UFO-Nytt - 1997 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NYTT
Issue: 2
Volume/Year: 1997
Publisher: Västerbergslagens UFO Förening
Country: Sweden
Original Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO NYTT presents a collection of UFO sighting reports and related discussions, primarily from Sweden, spanning several decades. The magazine features detailed accounts from witnesses, often accompanied by drawings and location maps, and includes a section on the well-known Hessdalen phenomenon.

Contents Overview

The table of contents lists several articles and reports:

• HESSDALEN: Pages 2-3
• RAPPORTER (Reports): Pages 4-12
• KLIPP (Clippings): Pages 13, 17, 18, 20, 25
• UFO VÅG I BÖRJAN AV ÅRET... (UFO Wave at the Beginning of the Year...): Pages 14-16
• "DET OKANDA" (The Unknown): Page 19
• GLASTAKET (The Glass Roof): Page 21-24
• NÄROBSERVATION AV 3:e GRADEN (Close Observation of the 3rd Degree): Page 21-24

The issue also includes contact information for Västerbergslagens UFO förening and a seasonal greeting to its members.

Detailed Article Summaries

HESSDALEN (Pages 2-3)

This section recounts a winter holiday trip to Hessdalen, Norway, by Gudrun and her companions Bengt and Gunnar. Despite the late spring arrival in southern Dalarna, Sweden, the journey to Hessdalen revealed significant snow. The author describes the drive, the cozy cabin, and the beautiful, snowy landscape. The report touches upon the reluctance of Hessdalen residents to share sightings, attributing it to past experiences where their accounts were dismissed as "less knowledgeable." The author emphasizes the need for mutual respect to obtain reliable information. A recent sighting from March 3, 1997, is mentioned where an object reportedly landed and left three marks, which an astrophysicist attributed to a lightning strike, a conclusion the witness found unsatisfactory as they did not experience a thunderstorm. The author notes the unique atmosphere of Hessdalen and the positive impact of UFO interest.

RAPPORTER (Reports) (Pages 4-12)

This section comprises several individual witness reports:

• Grönåsberget Report (Pages 4-5): Gudrun Andersson and Bengt Karlsson handled this report from an anonymous witness. In September 1973 or 1974, while on Grönåsberget, the witness observed a metallic, dome-shaped object moving from east to southwest. It was described as moving slower than a plane and was silent. The report includes a sketch of the sighting.

• Arkhyttan/Långshyttan Report (Pages 5-6): Handled by Gudrun Andersson and Bengt Karlsson, this report from an anonymous witness describes an event in early 1980s Sweden. While driving, the witness and their daughter saw a bright, hovering object that they initially thought was a plane or helicopter. The object was silent, and its light pulsated in red and green. It moved over a lake and disappeared. The witness was frightened and urged to leave.

• Lövåsen Report (Page 7): Gudrun Andersson and Bengt Karlsson handled this report from Dalke Olenius. On an August evening in 1983, near Lövåsen, four people in a car saw a yellow-green light above the treetops. The phenomenon lasted about a minute and was described as cylindrical before disappearing southwards. A drawing of the phenomenon is included.

• Vikmanshyttan Report (Page 8): Handled by Gudrun Andersson, this report from Sören Granberg details an observation on February 16, 1997, at Vikmanshyttan. The witness observed a 30-meter wide crater-like opening in the ice of Vikmanshyttesjön, with ice thickness varying. Ice crystals were noted around the edges. The witness, an experienced fisherman, had never seen anything like it. Follow-up by the UFO association confirmed the crater's visibility despite snow, but photos were inconclusive. A gas theory is being explored, and no sounds were reported.

• Dyviken, Säter Report (Page 9): Handled by Bengt Karlsson and Gudrun Andersson, this report from Yvonne Andersson describes a sighting in December 1995. Yvonne saw a strong light over Hyen lake towards Trollbo. Her son Micke and husband Torsten also witnessed it. The light hovered for a while before moving slowly towards the horizon. The same phenomenon was observed the following evening but not since.

• Hedemora-Säter Report (Page 9): Handled by Bengt Karlsson and Gudrun Andersson, this report from Gunilla Larsson describes an event on December 17, 1996. While driving, the witness and three others saw a triangular-shaped object with yellow lights underneath. It appeared to be moving towards Hedemora. The object was only glimpsed briefly as they were driving.

