UFO-Nytt - 1987 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-NYTT
Issue: 4 1987
Publisher: UFO-Västerbergslagen
Date: October 1987 (inferred from issue number and context)
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-NYTT, the magazine for members of the UFO-Västerbergslagen, focuses on a course designed to teach observers how to identify misinterpretations and natural phenomena that are often mistaken for UFOs. The magazine highlights the importance of critical analysis in UFO research and presents several detailed witness reports from Sweden.

Course on Identifying UFOs

The main article, "Kurs för att visa hur UFO inte ser ut" (Course on how to show what a UFO does not look like), details a two-day course held in Stimmerbo. Gudrun Andersson, chairperson of UFO-Västerbergslagen, explains that most UFO sightings are actually misinterpretations. The course aims to equip observers with the skills to rule out common sources of error. Participants will engage in both theoretical and practical training, including nighttime exercises where various phenomena will be presented as examples of potential misidentifications. The article also touches upon the issue of fabricated UFO images, stating that no UFO photograph has ever withstood critical scrutiny. The course emphasizes the need for critical observers with open minds.

Johan Kinneryd is highlighted as the course leader and "investigation expert" for his work on the course curriculum and handbook. The course covered report handling, data processing, and celestial phenomena and misinterpretations. The article notes that 45 participants from across Sweden attended.

Witness Reports

The magazine features numerous witness accounts of aerial phenomena:

• February 20, 1987: Ann-Marie Adolfsson reports seeing a large, luminous red ball-like object with light ramps that moved incredibly fast and then disappeared.
• April 17, 1987:
• Tina and Jenny, with their father Evert Fredriksson, observed a yellow, luminous object resembling two stacked saucers with 'windows' and a misty halo.
• Therese Skilström and Anne Edwards reported seeing an oval, blue and yellow object moving silently and larger than the full moon.
• Roland Nilsson and his wife saw a large, yellow, luminous sphere that moved silently and disappeared.
• Birgitta Persson observed an orange, luminous sphere moving silently.
• August 16, 1976: Two observers in Vibberbo reported a large, disc-shaped object with a light ramp and 'light windows' at a close distance (approximately 250 meters), estimated to be 75 meters in size. The object emitted a faint humming sound and displayed spectral colors before disappearing.
• April 3, 1972: Elsa Petterson reported seeing a large, luminous object over a lake, described as having a red-orange corona and emitting a constant, blinding light. Later, four round burn marks were found on the grass at a nearby farm.
• October 12, 1982: A man in Smedjebacken reported seeing a sharp, pulsating white light that eventually formed a luminous circle.
• July 21-22, 1987: Three employees at Kvarnsveden paper mill reported observing a red, round, stationary object that suddenly accelerated, disappeared, and reappeared multiple times, changing color and moving silently.
• October 1983: Conny Hansson reported seeing a large, luminous red ball over Östraby that emitted a downward light beam, which pulsed on and off.

Editorial and Organizational Notes

The "FRÅN REDAKTIONEN" (From the Editors) section states that this is the last issue of UFO-NYTT for the year and covers reports from the past quarter. It mentions ongoing disagreements between "Nyhammars Luftrumsbevakning" (Nyhammar Airspace Surveillance) and their own organization. The section also includes subscription information for 1988 (60 SEK for adults, 25 SEK for those under 16) and provides the organization's postal address in Ludvika.

The "Undersökningsgruppen" (Investigation Group) section discusses the nature of UFO reports, noting that most are not 'flying saucers' but rather fixed objects and light phenomena. It contrasts the critical approach of UFO-Västerbergslagen with a group in Nyhammar led by Paul Hellberg, which is described as less critical and focused on 'flying saucers'. The section emphasizes the importance of objective research and collaboration, stating that their goal is to move beyond sensationalism to true scientific inquiry.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical analysis of UFO sightings, the importance of identifying misinterpretations and natural phenomena, and the presentation of detailed witness accounts. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rigorous, scientific investigation, distinguishing itself from groups perceived as less critical or more prone to sensationalism. The magazine aims to educate its readers on proper investigative techniques and to document credible sightings.

The issue concludes with a holiday greeting and a letter to the editor titled "Katt bland hermelinerna" (Cat among ermines), which criticizes Paul Hellberg and suggests he stick to his own interests and let UFO professionals handle investigations.

