UFO-Nytt - 1997 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NYTT
Issue: 1
Volume: 1997
Publisher: Västerbergslagens UFO Förening
Date: 1997

This issue of UFO NYTT is a Swedish magazine dedicated to UFO phenomena and astronomy, published by the Västerbergslagens UFO Förening. It is intended for the association's members and is published four times a year. This particular issue, number 1 of 1997, features a variety of articles, reports, and astronomical information.

Table of Contents

The issue includes the following sections:

• Förord (Foreword): An editorial piece reflecting on the past year and looking forward to 1997, encouraging reader participation and expressing gratitude to active members.
• Rapporter (Reports): A collection of eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings.
• Kometen Hale-Bop (Comet Hale-Bopp): An article discussing the appearance and significance of the comet.
• Astronomi (Astronomy): General astronomical information.
• Norska UFO rapporter (Norwegian UFO Reports): Reports from Norway.
• Rymdskepp eller skoj? (Spaceship or Joke?): An article questioning the nature of sightings.
• Två solar över Färöarna (Two Suns over the Faroe Islands): A specific sighting report.
• Om eldklot (About Fireballs): Discussion on fireballs.
• UFO-krasch i Brasilien (UFO Crash in Brazil): A report on a purported UFO crash.
• Klipp (Clips): Miscellaneous news or articles.
• Solen har sin gång (The Sun Goes On): An article about the sun.

Foreword

The foreword by Gudrun expresses a desire to spark debate among readers and thanks them for their loyalty and membership fees. The author hopes 1997 will bring renewal and encourages more active members to contribute material. The year 1996 was productive in terms of making new contacts within the UFO community. The foreword also mentions the possibility of a computerizing the magazine's operations if funds allowed, and praises a member named Bengt for his exceptional sales of lotteries and magazines, highlighting his energy.

Identified Flying Object (Russian Craft)

This section describes a Russian craft, a two-ton vehicle capable of transporting 400 passengers, which can land on water. Originally intended for the Cold War, there are plans to develop luxury versions with hotels, restaurants, and discotheques for 2,000 passengers. However, interest in investing in Russian industry is low, and the price for such a craft is over 70 million dollars.

UFO Reports

This issue features several detailed reports from various locations in Sweden:

• Elvie Smedberg (Snöån, Ludvika): On November 8, 1996, at 21:05, observed a strongly luminous, rotating light with red, white, and blue colors. The object was stationary over a hill before moving slowly over a lake and disappearing.
• Per-Erik Gustavsson (Norshyttan): On October 5, 1996, at 6:30 AM, saw a yellowish light in the northwest, resembling a strong spotlight shining upwards. It disappeared after 5-10 seconds.
• Tony Hedlund (Borlänge): On December 14, 1996, at 23:00, observed a small, luminous phenomenon in the starry sky moving from east to west at an estimated speed of 4-5 mach.
• Berndt Johansson (Nyberget): Around 19:00, saw a pulsing light with various colors (white, red, blue, yellow) over a forest. The object was described as conical.
• Anonymous (Stora-Skedvi): In late January or early February 1985, at 18:00, observed a large, round, yellow-glowing orb above treetops that vanished after a few seconds.
• Barbro Krogh (Silfhytteå): In the afternoon between 16:00-17:00, possibly in July, saw an object that appeared to be a plane about to crash but instead flew into the forest. The object was elongated with windows and emitted a strong light.

Drawings and Maps of Phenomena

The magazine includes sections for readers to submit drawings of observed phenomena and maps of observation areas, encouraging detailed descriptions and sketches.

We Swedes Can Follow Hale-Bopp Around the Sun

This extensive article discusses the comet Hale-Bopp, described as the brightest comet of its generation. It explains that the comet was discovered simultaneously by two American amateur astronomers, hence its name. The article delves into the composition of comets, theorizing they are ice and dust. It highlights that Hale-Bopp is visible to the naked eye and is particularly notable for its brightness, estimated to be greater than any comet seen in the last 70 years. The article also mentions historical perspectives on comets and their significance in ancient times. It notes that Hale-Bopp will be visible for several months, increasing the chances of observation despite weather conditions. The comet's speed is mentioned as reaching a maximum of 40 kilometers per second when rounding the sun. The article is attributed to Sigge Sigfridsson.

