UFO-Nytt - 2001 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-NYTT
Issue: 1
Year: 2001
Publisher: Västerbergslagens UFO Förening

This issue of UFO-NYTT, published by the Västerbergslagens UFO Förening, is dated 2001 and is designated as issue number 1. The cover features the magazine's title prominently, along with a cartoon illustration and the year. The magazine includes a table of contents listing various articles, interviews, and reports.

Table of Contents

The issue's contents are as follows:

• Page 2: Editorial (Förord)
• Pages 3-4: Interview with Nick Pope (Intervju av Nick Pope)
• Page 5: Snippets (Klipp)
• Pages 10-14: Reports (Rapporter)
• Pages 15-18: Report from Norway (Rapportnytt från Norge)
• Pages 19-20: Light phenomena that disabled a fishing boat (Ljusfenomen slog ut fiskebåt)
• Pages 21-27: Whispers from the past (Viskningar från det förgångna)

Editorial (Förord)

The editorial section reflects on the phenomenon of UFO sightings, noting a perceived decrease in reports in the Västmanland region. The author questions why UFOs are not reported year-round, unlike other celestial phenomena. The editorial contrasts the experiences of city dwellers, who are accustomed to light pollution and frequent aircraft, with those living in rural areas who are more familiar with clear night skies and stars. It poses questions about who typically reports UFOs and why similar phenomena are often reported simultaneously in different locations, sometimes across countries. The author emphasizes the importance of investigating all reports without prejudice but cautions against launching unverified theories, especially when statistics suggest most sightings can be explained. The editorial stresses that mishandling of reports or discrediting witnesses can deter future reporting.

Interview with Nick Pope

This section features an exclusive interview with Nick Pope, who served as the official UFO expert and spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defence from 1991 to 1994. Pope discusses how the position sparked his interest in UFOs, despite having no prior specific interest beyond science fiction. He recounts his work investigating UFO cases, examining photographic and film evidence, and analyzing reports to determine if they posed a threat to Britain. Pope acknowledges that conspiracy theorists often target him, but he maintains that his work was about objective investigation.

He addresses the common perception that governments are hiding information, stating that while bureaucracy exists, he cannot definitively say if the US is withholding information from the UK. Pope highlights the Rendlesham Forest incident in December 1980 as a particularly significant case that fueled his interest, noting that it involved not just lights but also a complex metallic craft on the ground. He recounts interviewing witnesses and reviewing the official report, which he found surprisingly brief for such a major event. Pope also touches upon the unusual circumstances surrounding Colonel Charles Holt's potential testimony at a conference, including his sudden reassignment to Belgium.

Regarding his own role, Pope explains that he was the public face of the UK's official stance on UFOs for three years. He expresses frustration with groups who assume he is part of a conspiracy, regardless of his employment status. Pope concludes by emphasizing the importance of treating ufology as a scientific endeavor, citing the Hessdalen project as a good example. He encourages serious research into credible sightings, noting that verified cases involving photographic, video, or radar evidence can lead to cooperation between government departments and the military.

Reports and Articles

• "Are We Alone in Space?" (Är vi ensamma i rymden): This article discusses the scientific probability of extraterrestrial life. It references the SETI project and explores the challenges of detecting alien intelligence. The article touches upon Martyn Fogg's computer simulations of the Milky Way's history, suggesting that if civilizations capable of interstellar travel exist, Earth should have been visited long ago. The author concludes that either humanity is the first intelligent civilization or interstellar travel is not feasible.

• "Bottennapp för stenbärare" (Bottom Catch for Stone Carriers): This news report details a failed attempt to transport a three-ton stone from Wales to Stonehenge by 100 modern Britons. The stone fell into the sea due to rough weather and a failed securing of the load on a raft.

• "Stonehenge opens again" (Stonehenge öppnas igen): This brief note announces that Stonehenge, closed to the public for 16 years, would reopen for visitors on the summer solstice, allowing close contact with the ancient stones.

