UFO-Nytt - 1990 No 3

Magazine Overview

This document is issue number 3 of "UFO-nytt" from 1990, published by VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO-förening. The magazine is intended for its members and is published four times a year. The cover features the title "UFO-nytt" prominently, along with a circular emblem depicting a UFO over a map-like shape and contact information for the VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO-förening, including their address in Smedjebacken and a telephone number.

Table of Contents and Editorial Information

Page 2 presents the table of contents, listing various articles and reports. These include "Some thoughts on today's UFO research," "Report center notes," personal accounts of UFO sightings such as "I am absolutely sure: A flying saucer hovered over the meadow," "Clippings," "I was followed by a mysterious light and the time disappeared without a trace," "The space people who watch us are our cousins," "The saucer was chased," and "We saw UFO in Lofoten. Easy-to-read Norwegian."

The editorial team is listed as Thor-Leif Andersson, Gudrun Andersson, Birgit Sälgström, Ingmari Strömberg, Berit Bergkvist, Lars Andersson, Birgitta Andersson, and others. Membership fees for 1990 are 75 kronor, with a reduced rate of 25 kronor for those under 16. Payments are to be made to postgiro number 16099-4. The address is Box 99, 777 01 Smedjebacken.

An announcement for a study trip to Stockholm in October is mentioned, aiming to visit two museums and have dinner. Interested members are asked to contact Birgit by October 1st. Another announcement is for a "Field researcher course" in Björsjö on September 15-16, with Gudron as the contact person.

Articles and Reports

Some Thoughts on Today's UFO Research

This article discusses the fragmented nature of UFO research, contrasting it with more coordinated scientific fields like astronomy. The author laments the lack of a unified approach within ufology and suggests potential organizational strategies, such as dividing researchers into groups based on phenomena (light, sound, craft, beings) and establishing a rapid response team equipped with instruments similar to those used in Hessdalen. A significant point raised is the issue of lost time associated with UFO phenomena and the difficulty in finding explanations for reported cases. The author expresses concern that if UFO research doesn't evolve, ufologists may give up, leading to a decline in the field. The article also touches upon the lack of international cooperation in UFO research and suggests that ufologists have often been too self-reliant, failing to consult experts and share findings publicly. It advocates for more thorough investigations of witnesses, including medical examinations, to properly assess their accounts.

Astronomy Facts

This section provides interesting astronomical facts: the light from the North Star has been traveling for over 600 years, starlight from Orion's belt is 1500 years old, and the light from the Andromeda nebula has traveled for 2,200,000 years. It also notes that there have been at least four ice ages since starlight began its journey.

Report Center Reports

Following the TV program "Svepet" in April 1989, the report center received numerous calls and letters about UFO experiences. UFO SVERIGE has been contacting these individuals. The report center thanks the switchboard operators for their work. The following are summaries of some reports:

• June 1951, Bromölla, Sweden: Lajos Gredinger reported seeing a cigar-shaped object at high altitude with seven smaller objects moving towards and away from it. The objects were blue-green and clearly visible.
• March 1968, Vindelälven, Sweden: Ingrid Silvervang observed a grey, faintly glowing, cloud-like object hovering still over a river. The object was approximately 5-15 meters wide. It followed her car for a distance.
• January 8, 1978, Valbo, Sweden: Sylvia Pettersson and her husband saw an illuminated object hovering low over trees. It resembled a helicopter, had a white dim light underneath, and appeared to have a ladder extended. Other witnesses also observed the object.
• 1978, Marbella, Spain: Ingegärd Hallberg reported a "fireman's hat" shaped object, aluminum-colored, about 12-15 meters in size, hovering over a neighboring house. She commanded it to leave, and it flew over the Mediterranean Sea.
• October 1, 1979, Oxelösund, Sweden: Barbro Magnusson observed 6-7 round, graphite-grey objects flying in formation, with one large object and several smaller ones.
• 1980, Bräcke, Sweden: Ake Magnusson and a colleague observed a luminous object with a glass-like dome, containing two people. The object hovered at an estimated height of 50-100 meters and was silent.
• August 1984, Borlänge, Sweden: Daga Belin witnessed a silent aircraft with white headlights and colored lights at the nose, flying at very low altitude.
• October 9, 1989, Busshyttan, Sweden: A witness and three children saw a strong white object, about 20 meters in size, hovering at a distance of about 30 meters before accelerating rapidly upwards.
• March 23, 1990, Ludvika, Sweden: Stefan Graaf observed a very bright light, possibly from a large spotlight, descending steeply and then ascending rapidly, with no audible sound.
• April 1990, Ludvika, Sweden: Helga Mässing saw a large red globe, significantly larger than the full moon, hovering and then slowly disappearing towards the horizon.
• June 25, 1990, Vännäs, Sweden: An anonymous witness described a white cigar-shaped UFO flying silently at low altitude over the Umeälven river, without wings, and appearing longer than a bus.
• April 16, 1990, Borlänge, Sweden: Daga Belin reported seeing an unusual craft flying at very low altitude, estimated at 50 meters above rooftops. The craft had signal-red lamps and a dark mint-green dot, and it maneuvered silently, appearing like a tram. It was observed multiple times between 23:00 and 23:45.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings. The VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO-förening appears to be actively collecting and disseminating these accounts. The editorial stance seems to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging member participation in research and investigation. There is a clear emphasis on witness testimony and the desire to understand these unexplained events. The magazine also touches upon the challenges and frustrations within the UFO research community, highlighting the need for better organization and potentially broader scientific involvement.