UFO Vågen i Början av Året... (UFO Wave at the Beginning of the Year...) (Pages 14-16)

This section likely discusses a period of increased UFO sightings at the beginning of the year, though the specific content is not detailed in the provided OCR text.

"DET OKANDA" (The Unknown) (Page 19)

This article's specific content is not detailed in the provided OCR text.

GLASTAKET (The Glass Roof) & NÄROBSERVATION AV 3:e GRADEN (Close Observation of the 3rd Degree) (Pages 21-24)

These articles, sharing pages, likely delve into specific UFO cases or types of observations, possibly involving detailed descriptions or close encounters. The exact content is not discernible from the OCR.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, witness testimonies, and the description of unidentified aerial phenomena. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of documenting these events seriously, providing a platform for witnesses, and engaging in follow-up investigations, as indicated by the 'Handler' roles and the 'Uppföljning' (Follow-up) section in the Vikmanshyttan report. There's an underlying theme of skepticism towards official explanations, particularly in the Hessdalen report, where the author expresses frustration with expert dismissals of witness accounts. The magazine also seems to encourage reader participation through its call for drawings and maps of observations.

This issue of UFO-Aktuellt from 1997, identified as Volume 1997, Issue 1, is primarily dedicated to documenting and exploring UFO sightings and related phenomena. The cover prominently features the headline "De ska lösa UFO-gåtan" (They will solve the UFO mystery), signaling a deep dive into unexplained aerial events. The magazine includes numerous witness accounts, expert commentary, and touches upon broader scientific and cultural discussions surrounding extraterrestrial life.

Witness Accounts of UFO Sightings

The issue presents a collection of detailed reports from various individuals across Sweden, primarily from the Dalarna region, detailing their encounters with unidentified flying objects. These accounts span from late 1996 into early 1997.

Ingegerd's Observation (February 11, 1997, Vikmanshyttan): Ingegerd reported seeing a yellow, vag-shaped object hovering in the air. The object was observed by three people and disappeared when they moved to a higher vantage point.

Anonymous Witness (March 10, 1997, Furudal): While observing the comet Hale-Bopp, this witness saw a powerful, blinding, upward-moving 'starfall'. After about five minutes, a bright red object appeared, moving at high speed, rotating, and emitting a pulsating orange-yellow light. It followed a straight path behind a pine tree before disappearing south.

Mildred Elg's Account (February 19, 1997, Björbo): Mildred described a large, round, black object, estimated to be as big as a pot lid and about 3-4 cm thick, hovering in the air. She noted a possible shiny part or a dangling clump beneath it. The object moved slower than an airplane and passed over a roof.

Catharina Gustavsson's Reports (December 22-29, 1996, Säter): Catharina reported seeing a round, larger-than-star light that changed colors. It was observed on two separate occasions in the southern direction, around 8:00 PM. She was certain it was not a star or airplane.

Djurås and Gagnef Incident (New Year's Night, 1997): Several people witnessed a blinking orange object that moved erratically before disappearing rapidly. It had hovered for a couple of minutes.

Mora-Sälen Road Encounter (January 1, 1997): A driver saw a green and orange light phenomenon on the right side of the road, illuminating the treetops. The object appeared to have spotlight-like beams.

Falun Sightings (January 17, 1997): Multiple individuals reported seeing light phenomena near Bojsenburg that could not be explained as known celestial events or falling satellite parts. One witness, Ove Andersson, saw a bright light about 300 meters away that suddenly disappeared. Lennart Sandgren observed a low-flying, phosphorescent orb moving slowly and silently.

Falun Sighting (January 16, 1997): Joakim Bertell and Bosse Karlsson reported seeing a fast-moving, yellow-green object that was large and close, moving silently.

Malung Incident (January 21, 1997): A man saw a greenish orb at treetop height, casting light on the ground. This occurred two days after a power outage, which was later attributed to a military plane severing a high-voltage line.

Mockfjärd Sighting (January 25, 1997): A red-yellow glowing object was observed by nine people for five minutes. Efforts to track its course towards Borlänge and Falun were unsuccessful.

Vansbro Sighting (February 6, 1997): A person reported seeing a strange red light in the sky.

Falun Lake Runn Incident (Early January 1997): During a heavy snowfall, a woman saw a large, bluish object on an island in Lake Runn. Another woman reported seeing unusual blue flashes while commuting to work after the snowfall, noting that the village was without power.

