UFO-Nytt - 2004 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-NYTT
Issue: NR 2 2004
Publisher: Västerbergslagens UFO förening
Date: 2004

This issue of UFO-NYTT, published by Västerbergslagens UFO förening, presents a collection of UFO reports, personal reflections, and a segment on space exploration. The magazine aims to document and analyze aerial phenomena while also keeping readers informed about advancements in space technology.

Content Highlights

UFO Reports and Personal Accounts

The magazine features several detailed reports from individuals who have witnessed unexplained phenomena. These accounts are handled by Gudrun Andersson, Bengt Karlsson, and Lars Andersson.

• Report from Björbo (2004-02-20): A witness driving on road 71 near Björbo observed a silver-colored, cigar-shaped object moving at high speed across the sky. The object crossed the road and disappeared over the forest to the left. The witness emphasized the extreme speed, stating they had never seen anything fly so fast. The reflection of the sun on a fast-moving craft was the witness's interpretation.
• Report from Smedjebacken (2004-01-30): Björn Ljunggren reported seeing two lights in the sky while watching TV. The weather was cloudy and it began to snow shortly after. The primary object was described as larger than a star, with colors ranging from turquoise to blue and red. A second, weaker object was also noted.
• Report from Hargs hamn, Uppland (2003-10-24): Annika Eliardsson described seeing a strong light sphere, larger and brighter than Venus, in the pre-dawn sky. The object appeared to move slowly towards her. She noted that it was at a surprisingly low altitude. When a plane passed overhead, the light sphere suddenly extinguished. Her son also witnessed the event.
• Report from Källsbyn, Hedemora (2004-04-29): Lena Eriksson and her son saw a spotlight-like light with a white glow in the sky. After this light disappeared, they observed a cigar-shaped object with a white metallic color, which appeared larger than an airplane from a distance. The object vanished completely within ten seconds.
• Report from Fredriksberg (2003-09-18): Jörgen Johansson initially mistook an object for a satellite but realized it was too large. The object moved directly towards him, stopped for about 30 seconds at a 45-degree angle, then changed direction to the southwest, stopped again, and finally disappeared after about a minute. A commercial airplane was observed five minutes later on a different trajectory.

Space Exploration and Technology

The issue includes an article discussing the advancements in private spaceflight, focusing on the Space Ship One project. This project, led by aerospace visionary Burt Rutan and financed by Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft), achieved a significant milestone with a historic suborbital flight. On a Thursday, Space Ship One detached from its carrier aircraft, White Knight, and ascended to over 64 kilometers in altitude for 55 seconds. Test pilot Mike Melvill experienced the transition from Earth's atmosphere to the blackness of space. The craft then glided back to land at the Mojave Airfield near Los Angeles. The article emphasizes that this was the first privately financed vehicle to reach such altitudes, potentially marking a new era for manned spaceflight, drawing parallels to the rapid advancements in aviation between 1908 and 1912.

Burt Rutan is quoted expressing his hope that their program will lead to a renaissance in manned spaceflights. The article also mentions the X-Prize, a $10 million award for the first private team to build a spacecraft capable of carrying three people 100 kilometers into space and returning safely, with the feat needing to be repeated within two weeks.

The piece contrasts the cost-effectiveness of private ventures with the enormous expenses of government-led space programs, which often involve single-use rockets and high fuel consumption. Peter Gustavsson offers a concluding thought, suggesting that the world's known wonders are sufficient without resorting to superstition, and encourages readers to send tips and opinions to his email address.

Editorial and Community

An editorial piece titled "VILKA MINNEN ETT TELEFONSAMTAL KAN GE" (What memories a phone call can give) reflects on the evolution of the UFO Sweden organization and its members over 15 years. The author, Gudrun, expresses pride in the organization's growth and its commitment to open dialogue about UFOs, avoiding 'flum' (nonsense). The piece contrasts the progress of UFO investigators with the perceived stagnation of those who are unwilling to be open to facts, suggesting that extraterrestrials, if they exist, would be vastly different from humans and unlikely to be interested in Earth. The author advocates for using human curiosity and investigative tools rather than relying on superstition.

Two poems, "VÅRREGNET" (The Spring Rain) and "VÅR" (Spring), by Anna-Lisa, offer lyrical reflections on nature and the passage of time.