• "Ufoexperten tror inte på flygande tefat" (UFO Expert Doesn't Believe in Flying Saucers): This article features Arne Gjärdman, Foa's UFO expert, who is retiring. Gjärdman states that he does not believe in extraterrestrial visitors but acknowledges the reality of submarine sightings in the Baltic Sea. He explains that most UFO sightings (95%) can be explained, with the remaining cases lacking sufficient information. He recounts an instance where a mysterious light filmed by a TV crew was identified as car headlights. Gjärdman respects UFO-Sverige but has never personally witnessed a UFO. He shares an anecdote about a film where two elongated, robot-like objects were initially puzzling but later identified as birds due to camera technique.

• "Planeter på rad i rymden" (Planets in a Row in Space): This short piece explains the celestial event of May 5th, where several planets, including Earth and the Sun, aligned in a straight line. It notes this rare conjunction, which last occurred in 1962 and will next occur in 2438, has been linked to doomsday theories by some astrologers.

• "Måsskrin från planeten Jupiter" (Seagull Cry from Planet Jupiter): This brief item mentions that the international space probe Cassini/Huygens has recorded sounds from Jupiter, described as similar to a seagull's cry or a vacuum cleaner. The probe is en route to Saturn.

Puzzles and Brain Teasers

The magazine includes a section with puzzles, including a number sequence problem, a logic puzzle about sharing glasses of ice cream, a measurement problem involving mixing panncakes, a word-fitting puzzle, and a riddle about chickens laying eggs. The answers are to be found on page 18.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO phenomena, the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. There is a strong emphasis on scientific investigation and the need for credible evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, acknowledging the existence of unexplained events while also promoting rational explanations and rigorous methodology. The interview with Nick Pope highlights the challenges of official investigation and the public's perception of secrecy. The article on Arne Gjärdman presents a more skeptical view on extraterrestrial visitation, focusing on the vast distances involved, while still acknowledging the reality of unexplained sightings and the importance of careful analysis. The magazine also touches upon broader scientific and astronomical topics, such as the search for life in the universe and planetary alignments.

This issue of "Rapporter" (Reports) is a compilation of eyewitness accounts detailing unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and other unexplained events. The magazine focuses on firsthand testimonies, primarily from Sweden and Norway, collected and documented by handlers such as Bengt Karlsson. The reports span a significant period, from the early 1980s to the year 2000, offering a glimpse into the nature of reported sightings over nearly two decades.

Reports from Sweden

The issue begins with several reports from Sweden. Margareta Hömaeus from Långshyttan reported a sharp, white, blinding light hovering over Lake Amungen in September 1997. The object remained stationary and pulsed for about 10 minutes before vanishing with extreme speed. No sound was detected, and the object was described as being as large as the full moon.

In July 1999, three young individuals (Frida Gustavsson and two friends) were near Lake Grycken in Stjärnsund, Hedemora, when they observed a star-like object. It moved, stopped, and then continued its flight, disappearing over the horizon. They witnessed a similar event about two minutes later, this time involving a more erratic, crooked path before vanishing.

Marie Grusell, from St-Skedvi, provided two reports. The first, from the winter of 1983, described seeing a matte metallic, disc-shaped object approximately 200 meters away across a field. The object, estimated to be 3-4 meters in diameter, caused her significant unease. The second report, from April 1986, detailed an orange-red glowing ball with a tail, observed while riding a moped. The object moved horizontally at high speed, then changed direction abruptly, descending and ascending rapidly before disappearing.

Another report from Vika Falun in May 1989 by an anonymous observer described a grey-black object, comparable in size to a 'friggebo' (storage shed), moving slowly from left to right and descending. The observation lasted about 3 minutes.

An anonymous report from Nyberget St-Skedvi in July 1997 described a strong white, ball-shaped light moving from south to north over Lövåsberget. The phenomenon disappeared before binoculars could be retrieved.

An anonymous report from Persbo, Ludvika, in September 1999, detailed a bright blue-white, intensely shining light that flew in front of the observer's car. The object moved from west to east, described as very sharp and almost sparkling.

