UFO-Nytt - 2002 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-NYTT
Issue: 1
Volume: NR
Date: 2002
Publisher: VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO FÖRENING
Location: Smedjebacken, Sweden

This issue of UFO-NYTT, published by Västerbergslagens UFO Förening, presents a collection of UFO sighting reports, astronomical discussions, and organizational updates.

Contents

Foreword

The foreword, signed GUDRUN, reflects on the current state of humanity, contrasting it with primitive life. It discusses the increasing reliance on technology, the resulting unemployment, and the potential negative impacts of technology and environmental changes on human health and reproduction. The author laments the loss of harmony with nature and questions humanity's future.

Poetry

A poem titled "VÄNTA TILLS GRYNING" (Wait Until Dawn) by Anna-Lisa describes the anticipation of nature's renewal and the quiet growth of flowers waiting for the light.

Reports

The magazine features several UFO sighting reports, primarily from Sweden and Norway:

• Vikarbyn, Sweden (Autumn 1989-1990): A witness reported a bright white light on a field, followed by two orange spheres in the sky.
• Salmakarbo, Sweden (Late September 2000): A witness observed a strong red light with yellow streaks for 15-20 minutes.
• Ostbo-Långshyttan, Sweden (January 12, 2000): A witness and their spouse saw a large, bright point in the sky moving eastward.
• Ostbo-Långshyttan, Sweden (Autumn 1996): A witness observed a small white object ascend, angle, grow larger, and become blindingly white before disappearing.
• Nyberget, Sweden (August 26, 2001): A witness saw a bright white light, nearly as large as the full moon, reflecting on a lake.
• Norway (December 1992): A driver reported a multi-colored object larger than the full moon hovering, then moving south and ascending.
• Norway (October 4, 2000): A witness observed a V-shaped object hovering, which then moved slowly east-northeast.

These reports are often investigated or noted by Bengt Karlsson.

Article: Pillars on Mars formed by bacteria

This section discusses the possibility that the white pillars observed on Mars by the Mars Global Surveyor probe might be formed by microorganisms, similar to stromatolites found on Earth. Stromatolites are layered structures created by microorganisms in shallow waters. Researchers suggest that the conditions on early Mars might have supported such life forms.

Article: Transvestite squid lures itself to sex

This short piece describes how young male squids of the genus Sepia use a deceptive tactic to mate. They temporarily alter their appearance to resemble females, allowing them to get closer to females who are guarded by dominant males.

Project Hessdalens Vänner

This section promotes "Projekt Hessdalens Vänner" (Project Hessdalen Friends), an initiative to support research into the Hessdalen phenomenon in Norway. It outlines membership options, including annual fees that provide membership cards, reports, and guided tours of the Hessdalen area. The goal is to contribute to solving the mystery of the Hessdalen phenomena.

UFO AKTUELLT Subscription

Information is provided for subscribing to "UFO AKTUELLT," a publication that comes out four times a year, offering information on well-documented UFO cases.

Competition

A competition is announced where readers are challenged to find a hidden giraffe within the magazine. Correct answers will be entered into a prize draw.

Quote

A notable quote from one of the Norwegian reports is: "Märkligt nog blev jag inte rädd, bara väldigt förundrad" (Strangely enough, I wasn't scared, just very amazed).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO and UAP sightings, presenting eyewitness accounts with details about the objects' appearance, behavior, and location. There's an underlying interest in scientific explanations for phenomena, as seen in the article about Mars and the Earth's formation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, encouraging reader participation through reports and competitions.

This issue of the magazine "UFO" (Issue 11, Volume 11, dated June 2001) is published by UFO-Sverige and is in Swedish. The cover headline is "Många önskar att vi inte är ensamma i rymden" (Many wish we are not alone in space), with a subtitle featuring an interview with journalist Clas Svahn, chairman of UFO-Sverige, who has investigated UFO reports since his teens.

Hessdalen

The article "Hessdalen" by Gudrun describes Hessdalen in Norway as a beautiful place with a declining population due to lack of work opportunities for the young. The area is noted for its natural beauty and restrictions on snowmobiling for recreational purposes. It mentions a small wooden church, a community hall, and a general store. Nearby Röros offers shops and a mining area. The author notes that phenomena in Hessdalen are not new, with old stories of light phenomena. However, the Hessdalen phenomena gained international attention in 1981. The author has visited Hessdalen multiple times since 1983 and observes differences between the 1980s and 1990s, noting that some people's actions have harmed the reputation of Hessdalen.

How could one count with Roman numerals?

