UFO-Nytt - 1998 No 4

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO NYTT, identified as NR 4 1998, is published by VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO FÖRENING. The cover features a prominent title, the issue number and year, and a graphic depicting a flying saucer approaching Earth, with the organization's name at the bottom. The magazine is in Swedish.

Reports and Eyewitness Accounts

The core of this issue consists of several eyewitness reports of unexplained aerial phenomena, collected and presented by the organization. These reports span a significant period, from the mid-20th century to the late 1990s.

Report 1: Avesta, circa 1970-1975

Alf Bobacka recounts an observation made between 1970 and 1975, during a TV program. He, along with his parents, witnessed two red spheres ascending from the ground near Avesta. The objects hovered briefly before moving north at high speed. The weather was described as misty and rainy.

Report 2: Sweden, 1980s

This report describes an unusual bright, elongated object seen in the 1980s. The witness compared its appearance to a streak, about twice the length of a normal airplane, moving at high speed. Notably, it did not leave a white smoke trail like a conventional aircraft.

Report 3: Grängesberg, 1983-1984

Elisabeth Broström provides a dramatic account from an evening in 1983 or 1984. While walking home, she observed a pulsating light that rapidly intensified, changing from yellow to pink and then violet, culminating in a deafening explosion. The experience was so intense that she fell to the ground, covering her ears. She notes that her companion and an elderly woman nearby did not seem to notice the event.

Report 4: Björsjö, 1983

An anonymous witness from Björsjö reported seeing a fast-moving object in the sky around 11:00 PM in the spring or summer of 1983. Using binoculars, the witness observed what appeared to be three to four illuminated 'windows' emitting white light. The object moved south at a speed faster than a jet plane and left no smoke or fiery tail, changing the witness's belief in UFOs.

Report 5: Rönnäs, circa 1944

An anonymous witness, who was a meteorologist assistant at a military airfield during the war, describes seeing a disc-shaped object with a row of lights. The object descended to about 400 meters, hovered for approximately 15 seconds, and then rapidly ascended and disappeared with a 'swishing' sound. The witness's sister had also reported seeing a similar object, and when they contacted the air traffic control tower, they were told that military aircraft had been scrambled but could not intercept 'them'. The report was classified as confidential.

Report 6: Switzerland, circa 15 years before 1992

This report, dated 9/5-92 and referencing Rönnäs, describes an event that occurred about 15 years prior in Switzerland. While driving on a highway, the witness saw a bright, hovering object. The object's shape was similar to one seen years earlier over a Swedish military airfield. The witness was struck by the potential implications if even one UFO report were true, suggesting it could change our worldview. The local population's reaction to a newspaper photo of a similar object was dismissive.

Report 7: Due Udde, Bornholm, May 20, 1983

Torbjörn Peterson reported observing several red, pulsating lights over the sea for several hours on May 20, 1983. The lights would sometimes disappear and reappear elsewhere, and appeared to be signaling each other. While they looked like fireworks or signal rockets, their prolonged stationary periods and soft dimming/brightening ruled out conventional explanations. At most, four red points were visible, spread across the horizon.

Report 8: Tunsta, Insjön, April 28, 1986

Sten Lindfors reported seeing a large, round object with a pulsating, strong light through his window on April 28, 1986. His wife and daughter also witnessed the object. Military authorities stated they had no exercises that day, and no aircraft were in the air.

Report 9: Söderbärke, October 24, 1990 (First Sighting)

Stig Olsson described seeing a very bright, spherical light with a tail, moving at high speed from southeast to northwest on October 24, 1990. The object was described as clear green, flaming, with a tail transitioning from light green to dark green, and finally red at the rear. It was estimated to be at a maximum altitude of 500 meters and a distance of 4-5 km, moving at high speed.

Report 10: Söderbärke, October 24, 1990 (Second Sighting)

Later the same evening, Stig Olsson observed another light phenomenon. This object was star-like in size and brightness, moving between trees from northwest to southeast at a higher altitude than the first object. It moved at a constant high speed for 10-13 seconds without course changes.