Reports from Norway

The magazine also includes reports from Norway. Arnulf Löken contributed a section titled "Rapportnytt från Norge" (Report News from Norway). One report from September 2000 described an observation in Rondane, where two individuals hunting for reindeer saw a long, narrow white flying object gliding over a mountain range. It entered a cloud and did not reappear. Investigations with aviation authorities and the military confirmed no unusual activity in the area.

Another Norwegian report, from October 1998, by Berit and Brynjar Ivarsen from Vikna, Nord-Tröndelag, described a red ball visible under a cloud layer. The object stood still for a few minutes before moving slowly south and descending behind a mountain. The object was described as having a yellow-white, orange, and red color.

A report from September 2000 by Jörgen Löken and David Eidem from Levanger, Nord-Tröndelag, detailed an encounter with an object that initially appeared to be a satellite. The object stopped, seemed to approach them, then accelerated incredibly and shot straight up into the sky.

Special Case: Boat Incident

A significant report, titled "Ljusfenomen slog ut fiskebåt" (Light Phenomenon Disabled Fishing Boat), by Morten Löken Kvarnström, details an incident from November 2000 involving the fishing boat "Magne Johan" near Senjenhopen, Norway. While at sea, the boat's engine and electrical systems suddenly stopped after a bright white light shone into the cabin. All power failed, including emergency systems. The three crew members felt extremely weak and disoriented, describing it as if their life force had been drained. The incident caused all electronic displays to reset and affected the crew's physical well-being to the point where they needed to rest. Leif Norman Solhaug, chairman of UFO-Norge Nord, confirmed the crew's severe illness following the event. The boat drifted for hours before the crew regained enough strength to pilot it to shore. The food also tasted and smelled burnt.

Drawings and Diagrams

Several reports are accompanied by hand-drawn sketches and diagrams. These include depictions of the objects themselves, their flight paths, and the surrounding landscape. For instance, the report from Vika Falun includes a sketch of the observed object and its movement. The report from Persbo, Ludvika, includes a diagram showing the car, the observer's location, and the object's trajectory. The report from Rondane includes a detailed sketch of the observed phenomenon and the landscape, with annotations indicating the observation point and the area where the object disappeared. The report from St-Skedvi (April 1986) includes a drawing of a UFO with aliens, and the report from Vemundvik (page 9) has a drawing of a UFO with accompanying text.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Rapporter" are the observation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the characteristics of these objects (shape, color, behavior), and their potential impact on witnesses and technology. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting and presenting these eyewitness accounts without overt skepticism or sensationalism, allowing the reports to speak for themselves. The inclusion of detailed accounts, handler notes, and accompanying sketches suggests a commitment to archiving and investigating these phenomena. The variety of locations and time periods covered indicates a broad scope of interest in UAP reports within Sweden and Norway.

This issue of UFO-Aktuellt from 1990, volume 2, published by UFO-Sverige, delves into mysterious phenomena and ancient enigmas. The cover features an illustration of figures observing a celestial event, hinting at themes of ancient mysteries and potential extraterrestrial contact. The price was 20 SEK.

Knappast en meteorit (Hardly a Meteorite)

This article discusses a theory proposed by Professor Jan Erik Solheim of the University of Tromsö, and attributed to Leif Norman Solhaug, suggesting that a meteorite exploding in the atmosphere could cause engine failure and power outages. This theory is applied to an incident involving the vessel 'Magne Johan', where both diesel engines stopped simultaneously. The article notes that one engine had a mechanical diesel pump not affected by electrical shocks. A former sailor is quoted stating that engines can run for a while on available diesel even if the pump falters. The theory posits that such an atmospheric explosion could also cause sickness among the crew, leading to physical and psychological reactions. Solhaug mentions knowing of another ship that experienced a similar event, where the crew later underwent difficult psychological recovery.

