UFO-Nytt - 1987 No 3

Magazine Overview

This issue of Västerbergslagens UFO Nytt, dated 3 1987, is a publication from the Västerbergslagens UFO-Förening (Västerbergslagen UFO Association). The magazine is published four times a year and serves its members.

From the Editors

The editorial section, "Från Redaktionen," reports on the association's activities during the summer. The organization held exhibitions at nine locations in the region, utilizing UFO-Sverige's exhibition materials and showing films. Seven members participated in a crash course in English to attend the World UFO Congress in London. The issue also mentions that the UFO-Sverige national meeting in Kramfors adopted new statutes. A statement by a board member of UFO-Sverige in the newspaper Dagens Nyheter caused some dissatisfaction within the association, and the statements are presented in the magazine. The editors also mention continuing to publish a letter from a member and its reply, and they invite members to debate topics and express opinions, such as on the article from Dagens Nyheter.

The editorial team consists of Bernt Berglund, Ingvar Källving, and Monica Eriksson. Membership for 1987 costs 60 Swedish kronor, with a reduced rate of 25 kronor for those under 16. The association's address is Box 71 771 71 Ludvika.

Correction

A "Rättelse!" (Correction!) section addresses a previous error in UFO-Nytt nr. 4 1986, where it was incorrectly stated that TT-telegrams were exclusive to their association. The correction clarifies that TT-telegrams are public documents and have been published elsewhere, apologizing for the misunderstanding.

Articles and Reports

"Universum inte så gammalt" (Universe Not So Old)

This short article, attributed to HAAG (TT-Reuter), reports on astronomer Harvey Butcher's findings that the universe may be six billion years younger than previously estimated, suggesting an age of 10-12 billion years instead of 16-18 billion years. Butcher, chief at the Kapteyn Observatory in Groningen, Netherlands, based his conclusion on studies of sun-like stars.

"Var det ett UFO?" (Was it a UFO?)

Authored by John Adriansson from Nyhammar, this personal account describes a sighting in the autumn of 1979. While hunting on a foggy morning, the author felt a strange warmth on his neck, turned, and saw a sun-like object emitting a strong light for a few seconds before rapidly moving west and disappearing without sound. The author notes that none of his hunting companions mentioned seeing anything, and he initially hesitated to share his experience, fearing ridicule. He concludes it was a natural phenomenon without human involvement.

"Flygande farkoster" (Flying Craft)

This letter to the editor, signed "Oskar," expresses appreciation for the magazine, noting its improvement over time. The author proposes a new topic: unidentified flying objects (UFOs). He questions why reports often come from specific regions like Öland and asks if scientists or military personnel have ever commented on the phenomenon. He wonders if it's a modern ghost story.

"UFO-klubb utan tefatstro" (UFO Club Without Saucer Belief)

This article by Kristin Bahri/TT discusses UFO-Sverige's approach to UFO phenomena. Ulf Ekstedt from UFO-Sverige's report center in Eskilstuna states that the organization, founded in 1970 with 20 local groups and 2500 members, aims to be a contact point for those who have seen mysterious things in the sky. He emphasizes that they are not fanatics but want people to be taken seriously. Ekstedt notes that 95% of reported UFOs are identified as conventional objects like planes, meteors, or balloons, with only 5% remaining unexplained, such as Ingrid Wedberg's sighting of a green, luminous craft.

Letter from Birgit Sälgström Säter

Birgit Sälgström Säter writes about the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening's participation in an exhibition with UFO-Sverige. She expresses a concern about a "double standard" within UFO-Sverige, where light phenomena are presented to scientists while flying saucers are presented to the public. She calls for a discussion meeting to establish a unified approach to UFO phenomena in Sweden that is acceptable to both the public and the scientific community.

Letter from Berit Bergqvist Gustavs

Berit Bergqvist Gustavs also calls for meetings to establish a unified approach. She believes that most people involved in UFO research are convinced that the phenomena are caused by superintelligent beings from elsewhere. She questions the strategy of focusing on light phenomena and downplaying other aspects to gain scientific acceptance, arguing that this is not the truth. She suggests a more proactive approach, including engaging authorities, the press, and the public, and proposes a "UFO Week" in Sweden and a TV program.