Report 11: Säter, August 29, 1994

Christina Steneryd reported seeing a brightly shining 'star' on her balcony on August 29, 1994. The 'star' pulsed irregularly in blue, red, and white, and at times appeared as a four-pointed star. It then emitted a faint white 'beam' downwards. Shortly after, an object resembling a white beam rapidly approached the 'star' from the southeast. The 'star' then faded and disappeared. The sky was clear except for faint clouds on the horizon.

Report 12: Eskilstunavägen, 1989

Anders Hasselquist described a bright light flash, similar to a camera flash, seen on a dark, rainy, and windy evening in 1989. The light appeared in his side window and seemed to move rapidly. He saw it three times in total, noting that the time between flashes was difficult to determine. The event caused him to feel unusually cold and fearful.

Illustrations and Graphics

The magazine includes several illustrations. Page 2 features a Christmas-themed illustration with bells, holly, and Santa's sleigh with reindeer. Page 10 includes a cartoon depicting a UFO hovering over houses, with a caption that suggests people believe in UFOs more than politicians. Page 5 includes a small drawing of a star-like object. Page 8 includes a drawing of a disc-shaped object with lights and a tail.

Editorial Notes and Greetings

Page 2 contains a Christmas and New Year's greeting from Västerbergslagens UFO Förening: "God Jul & Gott Nytt År!" (Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the collection and presentation of eyewitness accounts of unidentified flying objects and aerial phenomena. The magazine appears to be dedicated to documenting such sightings, providing a platform for individuals to share their experiences. The editorial stance seems to be one of serious consideration and documentation of these events, as evidenced by the detailed reports and the organization's commitment to collecting such information. The inclusion of a classified report from the 1940s suggests an interest in historical cases as well.

This issue of UFO magazine, dated 1994 and identified as issue number 16, published by VG, focuses heavily on the mysterious light phenomena observed in Hessdalen, Norway, and other UFO sightings in Sweden. The cover headline, "Vil fange lyset i Hessdalen" (Will capture the light in Hessdalen), introduces the central theme of scientific investigation into these unexplained aerial phenomena. The magazine features witness testimonies, scientific projects, and discussions about potential explanations.

Witness Accounts and Incidents

Borlänge Sighting (January 5, 1992)

Ann-Marie Axelsson reported a strong, star-like light in the southeast of Borlänge at 07:00. She described it as a star but much brighter. While driving, she observed the light, which then blinked intensely. She noted that the light seemed to move and descend. After reporting the incident to the police, she described the light as white, strong, and steady, with no visible contours or smoke. She stated she had never seen anything like it before and found it strange.

The Mysterious Journey (January 19, 1995)

Ann-Katrin and her mother embarked on a journey from Borlänge to Sandviken. After meeting with a medium, Gustav Norberg, they began their return journey. During a snowstorm, they experienced a peculiar event where time seemed to distort. Their car journey, which should have taken about 50 minutes, felt significantly shorter, and they arrived home with the clock showing 19:10, the same time they had left Sandviken earlier. They felt they had received help from a UFO, noting that the snow had vanished and their car had not consumed any fuel. Ann-Katrin described the experience as unsettling and incomprehensible, while her mother felt a sense of peace and gratitude.

Öjesjön Encounter (July 24, 1988)

Inger and Gustaf Eriksson, along with their neighbors Ingemar Hed and Signe Johansson, reported a terrifying encounter near Öjesjön outside Malung. While in a boat, they were pursued by three mysterious, luminous, hat-shaped objects described as being as large as buses. The objects hovered silently, and one flew past them, another positioned itself alongside, and a third followed behind. When Gustaf stopped the boat and turned off the lights, the craft also stopped. The objects illuminated the area with a light comparable to 200-watt lamps. The witnesses felt immense fear and hid in their cabins until morning, when the objects were gone. They believe they were observed by extraterrestrial craft.

