UFO-Nytt - 1996 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NYTT
Issue: Nr 4, 1996
Publisher: VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO FÖRENING
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO NYTT, published by the Västerbergslagen UFO Association, is a member magazine released quarterly. It delves into various UFO-related topics, including alleged alien encounters, scientific perspectives on extraterrestrial life, and reader-submitted sighting reports.

Contents Overview

The table of contents for this issue includes:

• FÖRORD (Foreword): An editorial by Gudrun reflecting on the year's progress in UFO research and questioning the selective nature of contactee experiences.
• LIV I RYMDEN (Life in Space): Gudrun's contribution to the UFO debate, discussing the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the challenges of interspecies communication.
• DET ÄR I BRASILIEN SOM DET HÄNDER (It Happens in Brazil): An article detailing a reported incident where Brazilian military allegedly captured two extraterrestrial beings.
• RAPPORTER (Reports): A collection of reader-submitted UFO sighting reports from various locations in Sweden.
• NORSKA KLIPP (Norwegian Clips): Likely a section featuring UFO news or reports from Norway.
• ARKIV X... (Archive X...): A section potentially delving into older or more mysterious UFO cases.
• FOLKET PÅ ÅSEN (The People on the Hill): The title suggests a narrative or case study.

Key Articles and Features

FÖRORD (Foreword)

Gudrun's foreword reflects on the past year's UFO research, noting that while the 'ufo enigma' hasn't been significantly advanced, the method of documenting incoming cases is considered correct. The author expresses curiosity about why certain 'contactees' cannot simply invite UFOs for public study, questioning their claims of telepathic contact and the selective nature of these experiences. Gudrun wonders if these individuals possess some form of 'power possession' or are simply more intelligent. The piece also touches upon Sweden's economy, suggesting that insights from contactees could be beneficial, and criticizes the idea of contactees profiting excessively from their experiences.

LIV I RYMDEN (Life in Space)

This article, also by Gudrun, engages with the UFO debate, particularly in light of a meteorite from Mars reportedly containing bacteria. It discusses the growing scientific consensus that life might exist in space. The author ponders the challenges of encountering intelligent extraterrestrial beings, considering the vast distances involved and the potential differences in intelligence and communication. Gudrun questions how we would measure intelligence in an alien context and whether humans, in their pursuit of progress, might similarly seek to influence or control life on other planets. The piece concludes by suggesting that intelligence can manifest in various forms, not always accompanied by emotions.

DET ÄR I BRASILIEN SOM DET HÄNDER (It Happens in Brazil)

This article, translated from Danish UFO-NYT by Per Andersen, reports on an alleged UFO landing and alien capture in Brazil. It describes how three girls encountered a damaged, dark brown being, about a meter tall, with a large head, red eyes, and three horns. The incident reportedly led to military involvement, with a sergeant confirming that firefighters were called to capture an 'unusual animal' which turned out to be an alien. The being was captured in a net and taken to a military base. The article mentions that UFO researchers gathered information, and multiple witnesses reportedly saw similar beings. The beings were allegedly taken to a special hospital, where one died and was subsequently autopsied by Dr. Badan Palhares. The Brazilian UFO researchers claim to have all the details, which are expected to be published in 'UFO Magazine'.

DET OKÄNDA (The Unknown)

Written by Börje Lundberg, this article explores credible UFO observations that defy easy explanation. It recounts the experience of Lieutenant Robert Jacobs at Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1964, who was tasked with filming an Atlas missile launch. During the filming, a UFO appeared, circled the missile's nose cone, fired bright flashes, and then disappeared. The incident caused the missile to deviate from its course and crash prematurely. Jacobs, who later became a professor of journalism, described the event as the strangest he had ever seen and was initially bound by a gag order.

