UFO-Nytt - 2009 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO - NYTT
Issue: NR 1
Volume/Year: 2009
Publisher: Västerbergslagens UFO-förening
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO - NYTT, published by the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening in Smedjebacken, Sweden, presents a collection of articles and reports related to UFO phenomena and related scientific and astronomical topics. The cover features an illustration of Saturn and the magazine's title and issue details.

Contents Overview

The table of contents on page 2 lists several articles:

• 2. Förord (Foreword): An editorial by Gudrun.
• 3. Rapport från Falun: A report from Falun.
• 4. -7 Socorro-objektet: The Socorro object.
• 8-9 Tidningsklipp: Newspaper clippings.
• 10-11 Timothy Good: An article about Timothy Good.
• 12-13 Clas Svahn reportage: A reportage on Clas Svahn.
• 14-18 UFON: UFOs.
• 19 Tror du på det här?: Do you believe in this?
• 20-21 Undersökningar / Klipp: Investigations / Clippings.
• 22-25 Ur MUFON: From MUFON.

Additionally, the page includes a section with jokes titled "Ett gott skratt förlänger livet..." (A good laugh prolongs life...).

Editorial: Foreword (Förord)

Page 3 features a foreword by Gudrun. She notes that Clas Svahn has received significant coverage in Expressen, suggesting that the UFO phenomenon may not be entirely explainable by earthly means, such as man-made machines. Gudrun expresses a personal belief that UFOs might have entirely earthly explanations but acknowledges the possibility of other interpretations. She observes that UFO interest in Sweden is high, with 83% of people believing in extraterrestrial life, and that the building blocks of life are found everywhere, with planets being common. The main obstacle, she suggests, is the concept of visits from elsewhere due to vast distances and technological challenges. Gudrun draws parallels to historical beliefs, like moon travel in the 1000s, and the human desire to fly. She also touches upon the reluctance of authorities to release UFO-related material, defining UFOs as unidentified flying objects but suggesting that contact with other civilizations could be a different matter. She concludes by stating that the UFO question is interesting but currently in a 'deep trough' with few reports.

Report from Falun

Page 4 presents a report from Peter Wilhelmsson, dated December 25, 2008. He describes seeing a red object in the sky around 8:00 PM while in his bedroom. Initially thinking it was a large airplane, he went outside and observed it moving from south to east before disappearing. He then saw a second object, identical to the first, moving from the same direction and disappearing. The objects were visible for approximately 15 minutes. The weather was clear and windless, with a temperature of about 12 degrees Celsius. The report is handled by Bengt Karlsson. A handwritten note on the page says "Rött" (Red) and "Det andra såg likadant ut" (The other looked the same).

The Socorro Object: Thoughts on Radioactivity Supporting an Extraterrestrial Hypothesis

Pages 5-8 delve into the Socorro, New Mexico UFO incident of April 24, 1964, with an article by Donald R. Burleson, Ph.D. He describes policeman Lonnie Zamora's encounter with an egg-shaped object and two small figures. Zamora reported a loud noise and blue lights. The object then lifted off and disappeared. Deputy Sheriff Sam Chaves and State Policeman Ted Jordan arrived shortly after, finding glowing bushes and landing marks. Jordan's film was later confiscated by the military, allegedly due to radiation fogging, a phenomenon used to measure radiation exposure.

Burleson analyzes the potential radiation effects, noting that if the blue light was caused by radioactive radiation strong enough to fog Jordan's film, the halving time of the radioactive material would be remarkably short. He contrasts this with typical radioactive decay rates, such as Radium-226's 1600-year halving time. He suggests that if the Socorro object used a propulsion system involving radioactive decay, it would imply a nuclear waste phenomenon with a much shorter halving time than any terrestrial nuclear power scenario. He estimates the halving time to be between two and six hours, based on the film's recovery and the lack of damage to photos taken by Sam Chaves later that morning.

Burleson also mentions that he and his wife Mollie, along with investigator Patrick Richard, took radiation readings near Socorro in October 2008, which were slightly above normal background radiation. He notes that locals have indicated the area has traces of uranium. He also recounts a MUFON panel discussion where municipal councilman Gordy Hicks mentioned his mother, a professional photographer in 1964, had taken photos of landing marks near the site, but these photos had disappeared after being confiscated by the military. Burleson concludes that the short halving time of the radiation detected at Socorro strongly argues for the object not being of earthly origin.

