UFO-Nytt - 1984 No 2

Magazine Overview

This issue of Västerbergslagens UFO Nytt, number 2 from 1984, published by VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO-FÖRENING, delves into a variety of intriguing topics, primarily focusing on a reported alien encounter in Argentina and a series of mysterious disappearances in the Angeles National Forest, USA. The magazine also touches upon astronomical advancements and research projects.

Encounter in Argentina

The lead story details an event that occurred on Sunday, September 10, 1978, at 4:40 PM in Las Salinas, a small town near San Miquel de Tucumán, Argentina. Miquel Angel Carbajal (18) and his friend Miquel Ledesma (23) were at Carbajal's home watching television when the image suddenly began to shrink, prompting them to turn off the TV. They then played a record, but the turntable rotated unusually slowly, at about 16 RPM, leading them to suspect a power failure. An attempt to listen to a local football match on a transistor radio was also unsuccessful due to interference.

Carbajal's parents owned a shop adjacent to their home, and both young men worked there. Carbajal had completed three years of primary school and one year of middle school, with his reading habits limited to the local newspaper, 'La Gaceta,' and he expressed no interest in UFOs or science fiction. Ledesma is described as rather uneducated.

Suddenly, they heard noises from the adjacent shop. Fearing a break-in, they first moved the handicapped family member outside and then entered the shop. Inside, they found a broken wine bottle and smashed mayonnaise jars on the floor. Further in, they discovered scales thrown to the floor, their glass broken, and the electronic cash register moved from its usual position.

The Encounter

At approximately 6 meters' distance, they saw two beings with seemingly human features. Carbajal described being startled and unable to speak, initially thinking they were Martians, as he had recently read in 'La Gaceta' about UFO sightings in the area. The beings were about 1 meter tall, dressed in light blue overalls resembling frogman suits, and wore dark blue helmets. Their faces were brown with prominent freckles, and their eyes appeared normal. Their noses were slightly flattened, and their hands, arms, and legs seemed normal. The witnesses could not determine their gender.

The clothing was described as a one-piece, tight-fitting suit with a helmet. They wore light blue boots and black, shiny gauntlets that extended up to their elbows. One of the beings held a weapon that resembled a hairdryer, which it pointed threateningly at them.

Telepathic Communication

One of the beings communicated telepathically, stating, "Don't shoot, or we will take you to the saucer." The witnesses heard this warning without seeing the beings move their lips. Carbajal recounted that one of the beings then raised its arm and pointed its index finger at its nose, after which both beings suddenly vanished. The other door to the shop was locked.

Carbajal rushed to the cash register to retrieve the key to the back door, and at that moment, the beings reappeared in the exact same position. Ledesma grabbed a knife and an iron pipe, and together with Carbajal, they moved towards the door.

Violent Contact and Disappearance

The beings disappeared again. Ledesma reported hearing a sound like "TIN...TIN...TIN" when they became invisible. Outside the shop, they secured the door with a padlock and chain and drove to Tucumán to inform Manuel Carbajal Sr. about the break-in. They returned with him to the shop and reported the incident to the local police station in El Timbó. Police Chief Miranda arrived but found no trace of the beings. The cash register was checked, and no money was missing. The entire episode was estimated to have lasted between 5 and 10 minutes.

Disappearances in Angeles National Forest

The magazine dedicates a significant portion to the mysterious disappearances in the Angeles National Forest, USA. This vast area, covering over 690,000 hectares in southern California, has been the site of unexplained vanishings since the mid-1800s, earning it the ominous names "Devil's Forest," "The Forbidden Zone," and "The Forest Without Return."

Several cases are detailed:

• 1868: A young man, appearing disoriented, vanished inexplicably in front of witnesses near Altadena.
• 1905: A young boy disappeared while fishing in Medix Run.
• 1956-08-12: 13-year-old Donald Lee Baker and 11-year-old Brenda Howell disappeared while cycling. Their belongings were found, but they were never recovered.
• 1957-03-23: Young Tommy Bowman vanished while hiking with his family in the Devils Gate area.
• 1960-07-13: Six-year-old Bruce Kremen disappeared near a children's camp.
• 1961-1965: Seven children (two boys, five girls, aged 7-12) disappeared.
• 1967: Two brothers, aged nine and eleven, vanished, leaving all their possessions behind.
• 1969-10-31: 13-year-old David Stevens disappeared while hunting squirrels with friends.
• 1970-10-01: 15-year-old Nancy Liechner and 16-year-old Pamela Ann Nater disappeared while sport diving.
• 1975-06-05: The entire Dent family disappeared from their home near Azusa.
• 1982-09-05: The entire Cowden family disappeared from a picnic spot in the forest.

The article highlights the lack of any physical evidence or clues in these cases, despite extensive searches by law enforcement, rangers, and volunteers. The disappearances are often described as sudden and complete, leaving no trace.

Astronomical Research

The issue also features an article on astronomical developments, particularly concerning telescopes. For two years, the Swedish Academy of Sciences has had a 0.6-meter solar telescope on the Canary Islands. More telescopes from other countries are being installed on the island of La Palma, which offers excellent conditions for astronomical observation due to its clear and stable air.