"En historisk verklighet" (A Historical Reality)

This section continues a letter from a member, discussing the apocalyptic vision and its connection to historical reality, citing UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar. It addresses the question of whether extraterrestrial beings have been shot down or captured by the military, asserting that such claims are false. The letter states that humans cannot harm or capture these beings, as they are vastly superior. It mentions numerous reports of flying saucers and large spaceships since the 1950s, including the case of Captain Tom Mantell, an experienced fighter pilot who reportedly encountered a cigar-shaped object over Fort Knox in 1948, after which his plane exploded.

"Riksstämman 1987" (National Meeting 1987)

This report details the UFO-Sverige national meeting held in Kramfors from June 13-14, 1987. Seven members from Västerbergslagens UFO-förening attended. The main event was the adoption of new statutes, which came into effect on June 14, 1987. The report notes some organizational issues, such as late booking of accommodation and meals, and a short duration for the meeting (one and a half days), suggesting two days would be preferable.

"VB-ufologer på världskongress" (VB UFOlogists at World Congress)

This article reports on the first time representatives from UFO Västerbergslagen participated in a world congress for UFOlogists in London. Four members—Gudrun and Roger Andersson, Birgit Sälgström, and Berit Bergqvist—attended. During the week-long congress, they participated in the formation of ICUR (International Committee for UFO Research), an international database for UFO observations. Gudrun Andersson, chairperson of Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, explained that ICUR aims to be a global organization for discussing UFO issues, comparing observations, and critically examining them. The congress featured speakers like Walter Andrews (USA), a former military technician; authors Hillery Evans (England) and Willy Smith (USA); and electro-optics specialist Erling Strand and electro-engineer Odd Gunnar Röe from Norway. The congress included interrogations of observers to filter out false reports. The article also mentions a "UFO-hausse" (UFO craze) in Dalarna, Sweden, and similar phenomena in Hestdalen, Norway, and Japan.

"Engelska!" (English!)

This is an announcement for an English course focused on UFO-related topics, aimed at beginners and those with some knowledge. It offers to teach participants how to write to foreign contacts and read English UFO books. Interested individuals are asked to contact Gudrun at 79146.

"RAPPORT från 4:e Världskongressen om UFO i London 1987." (Report from the 4th World Congress on UFOs in London 1987.)

This report, likely by Gudrun Andersson, Berit Bergqvist, and Birgit Sälgström, details their experience at the 4th World UFO Congress in London. Approximately 250 delegates from 15 countries attended. Key speakers included Phil Mantle (Yorkshire UFO Network), who discussed cases similar to those reported in Sweden and his theory of "earthquake lights." Jenny Randles spoke about the potential health risks of UFO encounters, citing cases of physical reactions and car stoppages. She also discussed "atmospheric phenomena" (UAP) and the reluctance of witnesses to seek medical help for UFO-related injuries. Hilary Evans highlighted the need for international cooperation on UFO cases involving physical injuries. Bertil Kuhlemann presented URD, a Swedish database system for UFO cases. Hans von Kampen discussed UFOs in the Netherlands, suggesting they might be artificial beings. Stewart Campbell (England) provocatively claimed that all UFOs could be explained as "mirages."

On the second day, Professor Allen Tough (Canada) discussed the "ET hypothesis," advocating for an international committee to critically examine UFO reports and for the declassification of UFO information. The report also recounts the Rendlesham Forest incident, where witnesses described small, silver-clad humanoids descending from a craft. Valter H Andrus Jr. (USA) presented the Cash-Landrum case, detailing the radiation-induced injuries suffered by the witnesses. Erling Strand and Odd Gunnar Röe presented their fieldwork on the Hessdalen phenomena. Hilary Evans reported on a meeting in Washington, criticizing the US for being too focused on the ET hypothesis and Bob Hopkins for uncritically accepting abduction stories. Dr. Villy Smith (USA) presented the UNICAT project, a catalog of the 600 most reliable UFO cases, and outlined six characteristics for classifying UFOs: incredible acceleration, sudden start, hovering, high speed, silent, and vertical ascent.

