UFO-Nytt - 1993 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-nytt
Issue: Nr 2
Year: 1993
Publisher: Västerbergslagens UFO-förening
Type: Magazine

Foreword (Förord)

The foreword, written by Gudrun Andersson, expresses gratitude for contributions to the magazine and encourages readers and members to submit articles, clippings, and drawings to enrich the publication. It highlights that the members come from all over Sweden, promising a diverse mix of content. Andersson mentions that the annual meeting was a pleasant event with a good dinner, lottery, and coffee. A significant decision made was to suspend payment for the UFO SVERIGE magazine until their national meeting. The chairman of UFO SVERIGE has been informed. Those interested in the organization's activities and finances are invited to contact the association for information. The foreword also notes that Bernt, Gudrun, and Lars have been conducting successful UFO presentations in various locations, leading to new reports and members. The association is seeking individuals who can help with translations from English, German, Danish, and Norwegian to improve the magazine's content. Finally, it announces that a group will be traveling to Stockholm and Cosmonova in April, with a report to follow for those who couldn't attend.

Contents (Innehåll)

• The issue's table of contents outlines the following sections:
• Foreword (page 2)
• Clippings (page 3)
• The 1890s flap (pages 4-6)
• Reports from the investigation group (pages 7-13)
• Danish UFO reports (pages 15-17)
• Increase in animal mutilations (pages 18-20)
• Astronomical facts (pages 21-24)

Membership and Contact Information

Membership for 1993 is 85 SEK (35 SEK for those under 16). The address for the Västerbergslagens UFO förening is Box 99, 77723 Smedjebacken. The phone number is 0240 79135, and the postgiro is 16099-4.

Call for Contributions

A prominent message on page 2 states: "Everyone is welcome to contribute to UFO-Nytt! Articles, clippings, drawings, etc."

Observation Evenings and Board Meetings

Scheduled observation evenings (Obs.kvällar) for Spring and Autumn are listed, with a note that these are preliminary. The responsible person for these evenings is Lars Andersson. Board meetings (Styrelsemöten) are also scheduled throughout the year.

How Do We Listen for Life in Space? (HUR LYSSNAR VI EFTER LIV I RYMDEN?)

This article discusses humanity's attempts to communicate with extraterrestrial intelligence. It mentions early ideas of drawing geometric patterns on Earth, like planting trees or digging ditches, as a message to potential Martian inhabitants. The article notes the 1901 prize offered for the first contact. Since 1960, efforts have focused on listening for radio signals from other civilizations, starting with Project OZMA. Current methods involve scanning millions of channels simultaneously, hoping to detect simple digital signals that could form primitive images when decoded. The article also mentions the Voyager probes, which carry messages including golden plates with diagrams and sounds of Earth.

Japan's Lunar Ambitions (Nu åker japanerna till månen)

Japan has begun preparing space probes to explore the moon and planets. Since 1976, the moon has not been visited by probes. The Japanese probes will measure the moon's gravitational field and seismic activity. The first probe, Muses-A, is scheduled to launch in January 1990 from Kagoshima Space Center. It will enter a highly elliptical orbit around Earth, passing close to the moon. A small satellite will be placed in lunar orbit to study the moon's gravity. Four years later, a larger probe will send three 'spear' probes to the lunar surface to measure moonquakes. The article concludes by stating that with their advanced rockets, Japan aims to have the entire solar system within reach by the year 2000.

The 1890s Flap (1890-TALETS FLAP)

This section details numerous UFO reports from the USA between 1896-1897, during which the term 'UFO' or 'flying saucer' was not yet in use, and the phenomena were referred to as 'mysterious airships'. Sightings were common in the Midwest, including Kansas City, Chicago, and Indiana. The article notes that while airships were being invented, they were not yet in regular use for flight, and were primarily associated with Europe. It highlights that newspapers often failed to verify these accounts. Swedish UFO researcher Anders Liljegren studied these cases through Swedish-American newspapers. The article references Charles Fort's controversial book "Länder bortom verkligheten" and mentions clippings from the Topeka State Journal, Kansas City Times, Chicago Tribune, and Herald. It describes 'close encounter' cases involving ordinary bearded men. A specific account from April 1897 details an observation by Jim Hooton, who was interviewed by the Arkansas Gazette, and a sketch of the airship was provided. Another translated and shortened story from "Fate" magazine is included.

The Airship Sighting (SÅG LUFTSKEPPET)

This is an account from two men, Polisman John J. Sumpter and Vice Sheriff John Mc Lemore, from Hot Spring. They reported seeing a strong light in the sky on the night of May 6, 1897. After riding for about 7-8 km, they saw the light again, closer to the ground. Their horses became agitated, and they saw two figures walking with lanterns about 100 meters away. The figures identified themselves as being on a journey in an airship. The men described a 20-meter cigar-shaped airship, visible against the sky, with a woman in the background. The man with the large sideburns offered them a ride, but they declined. He explained that the bright light was due to the propulsion system drawing a lot of power. They were told the journey would conclude in Nashville. Upon returning about 40 minutes later, the airship was gone.