Other Sightings

• Katarina Dalebjer (Torsby, December 13, 1988): Witnessed a large, star-like object that moved and stopped, causing an uncomfortable feeling.
• Ulla Torp (Between Kil and Karlstad, December 15, 1988): Saw a pulsating, yellow-white light on a field that resembled a living creature.
• Boris Jungkvist (Bastberget, October 1, 1988): Observed a bright, slowly rotating object and filmed it, believing it to be from an extraterrestrial civilization.

The Hessdalen Phenomenon and Scientific Investigation

Project Hessdalen

The magazine extensively covers the Hessdalen phenomenon, a series of unexplained light sightings that occurred in Hessdalen, Norway, primarily between 1981 and 1985. Associate Professor Erling Strand has been investigating these phenomena since 1982. He notes that while many theories have been proposed and discarded (such as car lights, train lights, planes, planets, satellites, and even natural gas emissions), the nature of the lights remains a mystery. The lights are described as intense, pulsating, and changing color, varying in size and capable of moving at high speeds or remaining stationary for extended periods.

The UFO Trap

To study the Hessdalen lights, an automatic UFO monitoring station, dubbed the "UFO trap," has been established in Hessdalen. This station features a video camera mounted on a mast, feeding images to a computer that analyzes them for unusual movements or light variations. When an anomaly is detected, a video recorder is activated, and the footage is simultaneously sent out via the internet. The project aims to filter out common light sources like car headlights and focus on the unique effects of the mysterious lights. The station also includes magnetometers to detect magnetic field variations.

Research and Collaboration

Erling Strand has been involved in the Hessdalen project for many years, collaborating with students and various institutions. He highlights the need for a larger research program and an international network of monitoring stations. The Hessdalen station is the first of its kind. The project requires more computing power, the ability to measure a wider spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, and more cameras for multi-angle photography to create 3D images of the phenomena. Despite extensive research, including a field expedition in 1984 that registered 53 observations, no definitive answers have been found.

International Interest

The Hessdalen phenomenon has attracted international attention, with visitors like Maia Berg and Julie Berg from the USA showing interest. The project is also being followed by UFO enthusiasts worldwide, with the data being shared online. The possibility of extraterrestrial craft is not dismissed, especially given the lack of explanation from conventional science.

Theories and Speculation

While many conventional explanations have been ruled out, the exact nature of the Hessdalen lights remains unknown. Some theories suggest they could be related to unknown energy sources or even extraterrestrial technology. The magazine quotes Erling Strand stating that the solution might lie beyond current scientific understanding. The potential for discovering new forms of energy is also mentioned as a significant aspect of the research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO magazine strongly emphasizes the unexplained nature of the phenomena discussed. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting witness accounts and scientific efforts without definitively concluding on the origin of the sightings. The recurring themes include the mystery of unexplained lights, the challenges of scientific investigation, the psychological impact of such encounters on witnesses, and the persistent human curiosity to understand the unknown. The magazine encourages readers to share their own experiences and highlights the ongoing efforts to find answers, particularly through the Hessdalen project.

This issue of UFO-Magazine, identified as issue number 20 from 1998, covers a wide array of UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) and unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP) reports from around the world. The publication date is indicated as July-August 1998, with the content compiled and translated by Bernt Berglund. The magazine focuses on documenting eyewitness accounts of strange lights, craft, and events, aiming to inform readers about global UFO activity.

England

In Dorset, England, on the night of Friday, May 15, 1998, at least a dozen witnesses reported seeing six yellow balls of light over Poole and Wimborne. Dr. Richard Lawrence of the Aetherius (Esthetic) Society commented that the disappearance of these lights was characteristic of UFO phenomena, relating it to 'Star Trek' technology. Separately, on May 29, Rachael Garnett of 'The Daily Echo' reported on David Nash, who witnessed a boy on the beach with a bag of gas that lifted and then exploded.