An announcement details a field research course for UFO report handling, organized by UFO-Sverige, to be held on the second weekend of September in Björsjö, Smedjebacken. Contact information for Cudrun is provided for more details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a rational and investigative approach to UFO phenomena, distinguishing itself from 'flumighet' (nonsense or pseudoscience). There is a clear emphasis on personal testimony and detailed reporting of sightings, alongside an interest in scientific and technological advancements, particularly in space exploration. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging discussion and investigation while maintaining a grounded perspective. The publication also seems to foster a sense of community among UFO enthusiasts in Sweden.

This issue of UFO Journal, dated May 16, 2004, features a cover story questioning the existence of "rabbits on Mars" and highlighting SVT24's coverage of a UFO convention in Gothenburg. The magazine includes reports on various UFO sightings, crop circle investigations, ancient mysteries, and scientific advancements.

Witness Reports and Investigations

Davidshyttan, Sweden (August 1984): Einar Forsberg reported seeing a large, circular object with bright, blinding white lights hovering in a circle for 3-4 minutes before disappearing. He was with another person and stated it was not an airplane.

Fagerviken, Sweden (February 28, 2004): An anonymous witness observed a white, cube-shaped object moving slowly from northeast to north for approximately 25 minutes. The object was described as about half a meter in size.

Knobel, Arkansas, USA (June 7, 2003): Bruce Catt, a farmer, discovered a crop circle formation consisting of 10 circles. The formation was described as a central circle with three arms, each containing three smaller circles. The pattern was noted to be similar to the 'Julia Set' seen in England. Reporter Fred Martin investigated the site, noting a distinct 'needle point' at the center of the swirls. The event attracted significant media attention.

Knobel, Arkansas, USA (June 1937-38 Legend): The magazine recounts a legend about a group of extraterrestrials who allegedly crash-landed in China 12,000 years ago. An archaeologist, Chi Pu-Tei, found remains of short, stunted beings with unusually large heads and mysterious round stone discs inscribed with an unknown alphabet. These discs reportedly told the story of the aliens' arrival, their damaged spacecraft, and their eventual departure.

Lafayette, Louisiana, USA (October 4, 2003): A witness and their companion observed a white, V-shaped light beam, followed by a shiny, bouncing ball of light that moved in a dancing, erratic pattern for about 15-20 minutes. They concluded it was not an aircraft.

Chicago, Illinois, USA (August 2003): A witness's mother and her friend saw a circular object with a flat bottom and surrounding light effects hovering at an altitude of 500-1000 feet during a Tony Bennet concert. The object moved away at high speed without making any sound.

Knobel, Arkansas, USA (Post-Crop Circle Investigation): The investigation into the Knobel crop circle continued. Soil samples were taken, and magnetic particles were noted near the formation. A control sample taken 165 meters away showed no magnetic particles. The field was later plowed and planted with soybeans.

Scientific and Astronomical Topics

Studying the Earth's Interior: The article "Kan Man Falla Tväärs Genom Jorden?" (Can One Fall Through the Earth?) explores the theoretical consequences of drilling a hole through the Earth and falling into it. It suggests a constant pendulum motion between the two sides, with a journey taking approximately 80 minutes each way, excluding air resistance. The extreme temperatures and pressures within the Earth's core make such a journey practically impossible.

Black Holes: The piece "Lever Svarta Hål För Evigt?" (Do Black Holes Last Forever?) discusses Stephen Hawking's theory that black holes can evaporate over time through a process called Hawking radiation. While this process is incredibly slow, it implies that black holes are not eternal.

Astronomy in the News: "Nytt Bevis För Svart Hål Mitt I Vintergatan" (New Evidence for a Black Hole in the Center of the Milky Way) reports that astronomers have confirmed the existence of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, weighing 3.7 million times the mass of the Sun. This confirmation came from observing the orbit of a star named S2.

Animal Navigation: "Solen Är Kompassnål" (The Sun is a Compass Needle) explains how birds use the sun's polarized light to navigate, even after sunset.

