UFO-Nytt - 1991 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-nytt
Issue: 1
Volume: 1991
Publisher: VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO-förening
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Publication Frequency: Four times a year

This issue of UFO-nytt, number 1 from 1991, is a magazine for members of the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening. The cover features the title in bold lettering, along with the issue number and year, and a central graphic depicting a UFO over a landscape. Contact information for the Vasterbergslagens UFO-forening is also present.

Table of Contents

The table of contents on page 2 outlines the diverse content of the issue:

• Introduction and travel advertisement
• An explanation for seeing a luminous ring around the sun
• Reports on the Hessdalen phenomenon (1981-1991)
• UFO reports from Norway in 1990
• A historical series
• A look back thirty years
• Updates from the investigation group
• UFO reports (pages 9-12)
• Newspaper clippings and a competition
• Totte's database
• Ancient UFO observations
• A report from 1742
• More 'ancient' reports
• A concluding statement: "Evil shines from the skull's eyes!"

Editorial and Membership Information

The editorial team is listed as Anna-Lisa Andersson, ThorLeif Andersson, Gudrun Andersson, IngMarie Strömberg, Lars Andersson, Birgitta Andersson, Börje Eggestad, and others. Membership fees for 1990 were 75 SEK, and 25 SEK for those under 16. The address for the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening is provided as Box 99, 77723 Smedjebacken, with a postgiro number of 16099-4.

Travel Advertisement: Mystical Egypt

Page 3 features an advertisement for a trip to Egypt organized by UFO-SVERIGE and GÖTEBORGS UFO-FÖRENING, scheduled for May 24, 1991. The cost is 5450 SEK, with additional flight surcharges from various airports. The itinerary includes accommodation in Cyprus and Cairo, with excursions to the pyramids and the Egyptian museum. The advertisement encourages more people to join to make the trip more enjoyable and affordable.

Explanation of Solar Halos

Page 4 addresses the question: "Why do you see a luminous ring around the sun?". The article explains that this phenomenon, called a halo, occurs when sunlight refracts through ice crystals in clouds at altitudes of 6-10 kilometers, where temperatures range from -50 to -60 degrees Celsius. The ice crystals, shaped like narrow hexagonal needles, refract sunlight at a 22-degree angle. A halo can be seen up to 22 degrees from the sun, making its diameter 44 degrees, or one-quarter of the entire sky. The presence of a halo is a sign that precipitation is approaching, typically within 18-24 hours.

The Hessdalen Phenomenon (1981-1991)

Pages 5 and 9 delve into the Hessdalen phenomenon in Norway. The reports began just before Christmas 1981. Light phenomena were observed nightly, particularly during dark hours. Barbro Magnusson's research in 1987 involved interviewing locals to understand their experiences. The town has 150 inhabitants and is situated in a valley. Magnusson's method focused on understanding the people's experiences rather than direct investigation. Witnesses reported seeing various colored lights, including orange, multi-colored yellow, and red. Spiral-shaped and zeppelin-like phenomena were observed, with some craft reportedly having lights at both ends. The phenomena were seen in all weather conditions, and some residents described silver-shining egg or ball-shaped flying objects.

In February 1984, a two-week project involving field researchers from Norway and Sweden was conducted. Tents and specialized instruments were set up in extreme cold. A base station was established, housing radar, a spectrum analyzer, field strength meters, seismographs, and radio equipment. A photographic grid was also set up. While radar detected the phenomena, visual confirmation occurred only three times. A notable attempt was made to photograph the phenomenon, with one researcher, Björn Lageson, capturing an image, though its usability was debated. This project is described as the first honest and serious attempt to grasp the UFO phenomenon, with open discussion. A similar attempt in 1985 was less successful.

Since 1985, the number of reports has decreased, or residents have stopped reporting, possibly due to skepticism or fear of ridicule. The article notes that locals spoke of solid objects, while ufologists offered explanations like inbreeding. The natural environment of Hessdalen – the mountains, cold, weather, and roads – remains unchanged, but the question of what happened or is happening persists. Leif Havik has written a book with images about Hessdalen, and there are scientific accounts of the events, but the author laments the lack of interest in disseminating this material.

