UFO-Nytt - 1998 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NYTT
Issue: 3
Volume: 1998
Publisher: VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO FÖRENING
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Date: 1998

This issue of UFO NYTT, the magazine of the Västerbergslagens UFO Förening, presents a variety of UFO-related content, including witness reports, discussions on perception, and news about ongoing investigations. The cover features the magazine title, a silhouette of the Earth, and a drawing of a flying saucer, with the issue number '3' and the year '1998' prominently displayed.

Editorial and Contents

The magazine opens with an editorial by Gudrun, reflecting on the past summer and looking forward to autumn. She mentions a trip to Cyprus and notes that UFO incidents have not been entirely quiet, with reports of two cylinder-shaped objects seen in midsummer. Gudrun also highlights UFO SVERIGE's field research course in Björsjö and encourages members to submit material. The editorial also mentions a planned trip to Hessdalen to observe ongoing instrument setups.

The table of contents lists several articles:

• Förord (Foreword): Page 3
• Kan människan lita på sina sinnen? (Can humans trust their senses?): Page 4
• Evening star....: Pages 5-6
• UFO rapporter (UFO reports): Pages 7-14
• Chockad bilist (Shocked motorist): Pages 15-18
• Vilka år vi? (Who are we?): Pages 19-23
• Klipp (Clippings): Pages 25-26

Article: Kan människan lita på sina sinnen?

This article, written by Gudrun Andersson, explores the reliability of human senses. It posits that senses were crucial for human survival, enabling the detection of danger and the understanding of the environment. The author questions whether humans have lost some senses and if a 'sixth sense' is developing. The piece concludes by asking readers if they trust their senses and if senses can play tricks on people simultaneously.

Article: Evening Star....

This section, dated Monday, January 26, 1998, discusses UFO debates and investigations. It references a news report from October 2, 1983, about a UFO landing in Suffolk, UK, linked to an event in Rendlesham Forest on December 27, 1980, near the USA's Woodbridge airbase.

The author recounts personal experiences, stating they have never seen a UFO despite observing the night sky for over 50 years. They have seen satellites, large radar-mapping balloons, and a bright light near Ipswich, which turned out to be a landing light from a Phantom jet. A more puzzling observation was a large, irregular object floating silently over Ipswich at low altitude. The author also mentions the Rendlesham Forest incident, describing a metallic object about 3 meters in diameter with pulsating lights, and reports of small figures in tight clothing seen near pine trees.

Colonel Rudolph Wacker, former air chief at Bentwater, is quoted as attributing the Rendlesham incident to the fact that it occurred the day after Christmas when many personnel had been drinking.

Article: Flygande tefat under lupp (Flying saucers under scrutiny)

This article by Staffan Erfors from London, published on Wednesday, July 1, 1998, reports on a new initiative to take UFOs seriously. An international group of scientists has formed to investigate reported UFO phenomena, with a particular focus on cases involving physical traces like scorch marks or radioactivity. The article mentions cases from 1994 involving a giant disc-shaped object over Paris that appeared on radar and then vanished, and mysterious lights over Texas and Norway. It highlights this as the first independent, scientific investigation into UFO phenomena in 32 years, with the last one being in 1966 by researchers at the University of Colorado. The article also references the Roswell incident of 1947 and the influence of UFOs on popular culture, such as the TV series 'The X-Files'.

Article: Vad gör har

This section features Clas Svahn, chairman of the Swedish UFO Association, discussing crop circles. He notes that since 1993, large, inexplicable circles have appeared in Swedish fields. Svahn, visiting Fai-berg, offers insights into the phenomenon.

UFO Rapporter (UFO Reports)

This section contains several witness accounts:

• Borlänge, 1976 or 1977: Göran Bengtsson and Britt-Marie reported seeing an elongated object, 80-100 meters long, emitting a hissing sound and sparks. The object moved rapidly towards a forest.
• Orsa, 1970-71: An anonymous witness reported seeing a 'baseball-shaped' object, yellowish-orange, moving from Siljan towards Orsa church. The object moved erratically before ascending.
• Dala Husby, August 1997: Farmer Stig Erlandsson observed a blue, football-sized sphere passing overhead at an estimated height of 30 meters. The object rotated and appeared to have a window. The report notes that VBU field researchers concluded that nearby crop circles were man-made, but Stig's observation remains unexplained.
• Göteborg, September-October 1993: Four individuals in a car witnessed three oblong, brightly shining objects moving independently in a zig-zag pattern over the sea before disappearing. The objects were moving towards the northwest, away from a nearby airfield.
• Canada, March 28, 1998: Amy Hill reported seeing three silver-glinting, whiteish spherical objects near Oshawa, Ontario. The objects moved in circular patterns, converging and then separating.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and the investigation of such events. There is a clear interest in documenting witness accounts and exploring potential explanations, ranging from the mundane (like weather balloons or military aircraft) to the extraordinary. The publication also touches upon the cultural impact of UFO phenomena, referencing popular media like 'The X-Files'. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging member participation and scientific investigation into these mysteries.