This issue of "The UFO WORLD" from 1985, primarily in Swedish, presents a collection of UFO sighting reports and discussions on UFO research. The magazine covers a range of topics, from eyewitness accounts of unexplained aerial phenomena to the scientific methodologies employed in investigating such events. It also touches upon broader themes related to space exploration and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

Reported UFO Sightings

The issue details several notable UFO sightings:

• Burnley, England (January 23, 1985): A rector, J.S., and his family witnessed a silent, luminous object with distinct green, red, orange, and yellow lights. The object hovered for about 15 minutes before moving towards the Pennine Mountains. A peculiar aspect of this sighting was the simultaneous extinguishing of streetlights in the area, an effect termed the 'OZ-factor'.
• South Wales (January 19, 1983): A report, similar to the English sighting, described a bright green light, but the lack of other witnesses remains a puzzle.
• Pennsylvania, USA (June 21, 1985): Multiple reports emerged of large, oval objects with blue and white lights moving silently across the sky. These sightings coincided with the re-entry of the Soviet satellite Cosmos 1530, though some descriptions suggested phenomena beyond that of a falling satellite.
• Tynset, Norway (February 18, 1985): A mother and her children observed a disc-shaped object with green, red, and orange bands, which emitted spotlights from its underside. The object performed a loop before ascending rapidly, disappearing towards Hessdalen.
• New Mexico, USA (August 8, 1980): Three guards at Kirtland Air Force Base reported a luminous object moving at high speed that stopped over the base before ascending rapidly. A similar object was observed shortly after by a guard at a nearby research station.
• Poland (date unspecified, reported 1987): Polish Air Force pilots have reported observing unidentified flying objects, described as silent and emitting long flames.
• Sweden (date unspecified): A personal account describes a luminous, silent, oval object observed hovering above a farm. A smaller, round object detached from the larger one and descended before the main object disappeared.

UFO Research and Methodology

The magazine features a critical discussion on UFO research, particularly concerning the work of Paul Hellberg. The article "UFO en LEK för Hellberg och co" (UFO a GAME for Hellberg and co) argues that Hellberg's research is not serious because he does not allow his findings to be scientifically analyzed and his reports are not submitted to broader UFO organizations for scrutiny. Organizations like Siljansringens UFO-grupp and Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, which are part of UFO-Sverige, emphasize rigorous analysis and data collection for scientific purposes. They distinguish between genuine UFO phenomena and misinterpretations of atmospheric events or other known phenomena.

The article "UFO-forskning på olika plan" (UFO research on different levels) by Birgit Sälgström further elaborates on what constitutes serious UFO research. It stresses the importance of ruling out all conventional explanations before classifying an event as a UFO. The article also notes that photographic evidence is often unreliable due to the prevalence of hoaxes and the high standards required for scientific acceptance.

Extraterrestrial Life and Space Exploration

The issue includes an article titled "Små gröna män" (Little green men) which discusses the possibility of extraterrestrial life and planets beyond our solar system. It mentions the upcoming launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, which is expected to aid in the search for planets around other stars. The article also references the search for a hypothetical 'Planet X' in our own solar system, based on data from the Pioneer probes. The possibility of time dilation effects for interstellar travelers is also briefly discussed.

Debunked Case

An article titled "SVENSK FOTOBLUFF" (Swedish Photo Hoax) details the debunking of Lars Törn's famous UFO photographs taken in Skillingaryd, Sweden, in May 1971. The investigation by GICOFF revealed that the object in the photos was only 40 cm in diameter and had been suspended by a nylon line, exposing the images as a hoax.

Personal Accounts and Reflections

"OTROLIGT MEN SANT" (Unbelievable But True) is a personal narrative by Ingegerd Gäwerth, recounting a strange sighting of a luminous object and a smaller detached object. She reflects on the difficulty of being believed when reporting such experiences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, the challenges of UFO research, the distinction between genuine phenomena and misinterpretations, and the broader implications for humanity's understanding of the universe. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous, scientific investigation and skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, while still acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of credible evidence and systematic analysis in the field of UFO research.

This issue of 'Från läsekretsen' (From the readership) from Tuesday, October 6, 1987, features a significant debate between two UFO organizations: UFO-Luftrumsbevakning, represented by Paul Hellberg, and Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, represented by Gudrun Andersson. The magazine also includes a section with questions and answers directed at Paul Hellberg and a concluding page from Västerbergslagens UFO-förening wishing readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

UFO-Luftrumsbevakning's Defense of its Research Methods

Paul Hellberg, writing for UFO-Luftrumsbevakning, addresses criticism from Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, which he describes as 'uninitiated' regarding their organization's 'in-depth and serious UFO research'. Hellberg asserts that UFO-Luftrumsbevakning engages in comprehensive ufological field research in collaboration with experts, including those from Solna Astronomical Association. Their primary focus is on intensive air surveillance over regions like Dalarna, using a methodology that involves documenting the elusive UFO phenomenon 'on site' with technical equipment like binoculars, telescopes, cameras, and video recorders.