RAPPORTER (Reports)

This section features several reader-submitted accounts of UFO sightings in Sweden:

• Stora Skedvi: An anonymous witness reported seeing an oval 'star' moving slowly in a northerly direction on a clear November evening. The object was distinct from other stars and disappeared after a few minutes.
• Bisbergshyttan, Säter: An anonymous witness driving at night saw two very bright lights, initially mistaking them for a plane in distress. The lights were stationary for about two minutes before disappearing.
• Lövåsen, Stora Skedvi: An anonymous witness observed a very bright, round 'light ball' on the left side of their balcony. The object was intensely bright, comparable to a powerful spotlight, and disappeared instantly without sound.

Other Sections

• Kalla fakta (Cold Facts): This section presents various factual tidbits, including extreme temperature records in Sweden and Antarctica, details about polar conditions, human tolerance to temperature, and extreme snowfall.
• Ny källa till elfenben (New Source of Ivory): Discusses the discovery of mammoth ivory preserved in Siberian ice.
• Fysikerna får glädje av arkeologiska blyfynd (Physicists Gain from Archaeological Lead Finds): Reports on 2000-year-old lead ingots found off the coast of Sardinia, which are of interest to atomic physicists due to their low radioactivity.
• Det händer... (It Happens...): A general section for news or brief items.
• Liknade den första människan oss? (Did the First Human Resemble Us?): Discusses the discovery of 'Lucy', an early hominid fossil, and its implications for understanding human evolution.
• Hundliv i rymden (Dog's Life in Space): A short, humorous piece by BM about the planet Pluto and a dog named Pluto.
• RECEPT (Recipe): A satirical recipe from the 1800s for 'lies' or untruths, humorously applied to some UFO organizations.
• EN REGNBÅGE MITT I VINTERN (A Rainbow in the Middle of Winter): A brief report about an unusual winter rainbow sighting.
• Teckning(ar) av fenomenet (Drawing(s) of the Phenomenon): A section encouraging readers to submit drawings of UFOs they have witnessed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, with a focus on UFO sightings and potential extraterrestrial contact. There's a blend of reporting on alleged incidents (like the Brazil case), scientific speculation (life in space), and personal accounts from readers. The editorial stance, particularly in Gudrun's pieces, seems to be one of critical inquiry, questioning the motives and claims of contactees while acknowledging the persistent mystery of UFO phenomena. The magazine aims to document and discuss these events within the UFO community in Sweden.

This issue of "UFO-GÅTEN" (The UFO Riddle), published by VG on October 11, 1996, focuses on the persistent mystery of unexplained aerial phenomena, particularly in Hessdalen, Norway, and explores related topics such as potential extraterrestrial life on Mars and ancient civilizations.

Hessdalen Phenomenon: A Continuing Mystery

The magazine highlights the ongoing interest in the Hessdalen phenomenon, with a group of Swedish UFO enthusiasts from Dalarna visiting the area for "UFO-speiding" (UFO-watching). Jan Moen and Bjarne Lillevold, key figures in documenting Hessdalen sightings, note a renewed interest fueled by UFO-themed movies like "Independence Day" and the TV series "X-Files." They have established a teletorg (premium-rate phone service) number and an internet site, managed by researcher Erling Strand and students from Høgskolen i Østfold, to collect and disseminate UFO observations.

Erling Strand, a civil engineer, aims to combine modern physics with parapsychology to solve the Hessdalen mystery, suggesting that the answer may lie in an undiscovered field of physics. The teletorg service has received significant attention, with many calls from people curious about the Hessdalen sightings.

• Several recent observations from Hessdalen are detailed:
• January 13, 1996 (22:40): A sharp light was seen moving slowly near Aspåskjølen, followed by another light emerging from the first.
• January 20, 1996 (06:30): Oddmund Tamlag and Inge Gjørsvoll observed a sharp light near Finnåshøgda with light beams, which smelled of sulfur.
• April 4, 1996 (12:36): Two individuals saw a gray object shaped like a coin hovering over a mountainside, which disappeared rapidly after 25 seconds.
• April 12, 1996 (23:35): Ingeborg Rønning saw a sharp light following her car.
• July 31, 1996 (15:00): Two teenagers observed a gray shadow moving slowly between trees, disappearing after 10 seconds.
• September 16, 1996 (22:30): Asbjørn Røkke and two others saw a light blinking red, yellow, and green, moving in a circle over Hessdalen.
• September 18, 1996 (22:00): Bjarne Lillevold saw a round, blue-flashing ball over Rognefjell.

