste of public funds. Sagan apparently convinced him of its importance and the potential risks of remaining ignorant about what exists in space.

Membership Fee 1984

This section details the membership fees for the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening for 1984: 40 Swedish kronor for regular members and 25 kronor for those under 16 years old.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the fringes of science and unexplained phenomena, with a strong focus on UFOs and the possibility of extraterrestrial or subterranean intelligent life. The editorial stance appears to be open to these possibilities, presenting various theories and alleged incidents without outright dismissal, though sometimes with a hint of skepticism or a call for further investigation. The inclusion of translated articles and reports from international sources suggests an effort to provide a broad perspective on the UFO phenomenon. The magazine also serves as a communication channel for its members, announcing meetings and membership details. The recurring theme of "Hollow Earth" and underground civilizations is particularly prominent in this issue, alongside reports on astronomical searches for extraterrestrial intelligence.

This issue of Teknikmagasinet, dated 1984 and identified as issue 19, focuses on a blend of space exploration news and unexplained phenomena, particularly UFO sightings. The cover prominently features the headline "Kosmonauterna räddade till livet" (Cosmonauts saved alive) and "USA BYGGER BAS I RYMDEN" (USA builds base in space).

Cosmonauts Rescued from Rocket Explosion

The lead article details the dramatic incident on September 28th where a rocket carrying two cosmonauts, Vladimir Titov and Gennadi Strekalov, exploded at the Soviet space base in Baikonur. The cosmonauts were saved by their Soyuz-D-10 spacecraft's escape rockets, which ejected them about a kilometer into the air, subjecting them to over 10g forces. They landed safely via parachute and braking rockets, four kilometers from the launch pad. The launch pad was destroyed, but the base has other facilities. This incident was confirmed by cosmonaut Constantin Feoktistov at an astronautics congress. The article also mentions that Titov and Strekalov had previously aborted a mission to the Salyut-7 space station due to a technical issue. The Soyuz-D-10 was intended to resupply cosmonauts Lyakhov and Alexandrov, who had been on Salyut-7 for over three months. The rocket that exploded was of a type used since 1957, with only the third stage being newer. This would have been the 55th manned flight using this type of launch rocket.

USA Plans Space Base in Orbit

Another significant article reports that US President Ronald Reagan is expected to give the go-ahead for a new multi-billion dollar project to establish the first permanent American space station. Work is slated to begin as early as the following year, with the station costing between 3-5 billion dollars and being constructed in modules launched by space shuttles, with the earliest launch anticipated in 1990. Colonel Gilbert D. Rye, a close advisor to President Reagan on space matters, confirmed that the decision is being prepared and will be announced before the year's end. Several American industries are developing designs for these stations or platforms, supported by NASA and the Pentagon. Colonel Rye emphasizes that this is the first time a US president is making such a significant commitment to space, highlighting both military and commercial interests, and the potential for the private sector to take over more of the space program. Two main concepts are being studied: a simpler manned or automatic platform serving as a control and communication center, and a more advanced "space operations center" for maintenance, satellite control, and launching spacecraft to higher orbits. These stations would accommodate up to twelve people for three-month stays, significantly extending the current record of 84 days for American astronauts.

Mystery at Ripperstone Farm

The magazine features a detailed account of unexplained events at Ripperstone Farm in South Wales, UK, starting in January 1977. The farm owners, Billy and Pauline Coombs, and their four children, reported being harassed by luminous flying objects and sightings of frightening, robot-like beings. The article chronicles a series of incidents, including a strange black figure seen inside the house, a TV set malfunctioning, and a bizarre encounter where 12-year-old Keiron Coombs saw a woman in white with long hair appear in front of his tractor. Reports of UFOs in the area increased. A particularly disturbing event involved the disappearance of one hundred cows from a locked barn, only to reappear on a neighbor's property. Billy Coombs also experienced his car battery dying inexplicably. The family felt a change in the atmosphere around the farm, with the animals remaining restless. The article also describes how sixteen young heifers vanished and reappeared in another locked enclosure. A visitor from London, Paul Palmer, a UFO researcher, spent six hours with the family, concluding that the manifestations were "extraterrestrial" and that the farm was being used for study. Palmer witnessed the Coombs' animals being moved between properties multiple times. The family, exhausted and frightened, decided they needed to move. Pauline Coombs also recounts a personal encounter where she awoke in a bright light inside a spacecraft, encountering two beings with "wax doll"-like faces and blue eyes. She felt no fear, only wonder, and described the beings as wearing dark uniforms and carrying boxes. The encounter ended with the craft ascending rapidly.

Italian UFO Encounter

An article titled "Den lille orientaliske rymdmannen" (The Little Oriental Spaceman) details a "third degree" encounter from Italy. A local newspaper reported an incident on September 18, 1978, around 3:30 PM, in Malaria, near Porto Nogaro. An eyewitness, Giorgio Filiputti, a 60-year-old railway employee, was fishing when he heard a sharp whistling sound and observed a swirling vortex in the air. He then saw a landed object, described as egg-shaped and flattened, about 5 meters in diameter, with a dome on top and supported by three thick, telescopic legs. The object was metallic, reflecting sunlight with gold-silver hues. A single occupant, about 1.3 meters tall, emerged. Filiputti described the being as having an "oriental" appearance, with almond-shaped eyes, dark brown skin, and wearing a tight-fitting overall that left the face exposed. The being wore matte black boots and carried two boxes at its waist. The occupant spent several minutes interacting with a semi-circular object on the craft's base, which Filiputti believed was a repair attempt. The being then re-entered the craft, which ascended vertically with a loud rumbling sound and a blue flame from its underside, disappearing rapidly to the southwest. Filiputti estimated the entire event, from his arrival at the riverbank to the craft's departure, lasted about six minutes.