Page 9 mentions that the investigation group will now only note reports with explanations by date and location, to make more space for interesting reports or articles. They also plan to conduct more field trips and travel to reported UFO locations, recalling the positive experiences at Hessdalen.

UFO Reports from Norway (1990)

Page 6 presents UFO reports from Norway during 1990:

• Hessdalen (February): An anonymous witness reported seeing an object near their house, about 2 meters in diameter and 25 meters long, which hovered and then flew away.
• Høyanger (June 12, 15:30): A farmer and two others saw a white object land in a field about 800 meters away. It was about 5 meters in size, with yellow, white, and blue colors, and remained stationary for 15 minutes before flying straight up at high speed.
• Lorenskog (July 15, 15:40): A bus driver observed a strange, pistol-shaped craft hovering. It moved slowly and emitted a red blinking light, which grew larger. It then hovered, moved sideways, and disappeared.
• Eidså Sunnmore (July 15): Birger Olsen reported a sharp blue-green light flying at airplane speed over a fjord, disappearing behind a mountain. The area is known for having traces.
• Nordland Fylke (August 16): A mother reported her son saw a large, blank sphere with a yellow-orange light and a high-frequency sound, flying about a meter above the ground. The object was metallic with small round windows and squares. The boy drew pictures of it.

Comic Strips and Dinosaur Extinction Theory

Page 7 features comic strips, including "Kalle Hobbe" and "Ryadman Spiff's" adventures. It also includes a brief article about the theory of dinosaur extinction, suggesting that an impact from a comet 65 million years ago caused the extinction. Evidence for this theory is cited as a massive crater on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula near Chicxulub, measuring 177 kilometers wide.

Thirty Years Ago: March 1958

Page 8 recounts a sighting from March 1958 in Pouta Porau, Brazil. Marcio Goucalves and his companions saw a bright, stationary object over a forest. The object, described as polished metal and larger than their car, moved towards them, hovering above. It emitted a blood-red light. The object then followed their jeep for about 15 minutes, flying low over the ground without sound or heat. The chase ended when the object suddenly ascended vertically and disappeared at high speed.

Investigation Group Notes

Page 9 details the investigation group's new reporting strategy: only noting reports with explanations by date and location to save space for more in-depth articles. They also plan more field trips. The page lists several reports from October 24, 1990, with explanations such as "Bolid" (fireball) and "Flygplan" (airplane). Some of these sightings occurred during heavy fog, leading to aircraft being rerouted and creating unusual light patterns.

Rose-Marie Sävström Sighting (October 7, 1990)

Page 10 describes a sighting by Rose-Marie Sävström in Arvika on October 7, 1990. While cycling home, she witnessed a large, silent, disc-shaped object with a yellow light and a ramp, hovering in the sky. It was described as gray with a yellow glow. The object moved erratically at high speed before disappearing. She later heard a loud rumbling sound for about 10 seconds, though she couldn't confirm if it was related to the sighting. The article notes that SMHI (Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute) stated that neither the rumbling nor the light phenomena were meteorological, suggesting a satellite malfunction as a possible explanation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO-nytt demonstrates a commitment to documenting UFO sightings and related phenomena from both contemporary and historical perspectives. The magazine features a mix of eyewitness reports, scientific explanations for certain aerial phenomena (like halos), and discussions about ongoing investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging members to share their experiences and contributing to the collective understanding of UFOs. The inclusion of travel opportunities and historical cases suggests a broad approach to the subject matter, aiming to engage readers with various aspects of the UFO field. The recurring theme is the persistent presence of unexplained aerial phenomena and the ongoing efforts to investigate and understand them.