This section explains the Roman numeral system, which used letters as symbols for numbers (I=1, X=10, C=100, M=1000, V=5, L=50, D=500). It highlights that Romans used an abacus for calculations and that the system involved placing the largest value symbol to the left. Subtraction was indicated by placing a smaller symbol to the left of a larger one (e.g., IV = 4). The article connects the Roman numeral system to the bead frame (abacus) due to the use of half-values (5, 50, 500) and subtraction.

Many wish we are not alone in space

This feature article interviews Clas Svahn, chairman of UFO-Sverige. Svahn, a journalist, has been investigating UFOs since his teens and has personally witnessed strange phenomena. He states that while most reported phenomena can be explained, a small percentage remain unexplained. He estimates that 96-97% of UFO mysteries have been clarified, and no case has provided definitive proof of extraterrestrial visitation. However, he does not rule out the possibility and finds the investigation process itself fascinating. Svahn is particularly interested in reports of cigar-shaped craft. He is currently investigating an incident from the mid-1970s involving a cigar-shaped object seen over western Norrbotten, Sweden, by military personnel, which was detected by both visual observation and radar.

Svahn discusses the potential societal impact of confirmed alien contact, suggesting it would profoundly change technology and society. He also shares a personal experience of seeing three bright crosses flying in formation on November 5, 1995, near Norrtälje, Sweden, which disappeared after a few seconds. He notes the difficulty witnesses face in accurately describing such events and being taken seriously.

The police saw a luminous object in Stockholm

This section recounts a historical UFO sighting from February 28, 1879, in Stockholm, Sweden. Police constables Johan Viktor Haglind and Clas Herman Kraft observed a strong blue luminous object in Gamla stan. The object rounded a corner, emitted a hissing sound, and a warmth was felt. A similar blue light was seen over Mälartorget that night. Professor Gösta Rehn investigated the case in 1977, considering it a genuine UFO sighting. Later theories suggest it might have been a night-time test of arc lamps. The article notes that the popularity of UFOs in culture and a desire to believe in extraterrestrial life can lead to misinterpretations of celestial objects like Venus and Jupiter, as well as aircraft, balloons, and birds.

Lysande kors (Shining Crosses)

This personal account by an unnamed author describes witnessing three luminous crosses flying in formation on November 5, 1995, while traveling with his wife, Anneli, near Norrtälje, Sweden. They observed the objects flying from the darkness, disappearing after about 6-7 seconds. The author emphasizes the difficulty of accurately describing such an event afterward and the challenges of being believed.

UFO reports in Brunei

This report from June 2001 details an incident on April 26, 2001, in Gadong, Brunei, where Philip Chua and his wife Silvia Goh Mei Ling reported seeing an unknown flying object. Chua managed to take photos of the object. The report also mentions a power interruption at a photo developing shop while Chua's film was being processed, adding a layer of mystery.

Cigar-shaped craft in Connecticut

This report from April 13, 2001, describes a witness in Kensington, USA, observing a luminous object that appeared like a flying diamond-star but was not flying. The object later appeared cigar-shaped with steady red and white lights and moved across the town. The witness also noted another object approaching from the same direction.

"GATLYSEN" (Street Lights) fly in Maine

This report from October 2000 describes a witness named Ruth in Oxford, Maine, USA, observing a white streak of light, resembling a street light, ascending rapidly and silently over a wooded hill. The object rose about 200 feet and moved quickly across the sky. The witness believes they saw a UFO.

Romania: Object interrupts power?

This report from June 28, 2001, details a power outage in Bucharest, Romania, around 4:00 AM. Shortly after, a strong light was observed, and an oval object, approximately 11 meters in diameter, emitting a cold white light, was seen from a nearby hill.

A retired marine officer says he saw a spaceship 28 years ago

This multi-part article details the account of Mike Cataldo, a retired US Navy quartermaster, who reported seeing a UFO in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in 1973. He describes a large, oval object that hovered over trees before disappearing. He later saw another similar object. Cataldo was deeply affected by the experience, suffering nightmares. He reported the incident to his superiors and the air force, but his account was met with disbelief. The article also mentions Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker, who also reported being abducted in Pascagoula in 1973. Hickson later wrote a book about the event and maintained his story for 28 years. He described the beings as pale, ghost-like, about 150 cm tall, with crab-like claws and rounded feet, appearing to float rather than walk. The report includes details of the investigation by Glenn Ryder, a state police officer, who interviewed Hickson and Parker. Ryder noted Parker's extreme distress and Hickson's collected demeanor. A hidden tape recorder was used during their joint interview to verify their story.