He details their field operations, including placing personnel at observation posts to use equipment for optical position determination via laser beams and triangulation to calculate exact distances to sighted UFOs. This intensive work has reportedly yielded photographic and video evidence of unidentified light phenomena. The collected material is analyzed by experts within the organization. Hellberg criticizes Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, led by Gudrun Andersson, for their 'desk-bound' approach, contrasting it with his organization's active field research.

Hellberg also highlights the success of the UFO exhibition in Dalarna, featuring speakers like Juri Lina, Boris Jungkvist, and Esse Jansson. A key exhibit was a metal fragment found at a UFO landing site on Väddö in 1956, which he presents as concrete proof of UFO reality. He emphasizes that UFO reports are immediately published and presented to the public, not hidden in archives. Hellberg draws a parallel to a 1973 UFO research project in the USA led by Dr. Harley Rutledge, which involved extensive observation and filming of UFOs.

Västerbergslagens UFO-förening's Response and Critique

Gudrun Andersson, representing Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, responds to Hellberg's points. She questions whether UFO reports always have news value and if newspapers should solely focus on UFOs. Andersson points out that the exhibition displayed pages from their organization's magazine, 'UFO-Aktuellt', and asks if Hellberg considers this publication unserious. She also notes that Hellberg's 5-year-old son subscribes to 'UFO-Nytt', questioning his interest.

Andersson dismisses Hellberg's projects as imitations of the Project Hessdalen, highlighting the significant differences: Project Hessdalen involved Norwegian military, Nordic high-tech institutes, and resulted in the discovery of a new type of aurora. She argues that calling their research unserious shows a lack of understanding.

Västerbergslagens UFO-förening claims to follow Professor Hynek's directives and intentions, stating that their compilations of UFO cases from Dalarna have garnered international interest. They also claim to provide thorough training for field researchers, implying that Hellberg's organization may lack this. Andersson states that access to their international database requires special qualifications.

She questions why Hellberg does not provide a clear answer about where their reports go. Regarding expertise, Andersson states that no one can be a UFO expert due to the subject's vastness. She defends the use of 'desk work' for analyzing UFO cases, creating maps, and report forms, especially since active field researchers have regular jobs and need rest. Andersson invites Paul Hellberg and Solna Astronomical Association to an open debate to clarify their UFO research practices.

Further Discussion on UFOs and Extraterrestrial Beings

The second page continues the discussion, referencing a letter from 'Siklund'. It quotes rocket expert Woltkes Riedel, who believes that observed flying saucers and their occupants are not of earthly origin. Riedel points to their ability to ascend rapidly, achieve incredible speeds, and perform maneuvers that would be impossible for humans due to G-forces. He suggests that the absence of condensation trails at high altitudes indicates an extraterrestrial power source.

The text argues that UFO researchers who expect to easily determine the speed and describe the beings and their craft will be disappointed because they are viewing these phenomena through a limited, human-centric perspective. It posits that extraterrestrial life may not be similar to human life and may not require earthly substances like food or oxygen.

Professor Shapley is quoted suggesting the possibility of beings with senses and cognitive abilities beyond human comprehension, stating that many realities are beyond the grasp of humans due to the limitations of their sensory organs.

The section titled 'DET EXISTERAR UTOMJORDISKA VARELSER' (Extraterrestrial Beings Exist) asserts that 'space beings' and 'planet beings' exist, possessing abilities far superior to humans. The author claims to have received explanations and evidence from 'righteous space beings' and their leaders regarding these matters.

These beings are said to be intervening against environmental destruction, evil, and violence on Earth, particularly in the 'atomic age'. The author states they have been informed by these beings about future events on Earth and how humanity can survive an impending global catastrophe.

Cartoons and Closing

The issue includes two cartoons. The first depicts two military personnel at what appear to be checkpoints labeled 'LOG 4' and 'LOG 5', with a dialogue about a soldier named '63' who has broken his arm in two places and should avoid such places in the future. The second cartoon shows a couple, Ester and the speaker, discussing playing Tchaikovsky all evening and who won.

The final page features a holiday greeting from Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, wishing readers 'God Jul & Gott Nytt År' (Merry Christmas & Happy New Year).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme is the debate over UFO research methodology and the nature of UFO phenomena. UFO-Luftrumsbevakning champions empirical, field-based investigation, while Västerbergslagens UFO-förening appears more critical of the sensationalism and methodology, advocating for a more structured approach possibly aligned with established UFO organizations. There's also a strong undercurrent of belief in advanced extraterrestrial intelligence and their potential influence on Earth, with one contributor claiming direct communication and foreknowledge of global events. The editorial stance seems to be one of presenting differing viewpoints within the UFO community, allowing readers to engage with the arguments.