UFO-Nytt - 2002 No 4

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO-NYTT, number 4 from 2002, is published by VÄSTERBERGSLAGENS UFO FÖRENING and is primarily in Swedish. The cover features the magazine title prominently, along with the organization's name and contact details, including a postal address, postgiro, membership fee, telephone number, and website.

Editorial Content

Förord (Foreword)

The foreword reflects on how sky mysteries are less fascinating than earthly ones, citing concerns like climate change and the increasing reliance on technology like computers. It questions whether humanity has solved all mysteries, given technological advancements, and suggests that while computers offer logical answers, they lack human intuition and are susceptible to human-made errors. The author ponders if life has evolved elsewhere in the universe, implying that sky mysteries might still exist.

Poetry

Two poems are included: "DET SJÖNG EN FÅGEL" (A Bird Sang) by Anna-Lisa, which tells a story of a wounded bird that is helped by a person and flies away, its name unknown. The second poem, "STRÖMSTAREN" (The Dipper) also by Anna-Lisa, describes the resilience and bravery of a dipper bird in its winter environment.

Reports (Rapporter)

This section contains several witness accounts of alleged UFO sightings and unexplained phenomena:

• Datum: 1999. ? - Plats: Ostbo, Långshyttan A report from January 2000, referencing a newspaper article about a visible light phenomenon over Dalarna, suggests it was a bolide. The witness believes they know the impact site and location of the bolide. In late December 1999, the ice was about 10 cm thick. In January 2000, the witness observed a round hole, about 10 meters in circumference, filled with ice and surrounded by clay, with an estimated depth of 75 cm. The location is identified as Lake Amungen, near Osbo in Långshyttan. The follow-up suggests it was likely a bolide.

• Datum: 2001 11 06 - Plats: Svärdsjö Peter Gathe reports seeing an oval, sharp white light coming from the east while driving home. The object moved west and then suddenly disappeared after 5-10 seconds.

• Datum: 1982 03 05 - Plats: Dala Husby An anonymous witness describes seeing a dark red sphere moving from southeast to north. After a few seconds, it disappeared behind a shed, leaving smoke. Later, two bright white spheres, larger than stars, were observed near the horizon. One ascended at a 70-degree angle for about 5 minutes before turning into a grey cloud, while the other moved horizontally and disappeared. The witness initially considered the first object a meteorite. The follow-up notes 'None' for further investigation.

• Unidentified object near Ingvar's location A drawing depicts a flight path of a plane and another object. Ingvar reports seeing a traffic plane heading east, then another object heading from northeast to southwest. He followed this second object for about 30 seconds before it disappeared over the horizon. He notes that if it were a military supersonic jet, its sound would have been heard.

• Datum: 02 07 29 - Plats: Nyberget, St.Skedvi Bengt Karlsson reports hearing a rustling sound and seeing what he initially thought was his cat. Upon investigation, he saw a cat outside and looked up at the sky, noticing two bright 'stars'. One of these 'stars' moved southeast from zenith, appearing as a fast yellow-white light, and disappeared over the horizon at an estimated altitude of 9000-10,000 meters. The other 'star' remained, presumed to be a planet. The follow-up notes 'None' for further investigation.

• Datum: 02 05 22 - Plats: Norberg Ingvar Eriksson reports seeing a light that he could not identify, and notes that several others, including his wife, also saw it coming from the east. He describes its speed and size as difficult to estimate and states he had never seen anything similar before. The follow-up notes 'None' for further investigation.

Missouri Triangle

• Ur: UFO Journal. Juli 2002. This section, sourced from UFO Journal, describes an incident in Kansas City, USA, on May 2, 2002. A witness observed a triangular craft with rounded corners, dark in color, flying south at an altitude of about half a mile. The object was silent, moved slowly, and maintained a steady altitude and distance for about 2 minutes before disappearing behind a building. The witness, who has a college education and military experience in flight line security, states they had never seen anything similar, comparing it to a Stealth aircraft but noting differences.

Poetry

• SKYMNINGSLJUSET (Twilight Light) by Anna-Lisa, a poem about the fading light of dusk.
• JAG VILLE MÅLA.... (I Wanted to Paint...) by Anna-Lisa, a poem reflecting on the desire to paint a winter scene but lacking colors.