This issue of "UFO Journal" (Volume 10, Issue 10, dated October 1983, with some articles referencing later dates) delves into various unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and related events, primarily from Sweden and Belgium. The magazine features witness testimonies, official investigations, and attempts to identify the phenomena.

Monika Jasson Sighting (Östra Främby, Sweden)

Monika Jasson reported an incident on October 1981, around 18:30-18:45, while driving with her daughter. She observed a compact red light above a football field that followed her car. Upon arriving home, she saw the light resolve into two orbs, one larger than the other, with a bus-like, elongated shape divided into black squares, resembling windows. The object then disappeared. The case was handled by Birgit Sälgström.

Tommy Hansson Sighting (Spånga, Sweden)

Tommy Hansson reported a sighting from 1978 or 1979, around 23:00. While cycling home, he observed five round discs flying in a pyramid formation at high speed, estimated to be faster than a jet plane. The discs were described as yellowish-red and slightly smaller than the full moon, all of equal size. He had no explanation for the sighting. Birgit Sälgström also handled this case. A commentary notes the similarity to Barbro Magnusson's report regarding formation discs and similar timing, suggesting the color might be influenced by sunset.

Torbjörn Vallen Sighting (St Annas Skärgård, Sweden)

Torbjörn Vallen recounts an experience from late September or early October 1983 during a military exercise in the St Annas Archipelago. He and a colleague observed four distinct lights in a line moving slowly from left to right. He estimated their distance at 300-500 meters and altitude at 50-100 meters, with a speed of 10-15 km/h. His colleague was initially dismissive but eventually looked. Vallen was excited, while his colleague was irritated. The next day, others who were on duty reported nothing unusual. Vallen speculated it might have been a Vertol helicopter, which can hover and move in various ways, but noted the lack of sound was puzzling. The following morning, a Vertol helicopter was indeed observed for submarine surveillance, but its lights were different from the night sighting. Vallen questions what he saw.

Mysterious Cloud Over Barents Sea

An article reports on a mysterious cloud over the Barents Sea that caused concern in Finland and Sweden. The cloud was observed on satellite images, and initial reports from a Dutch shortwave transmitter suggested it might be related to an environmental catastrophe or a volcanic eruption. Given the presence of Soviet nuclear submarines in the Barents Sea, concerns about radioactivity arose. A Finnish Air Force plane was dispatched to investigate. The Finnish Meteorological Institute later suggested it was likely a natural phenomenon, possibly an unusual cloud formation. Dutch meteorologist Tjal Landmeter from KNMI stated that satellite images showed a long white band, and that the cloud did not appear as a dark spot on infrared images, ruling out an explosion. He described it as a cold cloud not caused by humans.

Maj-Lis Ohnell Sighting (Mjågen, Älvdalen, Sweden)

Maj-Lis Ohnell reported being awakened by a strange noise around 00:30 on New Year's Eve. She saw a bright yellow light outside her cabin, which she initially thought might be a problem with the house. The light illuminated the area around her storehouse and field, with a central ring of sparkling gemstones. After a few seconds, the ring moved west and disappeared. Gudrun Andersson from UFO Bergslagen found the description to be a typical UFO sighting.

Light Phenomenon Over Smedjebacken (Sweden)

Many early risers in the Smedjebacken area observed a strong light phenomenon on a Friday morning. The green light was seen in the northwest around 6 AM. Gudrun Andersson, chair of the Västerbergslagen UFO Association, explained that it was likely a Soviet rocket launch from the Kola Peninsula, matching the direction and timing of planned launches.

UFO Journal - Torsten Karlsson's Column

Torsten Karlsson's column addresses recent UFO reports, noting a lack of sensational news. He mentions a French space agency's confirmation that a mysterious light seen over Western Europe was not a UFO but parts of a Soviet rocket burning up upon re-entry. Thousands of people in France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy witnessed the event. Another report from Paris identifies an unidentified flying object observed over Europe during the previous July as likely pieces of the Soviet satellite Kosmos 749, which was launched in 1975 and expected to fall around December 18-20, 1983. UFOs were observed over Western Europe on December 25th.

