UFO-Nytt - 1989 No 4

Magazine Overview

This issue of VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO NYTT, issue number 4 from 1989, is a publication for the members of the Västerbergslagen UFO-Förening (VBU). It is published four times a year and this particular issue covers a range of topics related to UFO sightings, research, and organizational matters.

Editorial and Content Overview

The magazine opens with a section titled "FRÅN REDAKTIONEN" (From the Editors), announcing issue number 4 of 1989 and presenting the table of contents. The content includes:

• Ledare (Editorial): "Vad krävs för att få en gemensam UFO-forskning i Sverige?" (What is required for us to have common UFO research in Sweden?). This editorial discusses the fragmentation and disagreements within the Swedish UFO community, suggesting that such disunity hinders progress. It criticizes organizations like UFO-Information for their lack of response and reliance on foreign material, while praising AFU in Norrköping for their diligent research and international contacts. The author posits that a unified approach could lead to greater influence and resources, similar to political movements.
• Undersökningsgruppen rapporterar (Investigation Group Reports): This section details several UFO sighting reports from the Dalarna region.
• Stora Skedvi (September 2nd, 1989): Multiple witnesses reported seeing a bright light, initially mistaken for a tractor. The object moved strangely, had two strong spotlights and a red lamp, emitted a faint engine sound, and flew at low altitude. Another witness saw three strong white lights arranged vertically, moving slowly and silently. A third report describes a craft with strong spotlights coming from the northeast, making a faint sound. Another sighting involved a large, illuminated object moving slowly with a faint sound. A final report from Stora Skedvi describes a bright light at tree-top height that descended and ascended rapidly.
• Falun (September 2nd, 1989): A witness saw an object resembling an airplane but with no wings, flying at low altitude. It entered a cloud above a campsite and did not reappear. The object was described as silver-metallic with no visible windows or fins.
• Falun (September 2nd, 1989): Another report from Falun describes an object with three strong white lights and a red blinking light, moving at low altitude.
• Stora Skedvi (September 2nd, 1989): Reports include an object with a strange light, two steady white lamps, and one blinking lamp, flying low. Another sighting describes an object with landing light-like illumination, moving slowly over a lake, and descending.
• Stora Skedvi (September 2nd, 1989): A witness reported an object at very low altitude, possibly heading towards a church tower, with three sharp spotlights and four rectangular windows. A faint engine sound was heard.
• Hälsingberg (September 2nd, 1989): A triangular object with three sharp lights and a red blinking light in the center was observed moving slowly at low altitude.
• Stora Skedvi (Date not specified): An object perceived as large with strong spotlights came from the northeast over treetops, making a faint sound.
• Stora Skedvi (September 2nd, 1989): A large, illuminated object was seen moving slowly with a faint sound.
• Stora Skedvi (September 2nd, 1989): A bright light was seen at tree-top height, moving slowly, then descending and ascending rapidly.
• Söderbärke (September 2nd, 1989): A strong light appeared, remained stationary, then moved north, growing larger and oval, resembling two large stars.
• Falun (October 5th, 1989): A witness saw an object resembling an airplane but with no wings, flying at low altitude. It entered a cloud above a campsite and did not reappear. The object was described as silver-metallic with no visible windows or fins. The witness compared it to a military helicopter. The local airport confirmed a chartered MD80 flight, but witnesses insisted the observed object was different.
• Övriga händelser i vårt avlånga land (Other events in our long country):
• Mora-Rättvik (August 16th, 1989): An anonymous witness reported a strong green light behind a forest screen. Upon investigation, the witness found a bright, blinding green light on a gravel road, emitting a constant, faint buzzing sound. The light was estimated to be 2.2x4 meters in size.
• Nora (October 5th, 1989): A witness observed a flying object without wings gliding at low altitude. It was silver-metallic and disappeared into a cloud.
• Linghed (September 10th, 1989): A witness and two boys saw a stationary, pulsating light in the direction of a forest edge. It appeared to reflect off a metallic background and was the size of a full moon. It moved slowly to the left and disappeared behind the treetops.
• VI HAR SETT UFO:S (We Have Seen UFOs): This section presents brief reports of sightings:
• August 21st, 1989, Palma Nova, Mallorca: A luminous sphere was seen flying in the direction of the airport, then suddenly turning at a right angle and flying silently over the water.
• January 17th, 1989, Hunneberg, Sweden: A large yellow sphere with a strong light was observed descending slowly, leaving a bright glow between trees for 15 minutes.
• July 1946, Muggetorp, Småland, Sweden: A red 'cigar' shaped object with white flashing strips and a greyish window flew at approximately 40 km/h through an alley, making a faint humming sound.
• LJUSFENOMEN OCH JORDBÄVNINGAR (Light Phenomena and Earthquakes): This article details research conducted by VBU in collaboration with an institution in Denver, Colorado, USA. The research investigates the connection between light phenomena (such as fireballs and colored spheres) and seismic activity. The article notes that many UFO reports from the Yakima Indian Reservation in Washington State are linked to earthquakes. The research suggests that light phenomena, particularly night lights, are associated with very small earthquakes in the southern part of Washington State. These phenomena appear to be electrical in nature and occur during seismic activity near active fault lines. The article also mentions that light phenomena have been observed before earthquakes and that globular lights with varying colors and unusual movement patterns have been linked to seismic activity. The research proposes a definition for "earthquake lights" as luminous phenomena occurring simultaneously with a registered earthquake and observed in direct connection with a fault line or earthquake epicenter. If they do not occur simultaneously, the light phenomenon cannot be attributed to a specific earthquake. The article concludes by discussing Toppenish Ridge and its seismology, noting that the area is experiencing ongoing geological stress, which may be related to the observed light phenomena.