The Solar System's largest crater found on the Moon's far side

This astronomy section reports on the discovery of the largest and deepest crater in the solar system, the South Pole-Aitken crater, located on the far side of the Moon. Based on data from the American satellite Clementine, the crater has a diameter of 2500 kilometers and a depth of 13 kilometers. This finding reveals significant topographical variations on the Moon, with a height difference of 16 kilometers between its highest and lowest points.

Astronomical Facts

This section provides astronomical information for the year 2002. It details the visibility of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn in the early part of the year and spring. It also mentions that there will be 2 solar eclipses and 3 lunar eclipses in 2002, including a total solar eclipse on December 4th visible from southern Africa and Australia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. It presents witness accounts, historical cases, and scientific investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting and analysis while acknowledging the difficulty in definitively proving many claims. There is a clear emphasis on UFO-Sverige's role in documenting and researching these events in Sweden and internationally. The magazine also includes articles on related topics like Roman numerals and astronomical facts, suggesting a broader interest in science and history within the context of unexplained phenomena.

This issue of UFO magazine, dated September 2001 and identified as issue number 24, features a cover story titled "After my experience, I became a UFO spotter myself." The magazine explores various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, drawing on Swedish and international cases, expert opinions, and personal accounts.

Karsten Jöred and FOI's UFO Archive

The lead article introduces Karsten Jöred, a researcher at FOI (Swedish Defence Research Agency), who maintains an extensive archive of UFO reports dating back to World War II. Jöred, who has been interested in astronomy since childhood, expresses a strong conviction that intelligent life exists on other planets. However, he is skeptical about alien visitations to Earth, suggesting that most reported phenomena have natural explanations or are products of imagination or wishful thinking. He states that the Swedish military's interest in UFOs after WWII was partly due to concerns about foreign powers testing new aircraft or weapons over Sweden during the Cold War, but found little evidence to support this.

Historical UFO Cases

The magazine provides a timeline of significant UFO events. This includes the mysterious "ghost flyers" and "ghost rockets" reported in Sweden between the 1930s and 1940s, which baffled military authorities. It also details the famous Roswell incident in New Mexico, USA, in 1947, where a "flying disc" reportedly crashed and was subsequently investigated by the military. Other historical cases mentioned include sightings in Morkarla (1933-1937), sightings of glowing cigars and fireballs, and a peculiar observation by Gösta Carlson in Ängelholm. The article also notes the 1952 sighting of two bright lights by Nils Frost in Mora and the 1960 photographic evidence of luminous disc-shaped objects over Norrtälje by cultural journalist Esse Jansson.

Personal Accounts and Investigations

Irre Bredin shares her personal experience of witnessing a UFO in Åkers Styckebruk, Sweden, in 1978. She describes a large, triangular object with rounded corners and blinking lights. Following this experience, Bredin became actively involved with UFO-Sverige, an organization dedicated to investigating UFO sightings, and has since documented hundreds of cases. The magazine also features a report from the MUFON UFO Journal about an Illinois triangle sighting in 2000, where witness Philip Dybala described a matte black triangular object performing a sharp 90-degree turn. Another report from Ohio details a sighting of a white glowing orb in 2001 that exhibited erratic movements and color changes.

UFO-Sverige and Collaboration

It is mentioned that the Swedish military now collaborates closely with the non-profit organization UFO-Sverige, which possesses greater research resources than the defence agency.

Other Phenomena and Discoveries

Beyond UFOs, the magazine touches upon other intriguing topics:

Magnetars

The 20th anniversary of the discovery of magnetars is celebrated. These celestial objects, characterized by extremely powerful magnetic fields, emit sudden bursts of gamma radiation. The theory is that they are rapidly rotating neutron stars.

Archaeology

An archaeological discovery in Egypt's Bahariya Oasis is reported, where a 2,500-year-old mummy of a wealthy woman named Naas was found with over a hundred gold amulets. This adds to previous finds in the area, including the tomb of her husband, Governor Ankh.

Crystal Skulls

The article discusses the mystery surrounding crystal skulls, particularly a 5.19 kg quartz skull believed to originate from a lost civilization. These artifacts, some of which are displayed in museums like the British Museum, exhibit advanced craftsmanship and optical properties, posing a challenge to scientific explanation.

Grasshoppers

A brief note on grasshoppers mentions their defense mechanism of eating toxic plants and then vomiting to deter predators.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the possibility of extraterrestrial life while maintaining a critical approach to reported sightings. There is an emphasis on scientific investigation and natural explanations, though personal testimonies of unexplained phenomena are given significant space. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, acknowledging the enduring mystery of UFOs while also highlighting the importance of rigorous analysis and the potential for mundane explanations. The magazine also seems to suggest that while the universe is vast and likely populated, direct contact or visitation by extraterrestrial beings to Earth remains highly improbable according to current understanding.