UFO-Nytt - 1984 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO NYTT
Issue: No. 4, 1984
Publisher: Västerbergslagens UFO-förening
Language: Swedish

This issue of the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening's magazine, UFO-Nytt, is the final issue of 1984. It contains a variety of articles, including a detailed report on a trip to Hessdalen, Norway, an interview with an astronomer, and astronomical observations.

From the Editors

The editorial section notes that this is the last issue of the year and contains what has been saved for other articles. It highlights a report from the Hessdalen trip, a report from the Saltsjöbaden Observatory titled "I believe in life out there in space," an article about close encounters from FSR, and a chilling read from 1955 titled "The moment two planes disappeared." The issue also includes a picture series about the "Downfall of Atlantis" and an article on how satellites monitor us. Finally, it presents a nomination list for the new board of directors for 1985, with the annual meeting scheduled for January 27, 1985. The editors wish members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The Trip to Hessdalen

By Johan Kinneryd, the article details a trip to Hessdalen, Norway, which began on September 28, 1984. The journey involved meticulous planning and preparation, including packing essentials like sleeping bags, cameras, and toiletries. The route passed through several Swedish towns before crossing the Norwegian border near Drevsjö, leading to the Hessdalen valley.

Hessdalen gained notoriety in the early 1980s due to reports of strange flying lights at night and flying objects observed during the day by its predominantly farming population. The trip was initiated by the investigation group to allow members to study the phenomenon, connect with other UFO organizations, and scout for future expeditions.

The journey involved traveling over 500 kilometers in a rented Volkswagen bus. The scenic route through the Swedish and Norwegian wilderness, with its mountains, frost, and ice, is described in detail. Upon arrival in Hessdalen, the group was accommodated in a simple farmhouse.

Lars Lillevold, a local resident, shared his experiences with UFO phenomena, stating that he had witnessed these "things" on several occasions, often as lights hovering or remaining stationary at night. He recounted a specific incident on January 18, 1982, where he saw a cigar-shaped object, described as metallic silver, approximately 60 meters high and 30 meters long, hovering about 60 meters above the ground.

The group spent the weekend observing the skies from a vantage point on a hill. They noted the clarity of the night sky, the presence of satellites, and meteors. Despite the cold and long hours of observation, they expressed a desire to return, hoping the UFO phenomena would continue.

"I believe in life out there in space!" - Carl Fischerström

This section features an interview with Carl Fischerström, an astronomer at the Stockholm Observatory in Saltsjöbaden. Fischerström expresses his strong conviction that life exists on other planets, citing the vast number of stars and galaxies in the universe. He dismisses the idea that Earth is the only planet with life as illogical, given the immense scale of the cosmos.

He acknowledges that extraterrestrial life might have evolved differently from humans due to the role of chance in development. Fischerström also touches upon the public perception of astronomers and clarifies that he is a typical young man, not the stereotypical "old, eccentric professor." He holds a Master's degree in astronomy and is pursuing a doctorate while working at the observatory.

The interview discusses the challenges of astronomical observations in Sweden due to weather conditions and light pollution. Fischerström spends about two months a year at the observatory on La Palma, which is situated at 2400 meters altitude. He explains that modern astronomy relies more on photography and spectral analysis of starlight than direct visual observation through telescopes.

Fischerström's research focuses on the brightness of stars, and he has a particular interest in stars within the Taurus constellation. He also discusses the concept of black holes and the ongoing scientific quest to understand the origin of the universe, challenging the "Big Bang" theory.

Kosmorama - Sky Watch

This section provides a monthly guide to celestial events for January, February, March, and April 1984. It lists visible planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) and prominent constellations like Orion and Ursa Major (the Big Dipper).

Other Articles

• Space Burials: An article mentions a funeral director in England offering space burials, where cremated ashes can be scattered in space at various altitudes.
• Drawing of a UFO: A hand-drawn illustration depicts a UFO with a removable dome, blinking lights of various colors, and a glass-like bottom.
• Footnote on Sabotage: A footnote reports a sabotage incident at the Saltsjöbaden Observatory, where data equipment worth half a million kronor was destroyed. The incident is suspected to be motivated by personal revenge.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, witness accounts, and astronomical research. There is a clear interest in exploring the unknown, both in terms of extraterrestrial encounters and the vastness of the universe. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging members to share their experiences and engage with scientific perspectives on space and life beyond Earth. The publication also serves as a platform for the organization's administrative matters, such as board elections and meetings.

This issue of UFO magazine, dated 1985, covers a range of topics including a close encounter incident in the UK, the enduring mystery of two missing aircraft, advancements in satellite technology, and a scientific investigation into the fall of Atlantis.

"NÄRKONTAKT" NEAR READING

The magazine details a "close encounter" incident that occurred near Reading, Berkshire, UK, involving a 26-year-old female secretary. While driving on a foggy morning on October 14, 1983, she observed a bright light that she initially mistook for a plane or helicopter. The object, described as a UFO, hovered above her car, causing her car's lights and radio to fail. She estimated that 15-20 minutes of her memory were lost during the encounter. Although she had no recollection of being inside the craft or seeing an open door, she noted that she "believes to know how the door on the craft opened," based on a sketch she made. The incident is presented as a "classic" type of close encounter, with the lost time suggesting a possible onboard experience.