Organizational Matters

• RAPPORT FRÅN EXTRA FÖRENINGSMÖTE DEN 5 NOV. 1989 (Report from Extra Association Meeting November 5th, 1989): A meeting was held due to problems in the cooperation with UFO-Sverige. Approximately 25 people attended. The VBU expressed its view that member organizations of UFO-Sverige should be independent and have the right to work autonomously as long as they follow their own and the national organization's objectives. Mats Nilsson from UFO-Sverige's board was present. Following a discussion, VBU presented demands to UFO-Sverige, including the freedom to work without interference and a trial period of one more year for the collaboration. A vote was held, with 27 members voting to continue membership in UFO-Sverige under these conditions. The meeting also included a viewing of the film "Ut på yttersta grenen" (On the Utmost Branch) starring Shirley Mac Laine.
• Styrelse (Board): The current board of VBU is listed, with Gudrun Andersson as Chairperson, Birgit Sälgström as Treasurer, and Ing-Marie Strömberg as Secretary. Other board members and deputies are also named.

Seasonal Content

• Vinterns stjärnhimmel (Winter's Starry Sky): A star chart for winter evenings around 9 PM is included, highlighting visible planets (Jupiter) and meteor showers (Geminids, Ursids, Quadrantids).

Closing Remarks

The issue concludes with a holiday greeting: "NU ÖNSKAR VI ALLA VÅRA LÄSARE EN RIKTIGT GOD JUL OCH GOTT NYTT ÅR!" (Now we wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly within Sweden, and the challenges of organizing and conducting UFO research collaboratively. The editorial stance emphasizes the need for independent research and criticizes internal conflicts within the UFO community. There is also a clear interest in exploring potential scientific connections, such as the link between light phenomena and earthquakes, indicating a desire to approach the subject with a degree of scientific rigor. The magazine also serves as a communication channel for the VBU, informing members about meetings, decisions, and membership details.

This issue of Experientia, dated July 17, 1989, with volume 42 and issue number 17, focuses on flying objects and related phenomena. The cover story, "Flygande tefat över Torneälven" (Flying Saucer over Torneälven), details a sighting by Olof Kerttu and his father. The magazine also includes reports on UFO sightings in the USA, a meteorite impact in Sweden, and the Voyager 2 probe's message to extraterrestrials.

UFO Sightings in Toppenish, USA

The issue presents two cases of light phenomena observed in the Toppenish area of Washington, USA. Bild 1 describes a light phenomenon seen over Toppenish Ridge in January 1973, which was stationary and appeared below the horizon in a steep, remote area. Bild 2 details a light phenomenon observed north of Hunt Creek in the Yakima Indian Reservation on August 19, 1972. Four images were taken during a 55-minute observation. The analysis of the original film for Bild 2 suggests the object had tens of watts of radiation, equivalent to a 1000-watt lamp or a car headlight. The estimated diameter of the object was around 4 meters, or possibly 1 meter if exposure time is considered. The report notes that these phenomena were observed in areas only accessible on foot and that conventional explanations seem unlikely due to their location, duration, movement, and nature.