Reports (Continued)

• Datum: 02 08 08 - Plats: Grängesberg Sven Hellsten reports finding four circular burn marks on his lawn on the morning of August 8, 2002. The previous evening, he had watered his flowers, and the marks were not present. He also noted loose flowers on the balcony and ground. The marks were brown and still visible, though less distinct, on August 20. The witness did not hear or see any vehicle or object in the air. The follow-up by Lars Andersson involved visiting the witness, taking photos, and planning to monitor the area the following year.

Historical Reports

• From Rupplets Blue Books (1956): The Report on unidentified Flying Objeckts This section recounts a historical UFO incident. Pilots were reportedly helpless as UFOs vanished from radar screens when fighter jets approached Washington. The UFOs then reappeared on radar in Newport News, Virginia. People reported seeing lights in the night sky. An F-94 fighter jet was scrambled, and the pilot locked onto the target, but lost it after three attempts. The objects then reappeared on radar in Washington. The report mentions a reporter named Robert Ginna inquiring about the observations, and a decision by the Pentagon for an F-94 to investigate the airspace over New Castle. The report details communication between pilots and ground control, with a pilot named William Patterson stating he saw the objects all around him, leaving controllers unsure how to respond.

Oklahoma Phenomenon Mistaken for Fire

• Ur UFO Journal febr. 2002. Jim Hickman reports an incident on January 8, 2002, where two teenagers saw what they initially thought was a burning barn. Upon closer inspection, they realized it was a large object behind the barn emitting a bright white/orange blinking light. The object moved upwards, then sideways with blue/white and red lights in three rows. It flew upwards to a distant point and disappeared. No sound was heard, and no electrical disturbances or missing time were reported. The sky was clear. Witnesses later noted red and blue lights on the road where the object had been. A police officer stopped a speeding car nearby but did not observe the object. A neighbor also reported seeing the same phenomenon.

UFO Researchers

This section includes a humorous take on the job of UFO researchers, presented as a dialogue. It satirizes the process of identifying UFOs, suggesting that many phenomena are misidentified and that researchers might celebrate their 'failures' to identify objects. The text implies that the job is often about finding mundane explanations for sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents reports of unexplained aerial phenomena, UFO sightings, and related incidents. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these events and encouraging investigation, though the tone can also be critical or humorous, as seen in the section on UFO researchers. There is a clear interest in both contemporary sightings and historical cases, with a focus on detailed witness accounts and attempts at analysis or follow-up.

This issue of UFO-Journal, dated December 2001, delves into various UFO-related topics, with a particular focus on historical sightings and investigations. The cover story, "Det var ingen drom - farkosten kom från en annan värld" (It was no dream - the craft came from another world), by Ingmar Norlén, recounts the experience of Gideon Johansson, an electrician from Mariannelund, Sweden, who witnessed a mysterious light and a landed object in 1959. The magazine also revisits the significant UFO wave over Washington D.C. in July 1952, detailing press conferences, witness testimonies, and the subsequent investigations by the U.S. Air Force and the civilian aviation authority.

Washington UFO Wave of 1952

The issue details the events surrounding the Washington UFO sightings in July 1952. Following numerous radar and visual reports, a press conference was held where Major Dewey Fournet and Lieutenant Holcomb were present. Reporter Pierman described a light phenomenon moving rapidly and performing various maneuvers. Despite initial explanations involving weather phenomena, the public and press remained skeptical. The Air Force's investigation department, led by Generalmajor John Samford, later released a report in May 1953, concluding that the unidentified objects did not represent new phenomena and were not specific to the Washington area. The report suggested that temperature inversions could create optical illusions and radar reflections, potentially explaining some of the visual and radar observations.

The Mariannelund Incident

The article "Det var ingen drom - farkosten kom från en annan värld" by Ingmar Norlén focuses on Gideon Johansson's sighting in Mariannelund, Sweden, in 1959. Johansson, an electrician, was called out to investigate a power outage and, along with his son Rolf, witnessed a bright light in the sky. They described an object that descended and landed near their home. Johansson described it as a disc-shaped craft, between two and three meters long, with fins. He claimed to have seen two beings inside, described as having large heads, dark eyes, and wearing white uniforms. The incident caused a power outage in the town. The story was later documented by UFO researcher K Gösta Rehn, who considered it a highly credible account. The article also mentions that the Swedish military searched for a reported UFO in Backsjön, Värmland, for three weeks in August 1952, but found no evidence.

