UFO-Nytt - 1987 No 1

Magazine Overview

This issue of VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO NYTT is the first issue of 1987, published by the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening. The magazine is published four times a year and aims to inform its members about UFO phenomena. This issue prominently features 'Project Dalarna,' a significant investigation into UFO sightings in Sweden.

From the Editorial Desk

The editorial team wishes everyone a Happy New UFO Year. They highlight the events of the past month, particularly 'Project Dalarna,' which involved extensive press coverage and collaboration with other UFO members across Sweden. The editorial thanks everyone who contributed to the project's success. It also mentions that the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening held its annual meeting, expanding the board to seven ordinary members and four deputies due to the increased workload. The board members for 1987 are listed, with Gudrun Andersson as Chairperson and Ulla Hallgren as Treasurer.

The editorial also notes that membership for 1987 costs 60 kronor, with a reduced rate of 25 kronor for those under 16. The address for the association is provided: Västerbergslagens UFO-Förening, Box 71, 771 01 Ludvika.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

Project Dalarna: A Large-Scale Investigation

The magazine details 'Project Dalarna,' a significant, multi-year, and collaborative effort involving UFO organizations across Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The project's primary goal was to gather evidence and potentially find explanations for UFO phenomena. The investigation focused on the Dalarna region in Sweden, chosen due to a high number of reported sightings in January over previous years. The project involved approximately one hundred members from various parts of Sweden, operating from observation towers in locations like Bispbergs Klack, Uvberget, Brynberget, Vikarbyn, Rösåsen, and Torsång. These observers braved extreme cold, with temperatures dropping to -26 degrees Celsius, to monitor the skies.

Observation Methods and Challenges

Observers used binoculars and communication radios to maintain contact with the central command post located in Stimmerbo, Smedjebacken. The project utilized specialized cameras with spectral film, similar to that used by astronauts, to photograph the sky. The film was to be analyzed for potential clues about the nature of the observed phenomena. Despite the rigorous efforts, the extreme cold presented significant challenges, including difficulties in operating equipment and potential limitations on the quality of photographic and video evidence. The report mentions that while many potential sightings could be explained naturally, a significant amount of data remained that required further analysis.

Notable Observations

One particularly noteworthy observation during Project Dalarna was a pulsating object that descended behind a ridge at Bispbergs Klack and then ascended in the opposite direction. This event was captured on video and is considered a significant finding of the project. The project aimed to clarify the UFO enigma, and while it may not have provided definitive answers, it was deemed a valuable and stimulating endeavor that fostered new contacts and encouraged further research.

Expert Involvement and Government Stance

Professor Jens Tellefson from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm provided expert assistance to the project. The magazine also touches upon the perceived passive stance of authorities regarding UFO phenomena, suggesting that governments might be withholding information due to the advanced capabilities of UFO technology.

Witness Accounts

Several witness accounts are featured:

• Gunnar Svensson (Borlänge): Reported seeing an intense, spotlight-like light on New Year's night at 3:42 AM. The object hovered for about 20 seconds, then disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving a small star that moved southwest. Svensson, initially skeptical, was convinced by his experience.
• Tage Modin (near Furudal): Witnessed a strong light resembling windows in a large, dark, round object on a Sunday evening. The object followed his car for a few kilometers before disappearing behind a forest.
• Svea Andersson (Borlänge): Explained that the intense light witnessed by Gunnar Svensson was likely from a fireworks display, offering a natural explanation for the event.

UFO Capabilities and Government Secrecy

A section quoting a letter from APRO (Aerial Phenomena Research Organization) highlights the alleged capabilities of UFOs, including extreme speeds (up to 5000 MPH), sudden maneuvers, invisibility, and the ability to disrupt electrical systems and stop vehicles. The text suggests that if any nation possessed such technology, it would fundamentally change the world, implying a reason for government secrecy.

Astronomy and Space Exploration

The Expanding Universe

The magazine includes a report on astronomical discoveries, mentioning that two American astronomers, Vane Petrosian and Roger Lynds, have identified the largest visible structures in the universe to date. These are described as arc-shaped lines of newly formed stars, spanning billions of light-years. The report also touches upon the concept of the TAU project (Thousand Astronomical Units), a NASA initiative exploring the possibility of interstellar travel using ion engines powered by nuclear reactors, with the goal of reaching the outer boundaries of the solar system within ten years.