• Isaac Newton Telescope: The British took the large Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) into use on February 13. With a 2.5-meter aperture, it is Britain's largest telescope and one of three instruments being set up by the British on this southern mountaintop.
• Nordic Research Project: Nordic astronomers are collaborating on a large research project involving a 2.5-meter mirror. They have received an unexpected offer from China for the glass. The mirror will be ground in Åbo, Finland, at a new high-precision grinding facility.
• La Palma Conditions: La Palma and Hawaii are noted as the only locations with suitable conditions for observing the northern night sky with such high-precision instruments. The article discusses methods for determining the optimal location for telescopes to minimize atmospheric turbulence, using micro-sondes to measure temperature and wind speed.
• William Herschel Telescope: A third British telescope, a 4.2-meter reflector named the William Herschel Telescope, is being prepared in Newcastle and is scheduled for use on La Palma in 1986.
• International Cooperation: An international agreement in 1979 between Denmark, England, Spain, and Sweden led to the construction of several telescopes on Spanish territory on La Palma. Spain provides infrastructure, and in return, Spanish astronomers receive 20 percent of the observation time. Other countries, including the Netherlands and Ireland, have also joined the project.

Book Review

A review of Peter Nilsson's book "Himlavalvets sällsamheter" (The Curiosities of the Celestial Sphere) is included. Nilsson is an astronomy docent known for popularizing scientific material. The book, first published in 1977, is in its thirteenth thousand and is part of the "Science for All" series, aiming to educate readers about the night sky and constellations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained and the unknown, ranging from alleged extraterrestrial encounters to baffling disappearances. The magazine adopts a serious and investigative tone, presenting detailed accounts of events and research. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into phenomena that defy conventional explanation, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond the ordinary. The inclusion of astronomical research suggests an interest in the broader context of space and potential extraterrestrial life, while the focus on disappearances highlights the enduring mystery of the unknown within our own world.

This issue of Teknikmagasinet, dated August 26, 1983, features a sensational cover story titled "Ryska Plan Luftstrider Med Flygande Tefat!" (Russian Planes Air Battles With Flying Saucers!). The magazine, identified as issue 13 of volume 3, is published by Teknikmagasinet and priced at 3:86.

Soviet Fighter Jet Encounters UFO

The lead article by Per-Olof Sännås details an incident on August 26, 1983, when a Soviet fighter jet reportedly collided with a mysterious circular object in the air over the Baltic Sea. The jet returned to base with its front end severely damaged. According to Soviet cosmologist and UFO expert Edward Naumov, the object was a flying saucer. The incident occurred around 7 PM when the jet was on its way back to base after a training exercise. The object was detected at an altitude of 2000 meters. Soviet fighter planes were scrambled to intercept it, but their missiles had no effect. The official Soviet explanation, published in the newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda," described the event as a collision with 'ball lightning' and stated that the pilot, Mikhail Anisimov, managed to land his damaged aircraft. The article names two pilots involved: Mikhail Anisimov, 23, and his wingman Vladimir Ruadze, both from Squadron number 3, a unit known for its exploits in World War II.

Flying Object Over Snöån

Another report details an observation on December 7, 1983, near Ludvika, Sweden. Lisa Hultberg saw a plow-shaped object with orange flames emanating from its rear, moving at high speed. She estimated its speed to be around 3600 km/h based on the short time it took to travel approximately 5 km. The author, Johan Kinneryd, questions whether it could have been an aircraft, a meteor, or a satellite, leaving open the possibility of it being a UFO.

Sea Monsters and Mysterious Creatures

The magazine also features a section on sea monsters and mysterious creatures. It recounts the discovery in 1977 by the Japanese trawler Zulyo Maru of a 10-meter long, two-ton carcass off the coast of New Zealand. Scientists identified it as a plesiosaur, a marine reptile thought to have gone extinct 70 million years ago. The captain ordered the carcass discarded, much to the dismay of scientists. The article cites Professor Fujio Yasuda and Tokio Shikama, who support the plesiosaur identification. It also references numerous other alleged sea monster sightings throughout history, including a 'sea serpent' encountered by the steamship Umfuli in 1893, a creature found in Santa Cruz, California in 1925, and the 'Morgawer' sighted off the coast of Cornwall since 1975. Professor Bernard Heuvelmans, a zoologist, is quoted discussing his analysis of over 1500 sea monster reports.

Orffyreus's Perpetual Motion Machine

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the enigmatic 'perpetual motion machine' invented by Johann Ernest Bessler, known as Orffyreus, in the early 18th century. The article describes how Orffyreus demonstrated a machine that appeared to run indefinitely, even performing work, without any apparent external power source. Despite skepticism and accusations of fraud, the machine was reportedly sealed and observed for extended periods, continuing to operate. The article highlights the bafflement of scientists, including Professor s'Gravesande, who investigated the device. Ultimately, Orffyreus reportedly destroyed his machine, leaving its workings a mystery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Teknikmagasinet strongly leans into the unexplained and the sensational, particularly concerning UFOs and cryptids. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards phenomena that defy conventional scientific explanation, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond official accounts. The magazine presents evidence and witness testimonies for various mysteries, from aerial encounters to deep-sea creatures and historical enigmas, inviting readers to form their own conclusions.