UFO Investigations and Public Perception

The magazine touches upon the "Blue Book" project, which collected UFO reports from across the United States. It notes the significant increase in reports in 1952, with 536 reports received by July. The article highlights the public's growing interest in UFOs, partly fueled by films like "The Day the Earth Stood Still." Despite the official stance that UFOs did not pose a threat, efforts were made to find explanations for the sightings. The issue also includes a section on public opinion, with brief interviews with individuals about their beliefs regarding UFOs.

Religious and Philosophical Interpretations

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to exploring the religious and philosophical dimensions of UFO phenomena. An article titled "RELIGION OCH BYGGSTENARNA" (Religion and Building Blocks), referencing a letter from a reader, discusses the differing viewpoints of Barry Downing and Jenny Randels on UFO studies. Downing's hypothesis suggests that UFOs are either manifestations of God or are satanic, framing his arguments within a Christian context. The reader, however, proposes an alternative theory that these 'aliens' are simply other forms of life that evolved alongside humans, and that their perceived 'divinity' might be a misinterpretation by early humans, similar to how early religions interpreted natural phenomena.

Military Involvement and Other Cases

The magazine briefly mentions the military's involvement in UFO investigations, including the search in Backsjön and past incidents like a pilot chasing a UFO in Kentucky in 1948. It also references the film "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and its influence on public perception. The article "Försvaret finkammade sjö – letade efter ett ufo" (The military combed the lake – looking for a UFO) details the search operation in Backsjön, Värmland, where eight divers from the naval command KA 1 in Vaxholm were deployed. Despite the thorough search, no unidentified object was found.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the persistent mystery of UFO sightings, the challenges faced by investigators in explaining these phenomena, the role of media in shaping public perception, and the intersection of UFOs with religious and philosophical beliefs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and interpretations without definitively concluding on the nature of UFOs, while acknowledging the public's fascination and the ongoing debate. The magazine aims to provide detailed accounts of sightings and investigations, encouraging readers to consider different perspectives on this enduring enigma.

Title: UFO-forskning
Issue: 23
Volume: 2002
Date: September 2002
Publisher: UFO NYTT
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO NYTT delves into various aspects of UFO research, archaeology, and astronomy, emphasizing critical thinking and the scientific approach to unexplained phenomena.

UFO-Sverige Field Research Course

The magazine reports on a field research course organized by UFO-Sverige in Björsjö, attended by approximately 40 participants, both beginners and experienced individuals. The course aimed to teach participants witness psychology to better handle reports of seemingly inexplicable phenomena. Clas Svahn, chairman of UFO-Sverige, explained that the goal is to critically examine reports, be aware of potential misinterpretations, and understand how the human mind can fill in gaps or distort memories. Participants were shown fake films to identify misinterpretation phenomena such as balloons, airplanes, and fireworks. The course also included training in witness psychology, where participants practiced recounting experiences on camera.

Svahn noted that most witnesses are truthful, but memory can be unreliable over time. He emphasized that the course provides skills applicable to everyday life, encouraging critical thinking. He suggested the organization should be called IFO (Identified Phenomena) because their primary role is to help people find explanations for what they observe. UFO-Sverige receives about one report per day, with 95-98% being explainable. Unexplained cases are not automatically considered evidence of alien visitation but rather as phenomena for which no explanation has yet been found.

An example of an unexplained case is from Grängesberg, where radar images were analyzed after two people reported seeing a small, glowing ball circle a regular airplane. Despite the investigation, no explanation was found.

UFO-Sverige was founded in 1970 and has a database of 15,500 cases. Members are spread across the country, and courses have been held at Björsjö skogshem since 1997. Svahn, who works as a journalist for DN, dedicates about three hours a day to the organization, viewing his work as detective-like, involving collaboration with experts, researchers, and the military. He noted a shift in attitude towards UFO research, with less skepticism and more seriousness shown by the public and authorities.

Svahn addressed the common misconception that UFO research is solely about 'little green men,' stating that their work is to seriously investigate phenomena with a reputation for being unserious. He admitted that he has not seen any evidence of extraterrestrial visits since he started in 1974, but believes there are phenomena that are extremely difficult to explain.

Regarding crop circles, Svahn mentioned reports from Hede­mora and his own investigations in England, concluding that they are likely man-made. He cited a case from Orsa in 1995 where three young men admitted to creating crop circles.

Svahn also discussed conspiracy theories, mentioning his upcoming book on the subject, and how people are drawn to mystery. He believes that while people may enjoy stories about aliens, the focus should be on understanding the phenomena themselves.