Flera observationer (Several Observations)

Prior to the 'Magne Johan' incident, four men in kayaks near Karlsöy observed a strange light for about 10 seconds. Ernst Bolle, who worked at the fisheries office in Tromsö, described the light as shining down from the sky, a thin beam of white and yellow/green light that illuminated the mountains and intensified as it neared the sea. One of the kayakers, a physicist, ruled out the meteorite theory. Solhaug, with 20 years of experience investigating unusual observations, found this event similar to the 'Magne Johan' incident. He also mentions a series of light phenomena observed in March 1989 near Kaperdalsfjällen and Svandal in Indre Senja, which attracted significant attention and involved the police. The defense in Sörreisa acknowledged these as interesting observations, though Solhaug had no further details. He pledged to follow up on the 'Magne Johan' incident, anticipating it would be discussed in UFO circles for years.

Viskningar från det förgångna (Whispers from the Past)

This section questions the accuracy of our historical understanding, suggesting that history is merely 'whispers from a dark past'. It poses whether we have correctly interpreted these whispers, referencing prophets' visions and legends of mysteries and miracles. Researchers are attempting to translate these enigmas into clear text, sometimes finding strange answers. It questions the existence of ancient aircraft and whether atomic bombs might have wiped out an unknown ancient culture.

The article uses the 'whisper game' (telephone game) as an analogy for how stories can become distorted over countless generations, especially when passed down through ancient texts written in dead languages, translated, and reinterpreted. The oldest found writings are about 6000 years old, and the article questions how much we can truly learn from symbolic signs etched in clay. The Old Testament is presented as an example, describing events over two and a half millennia ago, including miracles that seem incredible and contrary to natural laws. The text wonders what actually happened and how the original accounts might have changed.

Biblical translations over centuries, guided by tradition, often leave much unexplained, attributing events to a higher power. However, recent research aims to translate biblical mysteries into clear text.

Profetens gåtfulla syn (The Prophet's Enigmatic Vision)

The article focuses on the vision of the prophet Ezekiel as described in the Old Testament. It quotes passages describing a storm wind, a great cloud, and flashing lightning. Within this, four winged beings are seen, each with four faces and four wings, with straight legs like a calf's, gleaming like copper. Their wings were spread upwards, and they moved straight ahead. The sound of their wings was like the roar of great waters. Above their heads was a sapphire-like structure resembling a throne, upon which sat a figure resembling a human. The biblical text calls this a 'revelation'. However, a modern technician might interpret this differently, suggesting it describes some kind of aircraft. The article questions how such a concept could exist in Ezekiel's time (600 BC).

Detektiv i det förgångna (Detective of the Past)

This part introduces Henry Kjellson, a Swedish aircraft designer and professor, who passed away in 1962 at the age of 71. Kjellson was known for his serious research and detective-like approach. He is presented as someone who believed advanced technology existed in ancient times. He referred to the 'beings' in Ezekiel's vision as 'kerubs'. The Hebrew word 'kerub' is explained as meaning 'carrier' or 'supporter'. Some scholars suggest a consonant shift in the word, meaning 'chariot', specifically a war chariot, or in this context, a flying chariot.

Kjellson's interpretation of Ezekiel's vision suggests that the 'spirit of the beings' in the wheels refers to the wind generated by a propeller. He reconstructs a modern and different image of the past, transforming calf's feet into wheels and wheels into propellers or helicopter rotors. The question remains: where did these aircraft come from 2500 years ago, or was it just a dream?

Kjellson's work is linked to his wartime experience, where he reconstructed the German V-1 flying bomb using thousands of fragments, earning him the prestigious British Empire Medal. He was fascinated by ancient texts, particularly the Bible, and concluded that ancient cultures possessed a technical knowledge close to our current level. His book, 'Forntidens Teknik' (Ancient Technology), aimed to systematically prove this.

He interpreted Ezekiel's description of flying machines with wings and wheels, and the 'throne of sapphire' as a cabin with a plexiglass canopy. The 'human-like figure' could be a pilot with a helmet, goggles, and mask, while the 'flames' are interpreted as exhaust from rocket or jet engines.