UFOs Over Japan

A report from Tokyo details numerous sightings of glowing orbs over Japan on a Tuesday evening. The objects moved at high speed over the sea and the main island. The US NORAD in Colorado identified the objects as remnants of the final stage of a Soviet rocket launched on September 26th to place the satellite Kosmos-1685 into orbit. The rocket stage began to break apart and burn upon re-entry into the atmosphere over the Pacific. A man in Shingu, Japan, found a piece of fiberglass, possibly from the rocket. The phenomenon was filmed by NHK. The report also mentions past incidents, including a Soviet military satellite falling in Canada in 1978 and Skylab falling over Australia in July.

E.T. Encounters in Mexico

A brief report from the "Sixth Sorcerer Congress" in Mexico states that the local population in Tuxtepec, Oaxaca, began building a circular landing pad for "flying saucers." Farmers claimed to have had contact, both physical and telepathic, with extraterrestrial beings described as about two meters tall and speaking perfect Spanish.

The Belgian UFO Flap (Translated from MUFON UFO Journal)

This section, translated by Torsten Karlsson, details a significant wave of UFO sightings in Belgium, starting in October and continuing daily. The triangular UFOs were similar to those reported in the US, particularly the Hudson Valley sightings from 1983-1986. The Belgian UFO investigation group SOBEPS investigated around 650 cases involving over 900 witnesses, many of them highly competent professionals. It's estimated that at least 10,000 Belgians saw UFOs described as "as large or larger than a traffic airplane."

The Belgian government uniquely supported SOBEPS's investigations, with the Ministry of the Interior ordering the Gendarmerie Nationale to provide UFO reports and tips. The Ministry of Defense also granted SOBEPS access to radar specialists and military installations. Two military planes were prepared to assist SOBEPS during a four-day period, including one equipped with an infrared video camera.

Witnesses described the objects as dark, triangular, with clear lights and a red light in the center. Many saw rows of blinking lights on the sides of the triangles. Descriptions of size varied from "modest" (like a small airplane) to "colossal" or "massive" (like a football field or airfield). The objects often hovered, moved slowly, or accelerated suddenly, disappearing almost instantly. They were almost always silent or emitted a faint humming sound.

Some witnesses reported seeing "heavy metal parts, crossed parts, grid-like work, tubular things" on the underside of the triangles. Others claimed the triangles changed shape into round lights, opened up, released small red objects, and then reformed into triangles.

Sightings occurred in densely populated areas and near major roads. The landscape around Eupen, Liege, and Namur was noted as being similar to the Hudson Valley area. Some witnesses reported that their car headlights or UFOs responded to signals with lights or movements.

On November 29, 1989, a major observation night occurred with hundreds of UFOs seen around Eupen. SOBEPS collected nearly 120 reports from that night alone. A significant sighting involved two police officers in a patrol car being illuminated by a beam from a dark triangle with three projectors and a blinking red light. The object was large, made a faint humming sound, and hovered at 200-300 meters. The light was so bright it was like reading a newspaper. The object moved slowly towards the La Gileppe Dam, hovered for about 45 minutes, then moved southwest and hovered over Spa for 30 minutes before disappearing.

SOBEPS found that other people had seen the UFO earlier that day. A police officer on duty saw a bright rectangular object about 20 meters long moving very slowly. Two other officers reported seeing a triangular object with a balanced movement and a visible dome on top, describing it as beautiful and being visibly upset.

Air Force Activity

Another significant observation night occurred on March 30th, when 15 police officers near Wavre saw five white, luminous objects moving quickly and returning, glowing red. The Air Force radar station at Glons and the Beauvechain base were alerted, and two F-16 planes, later joined by an AWACS plane, were dispatched. Despite initial media reports of empty-handed planes, the Air Force reported that five different military radars had detected unidentified echoes at the same time and location as the ground observers. The report confirmed the objects moved at extraordinary speeds. Details of this report were shown on TV and in newspapers on May 19th, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1986 Brazilian overflights where military jets chased UFOs.