Swedish Sightings and Investigations

• The issue also includes reports from Sweden:
• August 12, 1996 (22:03): Bengt Karlsson in Nyberget observed a steady yellow light moving over Lövåsberget.
• August 26, 1996 (21:20): Astrid Andersson in Nyberget saw a bright white light moving from east to southwest above Lövåsberget for about 15 seconds, noting it couldn't be an airplane.
• August 20, 1996 (21:49): Bengt Karlsson observed a fast-moving yellow light from west-southwest to east-northeast.
• September 20, 1996: Bernt Andersson in Vansbro described a delta-winged, u-shaped object with a blue-white light from below and a smoke-like substance.
• September 24, 1996 (approx. 20:18-22:20): Roger Andersson in Österfärnebo saw a yellow-orange-white ball-shaped object gliding at tree-top height, which then moved away rapidly.

Potential Life on Mars

A significant article reports on a discovery by NASA, announced by Administrator Daniel Goldin, of fossilized microbes on Mars. These microscopic remnants are approximately 3.5 billion years old, indicating the existence of primitive life on the planet. The evidence was found in a meteorite that landed on Earth 13,000 years ago, originating from Mars. While some scientists hailed this as a "formidable sensation," others remained skeptical. The article notes that Mars was once warmer and wetter, conditions that could have supported life, and speculates that microbes might still exist beneath the planet's surface.

The Piri Reis Map: A Historical Enigma

Under the "DET OKÄNDA" (The Unknown) section, Börje Lundberg discusses the Piri Reis map, created in 1513. This highly detailed map accurately depicts the coastline of Antarctica, including Queen Maud Land, as it would appear if the ice sheet were removed. This is remarkable because modern science only confirmed this detail in 1949, and the ice has been present for at least 6,000 years. The map's accuracy suggests knowledge from a highly advanced civilization predating known historical periods, possibly linked to the lost city of Atlantis.

The "Arbetsgruppen för utomjordisk kontakt"

Another segment introduces the "Arbetsgruppen för utomjordisk kontakt" (Working Group for Extraterrestrial Contact) in Stockholm, consisting of Bertil Kuhlemann, Marcel Westerlund, and Sten Lindgren. They have written to the Swedish government requesting a meeting to provide information and develop a strategy for receiving extraterrestrials. Their letters state that individuals in Sweden have had contact with alien civilizations and that Sweden could be the first country to establish official contact. Prime Minister Göran Persson responded, declining the meeting due to time constraints but noting that the extraterrestrials do not pose a military threat.

Gösta Carlsson's "UFO-Dryck"

An article by Mikael Holmberg introduces Gösta "Pollonkungen" Carlsson from Ängelholm, who claims to have received an "ufo-drink" from extraterrestrials that can double the lifespan of mice. He has registered four other medicines and is working on a fifth, an anti-aging substance called "clytroxim." Carlsson also predicts an official visit from aliens before the year 2000. His claims have attracted attention from the tourism industry, with guided tours of his alleged landing site being offered.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the unexplained, with a focus on UFO sightings and the potential for extraterrestrial life. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards these phenomena, presenting witness accounts and scientific investigations alongside more speculative theories about ancient civilizations and alien contact. There is a clear interest in documenting and understanding these events, whether they are light phenomena in Hessdalen, potential life on other planets, or historical anomalies suggesting advanced past civilizations.

This issue of the magazine, identified by volume and issue number 22, features a prominent cover story titled "DE SÅG ETT UFO – MEN BLEV TYSTADE" (They Saw a UFO – But Were Silenced). The cover date is May 1954, though the issue number is 22. The magazine focuses on UFO phenomena, historical sightings, and related investigations, with a mix of factual reporting and fictional narratives.