Det döda språket får liv (The Dead Language Comes Alive)

Kjellson highlights that the Old Testament is written in Hebrew, an unvocalized text where vowels were added around 600 AD, long after Hebrew had become a dead language. This late addition of vowels could lead to altered interpretations of the original text. The technology of the 600s AD was primitive, and terms might have been interpreted with simple, nature-based words. Kjellson suggests that the Hebrew consonants for 'calf' might indicate a round disc, meaning wheels. He interprets Ezekiel's account of the 'kerubs' lifting their wings and rising from the ground with their wheels as a description of aircraft taking off.

Vad var en vimana? (What was a Vimana?)

This section questions if Ezekiel was a visionary like Jules Verne. It notes that by the late 19th century, when Verne wrote, technology was already advancing, providing him with a basis for his imagination. The article suggests that if ancient descriptions of technology are not science fiction, then their authors must have had incredible foresight, as the descriptions are often too technically detailed to be fabricated.

A rock carving of a Viking ship is used as an example, implying the artist had a real-life model. An Indian rock carving depicts a box-shaped apparatus flying over a palm grove, with a wing structure resembling a Farman biplane from the early 20th century. Ancient Indian texts suggest that flying machines, called 'Vimanas', were known 5000 years BC. These Vimanas were not mass-produced like modern aircraft and their construction details were intentionally hidden, possibly a privilege for royalty. They were described as needing strong, durable bodies like large flying birds and made of light materials, with wooden structures and silk coverings.

Kjellson concluded that some of these flying apparatuses were kept aloft by balloons filled with hydrogen produced electrically. He likens the Vimana to a primitive aircraft, similar in technical level to 19th-century airships, used for tasks like delivering supplies to besieged fortresses or attacking them from the air.

Oförklarlig kunskap (Unexplained Knowledge)

It is suggested that ancient cultures might have understood balloon principles and some form of lifting surfaces. Oriental tales feature flying carpets, and Chinese and Japanese cultures built flying dragons. However, calling the Vimana a primitive aircraft is sensitive; some UFO researchers consider it a highly advanced flying saucer, driven by sophisticated machinery far superior to modern aircraft. They theorize that ancient Indians learned to build Vimanas from extraterrestrial visitors. An Indian scripture states that Vimanas allowed humans to fly and celestial beings to descend to Earth. Some Vimanas are described as capable of reaching solar and even stellar regions, interpreted as spacecraft.

Beyond myths, many researchers believe that human-like beings from advanced worlds visited Earth in ancient times, leading to sudden, unexplained leaps in the development of certain cultures. The article mentions that a primitive people 5000 years ago developed advanced agriculture in a remarkably short time and knew about the nine planets in our solar system, while we only discovered the ninth in 1930. Their knowledge is attributed to 'a foreign being that rose from the sea', possibly a spaceship landing in the ocean, as suggested by modern archaeo-astronomers like Frank Drake.

Tusenårig elektricitet (Thousand-Year-Old Electricity)

This section posits that many modern inventions were practiced millennia ago, at least according to Henry Kjellson and like-minded researchers. Kjellson's work is cited as evidence that ancient cultures might have acquired knowledge from unknown teachers or extraterrestrial visitors, though Kjellson himself did not explicitly propose alien visitors, focusing instead on ancient technological capabilities. The article notes that Kjellson never discussed the possibility of ancient cultures acquiring knowledge from extraterrestrial visitors, considering such theories to be of later origin than his own work.

The article concludes by questioning whether the Wright brothers were the first to construct an airplane and whether Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity or Edison invented the light bulb, with Kjellson asserting that these inventions existed thousands of years ago. The issue ends with a promise of continuation in the next number.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena, ancient history, and technological speculation. There's a clear leaning towards reinterpreting historical and religious texts through a modern, technological lens, often suggesting advanced ancient civilizations or extraterrestrial influence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these possibilities, presenting theories and research that challenge conventional historical narratives, particularly concerning ancient technology and UFO sightings. The publication seems to advocate for a broader understanding of human history that includes potentially overlooked or suppressed knowledge.