Scotland

'Östra Kilbridge Nytt' reported that residents saw strange craft, including pancake-like flying saucers, hovering over the town. Earlier in the year, David Cornes from Murray observed three military fighter jets pursuing a blinking UFO. Driving instructor Brenda Hughie from Greenhills identified the object as a flashing craft. She stated, 'I don't believe in UFOs, but afterwards I felt weak and dizzy. When I got home, the whole room was spinning, and now everyone thinks I'm crazy – they don't believe me.' Tricia Mc Lean, a resident of Whitehall, saw six flashing lights in the sky while driving. Upon stopping, she noticed two were brighter, and the rest were moving in different directions.

Brazil

On Saturday, March 28, 1998, hundreds of people at Praia do Jose Menino beach in the Brazilian port city of Santos witnessed a UFO appear from the landside as they were heading home. Valentim do Nascimento Jnr filmed a luminous, disk-shaped object that shifted colors (yellow, green, blue) for about 40 minutes before the light extinguished and it sped away over the horizon. Wallacy Albino, head of the 'DE ESTUDOS UFOLOGICOS DO GUARUJA' group, analyzed the video and stated it was a small UFO leaving and returning to a 'mother ship'.

Argentina

Witnesses reported four UFOs over Bariloche, a city in southern Argentina. This followed two town-wide blackouts. The first blackout began at 7:45 PM on April 12 and lasted until 10:00 PM. The electrical cooperative (CEB) in Bariloche could not provide an explanation. CEB technicians traced the power drop to the Cipresales transformer station. Power was out for 4 minutes, but Bariloche's lights went out again at 10:15 PM, remaining off until 1:30 AM on Monday, April 13. In line with reports from DIARIO RIO NEGRO, Gustavo and Beatriz Riveros saw unusual lights hovering over Cerro Carbon, a hill in the eastern part of the city. Beatriz observed two lights merge over 'Lejonet' just as they flew away. Other witnesses reported unusual lighting over Lago Nahuel Huapi. Later, a woman saw a red light descending in a zigzag pattern towards the main promenade in Tiscorina, while a 'luminous disk' was seen near the inner city areas of Calle Fernando Beschtete and Calle Lapaz.

France

On Wednesday, April 15, 1998, around 11:40 PM, jurist T. Tony was at home in Rue d'Authie, Chemin Vert district, in Caen, northern France, when he observed a triangular-shaped UFO. It appeared as a luminous mass with a hazy triangle, like a triangle with rounded edges but sharp at the front. It emitted a strong orange light with a band of red light across the middle. For 20 seconds, it performed numerous acrobatic maneuvers before lifting out of sight.

Wales

On Friday, April 24, 1998, a woman and her two sons were delivering newspapers in Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, when they had an unusual encounter. Around 8:00 PM, with a clear sky, they saw numerous spiral-shaped objects moving in circular motions high in the sky. The mother described it as if there was an invisible spaceship, and they could only see the movement of some kind of force below it. The spirals moved individually and across the sky, stopping in a circle.

UFO or Myth?

An article titled 'UFO Klarligt?' (UFO or Myth?) discusses a survey by sociologist Ulf Sjödin, indicating that one in four Swedes believes aliens visit Earth. The article contrasts modern UFO encounters with older folklore of trolls and elves, suggesting that UFOs have replaced these mythical creatures in popular belief. It concludes humorously that aliens have 'abducted' the trolls and elves.

Argentina (Continued)

NICOLAS LAVALLE reported seeing four luminous UFOs hovering overhead. Witness Sara Salazar described one as a large 'spaceship' and three smaller ones attacking it repeatedly. ANDREA CAPARARO told the Argentinian news agency TOLAM that she and her sisters observed a large, flat object with blinking red, yellow, green, and blue lights, along with other objects blinking red and yellow. These luminous objects remained stationary for about 7 minutes before heading towards the lake. Other residents reported seeing a formation of stars hovering with blinking lights, and a bright white light between 10:30-10:45 PM on Sunday night. One moving light seemed attached to an elongated form, and another resembled a thin bottle. Two objects merged to form a large star or an electrical discharge before disappearing.

