UFO-Nytt - 1988 No 1

Magazine Overview

This document is the first issue of "Västerbergslagens UFO Nytt" for 1988, published by the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening. The magazine is issued four times a year and serves as a communication channel for its members, featuring reports, articles, and news related to UFO phenomena.

Content Highlights

Cover Story and Editorial

The cover prominently displays "UFO NYTT" with the organization's emblem and the issue number "nr 1.1988". The editorial section, "FRÅN REDAKTIONEN," extends New Year wishes to the members and highlights the contents of this issue, including numerous reports from the investigation group, a significant report about a woman who was burned, and foreign UFO incidents. It also mentions a lecture by Curt Roslund from Chalmers University on UFO interests and activities in the Soviet Union, and the formation of the first UFO District in Dalarna.

Featured Articles and Reports

"Digande Tefat" (Digging UFOs): This short piece reports on a planned landing strip for flying saucers near Elmwood, Wisconsin, USA, initiated by Tom Weber, who believes intelligent beings from other planets are observing Earth.

"Tre planeter i himlaspel" (Three Planets in a Celestial Game): This article discusses astronomical observations, noting the visibility of Venus and Mars in the evening sky and their increasing proximity to Jupiter. It also mentions that Mars will be unusually visible towards the end of the year due to its elliptical orbit bringing it closer to Earth.

"Rymdman på Stockholms tunnelbana?" (Space Man on the Stockholm Subway?): This section recounts a personal encounter from 1963 where a young woman claims to have met a man on the Stockholm subway who she believed was an extraterrestrial. She describes him as unusually tanned, with perfect features, and of indeterminate age. He confirmed her telepathic question with a simple "Yes" before departing.

Reports from the Investigation Groups: Several reports detail UFO sightings investigated by the organization:

• Grängesberg, Sweden (December 28-29, 1987): Kerstin Heed reports seeing a large, round, blue object with a sparkling effect, hovering at a steady altitude and speed. It disappeared behind houses and reappeared later.
• Håksberg, Sweden (December 31, 1987): Gudrun Andersson reports a woman observing an unusually large, reddish-yellow moon that later vanished.
• Snöån, Sweden (January 1, 1988): Gudrun Andersson reports a couple seeing a large, red-yellow, spherical object with oblong windows flying low over treetops.
• Bisbergsklack, Sweden (December 31, 1987): Berit Bergkvist reports a man observing an oval, blue-red light phenomenon hovering over a hill.
• Ventnor, Isle of Wight, England (May 19, 1985): A 43-year-old man observed a disc-shaped object with glowing bands and lights, which hovered and moved erratically.

"Utländska UFO-händelser" (Foreign UFO Incidents):

• Greenland (October 24, 1983): Two nurses reported seeing a large sphere with eight smaller objects and three human-like figures.
• Godhavn, Greenland (October 26, 1983): Two men reported a similar object.
• Egedesminde, Greenland (November 2, 1983): Four people saw a dirigible with white and red lights.
• Hobro, Denmark (November 21, 1982): A car experienced engine failure and rolled due to the presence of blue lights.
• Castladia, Italy (April 14, 1985): Two youths encountered engine trouble and saw two mysterious figures after their car stopped.

Lecture Summary

"Förutsättningar för liv på jorden och i rymden" (Prerequisites for Life on Earth and in Space): This section summarizes a lecture by Curt Roslund, a docent at Chalmers University. He discussed the conditions necessary for life in our solar system, explaining why Mercury and Venus are too hot, and Mars is too far and has a thin atmosphere. He highlighted Earth's ideal position and the crucial role of its atmosphere and magnetic field in protecting life from solar winds and cosmic radiation. He also mentioned historical periods when Earth's magnetic field was absent, leading to genetic changes.

Organization Activities

"VERKSAMHETSPLAN FÖR 1988" (Activity Plan for 1988): This outlines the planned events for the year, including regular "OBS-kväll" (observation evenings), board meetings, district formation, the annual meeting, planning conferences, and a special "Styrelsekurs" (board course).