Title: UFO Network
Issue Date: March 18, 1997
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of UFO Network presents a collection of witness testimonies regarding unexplained aerial phenomena, alongside an analytical article exploring the demographics and characteristics of individuals involved in UFO research, specifically members of MUFON.

Witness Reports

Leksand, Sweden (March 18, 1997)

A witness, traveling home from Mora after work, reported seeing four or five large, round, yellowish-white lights hovering just above the treetops shortly after passing Rättvik and exiting towards Leksand. The lights were described as having dark spaces between them and appeared to be close to the road. The witness noted the lights seemed to be descending. A sketch illustrates the lights above treetops.

Norway (Date unspecified)

An anonymous witness from Norway reported observing a light that came gliding from the northwest over the island of Sekken in Romsfjorden, stopping low over the fjord before ascending straight up. The report was originally intended for UFO NORGE.

Ställdalen, Sweden (June 14, 1998)

An anonymous witness and their sister observed a dark grey, metallic object, perceived as a small, flat airplane, moving at high speed approximately 15 meters above the ground. The object descended slightly as it flew over an field towards a pond and was tracked for about 100 meters. The witness noted its wings. A sketch depicts the observed object and its flight path.

Orsa, Sweden (December 28, 1994)

Marianne Nordström reported waking up and opening her window, hearing sirens briefly. She then observed what she initially thought was the full moon. However, she realized it was dark, not illuminated like the moon. Over a few minutes, a sound like dimming a lamp occurred twice, and on the third occasion, the light simply went out. This happened around 04:30. She later confirmed it was not the moon when she saw its contours in the morning light.

Dalarna, Sweden (Midsummer Night, 1994)

Reports from several individuals in southern Dalarna described two cylindrical objects appearing one after another around 03:00. Most observations were similar, with some noting a tail. Checks with Kiruna indicated no satellites were in the air, suggesting a possible meteor fragment.

Ecuador (April 21)

A bright, cigar-shaped UFO was observed circling over the municipal stadium in Guayaquil, Ecuador, at 07:00. The object interrupted a football match between Guayaquil and Barcelona. The UFO hovered over the stadium for 10 minutes before flying off towards the north at high speed. This event was also reported to the Brazilian newspaper CORRCIO BRASILIENSE.

Denmark (February 16, 1998)

Torben Birkeholm reports on a "Chockad Bilist" (Shocked Driver) who witnessed a round light that exploded in a gigantic firework display, filling the sky. The driver stopped his car and observed the phenomenon. The light descended rapidly, then stopped and grew larger, estimated to be two to three times the size of the full moon. It illuminated the road and surrounding areas for about 150-200 meters on each side. The driver experienced panic, feeling the object was following him. The incident was investigated by SUFOI-Aalborg.

Analysis of MUFON Members

Brenda Denzler's article, "Vilka är vi?" (Who are we?), explores the demographics and characteristics of MUFON members. Initially feeling like an outsider, Denzler discovered that MUFON members are ordinary people with everyday lives. The article presents findings from a 1996 MUFON symposium, indicating that the average participant was a white male, aged 46-60, with a university education and an income between $36,000-$50,000 per year. Compared to the general US population, MUFON members showed a more optimistic outlook on societal conditions and a higher engagement in civic processes like voting, though less involvement in voluntary work. The analysis also touched upon their religious affiliations, with a significant portion identifying as Protestant but a notable number also identifying with 'other' religions or as agnostic/atheist. The article suggests that MUFON members are not as socially isolated as commonly perceived.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO Network highlights the persistent reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena across different countries and time periods, emphasizing the importance of witness testimony. The inclusion of detailed descriptions and sketches of observed objects underscores the magazine's commitment to documenting these events. The analytical article on MUFON members suggests a more nuanced understanding of the UFO community, portraying them as integrated members of society rather than isolated individuals. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UFO-related reports and the people who experience them.