Expert Opinions and Investigations

Gudrun Andersson, chairperson of Västra Bergslagens UFO-förening, is featured prominently. She expresses conviction that the UFO mystery can be solved and believes that UFOs might originate from elsewhere in the universe. Her organization, along with Stockholms UFO-förening, is part of UFO-Sverige, which receives 300-350 reports annually, with a notable increase in January-March 1997.

Lars Anmeål, a member of Stockholms UFO-förening, shares his belief in extraterrestrial life, citing the vastness of the galaxy. He recounts seeing a colored sphere hovering near a power station in Tumba in the 1980s, which coincided with a power outage.

Paul Hellman, leader of Riksföreningen UFO Luftrumsbevakning, suggests that some UFOs might be light flares or rocket launches. He also recounts a case involving three UFOs landing and releasing water, leaving a cloud behind. He shares his personal experiences, including seeing a UFO two meters above the ground and feeling unsteady afterward.

Stephen Hawking's Warning: The magazine highlights a statement by the renowned mathematician Stephen Hawking, who warns that encounters with extraterrestrial civilizations could be "unpleasant," likening it to Columbus's encounter with Native Americans. He is skeptical of current UFO reports, suggesting that future visits would be more obvious and disturbing.

Scientific Speculation on Europa: The issue touches upon scientific research regarding Jupiter's moon Europa. New data from the Galileo probe suggests the presence of a subsurface ocean, increasing the possibility of life. Scientists like Torrence Johnson (Nasa) and Eugene Shoemaker are quoted on this topic.

UFO-Sverige's Role: The organization receives numerous reports and has a report center where individuals can report sightings. They emphasize the importance of detailed observations for investigation.

Specific Phenomena and Theories

The Vikmanshyttan Crater: The magazine details a mysterious circular opening in the ice of Vikmanshyttesjön, observed by two fishermen. The size and lack of ejected material or sound associated with the event baffled investigators, including Gudrun Andersson, who could not offer a definitive explanation.

UFO Waves: The concept of a 'UFO wave' is introduced, referring to multiple sightings in a limited area over a short period. The early January 1997 period is described as such a wave, characterized by spherical objects emitting green, blue, or light glows.

Water-Related UFOs: Paul Hellman mentions reports of UFOs releasing water or interacting with water bodies, including a case from the late 1950s.

Electromagnetic Effects: Some sightings are associated with power outages or radio interference, suggesting potential electromagnetic interactions.

Skepticism and Explanation: While many reports remain unexplained, the magazine notes that approximately 96% of UFO reports can be attributed to known phenomena like bright planets, clouds, or aircraft. However, a small percentage (24% of Swedish high school students believe in alien visits) remain puzzling.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent mystery of UFOs, the dedication of UFO research organizations in Sweden, and the growing public interest in the subject, fueled by popular culture and scientific exploration. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting witness accounts with a degree of seriousness while also acknowledging the need for scientific scrutiny and the possibility of mundane explanations. There's a clear emphasis on the unexplained nature of many sightings and the ongoing quest for answers. The magazine also highlights the potential risks and profound implications of extraterrestrial contact, drawing parallels between scientific speculation and fictional portrayals.

This issue of UFO Nyt, dated July 1996, features an article by John S Waddell titled "GLASTAKET" (The Glass Ceiling), translated by Timmy Sigfrids. Waddell, a psychologist from Columbus, Ohio, and affiliated with MUFON, addresses the persistent frustration among UFO researchers regarding the public's reluctance to take the phenomenon seriously. The issue also includes a detailed report on a close encounter in Denmark and other UFO-related news from Sweden and Costa Rica.

The Glass Ceiling: Public Acceptance and Psychological Barriers

Waddell argues that the primary obstacle to UFO phenomena being taken seriously is not solely scientific elitism or government secrecy, but rather the public's own fear and ambivalence towards the implications of extraterrestrial contact. He posits that acknowledging alien existence would fundamentally alter humanity's religious, cultural, and philosophical views, challenging our perceived place in the universe and our autonomy.

Many people, while acknowledging the possibility of UFOs, are not ready to confront the consequences of this reality. The article suggests that this fear creates a 'glass ceiling,' preventing the full acceptance of evidence. Waddell contrasts this with the public's engagement with other controversial topics, like the Kennedy assassination, where the implications for democracy are less existentially threatening than the implications of not being alone in the universe.