Article 1: "DE SÅG ETT UFO – MEN BLEV TYSTADE"

This article recounts the experiences of two former air force technicians, Gunnar Wårell (64) and Tyko Calla (70), who worked at F21 in Luleå. They both witnessed a UFO in May 1954, an event they were subsequently ordered to keep secret by military authorities. The secrecy order was lifted by Foa (Swedish Defence Research Agency) after 42 years, allowing them to share their story. They learned that UFOs were detected on F21's radar and that reconnaissance planes were dispatched to investigate. Tyko described the object as unlike anything he had ever seen, describing it as pear-shaped and moving silently. He estimated its size to be very large, perhaps a kilometer away, and its altitude at 700-800 meters, with a speed of 600-700 kilometers per hour. He observed it for three to four minutes before it vanished. His colleagues, Holger Lindgren and Alf Andersson, corroborated his description. Tyko immediately reported the sighting to the control tower and was subsequently interrogated, along with his colleagues, and instructed to maintain absolute silence.

Simultaneously, Gunnar Wårell had his own sighting near the ABA hangar, which was part of the old SAS terminal. He saw an oval object resembling two deep plates placed against each other, which he initially mistook for a cloud. He reported this to his superiors and was also interrogated and told not to speak of it. In the following days, F21's radar detected several echoes of unknown origin, and all strange observations ceased after two weeks. No definitive explanation has been provided to this day.

Article 2: "Spionen Wennerström var inblandad i ufo-affärer" (Spy Wennerström was involved in UFO affairs)

This article reveals the previously unknown involvement of the high-profile spy Stig Wennerström in a UFO mystery. In 1957, Wennerström received an official inquiry from the USA concerning a UFO sighting over Sweden. He investigated the incident and sent a written response to the American authorities. The letter came from Major Donald E. Keyhoe of NICAP (National Investigation Committee on Aerial Phenomena). Keyhoe had previously spoken with Wennerström about an observation over southern Sweden three years earlier, which described a pilotless aircraft or guided missile traveling at exceptionally high speed at an altitude of approximately 6000 meters, leaving an orange-red trail. Photographer Tord Ohlson had taken pictures of the craft. According to Colonel Wennerström's reply, dated October 1, 1957, from Djursholm, the defense staff had concluded that the presumed UFO was actually a jet plane flying at high altitude.

Article 3: "ARKIV finns i Norrköping" (Archive exists in Norrköping)

This section introduces the UFO archive in Norrköping, described as Sweden's own "Archive X." The archive is housed behind an anonymous door in a quiet residential area and is managed by Håkan Blomqvist, a 44-year-old librarian. Blomqvist has never seen a UFO himself but has interviewed numerous people who claim to have had sightings. He describes most witnesses as calm, rational individuals, not fantasists or lunatics. The archive is the world's second-largest UFO archive (after Chicago), containing 13,000 Swedish reports, 2,500 books on UFO phenomena, magazines, films, and correspondence. Blomqvist describes himself as a "curious skeptic" and notes that while he hasn't learned much about aliens, he has learned a great deal about people. He states that 95 percent of all observations can be explained, with the remaining five percent remaining a mystery.

The archive is run by Ufo-Sverige, a non-profit organization founded in 1970 with 2,200 members and its own publication, "Ufo-Aktuellt." Ufo-Sverige aims for scientific rigor and critical examination, earning it respect from authorities and the military. They collaborate with institutions like the Swedish Defence Research Agency and SMHI (Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute). However, their critical stance has drawn criticism from other UFO organizations, which accuse them of being bought by the CIA and participating in an international conspiracy.

Conspiracy theories are prevalent in UFO circles, with accusations that authorities are covering up information to prevent public panic. Håkan clarifies that the existence of secret reports does not necessarily imply a giant conspiracy, but rather that individuals reporting sightings may request their names be withheld, leading to the reports being classified.