Paul Devereux (England) discussed "Earth Lights" and geophysics, suggesting that seismic pressure changes can cause electromagnetic effects like fireballs and influence the human mind. He also raised the question of whether thoughts can control phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a serious and investigative approach to UFO phenomena, distinguishing itself from sensationalism. There's a clear emphasis on scientific scrutiny and the need for credible evidence, as seen in the discussion of UFO-Sverige's methodology and the critique of overly credulous acceptance of certain claims (e.g., by Bob Hopkins). The association aims to provide a platform for witnesses to be taken seriously and for research to be conducted rigorously. The issue also highlights the international nature of UFO research, with reports from congresses and discussions of global cases. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded skepticism, seeking rational explanations while acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena.

Title: AND RÄTTVIK
Issue Date: Monday, May 18, 1987
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of AND RÄTTVIK, published on May 18, 1987, focuses heavily on UFO phenomena and the organizations dedicated to their study in Sweden. The cover headline, "UFO-föreningen: De kan ge svar ibland" (The UFO Association: They can provide answers sometimes), sets the tone for the content within.

UFO-föreningen: De kan ge svar ibland

The main article introduces the work of UFO associations, particularly the Siljansringens UFO-grupp and Västerbergslagens UFO-förening. Per-Anders Långsvens, chairman of the Siljansringens UFO-grupp, shares that many people initially disbelieve UFOs but later change their minds after witnessing phenomena. The group receives regular reports of strange aerial events, some of which can be explained through investigations involving authorities and the military, while others remain mysterious. The article highlights an exhibition held by the UFO group in Rättvik in collaboration with Västerbergslagens UFO-förening. Annika Norlén, Berit Bergkvist, and Birgitta Sälqström are pictured at this exhibition, emphasizing the serious nature of their work.

The Siljansringens UFO-grupp has 35 members and meets regularly to discuss recent events and reports. Långsvens encourages anyone who has made observations to contact the group, assuring them of a serious and professional approach. He stresses the importance of documenting all sightings. Approximately 20 observations were reported in the past year, with the most recent on March 16 in Östbjörka-Backa. Comparisons with observations in southern Dalarna suggest similar phenomena.

Reports received by the UFO group are forwarded to UFO-Sverige, which then passes them on to a project in Stockholm. The article also mentions the upcoming world congress, likely to be held in Denmark in four years.

International UFO Research and Collaboration

The issue touches upon the ICUR (International Committee for UFO Research), which held several meetings before, during, and after a congress. ICUR serves as a unifying organization with representatives from numerous countries, described as a sort of UN for UFOlogy. Bertil Kuhlemann was the chairman, and discussions focused on cooperation and organizational issues, leading to the decision to establish an international databank called ICAT.

UFO-Paj and Case Studies

A diagram, referred to as a "UFO-paj" (UFO pie chart), illustrates different categories of UFO explanations: 1. IFO (Identified Flying Object) – known phenomena, 2. Psycho-social causes – individuals with problems projecting UFO experiences, 3. Fabricated cases, 4. Real UFOs, possibly extraterrestrial hypotheses, and 5. Geophysical phenomena.

One notable case involves Valt Andrus from the USA, who recounted a Japanese pilot's experience flying a DC-10 over Alaska. The pilot reported being followed by a giant UFO, which disappeared after the pilot descended to 500 meters near Fairbanks. The UFO was detected on radar but then lost. The pilot continued to Anchorage, and had reportedly seen a UFO on the same route on another occasion.

Västerbergslagens UFO-förening's PR Tour

Berit Bergqvist details the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening's public relations tour from February to May 1987. In collaboration with Konsum Dalarna in Borlänge and Säter, the association presented itself at various locations across Dalarna, including Domus department stores and Konsum markets in Borlänge, Säter, Hedemora, Ludvika, Smedjebacken, Grängesberg, and Rättvik. They showcased UFO-Sverige's exhibition with still images and films, and sold UFO-Aktuellt magazine and their own materials. Store personnel were supportive, and the transport between locations was handled by Konsum. The events primarily took place on Fridays and Saturdays, with some on Sundays.