This issue of "i Dalarna", published by Aftonbladet on Sunday, July 12, 1998, delves into the world of UFO phenomena, with a prominent "ARKIVX" feature focusing on a mysterious event in Upprämen, Dalarna. The magazine also includes a survey of MUFON conference attendees, discussions on UFO investigations, and brief reports on archaeological and astronomical news.

UFO Investigations and Beliefs

The central theme revolves around UFOs, with a detailed look at the Upprämen incident from April 1, 1968. Two ice fishermen discovered a massive ice hole, approximately 1000 square meters, on Lake Upprämen. Enormous ice blocks had been thrown out of the water, indicating a significant impact. The military became interested and cordoned off the area, conducting secret dives. Later, they returned with helicopters at night. The article highlights the ongoing efforts of Gerhard Larsson and Börje Hellsing to investigate this mystery, who believe the military might know more.

A survey of MUFON conference attendees provides insights into their perspectives on UFOs. It reveals that while many attendees haven't personally seen a UFO, a significant portion (40%) report having had a UFO experience. The survey also explores the motivations behind interest in UFOs, with many seeking contact and actively trying to connect with UFO phenomena. The data suggests that personal experiences are highly valued within the UFO community.

Regarding the impact of UFO experiences, a minority reported psychological effects, seeing extraterrestrial beings, or experiencing environmental changes during observations. A small percentage (4%) reported lasting psychological harm.

The survey also investigated how MUFON attendees maintain their interest, with 90% reading books and magazines, 88% watching TV programs and films, and 85% attending UFO conferences. Surprisingly, only 65% participate in local UFO meetings or study groups.

A significant majority (50%) expressed confidence that UFO mysteries will be solved, with an average expected discovery date around 2030. They generally trust science to provide answers, with 53% believing science holds the key to full understanding. However, skepticism exists regarding science's contribution (29% doubtful, 16% skeptical). Politics and religion were viewed with even less confidence as sources for solving UFO mysteries.

Personal Experiences and Beliefs

The survey further explored the concept of alien abductions. While 65% of attendees clearly stated they had never been abducted, a notable percentage expressed uncertainty or possibility. Men were more likely to deny abduction than women, yet men constituted a higher percentage of those who claimed to have been abducted. The study found that 'abductees' often shared similar educational and income backgrounds with the general conference attendees.

'Abductees' did not necessarily feel more alienated than other attendees, though a higher proportion felt that authorities didn't care about ordinary people's problems. They were also more likely to be uncertain about whether general conditions were worsening.

A striking correlation was found between the certainty of being abducted and the belief that religion could provide knowledge about UFOs. Those more certain of abduction were more likely to believe religion would offer insights, despite similar levels of participation in religious organizations.

The article suggests that for many 'abductees', personal experiences may have provided profound psychological impacts akin to religious experiences, leading them to rely on personal and religious understanding alongside scientific inquiry.

UFO Expo in Ludvika

The issue also covers a UFO expo held at Kyrkskolan in Ludvika, which attracted UFO enthusiasts from across the country. Claes Svahn, chairman of the Swedish UFO Association, stated that their primary mission is to investigate and explain flying objects. He expressed a willingness to reconsider his skepticism if evidence emerges.

During the expo, an authentic UFO photograph taken in Mora in 1952 was presented, with Svahn noting that while many images are faked, the Swedish UFO Association thoroughly investigates every tip.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The Västerbergslagen UFO Association receives daily reports, with 90% occurring in darkness, often mistaken for planets. A specific case from Jobsbo involved a person observing a foursquare object with three illuminated windows that vanished into thin air after about five minutes. This sighting, occurring during the day, is considered unusual and currently lacks a natural explanation, thus classified as a UFO.

Other News

Briefly, the magazine mentions an astronomical event: the star Eta Carinae is nearing the end of its life and may soon undergo a massive explosion. Additionally, archaeological news reports the discovery of a 4,000-year-old village in China, with tombs and kilns.

Cartoon and Photo

A cartoon by Sven Andersson titled "Hesekiel" depicts a scene with a storm wind, a large cloud with flaming fire, a glow from a chariot, and four beings. A photograph from Oregon shows a large UFO at the water's edge, with a caption suggesting authorities tried to cover up the event.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are UFO sightings, investigations, and the psychology of belief surrounding these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, with a focus on rigorous investigation and analysis, while acknowledging the subjective nature of personal experiences and the skepticism that surrounds the topic. The magazine presents data from surveys and investigations, encouraging readers to consider the evidence and different perspectives on UFOs.