NASA's Visionary Research: The section "Studier På Gränsen Till Science Fiction" (Studies on the Border of Science Fiction) highlights the work of NASA's Niac (Nasa Institute for Advanced Concepts) program. Niac focuses on long-term, revolutionary ideas for space exploration, including self-replicating factories, antimatter-powered probes, asteroid defense systems, and solar sails. The article notes that Niac's budget is around $4 million annually.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, from UFO sightings and ancient mysteries to the frontiers of scientific research. There's a clear interest in phenomena that challenge conventional understanding, whether it's extraterrestrial encounters, geological anomalies, or theoretical physics. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting witness accounts and scientific theories without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to ponder the possibilities. The inclusion of a "FAQ" section and a "Key Facts Synopsis" suggests an effort to provide accessible information on complex topics. The recurring theme is the vastness of the unknown, both in the cosmos and in the history of our planet.

This issue of Hemmets Journal, dated 2003 (issue 44), features a prominent cover story titled 'FÖRR TRODDE VI PÅ TOMTAR OCH TROLL – IDAG HANDLAR DET OM UTOMJORDINGAR....' (Previously we believed in trolls and goblins – today it's about aliens...). The magazine also includes articles on astronomy, archaeology, and optical illusions.

Aliens and UFOs: A Swedish Perspective

The main article delves into the contemporary perception of aliens and UFOs, contrasting it with older folklore. It posits that aliens might be among us, appearing in various forms: some with distinctive large heads and pointed ears, others as 'evil reptiles in human disguise,' or even as seemingly normal neighbors. These beings are described as originating from distant solar systems.

The article highlights that the concept of aliens has moved from science fiction TV series like 'The X-Files,' 'Roswell,' and 'Star Trek' into the realm of perceived reality for many. It notes that a significant portion of the population, specifically one in four Swedes, believes in aliens, according to Clas Svahn, the chairman of UFO-Sverige. This organization, founded in 1970, is the largest UFO organization in the Nordic region and critically investigates between 350 and 550 UFO observations annually. After ruling out conventional explanations such as airplanes, weather balloons, meteorites, or bright stars, a small number of cases remain unexplained.

Svahn emphasizes that while these unexplained cases might be extraterrestrial craft, they could also be unknown natural phenomena. He stresses the importance of remaining open to all possibilities. The article then categorizes reported alien types into six groups:

1. Nordic Appearance: During the Cold War in the 1950s, visitors were described as tall, blond, and Nordic, sometimes seen as saviors against nuclear war.
2. The 'Little Greys': These are short aliens with thin bodies, large heads, and black, slanted eyes.
3. Animal-like Beings: Reports include reptilian creatures or beings with tentacles, fins, or claws.
4. Robotic Figures: Some individuals have encountered figures resembling robots in spacesuits, moving jerkily.
5. Human-Animal/Robot Hybrids: A fifth group consists of beings that are crosses between humans and animals or robots.
6. Non-physical Beings: During the New Age period in the 1990s, contact with transparent, non-corporeal beings that could pass through walls became more common.

The article notes that reports of physical flying saucers with alien crews are less frequent now. Svahn explains that descriptions of UFOs have changed over the past century, often reflecting the technological advancements of the time. Early sightings in Russia in 1892 were attributed to airships, followed by 'phantom airships' in the early 1900s, and 'ghost airplanes' in the 1930s. Post-World War II saw sightings of 'ghost rockets.' The term 'Flying Saucer' gained prominence in 1947 after pilot Kenneth Arnold described seeing nine round objects. This led to a major UFO wave in the 1950s, with contactees claiming to have visited planets like Mars, Venus, and Jupiter. These claims waned as space probes revealed these planets to be lifeless. However, reports of saucer-like craft continued until the mid-1980s.

The book 'Närkontakt' (Close Encounter) by Whitley Strieber, published in 1988, significantly influenced UFO reports. It described encounters with visitors who entered bedrooms and took control of bodies during the night, described as half-material and half-dreamlike, existing in a liminal space. Following this book, UFO reports increasingly focused on 'abductions' by non-physical beings that could pass through walls or emerge from the floor. These beings often had large, slanted black eyes, similar to the figure on Strieber's book cover. Some people believed they were taken aboard spacecraft for experiments, sometimes for a higher purpose.

Clas Svahn states that he takes people's accounts seriously, believing they are genuine experiences. He finds it interesting that these abduction experiences, often involving time loss and memory gaps, share similarities with older folklore about people being 'taken by trolls' and held captive in mountains, only to reappear with no time having passed. The article suggests that these modern abduction phenomena might be a contemporary manifestation of ancient folklore.