I Mars See the Comet Best

This section provides guidance on observing the comet Hale-Bopp in March. It advises using star charts from Aftonbladet and following the advice of docent Hans Rickman. Key observation tips include avoiding light pollution, looking towards the direction where the sun has set, and observing when the comet is highest in the sky. It details that in January and February, the comet moves higher in the sky towards Cassiopeia, and in March, it is best viewed from Sweden. The article also includes brief mentions of other space missions: "Pioneer 11" reaching Saturn, "Galileo" studying Jupiter, and "Mariner 2" being the first probe to reach Venus.

Saturn Has 17 Moons

A brief list of Saturn's 17 moons is provided: Atlas, Prometheus, Pandora, Epimetheus, Janus, Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Telesto, Calypso, Dione, Helene, Rhea, Titan, Hyperion, Lapetus, and Phoebe.

Chuck Berry Sings in Space

A whimsical note about whether aliens will appreciate Chuck Berry's music, referencing the song "Johnny B Goode" from Voyager.

First Images of Mars

This short piece mentions that the first close-up images of Mars were taken by the "Mariner 4" TV camera in 1964.

Little Astronomy for 1997

This section provides astronomical highlights for 1997:

• Daylight saving time begins March 30 and ends October 26.
• A lunar eclipse occurs on March 24, and a total lunar eclipse on September 16.
• Comet Hale-Bopp will be visible throughout the night in March and the first half of April in southern Sweden, and in the second half of April in northern Sweden.
• The Perseids meteor shower is expected around August 12.

The Solar System

The Sun dominates the solar system, comprising 99.8% of its mass. Jupiter accounts for 0.1%, which is equal to the combined mass of all other planets.

Books on Astronomy

A list of recommended astronomy books is provided, including titles on star charts, general astronomy, astronomical yearbooks, and celestial phenomena, with their respective authors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and astronomical events, particularly the comet Hale-Bopp. The magazine appears to have a stance of reporting on UFO phenomena with a degree of seriousness, presenting eyewitness accounts and encouraging further investigation. The astronomical sections are informative, providing factual data and guidance for observation. The editorial tone, particularly in the foreword, is one of community engagement and a desire to foster discussion within the UFO field.

This issue of Norska UFO Rapporter, identified by the number 10, presents a collection of UFO reports, astronomical facts, and related phenomena. The content is primarily in Swedish and appears to be translated from Danish and Norwegian sources.

Reports from Norway

Mosjoen, Nordland In February 1993, a witness in Mosjoen reported seeing a white light that resolved into a craft with seven white lights and a red light on top. The craft had windows and seemed to have a filter. It emitted high and low frequency sounds before moving towards Klippermoen stadion and disappearing from sight.

Skien, Telemark Rut Strömstad reported an observation on October 24, 1995, of an object that appeared metallic. She had previously seen a similar object on October 21st. Days later, while walking her dog, she heard a humming sound and saw a star-like object. It flew overhead, disappeared into a cloud, and then reappeared with red lights forming a square before flying west. She also mentioned telepathic contacts.

Odda, Hordaland On September 14, 1996, four anonymous witnesses reported seeing a large, self-luminous object, described as disc-shaped or elliptical, hovering about 10 km overhead. Several smaller objects were observed moving at high speed to and from the larger object. The entire observation lasted 10-15 minutes before all objects suddenly disappeared.

UFO Photography Case: Erik Thomason, Australia

This section details a case involving Erik Thomason from Maslin Beach, Australia, who claims to have photographed a UFO on March 10, 1993. He described a vessel emerging from the sea, with three legs that retracted. He took four photos of the object, estimating its size at 40 meters and its closest distance at 400 meters. The article notes that the film was developed over a year later, raising questions about its authenticity. Despite some inconsistencies pointed out by the author, Thomason and his wife maintain the photos are genuine. The article mentions that Kodak in Australia analyzed the photos, but the results were not disclosed to Thomason.

Astronomical and Scientific Articles

Deep-Sea Exploration An article by Henning Lysdal corrects information about the submersible 'Nautile,' stating that the bathyscaphe Trieste, with Jacques Piccard and Donald Walsh aboard, reached a depth of 10,917 meters in the Mariana Trench on January 23, 1960. The article provides details about the Trieste's construction and the extreme pressure at that depth.

Women in Space Travel A report suggests that women will dominate future long-duration space missions. Researchers from Prague and Moscow analyzed data from female astronauts and simulations, finding that women cope better with isolation and confined spaces. They are also better at empathizing and tolerating different behaviors, and react differently in stressful situations.