Skeptical View on Historical Reports

The article expresses skepticism about some 1890s airship reports, calling them likely untrue. It dismisses the 'captured cow' incident in Le Roy, Kansas, where a lasso allegedly descended from a spaceship to abduct a cow, and a case involving a buried alien, as fabricated stories. However, it notes that other cases resemble modern 'close encounter' scenarios, particularly the horses' reaction to the airship and the surprise nighttime encounter, which is compared to modern 'car stops'.

Capt. Jim Hooton's Sketch

A sketch by Capt. Jim Hooton, drawn from memory for the Arkansas Gazette in 1897, is presented. Hooton, employed by the Iron Mountain railway, reportedly saw a strange object on the ground and a man outside. After a brief exchange, the man entered the craft, and it disappeared instantly. The sketch is described as showing elements of 19th-century steam technology and contemporary ideas about aircraft.

Woman in Space (MARSKVINNA I RYMDEN)

This news item reports that 27-year-old researcher Helen Sharman is set to become the first Briton in space, expected to fly on a Soyuz spacecraft in May as part of a joint British-Soviet project. Sharman previously worked for the company that manufactures Mars chocolate bars and responded to an advertisement seeking an astronaut with no prior experience.

Stolen Marriage (Snuvade på äktenskapet)

A brief news item about a Mexican couple, Dolores and Raffael Bertrand, whose divorce was caused by mutual allergies. Dolores developed skin rashes when touching Raffael, and he suffered severe asthma attacks. They had been married for seven years.

Investigation Group Reports (UNDERSÖKNINGSGRUPPEN)

This section presents reports from the 'Nora group' of the investigation team. The magazine acknowledges receiving many reports and expresses gratitude for the trust placed in them. The Nora group is described as an interest group rather than a formal organization like VBU. The hope is expressed that better understanding between groups might lead to a useful exchange of reports.

Nora Sighting Report

Date: 1991, 0520, 01:12
Time: approx. 30 seconds
Location: Nora
Witnesses: 2
Description: A glowing red object, larger than the full moon, passed over Nora at a low altitude (approx. 100 meters). It appeared to be a disc rising on its edge and seemed very hot, with sparks emanating from its edges. The object moved east over Norasjön and then turned south, disappearing from view. The sighting was silent. Colors observed included green, blue, and white on its surface. The object was described as a very beautiful sight.

Karlsdal Bruk Sighting Report

Date: 1991, 0315, 20:40-21:30
Location: Road 243 near Karlsdal Bruk
Witnesses: 2
Description: The witnesses saw a large star-like object at 20:45-21:20, which began to move north, clearly outperforming other stars. Its speed increased, it turned red, and then moved west. No sound was heard. The object disappeared within 5 minutes. The observation lasted 30 minutes. At 21:25, a large white sphere was seen descending slowly near the TV mast in Kilsbergen. The 'star' came from the north and turned west. A sketch depicts the object and its movement.

Rusa Kula Sighting Report 1

Date: 1993, 0205, 24:00
Location: Road from Rusa Kula
Witnesses: 3
Description: Three people driving home from Rusa Kula saw five orange lights in a row over a clearing at a high altitude. They stopped to observe for 3-5 minutes. One witness initially thought it was road lighting, leading them to drive away. Later, when they drove the same route and found no lights, they regretted leaving, wondering what they had seen.

Rusa Kula Sighting Report 2

Date: 1993, 0208, 19:50
Location: Road from Rusa Kula
Witnesses: 2
Description: Two women in a car saw a large orange lamp appear to the left of the moon as it rose in the east. One witness saw it for a short time, observing it extinguish and then relight. The light remained steady and was perceived as twice the width of Venus. There were no masts in the area.

Ramsjön Sighting Report

Date: 1993, 0213, 21:00
Location: Road along Ramsjön
Witnesses: 4
Description: Four people in a car driving along Ramsjön saw a large point of light over the lake in a westerly direction. The light appeared to follow the car's movement as they drove on.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, historical accounts, and contemporary sightings, particularly within Sweden. There is an emphasis on encouraging member participation through submissions and shared experiences. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs, presenting various reports and theories without overt skepticism, while also acknowledging the need for verification and critical analysis, as seen in the discussion of historical cases. The publication aims to foster a community of interest in UFOs among its members.

This issue of UFO-Aktuellt, dated 1993, features a prominent cover story on the USA's 'ET hunt' initiative, alongside numerous reports of unexplained aerial phenomena and animal mutilations. The magazine maintains a focus on UFO investigations and related scientific and anecdotal evidence.

Reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena

The issue details several sightings from Sweden and Denmark. In Örebro, Sweden, witnesses reported a bright light, initially identified as Venus, that behaved unusually, appearing larger and moving independently. Another report from Borlänge described an orange-yellow, moon-like phenomenon with turquoise and red edges, which was photographed before vanishing. In Koverboda, a triangular object with red and grey lights was observed, and a separate incident in the same location involved a loud, unexplained engine sound. Avesta reported a silent object with green and beige lights that disappeared quickly. In Denmark, a woman in Voel described a white light and a flashing blue light, followed by a matte-glowing object. A young man near Herning flygplats reported a close encounter with an oval object hovering just meters above the ground.

Animal Mutilations

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to reports of animal mutilations, primarily involving cattle. Cases from Arkansas and Missouri are detailed, describing animals found dead with organs surgically removed, tongues and ears cleanly cut, and no signs of struggle or significant blood loss. Investigations into these cases suggest the use of highly precise instruments, possibly involving high heat, and a lack of conventional explanations such as predation or accidents. The reports highlight the mysterious nature of these events, with some witnesses expressing fear and concern.

Scientific and Theoretical Discussions

Beyond specific sightings, the magazine touches upon broader themes in ufology and astronomy. An article discusses the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI), referencing the US project HRMS (formerly SETI) and its ambitious goal of scanning numerous stars for radio signals. It explores theories on why humanity has not yet encountered alien life, including the possibility that alien intelligence may be vastly different from our own, perhaps evolving into non-biological forms or operating on timescales incomprehensible to humans. The concept of rapid galactic colonization is also mentioned.

Astronomical Discoveries

Briefly, the issue notes an astronomical discovery of a previously unknown galaxy located billions of light-years away, detected by astronomers in Hawaii using a large telescope. This discovery is presented within the context of humanity's ongoing quest to understand the universe and the possibility of life beyond Earth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

UFO-Aktuellt consistently presents anecdotal evidence from witnesses, often emphasizing their credibility and the lack of conventional explanations for the phenomena observed. The magazine appears to support the investigation of UFOs and related mysteries, encouraging readers to share their own experiences. The editorial stance leans towards exploring the unexplained, while also acknowledging scientific efforts and theories related to extraterrestrial life and the universe. The recurring theme is the persistent presence of unexplained events that challenge conventional understanding.

This issue of 'ASTRONOMISK FAKTA.' (Astronomical Facts), identified by volume 24 and issue number 20, appears to be from June 1993, based on the tabular data for June, July, and September. The cover features a striking headline and an illustration related to UFOs and the mundane nature of wonders.

Article 1: UFOs and a Mutilated Horse

The issue begins with a personal account prompted by the question of what lies behind certain phenomena. The interviewee expresses fear of both UFOs and 'cult groups.' She recounts a personal experience of seeing a 'mummified animal.' More significantly, in May 1980, while working on a documentary, she encountered a case on a ranch outside East Colorado Springs where a farmer's horse was found dead and mutilated. Due to the vastness of the country, investigators couldn't be everywhere, and the film crew was only able to film the horse 20 days after it was found dead. Despite warm weather, something was missing, which the reader is invited to deduce: maggots. A week later, after the horse had been dead for a month, maggots began to appear, but not in the expected quantity. Upon cutting into the horse's shoulder and thigh muscles, they discovered the musculature was entirely red, as if the horse had been alive just five minutes prior. A veterinarian confirmed this was not typical, as decomposition and insects should have consumed most of the horse by then, especially in May in Colorado. The article notes that the account of March 9th and March 4th events were presented out of order at the beginning of the narrative. The article is marked as 'Fortsättning nästa nr.' (To be continued next issue).

Article 2: Astronomical Facts

This section provides a wealth of astronomical data and explanations.

Planetary Visibility and Table of Abbreviations

A table explains how to determine planetary visibility relative to the moon. If a planet's name is underlined on a given date, it appears just below the moon in the sky; otherwise, it's just above.

Meteor Showers

Detailed information is provided on several meteor showers:

• Eta-Aquarids: Maximum on May 4-6, with 30-60 meteors per hour, best seen around 4 AM. Origin: Halley's Comet.
• Delta-Aquarids: Maximum on July 28-29, with 20-30 meteors per hour, best seen around 3 AM.
• Perseids: Maximum on August 11-13, with up to 70-75 meteors per hour, including fireballs. Visible throughout the dark hours. Origin: Comet Swift-Tuttle (1862 III). Sometimes called 'St. Lawrence's Tears' (August 10).
• Piscids: Maximum on September 9-20, with 10-15 meteors per hour, best seen around 3:30 AM.