Ufo-Sverige has 26 local groups across Sweden and employs 120 trained field investigators who are skilled in interviewing and investigating UFO observations. All collected data is entered into Ufo-Sverige's database, which is accessible to interested researchers. Håkan cautiously suggests the possibility of advanced technology but avoids specific theories like aliens or time travelers, stating, "One cannot explain an unknown phenomenon with other unknown phenomena!"

Article 4: "'Någonting okänt måste det vara i luften'" ('Something unknown must be in the air')

This article features Barbro Magnusson, a 51-year-old daycare provider and field investigator for Ufo-Sverige. She describes her work as a "field investigator," responding to UFO reports with a camera, compass, tape recorder, and notepad to interview witnesses. She notes that sightings occur in waves, with up to 50-60 reports per year from people of all ages and backgrounds. She has never encountered anyone trying to mock her; instead, witnesses are convinced they have seen something extraordinary. Her job is to investigate these claims with sensitivity and humility.

Barbro covers the Sörmland region but also examines reports from other areas. She has been interested in astronomy since childhood and joined Ufo-Sverige in 1978, becoming a field investigator three years later. She is now the chairwoman of the Ufo-Nyköping local chapter and a member of the Ufo-Sverige board. She declines to say if she has personally seen a UFO, stating only that "something unknown must be in the air," even though most sightings can be explained by natural phenomena. She finds the phenomenon difficult to capture but remains dedicated to her work.

Fictional Story: "FOLKET PÅ ÅSEN. Kort novell av Gudrun Andersson" (The People of Åsen. Short story by Gudrun Andersson)

This is a fictional short story set in a place called Åsen, where people lived a simple life, attuned to the seasons. The story describes a group of children who discover a large "stone ring" on a nearby steppe. The stones are described as large, straight, and smooth, with the ground around them flattened. The children report their discovery to the adults, who are astonished by the size of the stone blocks, considering them the dwelling of "gods." The story links these stones to mysterious lights seen in the sky, suggesting a connection to divine beings. The inhabitants of Åsen begin to worship higher powers, and the stone ring becomes a ritual site. The story also mentions an individual who saw "gods" and their flying craft, documenting them in a cave. This individual is later buried within the stone ring, initiating a tradition of burying those who carry the "gods'" secret there.

The narrative continues with the discovery of a strange illness that affects the people of Åsen, leading to many deaths. The survivors are forced to pack up and leave their settlement. The stone ring's significance fades over time until archaeologists discover it in modern times, leaving its purpose as a mystery.

Another part of the story describes how the young people of Åsen, while playing inside the stone ring, experience a strange sensation of strength. They begin to question the elders' ways and seek simpler methods. One evening, a light descends from the sky and emits a blue beam onto the youths, causing them to fall and then rise in confusion. This event marks a turning point, making them realize that development is underway, and they must proceed cautiously with the elders. The people of Åsen begin to worship higher powers, and the lights are sometimes seen above the stone ring, bestowing strength and knowledge upon those who enter it.

The story further details how the individual who saw the "gods" and their crafts observed the youths and identified one who would carry on the story. This person is entrusted with the knowledge and tasked with passing it on to the next suitable individual. They also create drawings of the craft and their occupants, which are kept secret in a cave.

Over time, the people of Åsen improve their living conditions, developing better housing and food sources. The population grows, and the area becomes more populated. The story mentions that the stone ring's facts were forgotten until archaeologists found it in modern times, leaving its purpose and the meaning of the stone rings scattered across the earth as an enduring mystery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, particularly UFO phenomena, and touches upon themes of government secrecy and the challenges of investigation. The articles present both documented historical cases and fictional narratives that delve into mysteries and the unknown. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting evidence and witness accounts while acknowledging the limitations of current explanations. The inclusion of Ufo-Sverige, an organization dedicated to critical investigation, suggests a commitment to a scientific approach within the field of ufology. The fictional story about the stone circle adds a layer of ancient mystery and speculation about extraterrestrial or advanced influences on human history.