The November 29, 1989, sightings created a sensation. SOBEPS was inundated with reports, similar to the response to Philip Imbrogno's group in Connecticut. Witnesses described the objects as initially thought to be small planes, then military planes, or "mystery planes." The article states that the initial hypotheses about unusual ultralight aircraft are now dismissed.

Rykten circulated that the F-117 Stealth Fighter had flown in Belgian airspace. The article suggests this might partially explain some sightings, but not the large, triangular objects that hovered, moved slowly, accelerated suddenly, or released smaller objects.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena, the attempts to identify them (often as space debris or military aircraft), and the public's fascination with these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of sightings, while also acknowledging the possibility of conventional explanations. The magazine highlights the unusual level of government cooperation in Belgium, suggesting a serious approach to the phenomenon. The comparison of Belgian sightings to those in the US (Hudson Valley) indicates an effort to connect global UAP patterns. The inclusion of witness testimonies, even from seemingly ordinary individuals, underscores the personal impact of these encounters.

This issue of the magazine 'UFO' from 1991, issue number 20, focuses on historical UFO sightings and the mystery surrounding a crystal skull. The cover features a collage with a prominent 'UFO' sign, images related to the crystal skull, and two comic-style illustrations from Walt Disney's 'Denna vår värld' titled 'Mystisk Monstrum' and 'Lyriska Löv'. The main headline on the cover is 'FRIMÄRKETS DAG. LUDVIKA' (Stamp Day. Ludvika), followed by the names Bernt Berglund, Birgitta Andersson, and Lars Andersson.

Historical UFO Observations (Forntidens ufo observationer)

The magazine presents a section on historical UFO observations, suggesting that the UFO phenomenon is as old as humanity itself. It questions whether existing evidence, such as strange figures in caves, can be definitively explained by researchers, referring to them as 'scribbles'. The article posits that a lack of prejudice and a deeper understanding of ancient scripts might shed more light on these phenomena. It acknowledges that ancient people were more attuned to nature and lacked modern distractions like aircraft and satellites, making their observations potentially more direct.

The text discusses the difficulty of describing modern objects like cars to ancient peoples and suggests that while extraterrestrial explanations are often considered, natural phenomena or misinterpretations are also plausible. The article notes that despite being in the 1990s, the mystery of UFOs remains unsolved, and speculation continues.

European UFO Sightings: 1500s–1600s

This section details several historical accounts:

• 1322 (November 4): A pale, bluish fireball, the size of a small boat, was seen ascending from the south, moving slowly and solemnly across the sky towards the north, emitting powerful red light and heat.
• 1387 (November/December): A fire was observed in the sky, described as a burning, spinning wheel, a round barrel of flames, or a long, burning beam, seen throughout the winter in Leicestershire, England.
• 1461 (November 1): A burning object, resembling an iron bar of considerable length and as large as half the moon, was seen over Arras, France, for less than fifteen minutes. It was described as 'shaped like a ship, from which fire was seen to shoot out'.

These accounts are attributed to Jacques Vallee's 'UFO's in Space: Anatomy of a Phenomenon' and Harold T. Wilkins' 'Flying Saucers on the Attack'.

1700s Celestial Phenomena

Another section details events from the late 18th century:

• 1742 (December 16): An observer in Saint James's Park, London, witnessed a light ascending behind buildings, moving parallel to the horizon in a wavy motion, appearing to be a large, slow-moving object with a bright light and a tail.
• 1799 (September 19): Across England, a beautiful orb of white light was seen at 8:30 PM, moving rapidly from northwest to southeast with a slight trembling motion and no sound.
• 1799 (November 12): A large, red pillar of fire was observed moving from north to south over Hereford, preceded by powerful electrical flashes.
• 1799 (November 19): In Lincolnshire, people were startled by sharp lightning flashes lasting 30 seconds, followed by a fireball that passed overhead, leaving trails of floating fire.