Celestial Events and Planetary Data

• Venus: Brightest on May 7.
• Solar Eclipse: Partial on May 21 (details below).
• Summer Solstice: June 21 at 11:00 AM (details below).
• Aphelion (Earth farthest from Sun): July 4-5.
• Saturn: Brightest and closest to Earth on August 20, visible low in the south around 1 AM.
• Autumnal Equinox: September 23 at 2:22 AM (details below).
• Standard Time begins: September 26 at 3 AM, when clocks are turned back one hour to 2 AM. The hour between 2 and 3 AM will occur twice.

Understanding Planetary Movement

The text explains how to estimate when a planet rises or sets by observing the moon's position on those dates. If the planet's name is underlined, it rises slightly later and sets slightly earlier than the moon; otherwise, it's the reverse. Planetary rise and set times change little over a month.

Article 3: Solar Eclipse of May 21st

The moon's shadow will sweep across Sweden from the northwest during the partial solar eclipse on May 21st. Sweden will only experience the penumbra (half-shadow). The eclipse's duration and size will vary by location. It will be largest in the north and smallest in the south. In Kiruna, it begins at 16:20 and ends at 18:02, with maximum coverage of 33.9% of the solar diameter at 17:12. In Malmö, it lasts from 17:03 to 18:00, with maximum coverage of 8.1% at 17:32. For Smedjebacken, it starts at 16:43 and ends at 18:04, with maximum coverage of 18.3% at 17:25. The article uses a clock face analogy to describe the eclipse's position on the solar disk, noting it begins at an angle of 292 degrees and ends at 2 degrees, corresponding roughly to the upper right part of the sun.

Safe Solar Observation

Directly viewing the sun is dangerous. Safe methods include using welding glasses, layers of exposed black film, or projecting the sun's image onto a white cardboard using a field telescope. Caution is advised when aiming and focusing the telescope.

Article 4: Observing the Sun with a Telescope

This section elaborates on using a telescope for solar observation. A cardboard piece placed behind the telescope can increase contrast, and a second cardboard with a hole can further enhance this by shading the projection surface. Using a tripod is recommended as the sun moves quickly across the field of view. This method is also excellent for studying sunspots, which may be visible during the eclipse. The company Clas Ohlson in Insjön offers tripod mounts and suitable photo tripods.

Article 5: Solstices and the Arctic Circle

During the summer solstice, the sun is at its zenith at the northernmost point on Earth, the Tropic of Cancer (23°26′ N). This value corresponds to the Earth's axial tilt relative to its orbital plane. Subtracting this from 90 degrees gives the latitude of the Arctic Circle (66°34′ N). The article notes that the commonly cited 66°33′ N is now incorrect due to the slow, continuous change in the Earth's axial tilt, which also shifts the tropics and polar circles. The northern polar circle moves approximately 14.5 meters north annually, or just over 1.4 km per century. The northern tropic shifts southward by a similar amount. In about 10,000 years, the tilt will reach a minimum of approximately 22°38′, meaning the sun will be 48 arcminutes lower at the summer solstice and higher at the winter solstice compared to today. For comparison, the sun's diameter is about 0.5 degrees, similar to the moon's diameter.

Midnight Sun Visibility

One doesn't need to travel all the way to the Arctic Circle to see the midnight sun. Stopping 64 km south of the Arctic Circle is sufficient, provided there is a clear, unobstructed northern horizon. This is due to atmospheric refraction, which lifts celestial bodies at the horizon by an average of 0.57 degrees. This effect varies with temperature and air pressure, increasing with high pressure and cold. Essentially, the sun appears 'lifted' by more than its own width when on the horizon.

Article 6: Atmospheric Refraction and Day/Night Length

Atmospheric refraction decreases rapidly with increasing altitude above the horizon. This causes the lower edge of the sun or moon to appear lifted more than the upper edge, resulting in a slightly flattened appearance at sunrise and sunset. Another common misconception is that day and night are of equal length during the equinoxes. Due to atmospheric refraction, day and night are actually of equal length on the day *before* the spring equinox and the day *after* the autumn equinox. During the equinoxes, the sun is directly over the equator on its path north or south, allowing for precise timing. Similarly, solstices, when the sun 'turns' at the northern or southern tropics, can also be precisely timed.

Refraction at High Altitudes

A footnote explains that at an altitude of 11,000 meters (e.g., from a traffic airplane), atmospheric refraction is about twice as strong as at ground level. Light from the sun or moon passes through the atmosphere twice (down to the ground and then up to the plane), causing even more flattening at sunrise and sunset compared to ground-level observation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to cover a mix of unexplained phenomena (UFOs, alleged animal mutilations) and factual astronomical information. The tone for the astronomical sections is informative and educational, providing data and explanations for celestial events and phenomena. The inclusion of the UFO/mutilation story suggests an interest in the unexplained, while the detailed astronomical tables and explanations indicate a commitment to providing scientific data. The editorial stance seems to be one of exploring mysteries while also grounding readers in scientific understanding of the cosmos.