America

Numerous V-shaped or triangular UFOs were sighted by a dozen witnesses in various locations in southern Indiana between March 22-27, 1998. Indiana TV producer Cal Washburn reported seeing a UFO over Spurgean, Indiana, on March 23, 1998. While traveling on Highway 61, he observed an enormous light through the trees and counted 4-6 red-colored lights in a perfect row, with 4-5 other lights breaking formation and turning. They moved in a perfect formation as if attacking something.

Hawaii

At 02:40 AM on Friday, March 27, 1998, a mysterious explosion of bluish-white light accompanied by a roaring sound illuminated the night sky west of the Hawaiian Islands. On Oahu, explosions were witnessed by several people in Waimea, Waialua, and Kawailoa. On Maui, police received reports from witnesses in Lahaina, Honokowai, Puukolu, and Honakahua. On the 'Big Island' of Oahu, the light phenomenon was seen by witnesses from Upolu Point to Kailua Kona. A pilot from Aloha Airlines saw the object, and passengers stated it came from about 1.5 km away, lighting up the entire sky. He noted a rise in temperature, which others on the plane also felt.

Sri Lanka

On April 30, 1998, several people in Bandarawela and Diyatalawa, Sri Lanka, reported seeing a glittering, unidentified flying object appear in the sky before landing and then departing. Chris Kamalendran reported in 'The Sunday Times' that primary school students and teachers had seen a UFO. A 5th-grader, Harsha Ellawe-Gendera, saw the object around 6:30 AM. Others reported seeing objects at different times and locations. Chris was skeptical until he spoke with district doctor Kamani Pushpakumara, who had seen a UFO flying over her farm and was so frightened she ran back inside. A passing driver also saw the UFO from his car. Over the following days, hundreds of students and curious individuals reported seeing the UFO land. Sri Lanka journalist Hector Yapa suggested the area appeared to be 'foreign territory'. Strange marks on the ground and small footprints were noted, but they were barely visible because people were allowed to walk over the site. An officer from the criminal investigation department examined the site and took photographs, including drawings of the craft described by witnesses.

Wolverhampton

At midnight on Saturday, July 18, 1998, Stephen T. was on Wellington Road in Bilston, a suburb of Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK, when he saw a triangular-shaped UFO. He described it as silver-colored and traveling east. He saw no lights and estimated the object to be 1000 feet up. It traveled quite fast, about 80 degrees above the horizon, rounding its aerodynamic corners. He had the object in sight for about 5-10 seconds before it reached the horizon and disappeared into a distant cloud.

London & Hertfordshire

On Sunday, July 12, 1998, at 7:10 PM, a man driving on the A 505 in Roystone, Hertfordshire, suddenly saw 8-10 UFOs hovering over a field. The objects appeared to be in coordination and remained in a single part of the sky for approximately 2 minutes. On the following Sunday, at 3:30 AM, two witnesses in the Vauxhall area of central London observed two gold-orange luminous objects crossing the sky from south to east. The objects moved near each other, 'almost like a single object,' and remained in sight for less than 2 minutes before disappearing behind nearby buildings.

Paraguay

On the afternoon of Saturday, May 24, 1998, Miquel Bustamente Saavedra was out on a boat with friends on the Paraguay River, north of Asuncion. They noticed something shiny in the sky, which Miquel described as looking like a large mirror. He initially thought it was an airplane, but then saw a metallic, egg-shaped object moving slowly up and down, and from right to left. It suddenly turned left and disappeared at high speed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the global prevalence of UFO sightings and the variety of forms and behaviors reported. The magazine appears to adopt a neutral stance, presenting eyewitness accounts without overt skepticism or endorsement, aiming to document the phenomena. The inclusion of a section questioning 'UFO or Myth?' and the humorous conclusion about aliens abducting trolls suggest a lighthearted approach to the subject matter, while still taking the reports seriously enough to compile them. The magazine also highlights the efforts of UFO investigation groups and the translation of reports from international sources, indicating a commitment to a broad overview of UFO activity.