These accounts are also cited from Harold T. Wilkins' 'Flying Saucers on the Attack'.

1733 Flying Object Description

This section describes a 1733 sighting, considered a classic description of a 'flying saucer':

• 1733 (December 8): A Mr. Cracker from Fleet, England, reported seeing a 'flying saucer' in broad daylight. It was described as a shimmering, silver-like object that moved incredibly fast, with a body much larger than a shooting star and a longer tail. Another witness, Mr. Edgecombe, reported seeing a similar phenomenon at the same time, approximately 25 kilometers away, moving from east to north.

This account is attributed to 'Fate, April 1951'.

The Crystal Skull (Ondskan lyser ur dödskallens ögon)

This extensive article focuses on a mysterious crystal skull, described as being made of a single piece of rock crystal, large as a human head, and lifelike in detail. The skull is said to be 'evil' if it falls into the wrong hands.

Discovery and Ownership

The skull's story begins in Canada in 1917 when explorer Mike Mitchell-Hedges was approached by two Americans who asked him to care for their ten-year-old daughter, Anna, whom they were leaving behind. Mike initially refused but eventually took Anna in, and she became his adopted daughter, accompanying him on his travels.

Anna Mitchell-Hedges discovered the crystal skull in the ruins of an ancient Maya temple in Central America. She found the upper part of the skull under an altar, placed there by a Maya priest long ago. Three months later, Mike found the lower jaw about eight meters away.

Legends and Properties

Anna's father believed the skull brought death to those who owned it, and he survived numerous attacks during his 30 years with it. The local Maya legend states that a high priest used the skull to concentrate his thoughts and project death onto his enemies. Anna found the skull in 1927.

Scientific Examination and Mysteries

Since then, the skull has been scientifically and technically examined by experts from prestigious museums. Much has been learned, but its deepest secrets remain elusive. It is estimated that it took approximately 300 years of continuous work to create the skull, possibly through fine sand polishing. The skull is hollow, with internal lenses and prisms that channel light from the eye sockets, making them glow as if with fire. The lower jaw is loose and balances precisely, allowing the skull to appear to 'speak' when moved by the slightest breeze.

Art conservator Frank Dorland believes the skull was used as an oracle. While he doubts its supernatural abilities, he acknowledges its inexplicable properties. He recounts an incident where the skull emitted a halo of light, a phenomenon that lasted for six minutes. The skull has also been known to produce mysterious sounds at night, described as a choir or soft singing, and sometimes sounds like a jungle cat. After such nights, Anna's belongings would be found scattered, despite no signs of forced entry.

Occasionally, a scent like rotting vegetation with a sour note emanates from the skull. People sensitive to it become thirsty when near it and may feel physical pressure on their face and body. Vibrations, described as energy, warmth, or cold, can be felt when touching it.

Later History and Legacy

Anna inherited the skull upon Mike's death in 1959. She lent it to various scientists, including Frank Dorland. In 1970, she retrieved it, citing that Dorland did not respect it enough and that it could cause accidents. Anna stated she was not afraid because she respected it as her father did, but warned that it could cause misfortune if it fell into the wrong hands. She intended for it to go to a museum after her death.

Upon Anna's death, the crystal skull was inherited by the Native American museum in New York. However, its power is said to persist, with museum cleaners refusing to enter the display hall unless the case is covered.

The article concludes by posing the question: 'Who were the Maya Indians? Where did they get their knowledge from?' suggesting it is a subject worthy of study.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained phenomena, historical mysteries, and the paranormal. There's a clear interest in documenting historical accounts of UFOs and other strange occurrences, presenting them as intriguing puzzles that continue to baffle researchers. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting evidence and theories without necessarily endorsing one over another, while acknowledging the enduring mystery of these subjects. The inclusion of the crystal skull narrative adds a layer of ancient mystery and alleged supernatural influence, linking historical artifacts to unexplained phenomena.