An accompanying section titled "Brittisk press: Utomjordingar körde på kraftverket" (British press: Aliens drove a power plant) summarizes a report from The Sun newspaper claiming aliens may have interfered with a wind turbine, causing damage and stealing a blade. Ecotricity, the operator, had no explanation. This section also includes a small notice about an upcoming annual meeting for the association.

Astronomical and Geological Articles

Page 9 features two articles:

• "Geologer har hittat rekorddjup grotta" (Geologists have found a record-deep cave): This article describes the discovery of a cave in Croatia's Velebit region with the world's longest vertical drop of 516 meters. While not the deepest cave overall (that record belongs to Kruberagrottan in Georgia at 1710 meters), its vertical shaft is notable. The cave is approximately 30 meters wide and contains small lakes and streams, as well as a colony of leeches.
• "Vintergatan suger ut granngalaxer" (The Milky Way sucks in neighboring galaxies): This astronomy piece explains that a stream of hydrogen gas is extending from the Magellanic Clouds into the Milky Way, indicating a direct interaction. Astronomers believe this is due to the Milky Way's gravity pulling gas from its neighbors, with uncertainty about whether the galaxies will merge or be torn apart.

Stellar and Lunar Phenomena

Page 10 contains two articles:

• "Hur gamla kan stjärnor bli?" (How old can stars get?): This article explains that most stars, after about ten billion years, become planetary nebulae before ending as white dwarfs. White dwarfs do not produce their own energy but radiate stored heat indefinitely. Some stars are nearly as old as the universe, with HE0107-5240 being almost 14 billion years old, while our Sun is about five billion years old.
• "Ljus på månen" (Light on the Moon): This article discusses the persistent observation of mysterious lights on the Moon's surface. Richard Zito, a signaling engineer, proposes a theory that volatile gases like helium and argon found in lunar rocks, when released by cracking stones (due to rapid temperature changes, especially at the day-night terminator), can be ignited by stray electrons, creating these light phenomena. Laboratory experiments support the idea that lunar rocks can produce small flashes when broken. Other possible explanations include meteorite impacts or moonquakes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained phenomena, with a strong focus on UFOs and potential extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance, as expressed by Gudrun, acknowledges the public's interest and the possibility of non-terrestrial explanations while maintaining a degree of skepticism or a preference for earthly explanations where possible. The inclusion of scientific analysis, such as the radiation study of the Socorro incident, alongside astronomical and geological discoveries, suggests an interest in bridging the gap between the unexplained and scientific inquiry. The publication also features lighter content, such as jokes, and practical information for members, like the annual meeting announcement. The overall tone is one of exploration and open-minded investigation into mysteries, both terrestrial and cosmic.

This issue of the magazine, dated 1989 and with a price of 14:-, focuses on the topic of UFOs, featuring insights from UFO researcher Timothy Good and UFO expert Clas Svahn. The cover headline highlights the need for a serious scientific examination of newly opened UFO archives.

Timothy Good's Perspective

The article begins by introducing Timothy Good as a highly respected UFO researcher who has contributed significantly to the credibility of the extraterrestrial hypothesis and the concept of a global cover-up. Good shares his personal journey into UFO research, starting with reading Major Donald Keyhoe's book 'Flying Saucers from Outer Space' in 1955, which sparked his interest due to his existing fascination with airplanes. He began his own investigations around 1960, and his international tours with the London Symphony Orchestra provided opportunities to explore cases abroad.

Good recounts his own UFO sightings. The first was on August 1, 1963, when he, his mother, brother, and neighbors in Beckenham, London, observed a very bright light in the sky for an hour and 20 minutes. Using binoculars, they saw it was triangular. The official explanation was a balloon from Germany, but Good found this unlikely as the object was stationary. He mentions a photograph of the object taken from Hertfordshire, which an astronomer and pilot confirmed was completely stationary, ruling out any known balloon or aircraft.

His most frustrating sighting occurred when he didn't have a camera with him. While shopping, he saw a bright light in a clear sky, which he knew wasn't a planet or star. By the time he ran home to get his camera, it was gone.

Orpington Sighting and Air Force Reports

On another occasion, around 40 witnesses at a construction site near Orpington hospital saw a flat, triangular object hovering and then moving away, splitting into four or five separate objects before regrouping. This event lasted over an hour.