Ion Engines and Laser Communication

The TAU project envisions a spacecraft propelled by an ion engine, generating thrust from a nuclear reactor. The journey is expected to last ten years, after which the craft would continue towards the heliosphere's outer limits. The spacecraft would also be equipped with a laser communication system capable of transmitting data to Earth, albeit with a significant time delay due to the vast distances involved. Astronomical observations would be conducted using a 1.5-meter telescope, and the potential for high-precision astronomy from a baseline of 1000 AU is also discussed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO NYTT demonstrates a commitment to serious, evidence-based investigation of UFO phenomena. The emphasis on 'Project Dalarna' highlights a desire to move beyond anecdotal evidence and gather verifiable data. The magazine also touches upon the broader implications of UFO sightings, including potential extraterrestrial contact and the role of government secrecy. The inclusion of astronomical news suggests an interest in the scientific exploration of space and the universe, framing UFO research within a larger context of seeking knowledge about the unknown. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging members to contribute their observations and ideas, while maintaining a critical and analytical approach.

Title: Expressen
Issue Date: January 14, 1987
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Expressen focuses heavily on UFO phenomena, particularly detailing "Projekt Dalarna," an intensive investigation conducted in Sweden during the cold January of 1987. The magazine highlights the dedication of observers, the scientific methods employed, and includes historical accounts and related sightings.

Projekt Dalarna: UFO Investigation in Dalarna

The main focus is on "Projekt Dalarna," a large-scale UFO surveillance effort in southern Dalarna, Sweden. The project involved over 100 participants, including members from UFO-Sverige, local authorities, and even a physics professor from Stockholm University. The investigation took place during a week of extreme cold, with temperatures dropping to -26 degrees Celsius, as exemplified by Björn Lagesson, who spent nights on Uvberget, a high tower, equipped with a special filter, radio, and camera.

Despite the harsh conditions, the observers were motivated by a desire to understand these phenomena. Marianne Överström is quoted expressing her commitment despite disliking the cold, and Gudrun Andersson, chairperson of UFO Västerbergslagen, noted that the project was a significant undertaking for the UFO-Sweden organization. The project aimed to document and analyze any observed phenomena, with a particular interest in luminous objects.

Two luminous objects were observed by the Säter group during the project. The infrared film taken was to be studied, and Gudrun Andersson mentioned that two nights remained in the observation period. While the standard film used did not reveal anything remarkable, the infrared and video footage were expected to provide clues. The project also generated significant public interest, with a radio broadcast leading to many people calling in with their own observations.

Connections to Hessdalen and Other Sightings

"Projekt Dalarna" is presented as part of a larger Nordic "Projekt Hessdalen." The report notes that many phenomena observed in Dalarna, especially in recent January months, share similarities with those repeatedly observed in Hessdalen, Norway, which have long puzzled observers there.

Witness Accounts and Related Phenomena

The issue features several related stories:

• Björn Lagesson's Experience: Björn Lagesson, a veteran of similar projects in Norway, is presented as a dedicated observer. He is shown in a tower on Uvberget, enduring the cold to watch the skies. He expresses a desire for something to happen, stating, "I want something to happen."
• Ivar Svensson's Sighting: Ivar Svensson from Vansbro reported seeing four brightly shining red points in the west on the night of October 30th. These objects moved erratically, sometimes appearing low in the trees and sometimes higher in the sky.
• Captain Kenjyu Terauchi's UFO Sightings: The article mentions Captain Kenjyu Terauchi of Japan Air Lines, who reported seeing blinking lights resembling a spaceship on two occasions. The first was in November of the previous year, where his jumbojet was shadowed by a large "unidentified flying object" for about 500 km between Anchorage and Iceland. The second sighting occurred on a Sunday (prior to the article's publication), between London and Anchorage, where he and his co-pilot observed blinking lights.
• "Flying Man in Black" Account: A detailed report recounts a witness's experience in Kazakhstan in 1936. E.E. Lozraya, then 15 years old, described seeing a man-like figure, about medium height, dressed entirely in black, with a helmet-like head and a backpack. The figure was flying at high speed and approached her directly, emitting a loud humming sound. She described it as a mechanical object rather than a living man.

Astronomical Observation: Jupiter

Separately, the magazine includes an article about the planet Jupiter being unusually bright in the night sky. It explains that Jupiter was in opposition to the sun, making it appear exceptionally luminous from Earth. This rare alignment, where Jupiter is about 75 million kilometers closer to Earth than usual, occurs infrequently and offers a spectacular celestial event.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes the ongoing human fascination with and investigation into UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, presenting witness accounts, scientific observation methods (like infrared and spectral filters), and connections to international investigations (Hessdalen). The magazine highlights the dedication of individuals who brave extreme conditions to pursue these unexplained events. There's a clear interest in documenting sightings, analyzing evidence, and exploring the possibility of extraterrestrial or unknown aerial phenomena. The inclusion of both contemporary investigations and historical accounts suggests a broad scope in exploring the UFO mystery. The astronomical piece on Jupiter serves as a contrast, grounding the issue in factual celestial observation while the UFO reports delve into the unexplained.