Solar Activity and Earth's Climate An article titled "Fläckarna får solen att växa" (The Spots Make the Sun Grow) discusses the correlation between sunspots and the sun's size. Measurements from Mount Wilson Observatory indicate that the sun grows larger when it has more sunspots. This phenomenon, linked to magnetic disturbances and ejected material, may contribute to climate variations on Earth.

Two Suns Over the Faroe Islands This historical account, translated from Danish UFO-NYT, describes an observation from 1667 where multiple witnesses reported seeing two suns in the sky over the Faroe Islands. The event was interpreted by Lucas Jacobsen Debes, a priest at the time, as a sign from the devil, as anything unexplainable was attributed to supernatural forces.

The Man in Luminous Clothing Another historical account from the Faroe Islands, dating to January 20, 1667, tells of Jacob Olesen, who was visited by a man in luminous clothing. The visitor healed Jacob and asked him to learn a prayer. He reappeared days later, claiming to be from God and explaining the 'two suns' sighting as a sign from God, not two actual suns.

Fireballs and Meteorites An article by Thomas N. Hadiney discusses fireballs (eldklot) and their origins. It describes a 'lime-green' fireball observed on October 9, 1992, which split into 70 pieces. One piece, weighing 12.4 kg, was found near New York City. The article details the analysis of the meteorite, its trajectory, and its origin from the solar system's asteroid belt. It also mentions a meteorite impact that caused a crater under Michelle Knapp's car, for which she later sold the car and the meteorite for $75,000.

UFO Crash in Brazil

Varginha Incident This report, translated from Norska UFO Tidningen, details an alleged UFO crash near Varginha, Brazil, on January 19-20, 1996. NORAD reportedly contacted Brazilian authorities about an object descending. Witnesses described the object as cigar-shaped, with a shimmering motion and surrounded by white smoke. It was seen close to the ground and is believed to have crashed a few kilometers away.

Close Encounter Following the crash, a creature with dark brown skin was found near the site. It was described as having very small hands with long fingers, being hairless and unclothed, and approximately 1.20-1.50 meters tall. The creature disappeared when Hildo Lucio Galdino called out to it.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO sightings and related phenomena from various sources, including witness testimonies, historical accounts, and translated articles. There is an underlying theme of exploring the unexplained, with a degree of skepticism balanced by an openness to reporting unusual events. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting information and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while occasionally highlighting potential inconsistencies or alternative explanations, as seen in the Erik Thomason case. The publication seems to aim at documenting and disseminating UFO-related news and research.

This issue of Faktiskt magazine, volume 22, issue 20, dated January 20, 1996, delves into two primary themes: the alleged extraterrestrial encounters in Varginha, Brazil, and the burgeoning impact of the Internet on society. The magazine's cover prominently features the headline "Marsmysteri sprider sig på Internet" (Mars mystery spreads on the Internet), suggesting a focus on how online platforms are amplifying unusual phenomena.

The Varginha Incident: Alien Encounters and Military Cover-up

The magazine dedicates significant space to the events in Varginha, Brazil, beginning on January 20, 1996. The narrative begins with observations near Jardim Andere park, where multiple reports of wild animals being loose (described as jaguars or wild boars) led to a military operation. However, the context quickly shifts to the capture of what are described as "creatures" or "beings."

Initial Sightings and Captures:

On the morning of January 20, around 09:00, military and fire department personnel were dispatched to capture these "wild animals." Information suggests that between 09:00 and 10:30, these beings were captured and transported to a military base. The individuals involved were reportedly instructed to remain silent about the operation, indicating a level of secrecy.

Simultaneously, other witnesses observed unusual activity. An attorney, formerly employed by the defense force, identified two F-5 fighter jets flying at low altitude in an attack formation. He also noticed military maneuvers and a military truck transporting seven soldiers, some in green uniforms and others in civilian attire. Another witness heard three gunshots and saw soldiers emerge from the woods carrying two large sacks, one containing a motionless object and the other something that was moving.

Eyewitness Accounts of the Beings:

In the afternoon of January 20, around 15:30, three girls—Liliane, Fatima Silva (16), and her younger sister Valquria Fatima Silva (14), along with their friend Katia Andrade Xavier (22)—reported seeing a creature approximately 7-8 meters away. They described it as dark brown, between 1.20-1.50 meters tall, with no hair, a large head, two large red eyes, a small mouth, and a small chin. The creature reportedly groaned and appeared injured. The girls fled in terror.