Swedish UFO Observation

A brief report titled "Dags observation i Hagge" (Daytime Observation in Hagge) describes an incident on July 24, 1983, around 1:30 PM, near Ludvika, Sweden. Vivi Sterner and Lisa Ahlström were sunbathing when they observed a dark object gliding smoothly over Haggen lake. Vivi Sterner described it as a dark object moving from south to north, while Lisa Ahlström compared its height to that of swallows in flight and its size to an outstretched plate. They could not determine if the object made any sound.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the advancements and risks in space exploration, particularly concerning Soviet and American space programs, and a strong focus on UFO sightings and alleged extraterrestrial encounters. The magazine presents witness testimonies and reports from various locations, suggesting a global phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into these phenomena, presenting detailed accounts and witness statements, while acknowledging the skepticism and difficulty in accepting such events. The inclusion of a subscription form for "Teknikmagasinet" at the end of the issue indicates its ongoing commitment to reporting on technology and related mysteries.

This issue of "FÖRSLAG TILL VERKSAMHET" (Proposal for Activities), dated 1984, outlines the planned activities for the organization throughout the year. It includes a detailed schedule of association meetings, information evenings, and observation nights, as well as announcements for the annual general meetings. The magazine also features a prominent article delving into the enduring mystery of pioneering aviator Amy Johnson's disappearance in 1941, alongside news about future space endeavors and a section on comic books.

Föreningen's 1984 Activities

The magazine meticulously lists the proposed activities for "Föreningen" for the year 1984. These are categorized into:

Association Meetings (Föreningsträffar): * January 29: Annual General Meeting (Årsmöte) in Söderbärke. * March 11: Meeting in Ludvika with an observation evening. * September 10: Meeting in Björsjö with an observation evening. * November 20: Meeting in Smedjebacken with an observation evening.

Information Evenings (Informationskvällar): * Spring 1984: In Ludvika. * Autumn 1984: In Smedjebacken.

Observation Evenings (Observationskvällar): * January 8, August 26 * February 19, September 10, 23 * March 11, 25, October 15, 28 * April 8, 22, November 11, 20 * May 4, 20, December 2

Board Meetings (Styrelsemöten): * Scheduled meetings on January 23, March 5, September 3, and November 12. * The board can be convened as needed.

The issue also highlights the upcoming Annual General Meeting on January 29, 1984, at Folkets Hus in Söderbärke at 18:00, emphasizing its importance for members to influence the association's activities.

Space Exploration and Future Ventures

Page 2 of the magazine discusses potential delays in the European space laboratory Spacelab's launch due to a discovered fault in the launch rockets of the space shuttle Challenger. The issue also reports on a future "space factory" planned by the American company Fairchild in collaboration with Nasa, set to be launched in 1987. This factory would allow interested companies to conduct experiments and manufacturing in space, with the pharmaceutical industry and metal alloy production being potential beneficiaries. The cost of this space platform is estimated at 1.5 billion kronor, with a planned operational life of 12 years.

The Mystery of Amy Johnson

A significant article on page 3, titled "FLICKAN SOM FLÖG TILL INGENSTANS" (The Girl Who Flew to Nowhere), explores the mysterious disappearance of the renowned aviator Amy Johnson in 1941. Her plane crashed in the Thames, and while the body of an unidentified man was found in the wreckage, Amy Johnson's remains were never recovered. The article presents three popular theories: that the passenger was her lover, that the passenger was the actual pilot and Amy was not on board, or that Amy staged her own suicide. The article delves into Amy Johnson's background, her early life, her passion for flying, and her numerous love affairs, including her relationship with co-pilot Jim Mollison. It questions why the English Air Force (RAF) might have wanted to silence the incident and speculates that Amy might have survived and adopted a new identity, citing alleged sightings of her in London.

Events and Comic Listings

Page 2 also includes listings for upcoming events, such as the "Swecon" science fiction congress from December 2-4 and a UFO debate on December 6, featuring prominent figures and organizations. A section titled "CARLSEN COMICS" lists available comic book series, including "Linda och Valentin," "Den levande Guden," "Simons Äventyr," and "Conan," along with their prices.

Christmas Greeting

Page 4 contains a simple Christmas greeting with an illustration of bells and the text "GOD JUL" (Merry Christmas).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the organizational activities and planning of "Föreningen," the advancements and challenges in space exploration, and the enduring fascination with historical mysteries, particularly the case of Amy Johnson. The editorial stance appears to be informative, aiming to keep members updated on the association's affairs while also engaging them with intriguing topics like aviation history and unexplained phenomena. The inclusion of comic book listings and a Christmas greeting suggests an effort to cater to a broader range of interests within the readership.