Brenda Denzler, Ph.D., contributed an article discussing the attraction of Downing's approach to making UFO phenomena significant within traditional Christian contexts, suggesting it might be a tactic to counter conservative Christian tendencies that view encounters with non-human intelligences as demonic. Denzler posits that if an alien were to appear, the initial reaction would be to approach with curiosity rather than immediate fear or assumption of evil, and that understanding would develop over time.

Archaeological and Scientific Discoveries

The issue features several articles on archaeology and astronomy:

• Alphydda with 8000 years: This section details the discovery of 8,000-year-old flint tools high in the Alps, suggesting that Stone Age hunters from southern Europe were crossing the Alps much earlier than previously thought, likely due to the receding ice age opening up new hunting grounds.
• African Technology 75,000 years ago: An archaeological find in Zaire, including fish spears with barbs, suggests that humans in Africa were technologically advanced and organized for hunting and fishing expeditions as early as 90,000 years ago, challenging the notion that such skills developed much later.
• Tutankhamun's wet nurse: French archaeologists discovered a tomb in Saqqara, Egypt, belonging to Tutankhamun's wet nurse. A wall relief depicts scenes from Tutankhamun's coronation, offering potential insights into his early life.
• Largest underground caves: The Mammoth Cave system in Kentucky, USA, is highlighted as the largest known system of caves, covering nearly 300 kilometers of passages.
• Square Universe: Astronomer Jaan Einasto's research suggests that galaxies and galaxy clusters in the universe are not randomly distributed but appear to form a three-dimensional grid pattern along the edges of hypothetical cubes measuring 600 million light-years across.
• Mysterious giant planet discovered: Swiss astronomers have detected a planet orbiting the star 51 Pegasus, located 42 light-years away. The planet's proximity to its star suggests a surface temperature of around 1200 degrees Celsius, which challenges existing theories of planet formation, as such planets are typically composed of frozen gases and form at much lower temperatures.
• The Solar System in numbers: A table provides data on the planets in our solar system, including their distances from the sun, diameters, masses, number of satellites, and rotation periods.

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

The article "HON SÖKER LIV I RYMDEN" (She Seeks Life in Space) focuses on astronomer Jill Tarter and her work with SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Tarter, who inspired the character Ellie Arroway in the film "Contact," dedicates her time to searching for signals from intelligent extraterrestrial life. She explains that SETI does not engage with UFO phenomena or speculation about existing alien presence on Earth. Instead, SETI focuses on the scientific search for signals, believing that radio waves are the most feasible method for interstellar communication.

Tarter and her colleagues scan the skies for signals that do not match known terrestrial or astronomical sources. While they have not yet made contact, Tarter remains optimistic, emphasizing the vastness of the universe with billions of stars and galaxies, each potentially hosting planets. The Arecibo Observatory has been upgraded to enhance its sensitivity. SETI conducts focused searches twice a year, in autumn and spring.

The article also touches upon the challenges of interstellar travel due to energy and time constraints, reinforcing the rationale behind searching for radio signals. Tarter mentions that a bottle of champagne is kept ready for the day contact is made.

The Upprämen Wake Case

An article titled "i hemlighet efter fynd" (in secret after discovery) revisits the mysterious 'wake' in the lake Upprämen, Sweden. It mentions elevated iron levels found in the lakebed sediment. Former defense area chief Kurt Hermansson confirms that a special UFO group within the Swedish defense forces took over the investigation of the Upprämen wake in 1968. This group collaborated with FOA (Swedish Defence Research Agency). Hermansson suggests that a gas eruption is the most likely cause, given the area's geological characteristics, though no definitive evidence has been found. He dismisses the possibility of a satellite or missile as less likely.

This account contradicts previous information received by the Finnmarken association from the Supreme Commander, who stated that the defense forces took no action regarding Upprämen after April 1968. The article also references eyewitness accounts from locals who reported seeing large VERTOL helicopters and divers on the lake in June 1968, supporting the idea of a more extensive investigation. The former chief of staff, Svante Thunberg, had previously indicated that an object from outside the atmosphere, following a steep parabolic trajectory from the northwest, was the most likely cause.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a rational and critical approach to UFO phenomena, emphasizing scientific investigation and the importance of distinguishing between actual unexplained events and misinterpretations or hoaxes. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous research, as exemplified by UFO-Sverige's methodology and the scientific endeavors in astronomy and archaeology featured in the issue. There's a clear distinction made between serious scientific inquiry and the more speculative aspects of the UFO community. The publication also highlights the dedication of individuals and organizations working on a voluntary basis to explore these subjects.