This issue of "Norrländska Socialdemokraten" from July 20, 1990, delves into phenomena related to UFOs and potential alien encounters, featuring a mix of eyewitness accounts, official reports, and psychological explorations.

Key Articles and Features

UFO Over Umeälven in Vännäs

The issue includes a drawing depicting a UFO over Umeälven in Vännäs, with an arrow indicating 'Flight direction east'.

"Jag är bergsäker: Ett 'flygande tefat' svävade över heden!"

This feature details the experience of 61-year-old policeman Rolf Crantz, who, along with a colleague, witnessed a disc-shaped UFO over the heath in northern Öland on a clear March evening. Crantz, a 40-year veteran of the police force, had never before believed in or been interested in UFOs. He describes the object as a disc with blinking blue and white lights and a large red 'gondol' underneath. The object was silent and exhibited incredible speed, accelerating from 280 to 1800 km/h in seconds. Crantz and his colleague observed it for 20-30 seconds before it moved across the landscape and disappeared. Crantz recounts seeing the object a total of three more times that night. He notes that unlike many UFO reports, their police car's electronics were unaffected, and they did not experience any unusual physical effects.

Himlafenomen tjusigt men skrämmande

This article reports on a sighting in Övre Soppero where Göta Holmström and her daughter observed a mysterious light phenomenon. Described as a 'sun' with a rectangular 'window' in the middle, it moved across the sky for about half an hour. While described as 'beautiful' (tjusigt), it was also perceived as 'creepy' (kusligt). Esrange and F 21 (a military base) reported no relevant activities at the time.

Ufon förbryllar belgisk militär

This report details how the Belgian military became convinced of the reality of UFOs after initial skepticism. Following sightings by 'serious' individuals like police officers and military personnel, two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled on the night of March 30-31. Pilots observed an object on their radar screens that moved at extremely high speeds, accelerating from 280 to 1800 km/h in mere seconds. The object was described as a small square on the radar. Colonel Wilfried De Brouwer of the Belgian Air Force stated that conventional aircraft could not perform such maneuvers, ruling out other explanations like laser beams.

Vad såg Bo på himlen?

Bo Carlsson from Horndal reported seeing a strange phenomenon in the sky. A bright light, faster than a star but slower than a satellite, appeared and then stopped, turning at a 90-degree angle before returning to its original position. The event lasted about 10 minutes and was accompanied by a rumbling sound.

Jag blev förföld av ett mystiskt ljus - och tiden försvann spårlöst

This article recounts the experience of 17-year-old Tom Arne Kristensen, who was riding his moped home late at night near Oslo. He was overtaken by a bright light that seemed to press down on him, making him feel warm and causing his blood to rush to his legs. He felt fear and tried to speed up, but his moped could not go any faster. The light disappeared, and he felt a sense of relief. Later, the light reappeared, and he realized it was not a car. The object moved silently and followed him. He estimates that he lost about 20 minutes of time during this encounter, as his usual 20-minute journey took 40 minutes.

Rymdmänniskorna som övervakar oss är våra kusiner

This extensive feature explores the concept of 'close encounters of the fourth kind' (CEIV), where individuals under hypnosis recall interactions with alien beings. It cites the work of psychologist Edith Fiore and author Whitley Strieber, who documented numerous cases of alleged abductions and examinations by extraterrestrials. These beings are often described as 'our cousins' and are believed to be monitoring humanity. The article discusses how these experiences can be traumatic but also lead to self-discovery. It mentions that many people have subconscious memories of such encounters, and hypnosis can help bring them to the surface. The beings are described as having varying appearances, but often with large eyes and telepathic communication. Some accounts suggest these beings are from Sirius or are part of a plan to contact humanity.

Bra att veta (Various Short Items)

• Bra att veta: Anders Palm writes a weekly column. Contact information is provided.
• Historia: Genom rymdåldern med expresstart: Discusses the history of space exploration, starting with Sputnik 1 in 1957 and reaching Neptune in 32 years.
• Fysik: Göra guld: Mentions the historical dream of alchemy and the modern ability to transmute elements through nuclear reactors, with a focus on Japanese research into methods for dealing with radioactive waste.
• TRAFIK: Dyrt för felparkerare: Describes a 'wheel clamp' system used in Great Britain for parking violations.
• ENERGI TEKNIK: En bil som går på raps: Discusses vehicles running on rapeseed oil, including a pilot project in West Germany.
• MILJÖVÄRD: Det biologiska reningsverket: Reports on a new wastewater treatment plant developed in the USA that uses bacteria and plants to purify water, producing natural gas and biomass as byproducts.
• Visste du att...: Includes trivia about high-speed cameras and the odds of being struck by lightning.
• PALEONTOLOGI: När blev människan människa?: Discusses the evolution of Homo habilis and Homo erectus.
• MILJÖ: "Årets träd": Mentions the selection of a 900-year-old Bavarian linden tree as "Tree of the Year" in West Germany.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features articles on unexplained phenomena, particularly UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness and investigation, presenting eyewitness accounts and scientific or military reports without outright dismissal. There is a clear interest in exploring the psychological and societal impact of these phenomena, as seen in the detailed coverage of hypnotic regression and the concept of 'close encounters'. The 'Bra att veta' section suggests a broader interest in science, technology, and environmental issues, but UFOs and related topics are a prominent recurring theme.