He notes that while some are frustrated by government lack of transparency, others are content with it, as it allows for personal speculation. The article suggests that political leaders are unlikely to champion the UFO cause for fear of jeopardizing their careers, with Congressman Schiff being a potential exception.

The core issue, according to Waddell, is the public's psychological and cultural unpreparedness. He likens the UFO research community to a football team that has scored points but never won the game, with their work not being taken seriously by the mainstream. For public acceptance to occur, a shift in psychological readiness is needed, potentially triggered by shocking evidence that shatters existing barriers. He concludes that the struggle is not just between intelligence agencies and the public's right to know, but between those willing to acknowledge ETI contact and the public's desire not to know.

Case Study: The Åsum, Denmark Encounter

The issue presents a detailed account of a close encounter reported by a witness identified as PN, originally from Åsum, Fyn, Denmark. The report, translated from UFO Nyt by Erling Hegelund and Tore Haunstrup, describes an incident that occurred in the early 1980s. PN, then aged 21-22, was driving to work early one morning when his car stalled near a wooded area. He observed a hovering, circular, yellow light phenomenon about 3 meters high and 1-2 meters above the ground. A ramp extended from the object down to the forest edge.

PN also reported seeing two groups of beings: seven small, mechanically moving figures on the ramp, and three larger, 'guard-like' figures standing near the ramp's entrance. These beings were described as about 1 meter tall, with a light grey appearance, resembling two triangles stacked on top of each other. They seemed to float and had no visible arms, only small, stiff stumps for legs.

During the observation, a taxi drove by, and PN managed to restart his car. The beings then began moving towards him, and the taxi turned around and drove away. PN fled in his car, losing sight of the beings as the road curved.

Investigation and Psychological Interpretation:

SUFOI investigated the case in 1996. They were unable to locate the taxi driver. Interviews with locals yielded no further information. PN's mother had also reported a similar experience with her husband in 1980, where their car stalled and they saw a light in the sky, but they kept it secret due to fear of ridicule. PN himself had no prior or subsequent interest in UFOs, suggesting the experience was significant.

The article explores a psychological explanation for PN's experience. While acknowledging PN's sincerity and conviction that he witnessed extraterrestrials, it questions whether the events were a physical reality or a product of his own psychological state, imagination, and preconceptions about UFOs. The authors note that PN has since reported experiencing psychological after-effects, including precognition, suggesting he may be particularly receptive to unusual experiences. The parental experience from 1980 might have influenced PN's perception.

Ultimately, the article concludes that while PN's account is detailed and seemingly genuine, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions, as the experience is described as 'physical' but could also be interpreted through a psychological lens. The lack of other witnesses further complicates verification.

UFO News from Sweden and Costa Rica

Vansbro, Sweden: An "UFO evening" was held at the youth center in Vansbro, featuring presentations by Bengt Karlsson and Gunnar Örjas from the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening. They noted that Dalarna is the region in Sweden with the most UFO observations, possibly due to the numerous mine shafts. They also observed that discussing UFOs has become more socially acceptable.

Miramar, Costa Rica: A conference attended by 1500 people interested in extraterrestrial phenomena took place. While no UFOs were sighted during the event, attendees, including brothers Charlie and Sixto Paz who claim contact with extraterrestrials, reaffirmed their belief in alien existence. Attempts by media to contact aliens or summon a UFO were unsuccessful.

Other Sections

Space Station: The article briefly mentions the planned international space station, set to begin construction in summer 1998, involving collaboration between multiple countries.

Space Shuttle: A factual box describes the Space Shuttle as a hybrid spacecraft, detailing its launch, separation of boosters, and landing. It lists the four active shuttles and mentions the tragic loss of the Challenger.

Norway Weather: A short piece notes the heavy snowfall in Northern Norway and a priest's call for prayers for spring weather, linking the decline in such prayers to changes in church liturgy in the 1980s.

Museum Anecdote: A brief, humorous anecdote about two elderly women discussing the statue of Apollo at a museum.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the psychological and societal barriers to accepting the UFO phenomenon, the nature of witness testimony, and the ongoing efforts of UFO research organizations. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO reports, acknowledging the public's fear and psychological readiness as key factors, and presenting detailed case studies alongside news from the UFO community. The magazine aims to inform and provoke thought on these complex issues, balancing factual reporting with speculative interpretation.