Public reaction was mixed but largely positive, with many expressing surprise. Common comments included "UFO – yes, I believe in it!" and "UFO – yes, it's interesting!" However, some reacted with "UFO – do you believe in it? UFO – no, ugh!"

The interest level varied by age: children up to 13 were very interested, those aged 13-35 were least interested, and those 35 and older were most interested. Among the 13-35 age group, if they stopped to talk, it was often because they had personally experienced a UFO sighting. The older group frequently shared experiences dating back 10-30 years. The association confirmed that many people hesitate to report sightings due to societal attitudes but felt more comfortable sharing with the UFO group.

Sales of magazines were not very successful, providing little financial gain. However, Smedjebackens local radio broadcast live for an hour from a Konsum market, which increased visitor numbers. Dala-Demokraten and Falu-Kuriren newspapers also published reports. The PR opportunity led to new members and hopefully planted seeds of awareness.

Cartoon Section

The magazine includes several humorous cartoons:

• A man explains to another that he climbed out of the water himself after falling in and shouting for help for two hours, because no one came.
• A woman is knitting a sweater for a car, to which her companion remarks, "How silly... we have a garage!"
• A woman compliments another on her "Max Factor" eyeshadow, who replies, "No, it's the department store's revolving door."

Axplock ur Rapportpärmen (Gleanings from the Report Binder)

This section presents a collection of UFO sighting reports from various dates and locations in Sweden:

• January 1, 1987 (Vansbro): An anonymous woman reported a bright light that illuminated her entire house and yard for about 10 minutes, like a sunny day.
• January 1, 1987 (Borlänge): Gunnar Svensson saw a bright, intensely shining sphere that then turned into a "star" and disappeared at high speed.
• January 6, 1987 (Garsås): Gun-Britt Lundberg observed a low-lying light resembling a fire, but found no evidence of a fire upon investigation.
• January 16, 1987 (Nämnsbovägen): Birgit Sälgström reported seeing two slow-moving, circular "clots" above Bispbergs klack, and later another object over Åsenskogen. The objects were described as red-orange/yellow and white, with dark lamps.
• January 23, 1987: Clary Svensson and his son witnessed a large, yellow-orange object with pulsating light that hovered for about four minutes before ascending rapidly and disappearing silently. They estimated its distance at 150-200 meters.
• April 29, 1987 (Bäsna, Borlänge): Edvin Albinsson observed an elongated, silent object with a red glow and a white light at the front, moving north-east. It was estimated to be 10-15 meters long and 50-100 meters high, disappearing behind a mountain after about 5 seconds.
• April 7, 1987 (Borlänge to Hosjö): Solveig Regnander and her husband saw a low-flying white sphere moving south-east.
• April 16, 1987 (Tviksta): Solveig Regnander and her mother witnessed an object that initially appeared to be a plane but then descended rapidly, looking like a white ball with a yellow top. It moved erratically and at low altitude, avoiding power lines and poles.
• April 27, 1987 (Karlbo): A couple observed two light phenomena: a strong light that faded and a narrow light streak that dissolved.
• May 3, 1987 (null): Gösta Petterson woke up feeling unwell and saw a round, yellow object larger than the full moon outside his window. The object moved and then disappeared over a mountain. The total observation time was 8 minutes.
• October 1961 (Bäsnan, Borlänge): Gunnel Albinsson and her daughter saw a flying object, described as "saucer-like," about 6 meters in size, with a metallic blue sheen. It moved erratically and made a faint humming sound.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the investigation of these phenomena, and the role of UFO organizations in collecting and analyzing reports. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, encouraging witnesses to come forward and emphasizing the importance of documenting observations. The inclusion of various case studies, from a pilot's encounter over Alaska to local sightings in Sweden, underscores the widespread nature of reported UFO activity. The magazine also highlights the efforts of Swedish UFO groups to collaborate and share information, both nationally and internationally.