This issue of DN, dated April 21, 1990, with the headline "Tefat förföljdes" (Flying Saucers Pursued), focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena, primarily from the Soviet Union and Norway, with a brief mention of Mars anomalies. The magazine presents reports from military investigations, witness testimonies, and photographic evidence, suggesting a serious interest in the subject from official sources.

Soviet UFO Encounters

The lead article by Michael Winiarski details several recent UFO incidents in the Soviet Union. It highlights that the Soviet military is taking these sightings seriously, with radar systems capturing unidentified flying objects. The article mentions the well-known Voronezj UFO incident from the previous autumn as a recurring topic in the Soviet press.

Recent events have seen increased UFO activity. In Kostenki, a small village south of Moscow, a mysterious 5-meter deep hole was discovered in a garden. The hole was the center of an 8-meter wide circle, and the ground around it appeared freshly dug, but the removed soil was nowhere to be found. A magnetometer in the area reportedly malfunctioned. Local residents reported seeing a bright light and a hovering object in the sky.

More significantly, the Soviet military newspaper Rabotjaja Tribuna reported on UFOs being observed by air defense units near Pereslavl-Zaleskij, north of Moscow. Lieutenant Semtjenko reportedly pursued several UFOs in his reconnaissance plane, getting as close as 500 meters and observing two clear blinking lights. According to documents from General Igor Maltsev, the Supreme Commander of the Soviet Air Defense Forces, the UFOs were disc-shaped craft, 100 to 200 meters wide, with pulsating lights on their sides. They exhibited unusual flight characteristics, including hovering, zigzagging, and moving at speeds up to three times that of a fighter jet, seemingly without inertia. Radar stations detected them as 'blips'. The report concluded that these phenomena could not be explained as atmospheric events.

Norwegian UFO Sightings

The issue also features reports from Norway. A family in Løvdalen, Vestvågøy, witnessed a formation of 40-50 sharp lights moving across the sky on a Saturday evening. The lights were described as much sharper than stars, with a reddish glow, and the formation was noted to be unusual, with two larger lights at the front of a triangular shape. This sighting occurred simultaneously with disruptions to television and telephone services in the area. Laila Simonsen described the experience as "really eerie."

"Scary Recognition" and Photographic Evidence

Another article, by Billy Jacobsen, details Åge Simonsen's experience and his subsequent discovery of a book titled "Flyvende tallerkener har landet" (Flying Saucers Have Landed) by Desmond Leslie and George Adamski. Simonsen was struck by a photograph in the book, taken in Texas in 1950, which depicted a formation strikingly similar to his own sketch of the Norwegian sighting. The Texas object was estimated to be 300 meters wide. The article notes that the Norwegian sighting was reported to the police, rescue services, and military, none of whom could offer an explanation.

Further investigation by Lofotposten revealed that the Texas photograph, taken by Carl Hart Jr. in August 1951, was of a luminous triangular formation observed multiple times in August and September of that year. Arild Hansen from Melbu, who provided the information, found the similarity between the Texas photo and the Norwegian sketch to be astonishing. He mentioned that the 'Lubbock lights' incident in Texas was investigated by the US military without a definitive explanation, with theories including flocks of birds.

Arild Hansen expressed that the Borge observation was very interesting and that while he doesn't dismiss possibilities, he believes there's much that remains unexplained. He doesn't rule out the possibility of Earth being visited by extraterrestrial beings.

Mars Anomalies

A brief section discusses the 'Face on Mars' anomaly, referencing a photograph taken by the American Viking probe in 1976. Richard Hoagland of The Mars Project Organisation has studied the image and surrounding features, suggesting they might be remnants of an ancient city, including a fortress and a five-sided pyramid. He posits that a line drawn across the 'face' points to the Martian summer solstice 500,000 years ago, likening the site to a Martian Stonehenge. However, Gerald Soffen of NASA, a project leader for the Viking mission, dismisses the idea of a Martian Stonehenge, stating that "many people often see what they want to see." NASA plans to send a new probe to Mars in five years to further investigate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently portrays UFO phenomena as subjects worthy of serious investigation, particularly by military and official bodies. The tone suggests a growing public and official awareness and concern regarding these unexplained aerial phenomena. The comparison between different sightings across geographical locations (Soviet Union, Norway, USA) and time periods implies a belief in the consistency of these events. The inclusion of the 'Face on Mars' suggests a broader interest in potential extraterrestrial activity beyond Earth. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness, acknowledging the unexplained nature of many sightings while reporting on official investigations and witness accounts.