"BOKUTLANING" (Book Lending): The organization maintains a large library of UFO books in both Swedish and English, available for members to borrow.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, investigations, and related phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry and documentation of reported events, both domestically and internationally. There is an emphasis on collecting witness accounts and conducting investigations, as evidenced by the detailed reports and the mention of an investigation group. The inclusion of astronomical information and a lecture on the conditions for life suggests a broader interest in space and science as it relates to the UFO phenomenon. The organization actively promotes member participation through meetings, observation nights, and a lending library.

This issue of UFO-Sverige, dated 1988, focuses on UFO phenomena, investigations, and related scientific and historical events. It features articles on geological and astronomical events, official UFO sightings, and the work of Swedish UFO organizations.

Earth's Past and Cosmic Threats

The magazine begins by discussing geological findings related to Earth's magnetic field, noting that volcanic layers from Vesuvius and Etna show periods where the magnetic field was disrupted, allowing solar wind and cosmic radiation to reach the surface. This phenomenon is linked to the behavior of the heliopause, which can move closer to Earth during periods of high solar activity, affecting Carbon-14 dating.

Further, the issue recounts the theory of dinosaur extinction 65 million years ago, supported by a clay layer found in Denmark containing iridium and osmium. This evidence points to an asteroid impact that created a "nuclear winter," leading to the extinction of 70% of life on Earth.

It is also mentioned that Earth is on a collision course with asteroids every 26 million years, with the Tunguska event in Siberia in 1908 being the most recent significant impact, believed to be a comet impact due to the absence of meteorite stones.

UFOs, Antimatter, and Extraterrestrial Contact

Following a presentation by an individual named Roslund, questions were raised about antimatter. Roslund stated that antimatter has not yet been detected in the universe and remains a theory, first proposed by Hannes Alfvén. However, he suggested that antimatter could be a valuable tool for interstellar communication. Efforts to find extraterrestrial civilizations through radio signals are ongoing, though governments are reportedly not enthusiastic, as atmospheric nuclear tests and broadcast programs also signal Earth's presence into space.

Roslund also addressed questions about space travel, Mars, and moon landings, noting that cosmic radiation is the primary obstacle, and moon missions have only been feasible during periods of low solar activity.

UFO Phenomena and Investigations

The magazine addresses the existence of UFOs, with Roslund affirming their existence as light phenomena but not necessarily "flying saucers." He notes that theories suggest UFOs might be formed by electromagnetic disturbances on Earth related to solar activity.

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the Rendlesham Forest incident in England on December 27, 1980. This event, involving military personnel, a landed UFO, and the appearance of small, human-like beings, was investigated by BUFORA for seven years and officially acknowledged by the military in 1983. The incident is described as the tip of an iceberg, with the object being disc-shaped, about 3 meters in diameter, with three legs, and emitting a beam of light from which three small beings descended.

UFO Organizations and Research in Sweden

The issue highlights the activities of UFO organizations in Sweden, particularly UFO-Sverige, which has 25 local branches. Their goal is to prove the existence of unknown flying objects and light phenomena in Swedish airspace, to inform the public, and to gain scientific status for UFO research. They consider various theories, including electromagnetic phenomena, electrical discharges, interdimensional breaches, and visits from other solar systems.

UFO-Sverige collaborates internationally through ICUR and participates in world congresses. They use a standardized report form to collect and analyze UFO sightings, with field researchers trained to distinguish genuine sightings from misinterpretations and astronomical phenomena.

Specific UFO Cases and Analysis

One detailed case described is a UFO observation in Bispberg, Sweden, on December 31, 1987. A woman named Karin Lagerstrand reported seeing an ice-blue orb with a grey aura and orange hues, emitting ice-blue flashes. She experienced physical effects, including paralysis and a sensation of something being drawn from her brain, and later found a burn mark on her jumper. Attempts to analyze the burn mark and investigate the site yielded no definitive results, with cost being a major barrier.