Analysis of Night Lights and Earthquakes

Further discussion delves into 82 reports of "night lights" collected between July 1972 and April 1977, with an additional 21 reports from July 1981 used for testing hypotheses. Most reports (78%) were classified as night light phenomena. The area experienced very low seismic activity between June 1972 and October 1977, with no earthquakes above magnitude 2.0 registered. However, the report includes all registered earthquakes (filled circles) from a 13-year period (1970-1982) to correlate with the sightings. A magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred west of the reservation, and a magnitude 4.0 earthquake was recorded near Toppenish Ridge. Most other earthquakes were below magnitude 3.0 and less than 2.0, with focal depths less than 5 km.

Possible Explanations and Theories

While seismic stations were lacking in the observation area, the possibility of small, unfelt earthquakes is not ruled out. Some observers reported unusual sounds, likened to heavy trucks or turbines, which have been linked to micro-earthquakes. The proximity of the sightings to mountain ridges suggests a possible connection to ongoing volcanism and uplift in the Toppenish and Ahtanum mountains. The Satus Peak area, known for superficial fissures, sounds, and a magnitude 4.0 earthquake, has been a frequent site for night light observations. Most observations were logged by regular fire watchers during dry periods (May-September). The report mentions that the characteristics of these night lights are similar to ball lightning, but weather conditions at the time often ruled out this explanation. An alternative theory from Uinta Basin, Utah, in the 1960s, suggested that light phenomena could be caused by swarms of fireflies or insects flying into a strong electric field, causing them to glow, similar to St. Elms Fire. However, the perfect spherical shape, intensity, and movement patterns of the Toppenish lights are considered inconsistent with the firefly theory.

The "Flying Saucer" Term and UFO Mythology

John L. Spencer proposes a new research model, challenging common UFO theories about alien hybridization and abductions. He argues that these theories originate from the Betty and Barney Hill kidnapping case, which he describes as a nightmare rather than reality. Spencer traces the origin of the term "flying saucer" to Kenneth Arnold's description of the objects' movement, not their shape, noting that the press misinterpreted this as a description of the saucer's form. He also discusses how the Roswell incident and subsequent reports of crashed saucers and alien beings solidified the idea of extraterrestrial visitors. The article critiques the evolution of alien portrayals in science fiction and UFO lore, suggesting a trend towards increasingly malevolent aliens, possibly influenced by media and research trends.

Flying Object over Torneälven

On July 17, 1989, Olof Kerttu and his father Tore observed a flying object over Torneälven near Hedenäset, Sweden. Olof Kerttu filmed the object, which appeared as a small, black object with a white glow on either side on the TV screen. They heard no engine noise, and the object appeared stationary. Using binoculars, Olof Kerttu clearly distinguished two round lights, one blue and one red. The object remained in the air for about twenty-five minutes before disappearing to the southeast. Olof Kerttu described the object's shape as a screen, round at the top with three points at the bottom, with the lights positioned in the front. Major Rajala from the FO-staben in Kalix stated that he would contact the family to learn more.

Meteorite in Bollnäs?

In late February 1989, an object from space reportedly fell into Lake Herten in Bollnäs, Sweden, creating a 14-meter wide hole in the 40 cm thick ice. Several people in the area witnessed a bright light in the sky the previous day. Two divers from the Bollnäs sportdykarklubb began investigating the hole, which was about 500 meters from the shore. The depth at the site is over 15 meters. Initial measurements for increased radioactivity around the hole yielded no significant findings.

Voyager 2's Cosmic Message

The issue also touches upon the Voyager 2 probe, which was nearing the end of its mission and passing Neptune. Attached to the probe is a gold-plated copper plate containing a "cosmic message" for potential extraterrestrial civilizations. This message includes scientific data about Earth, greetings in 55 languages, sounds like laughter and a dog's bark, and 90 minutes of music, including Mozart's "The Magic Flute." It also features messages from former US President Jimmy Carter and former UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim. The selection process for the plate's content, led by Jon Lomberg and Carl Sagan, deliberately excluded negative aspects of humanity such as war, disease, and crime. The article notes that NASA rejected a sequence explaining human reproduction due to potential controversy, opting instead for a depiction of a pregnant woman. This decision followed criticism over images on the Pioneer 10 and 11 probes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP), potential connections between geological events and UAP sightings, and the human endeavor to communicate with potential extraterrestrial life. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting various observations and theoretical explanations without definitively endorsing any single one. There is a clear interest in documenting sightings and exploring scientific and speculative hypotheses, as evidenced by the inclusion of reports from different regions and the discussion of scientific missions like Voyager 2.