Significantly, 10 days later, several security personnel at US Air Force bases in Bentwaters and Woodbridge, Suffolk, reported seeing a craft that had landed. The description closely matched the object seen by Good and others, suggesting it might have been the same or a similar craft.

Government Information and Secrecy

Various governments have made some attempts to inform the public about UFOs. For instance, a museum in the former Soviet Union had a display on UFOs. However, Good suggests that while there's talk of a cover-up, very few people in government likely know the full extent of what's happening, with only a few individuals in military and scientific security services possessing significant knowledge.

He notes that the cover-up, particularly by Americans, has been handled skillfully, with a focus on debunking hoaxes. He observes that serious journalists rarely ask the critical questions, leaving sensationalism to tabloid newspapers, which in turn influences the attitudes of major newspapers, often leading them to dismiss UFOs or treat the topic condescendingly.

Good believes that journalists should be aware of how the press's handling of the issue affects government reactions. He suggests that intelligence and other authorities might be more accommodating if they weren't so afraid of being ridiculed in the press. He hopes his books will reach a wide audience, as politicians are unlikely to act unless there is significant public demand.

Clas Svahn on UFO Archives

Clas Svahn, a UFO expert and journalist for Dagens Nyheter, argues that science should conduct a serious examination of the UFO archives that are now being opened. He notes that Denmark has opened its UFO archive, making 329 reports available online, joining countries like the UK, Spain, France, Brazil, and the USA in declassifying such information.

In Sweden, UFO reports have been accessible for a long time at the War Archives and the Swedish Defence Research Agency. The Archive for UFO Research in Norrköping holds the world's largest collection of UFO material. Svahn points out that while much of the accessible material consists of uninteresting reports about lights in the sky, there are also accounts from pilots who chased unknown objects, radar echoes that couldn't be identified, and daytime observations of objects at close range.

He emphasizes that these archives contain numerous unanswered questions and sightings that might represent unknown natural phenomena or objects defying earthly laws. Svahn contrasts this with the lack of scientific research on UFOs in Sweden, noting that even researchers of ball lightning have found it difficult to get funding for phenomena that are not yet fully understood.

Svahn encourages a bold approach to research, urging people to investigate questions that don't have pre-determined answers and to explore what hasn't been studied before. He sees the UFO phenomenon as a multidisciplinary challenge, bridging physics and folklore.

Specific Cases and Investigations

The article details several cases:

• Orpington Sighting: A repeat of the Orpington incident where witnesses saw a triangular object that split into multiple parts.
• US Air Force Bases: Reports from security personnel at Bentwaters and Woodbridge bases of a landed craft.
• Swedish Cases: Mentions two people seeing a metallic craft land in a Norrland lake, a couple seeing three beings in their bedroom in Västra Götaland, and a conscript seeing an object disable a tank with a light beam. These cases, from the 1970s, have never been investigated.
• Kenneth Arnold's Sighting (1947): Arnold, flying near Mount Rainier, observed a formation of strange aircraft. He described their movement as 'like a saucer if you skip it across the water,' leading to the term 'Flying Saucer.'
• Dechmont Woods Incident (1979): Bob Tayler, a forester, encountered a large, dark grey, dome-shaped object with protruding arms and spheres. He experienced a jolt and a suffocating smell. The police found strange marks and holes in the ground. Inspector McDonald vouched for Tayler's integrity.
• Catalina Island UFO Film (Unknown Date): American cinematographer Lee Hansen filmed a silver, metallic object moving at high speed. Advanced analysis by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory revealed it to be a small traffic plane.
• Sardinia Sighting (1989): A British passenger plane reported a shimmering light that resembled a disco, later identified as an aurora borealis combined with air turbulence, which some mistook for a UFO.

Scientific Explanations and Continued Search

The magazine also touches upon explanations for some UFO sightings, such as aircraft lights, atmospheric phenomena like auroras, and misidentification of objects like satellites or meteors. Donald H. Menzel, a former chief at Harvard College Observatory, suggested that Kenneth Arnold's sighting might have been a misinterpretation of three 'flying planes' in formation that appeared to shrink and transform into raindrops due to atmospheric conditions.