The young woman's report details the sequence of events: driving northwest towards Reading in the dark and fog, noticing a strong light to her left and then right, the object becoming stationary, her car's systems failing, and the object descending and circling her car. She described the craft as having a green light on the left and a purple light on the right, with the green light illuminating her car and making her skin appear green. The object circled for about half a minute before hovering in front of her and then ascending with great speed and disappearing. After the encounter, her car's lights and radio returned to normal. She also noted that her car clock was running 15 minutes slow, and the journey, which normally took 20 minutes, took twice as long.

Her description of the craft's appearance was a gray, "aluminum-like" color, round in shape, and comparable in size to the width of the road. Notably, the craft made no sound, and the surrounding trees did not appear to be affected.

An attestation from her employer is included, stating that she has always been perceived as truthful, honest, and sensible.

THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING SHACKELTON PLANES

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the disappearance of two Shackelton aircraft, identified as belonging to the 42nd division, on a January morning in 1955. The article, titled "ÖGONBLICKET DÅ TVÅ PLAN FÖRSVANN!" (The Moment When Two Planes Disappeared!), recounts the events surrounding the loss of Fänrik Leonard Wood's and Fänrik George Board's planes during a reconnaissance mission over the Atlantic.

Divisionschef Norman Wilson was alerted when the two aircraft failed to report in at their scheduled times. The planes had taken off later than planned, with Board at 10:14 and Wood at 10:20, reducing their expected half-hour separation to a mere six minutes. Wilson's concern grew when Wood requested barometric readings at 20:55 and then failed to make contact again. By 21:00, when the report was expected, and subsequently by 22:00, when Wilson arrived at the flight control tower, the planes were still missing.

The mission involved searching a rectangular area south of Fastnet Rock off the coast of Ireland. The planes were to fly in a zig-zag pattern. The article highlights the unusual circumstances, including the reduced separation time and the lack of any distress calls. A search and rescue operation was immediately launched, involving multiple Shackelton aircraft, a rescue cruiser, and a Sunderland flying boat. Despite extensive searching of the area for 90 minutes, no trace of the planes was found.

Further investigation included a report from a merchant vessel that observed navigation lights from two aircraft in the area on the evening of the disappearance. The massive search effort was hampered by severe weather, including snow, rain, and storm winds, and was eventually called off on January 14. The official inquiry concluded that a collision was the most likely cause, but the possibility of other factors, such as pilot error or unusual maneuvers, was considered.

The article also mentions two crew members, Löjtnant Bill Kirk and signalist Gerry De Souza, who were fortunate to have not been on those flights due to illness and leave, respectively.

Years later, in 1966, a trawler recovered one of the engines from Wood's plane, but it was found over eleven miles from the suspected crash site, deepening the mystery.

SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH OBSERVATION

The magazine features an article on the advancements in satellite technology and its applications, particularly for Sweden. It discusses how satellites provide images of Earth and its resources, serving both peaceful purposes and potentially military intelligence. Sweden, as a member of the European Space Agency (ESA), participates in satellite programs, with ground stations like ESRANGE in Norrbotten receiving data from satellites such as Landsat and the upcoming SPOT satellite.

The article explains that satellites orbit the Earth approximately every 100 minutes, capturing images that are transmitted via radio signals to ground stations. These images are then processed and can be used for various applications, including geological surveys, forestry management, agricultural forecasting, and environmental monitoring. The development of the "Rymdhuset" (Space House) in Kiruna and the EBBA (Enkel Bildbearbetningsapparat) system are highlighted as advancements in data processing and accessibility.

The use of satellite data for monitoring pollution, mapping, and tracking land degradation is emphasized. The article concludes by noting that while this technology has peaceful applications, it also exists alongside more concerning military uses in space.

THE FALL OF ATLANTIS AND TREE RINGS

Another section of the magazine explores the mystery of the fall of Atlantis, presenting a scientific theory based on dendrochronology (the study of tree rings). According to the article, scientists have determined that Atlantis sank in 1626 BC. By analyzing the tree rings of ancient trees, researchers can reconstruct past climate conditions and environmental events. The island of Santorini in Greece is presented as a primary candidate for Atlantis, with evidence suggesting a volcanic eruption on the island in 1626 BC that caused its destruction.

The article contrasts the precision of modern dating methods with older techniques like Carbon-14 dating, which had a larger margin of error. The analysis of tree rings allows for a more exact dating of past events.

EDITORIAL AND ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

The final pages of the magazine contain information related to the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening (Västerbergslagen UFO Association). This includes a proposed board for the year 1985, listing names and terms for positions such as Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and board members. It also includes a call for suggestions for the board to be sent to the association's address in Ludvika by a specified deadline.

A "God Jul" (Merry Christmas) illustration with bells and stars is also present, suggesting the issue might be related to the holiday season.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs), aviation mysteries, the application of advanced technology for observation and research, and the exploration of historical enigmas. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of presenting documented cases and scientific investigations, encouraging readers to consider the evidence and ponder the unexplained. There is a clear interest in both contemporary UFO reports and historical mysteries, as well as in the scientific and technological advancements that can shed light on these phenomena.