Astronomy News

Exoplanet Detection Methods

The issue touches upon methods used to detect planets outside our solar system (exoplanets). A dust ring around a star can indicate the presence of planets but doesn't reveal their size or position. Detecting the slight 'wobble' of a star caused by a planet's gravity has led to the discovery of most known exoplanets, though this method can only detect planets down to Neptune's size, not Earth-like ones. NASA's Kepler telescope, launched in 2006, aims to use the 'planetary transit' method, where a planet passing in front of its star causes a slight dimming of light, to detect Earth-like planets by scanning thousands of stars. Another method involves observing how a planet can briefly bend and amplify the light from its star, but this effect is minimal and primarily useful for detecting large gas giants.

Mysterious Stellar Event: V838 Monocerotis

A significant astronomical event is described: in January 2002, a seemingly ordinary star, V838 Monocerotis, located 20,000 light-years away, emitted an extreme burst of light. For 40 days, it shone 600,000 times brighter than the Sun, becoming the brightest star in the Milky Way during that period. After the star faded, a 'light echo' was observed, an phenomenon not seen since 1936. This echo was formed by the extreme light scattering off interstellar dust previously ejected by the star. The light reflected from this dust reaches Earth later, creating the echo. Astronomers have used Hubble Space Telescope images to create a 3D map of the dust surrounding the star. The exact cause of this event remains a mystery, possibly representing a new type of nova, but it does not fit current astronomical theories.

'Inkastaden' on Mars

New images have shed light on a long-standing mystery on Mars. In 1972, a formation of very regular ridges was discovered, resembling an aerial view of a ruined city, leading to the name 'Inkastaden' (Inca City). Recent images reveal these ridges are part of a large crater that has been filled over time. The impact that created the crater caused cracks through which lava flowed. This lava then solidified and, shaped by Mars's constant dust storms, formed the mysterious Inca City-like formation.

Archaeology in China

Gigantic Tomb Found in China

Chinese archaeologists have discovered a massive tomb complex near Xinzheng city in Henan province, dating back approximately 2,500 years. This complex is comparable in scale to the famous tomb of Emperor Qin, which contained an army of 6,000 terracotta soldiers. The newly discovered complex belonged to powerful rulers of the Zheng state, who wielded significant power between 800 and 375 BC. These rulers were buried like kings, accompanied by numerous horses and chariots. So far, 3,000 tombs have been excavated. One particular tomb, 21 meters long and over seven meters wide, contained not only jade and bronze artifacts but also 15 chariots. The two largest chariots were large enough for two people to sit comfortably, while the others could accommodate one person.

Paleontology

'Ape-man' on the Wrong Path

The article briefly mentions *Australopithecus robustus*, an ape-man species that lived in Africa 1.5-2 million years ago. This species was specialized in a plant-based diet and developed powerful jaws for crushing roots. However, this vegetarian diet proved to be an evolutionary dead end, as their brains did not develop, leading to the species' extinction. Researchers now have better opportunities to study the chewing apparatus of this species due to the discovery of the best-preserved skull found to date.

UFO Sighting in Florida

A witness report from West Palm Beach, Florida, describes an encounter on September 18, 2003. While driving north, the witness observed a craft initially resembling a commercial airplane. The object then descended rapidly, about 500 feet, and changed direction westward with incredible speed. The witness managed to capture some of the event on camera. Two hours later, near Lake Worth Pier, the same craft was seen again, fading away at an altitude of about 3,000 feet. The object behaved identically on both occasions, appearing to react to being observed by increasing its speed. The craft was described as being the size of a commercial airplane, cigar-shaped, metallic, and without wings.

Optical Illusions

The magazine includes a section on optical illusions, featuring several visual puzzles. These include an image that can be perceived as a face or a vase, a test to see if perceived circles are the same size, a cube appearing to be in a box, and a pattern that changes when the viewer moves forward and backward. The section concludes with a summer greeting to the members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFOs and extraterrestrial encounters, presented with a degree of seriousness and a willingness to consider unexplained phenomena. The magazine also covers scientific advancements in astronomy and archaeological discoveries, suggesting a broad interest in the unknown and the past. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional explanations, as exemplified by the discussion on UFOs and the astronomical mystery of V838 Monocerotis. The inclusion of optical illusions also suggests an interest in perception and how we interpret reality.