Despite decades of hoaxes and misidentifications, researchers remain hopeful about making contact with extraterrestrial civilizations. However, most do not believe the first sign will be a spaceship landing on Earth. The article mentions the ongoing search for intelligent life through radio signals, initiated in 1992 with the programming of large telescopes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the declassification of UFO information, the importance of scientific investigation, the presentation of eyewitness accounts, and the ongoing debate between skepticism and belief in extraterrestrial visitation. The editorial stance appears to favor a serious, scientific approach to UFO research, encouraging open-mindedness while also acknowledging the need for rigorous analysis to distinguish between genuine phenomena and misidentifications or hoaxes. The magazine highlights the efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to understanding this complex subject.

This issue of Expressen, dated February 3, 2009, with volume 24 and issue number 11, focuses on the topic of UFOs and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The cover prominently features a poll indicating that 88% of readers believe in life on other planets, with only 12% disagreeing. The magazine includes a mix of reader opinions, witness testimonies, and astronomical news.

UFOs and Extraterrestrial Life

The main cover story, "Do you believe there is life on other planets?", sparks discussion based on newly opened Danish and British UFO archives, alongside existing Swedish public records. Clas Svahn, chairman of Ufo-Sverige, notes that the vast amount of reports contain many unanswered questions. Several readers share their views: one expresses doubt about intelligent life visiting Earth, suggesting it would be illogical to travel vast distances to be seen by few. Another reader questions the sanity of those who report unexplained aerial phenomena, attributing it to possible hallucinations or medical issues. A third reader finds it easier to believe in UFOs than in the Bible, while another is convinced of the existence of more advanced life forms, acknowledging humanity's limited perspective.

Witness Accounts of UFO Sightings

The magazine presents several detailed accounts of alleged UFO encounters:

• Marseille, France (October 17, 1974): Paul Harmans recounts an experience as a sailor on an oil tanker in dry dock. He and seven crewmates observed a shining light, described as star-like with a diameter a quarter of the full moon, hovering at an altitude of 150 meters. After 30 minutes, a smaller light merged with the larger one, which then ascended rapidly. This event led Harmans to believe in UFOs.
• Louisville, Kentucky, USA (May 11, 2003): A witness reported a dark, rolling object with wing-like structures moving slowly overhead, changing direction multiple times. The object was difficult to identify due to cloud cover.
• Near Tifton, Georgia, USA (June 8, 2002): Dr. Joye Pugh, a MUFON consultant, and her husband observed strange lights low in the sky that formed a triangular craft. The craft moved slowly and was accompanied by a loud, jet-like sound. The observation occurred on a cloudy night, with city lights illuminating the overcast sky.
• Alleged Abduction (1981): Karen Morgan describes an experience of being taken aboard a craft and examined. She details a round, metallic room with instruments and a strong light source. She encountered small beings (1-1.20 meters tall), described as grey, yellowish-brown, or colorless, with bald, onion-shaped heads, large black eyes, and thin bodies. They removed her clothing and conducted an examination.
• Cash-Landrum Incident (December 29, 1980): Mentioned in relation to the Georgia sighting, this incident involved helicopters with extremely loud, whining, and piercing sounds, suggesting a parallel to the jet-like sounds reported in the Georgia case.

Astronomical News

Beyond UFO reports, the issue includes two astronomical updates:

• Baby Star HH 46/47: NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has captured images of a young star, HH 46/47, expelling two massive gas bubbles. These bubbles are formed by powerful gas jets colliding with the surrounding cosmic cloud of dust and gas, which is the material used to form planets. The jets travel at speeds of 200-300 kilometers per second, and the collision generates infrared radiation, making Spitzer's infrared capabilities ideal for observing such phenomena.
• Star Formation in M83 Galaxy: New observations reveal a high concentration of young stars in an unexpected region at the outer edge of the M83 galaxy, 15 million light-years away. This area was thought to be devoid of the dust necessary for star formation. However, a new technique combining radio and ultraviolet data detected abundant hydrogen atoms, suggesting that stars may be forming in a manner similar to the universe's first stars, which did not rely on dust or heavier elements.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to maintain an open-minded stance towards UFO phenomena and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, presenting witness accounts and astronomical findings that support these themes. The editorial choice to highlight reader opinions and diverse witness testimonies suggests an aim to engage readers in ongoing discussions about the unexplained. The inclusion of astronomical news also broadens the scope of the issue, connecting the search for life beyond Earth with current scientific understanding of the universe.

The recurring themes include unexplained aerial phenomena, the nature of intelligence beyond Earth, and the scientific exploration of space. The magazine seems to encourage critical thinking while acknowledging the vastness of the unknown.