Later that evening, around 23:00, soldiers reportedly entered Jardim Andere park and captured an injured creature.

Further Details and Witness Corroboration:

These creatures were described as having three protrusions on their heads resembling horns. The girls' mother, Luiza Helena Fatima da Silver, visited the site and noted a strange, ammonia-like odor, which other witnesses also described.

Defense Confirmation (Indirect):

UFO researchers investigating the incident found that multiple witnesses had seen similar beings in the same area. Indications pointed to several observations of multiple creatures in different locations. By June 25, UFO researcher A.J. Gevaerd stated that his group had collected testimonies from 60 people in Varginha regarding a UFO crash.

UFO researchers sought information from the defense force and eventually spoke anonymously with a sergeant who confirmed the events involving the firemen and soldiers capturing the first creature in the morning. Several military personnel also spoke anonymously, describing the capture of another creature by the defense force and firemen. Local investigator Pedro Cunha reported that a total of 8 creatures were captured: one dead, two severely wounded (one of whom later died), and the remaining five were driven out of Jardim Andere park.

Autopsy and Transport of Creatures:

Creature number 2, captured at 23:00 on January 20, was initially taken to the local hospital for examination. It was later transferred to a larger hospital, where it was treated and kept isolated. Hospital staff were ordered to maintain secrecy but confirmed some details.

The creature remained at the hospital for about 30 hours before dying. Its body was transported by the defense force to a military base in Tres Coracoes, 25 km from Varginha, on January 22. The transport involved three trucks, with the body on one of them.

On January 23, the convoy continued to Campinas, approximately 300 km away, carrying all the creatures—6 alive and 2 dead. After arriving at the military base in Campinas, they stayed for 9 hours. One of the dead creatures was transported to a local university for an autopsy by Dr. Fortunato Badan Palharos, who reportedly denied the matter.

On January 25-26, the 6 living creatures were transported to Campinas airport and loaded onto a Brazilian Air Force plane bound for Sao Paulo. From there, they were transferred to a US Air Force C-17 transport plane, reportedly heading to Albrook Air Force in Panama. The trail of the creatures disappears after this point.

It is uncertain if the two dead creatures were transported as well. UFO investigator Claudeir Covo claims to have reliable witness testimony that at least one of the dead creatures remained in Campinas at a university laboratory.

American Involvement:

Two American civilians were reportedly present when a cigar-shaped craft was loaded onto a large truck on the morning of January 20. The mother of two of the young women who saw the creature in Jardim Andere claimed she was approached by 40 unknown men about a week after the incident. These men, comprising 4 Brazilians and 3 Americans, offered her $20,000 if her daughters would retract their story. The mother and daughters refused the offer.

The transport of the creatures out of Brazil involved a C-17 aircraft observed over Sao Paulo on January 27-28.

Official Explanation and Media Interest:

Captain Eduardo Calza, the press spokesperson for the military base near Varginha, denied his department's involvement and could not explain what the three women saw on January 20. He suggested the military activities that weekend might have been a parade for new recruits, a convoy of trucks being taken for repair, or a new heart operation at the local hospital, with an ambulance delivering a human corpse.

UFO researchers dismissed the official explanation. The incident garnered significant media attention, appearing on the Internet and in publications like the Wall Street Journal, which published a lengthy, ironic article on June 28.

Brazilian UFO researchers asserted they had all the details, some of which were already public. International ufologists, including Stanton T. Friedman, John E. Mack, John Carpenter, and Graham W. Birdsvall, visited Brazil. Friedman, Carpenter, and Birdsvall attended a UFO conference in Curitiba from June 6-9. They also conducted investigations in Brazil, all supporting the notion that something highly unusual had occurred.

Professor John E. Mack, a specialist in fourth-degree encounters, traveled to Varginha in late May and conducted an extensive interview with the three women who witnessed the creature. He became convinced of their credibility, stating he would stake his career on their truthfulness. To test their credibility, the women reportedly demanded $200 for each interview. Other witnesses allegedly did the same.

The local government decided to create a park dedicated to the "unknown creatures" as a tourist attraction. In the preceding six months, Varginha had seen reports of strange events, including a wave of UFO sightings.

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