Another article discusses the "GLASNOST" effect in the Soviet Union, where a Russian professor, Uno Kopwillem, shared insights into the Soviet approach to UFOs. He stated that while there are private groups collecting reports, no official government support is given, and public meetings are avoided. He mentioned that physicists and chemists research UFOs but do not publicize their findings, and that "fireballs" are considered natural electromagnetic phenomena. Kopwillem also dismissed the Petro Savodsk case as a rocket launch.

Debate within the UFO Community

The issue touches upon a debate within the Swedish UFO movement, sparked by a TT interview published in Dagens Nyheter. The debate centers on the problem of belief in "flying saucers" and the assumption of visiting intelligences from other planets or dimensions. The article argues that this strong belief, influenced by early UFO literature, has become a burden for the UFO movement, hindering scientific evaluation and public perception.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the historical context of potential Earth threats (asteroid impacts, solar activity), the official acknowledgment of UFO events, and the challenges faced by UFO researchers in gathering and analyzing evidence. The editorial stance appears to favor a rigorous, scientific approach to UFO research, while acknowledging the public's fascination with the possibility of extraterrestrial contact. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between phenomena and speculative interpretations, and a call for more concrete evidence.

Title: UFO-Aktuellt
Issue: 1
Volume: 1984
Date: 1984
Publisher: UFO-Sverige
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0281-4924

This issue of UFO-Aktuellt features an article by Clas Svahn, based in Luleå, titled "Dellerna kanske ligger långt utanför våra nuvarande refernsramar, om vi redan från början har bestämt oss för vilket slutresultatet vi ska nå?" (Perhaps the reasons lie far outside our current frames of reference, if from the very beginning we have decided what result we are to achieve?). The article delves into the methodology and philosophical approach to investigating UFO phenomena, emphasizing the importance of open-mindedness and critical thinking.

The Stance of UFO Organizations

The article begins by quoting the mission statement of the Danish organization SUFOI: "When the phenomena are still unexplained, SUFOI does not wish to promote or reject any specific theory about their nature or cause." Similarly, UFO-Sverige adopts a comparable stance. The organization's objective is "to seek knowledge about these phenomena, their origin, cause, effects, etc."

The ET Hypothesis and Evidence

Svahn states that none of the organizations have yet found decisive proof that unidentified flying objects are flying saucers piloted by beings from other planets or dimensions. He cautions that the constant debate around this theory does not, in itself, prove its validity. The ET hypothesis must continue to be examined as one among several possible theories. The "evidence" found in much UFO literature, according to Svahn, is not convincing to him. However, he admits that after 13 years of working with the subject, he has developed a very open, yet critical, attitude towards supposed aliens.

The Importance of a Critical Approach

Svahn highlights the statement made by Ulf Ekstedt in a DN interview: "We have no preconceived notions about the observations. We do NOT believe in flying saucers and little green men from space." Svahn argues that this is precisely the attitude researchers must adopt. He expresses concern that the reality might be different, and that some people might react negatively to Ekstedt's statement. Many, he suggests, sincerely hope that the unidentified objects crossing our skies are piloted by "space guys." Some individuals, Svahn posits, are solely pursuing the "strangely pleasant thrill" of feeling they know a secret, of being among the few initiated.

He asserts that it is a fact that among us, there are those who are not interested in a solution to the mystery.

Personal Outlook and Future Work

Personally, Svahn anchors his optimism in the hope that through continued hard work, a solution to the UFO phenomenon can be reached. For him, it matters little whether the phenomenon turns out to be a new natural phenomenon or visitors in gleaming spaceships. He concludes by posing a crucial question for everyone involved: "Are we working solely to satisfy our own egocentric desires, or are we truly seeking an unconditioned explanation for the phenomenon? This question must simply have an answer."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this article is the necessity of a rigorous, scientific, and unbiased approach to the study of UFOs. The editorial stance, as expressed by Svahn, is one of critical open-mindedness, prioritizing factual investigation over wishful thinking or the pursuit of sensationalism. The article advocates for a methodology that remains open to all possibilities but demands evidence and avoids jumping to conclusions, particularly the popular ET hypothesis, without sufficient substantiation. The underlying message is a call for intellectual honesty and a genuine desire for truth, rather than the comfort of belief.