UFO-Nytt - 2009 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-NYTT
Issue: Nr 2
Volume/Year: 2009
Publisher: Västerbergslagens UFO-förening
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-NYTT, published in 2009, offers a diverse range of articles focusing on UFO phenomena, psychological aspects of belief, and unusual occurrences. The cover features a cartoon and contact information for the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening.

Betty Hill: The Interrupted Journey and UFO Incidents

The lead article, spanning multiple pages, details the experiences of Betty Hill, who contacted the UFO association believing she had been abducted by a UFO. The author recounts how Hill's issues began during a 'new era media development' course where participants underwent hypnosis. During these sessions, she was connected to various UFOs, some described as medical and others scientific, with some even claiming to live on their home planets. The author suggests that these hypnotic experiences may have blurred the lines between fantasy and reality for Hill.

Hill's experiences led her to believe aliens were observing her, entering her home, and giving her injections, causing her to become suicidal. She required extensive psychiatric care for 15 years, with doctors noting her belief that she was an 'extraterrestrial' needing to move on this planet and her fear of being forced to return 'home'. To help her distinguish between genuine UFO experiences and fantasy, the author enlisted her as a volunteer for night observations in their area, which reportedly showed 'enormous UFO activity'.

The article further explores Hill's past, suggesting a traumatic childhood experience involving her grandmother's abuse may have contributed to her fearfulness and anxiety. Hill refused to believe her mother's accounts of this past trauma, preferring to attribute her anxieties to UFO contacts. The author notes that Hill eventually lost interest in UFOs and relapsed, but the author helped by introducing her to a volunteer, leading to their marriage.

Another section, 'Fall 2', describes a hypnotist visiting the author's home. A volunteer woman, under hypnosis, recounted being taken aboard a UFO, becoming pregnant, and later having the baby taken away by the UFO. This story was later revealed to be a fabrication, possibly stemming from a childhood experience with a doll. The woman's behavior changed drastically after the hypnosis, leading to excessive drinking, erratic behavior, and suicidal thoughts. She later reported the incident to the police as hypnotic rape. The author eventually discovered a photo of the woman at age five holding a baby doll, matching the description from her hypnotic regression, which resolved the issue.

'Fall 3' recounts attending a lecture on abduction where the speaker's story was identified as being similar to the Star Trek series. 'Fall 4' discusses 'Virgin Mary's behavior patterns', linking it to reports of women believing they were pregnant and later finding they were not, and compares these to the 'Great Big Baby Doll' phenomenon. 'Fall 5' is a personal account of a hypnosis session where the narrator, to test the hypnotist, fabricated a story about playing with elves as a child, which the hypnotist insisted was real, highlighting the potential for manipulation and harm through unethical hypnosis.

UFOs in Sweden: Statistics and Cases

The article "Är det inte... UFO i Sverige??" (Isn't it... UFO in Sweden??), sourced from Aftonbladet, states that over 18,000 UFO observations have been made in Sweden, with over 300 remaining unexplained. Håkan Blomqvist, who founded "Arkivet för UFO-forskning" in 1973, explains that while 97-98% of cases are explainable, the remaining few are intriguing. The archive contains over 18,000 reports of light phenomena, flying objects, and electrical discharges since the 1930s. Blomqvist emphasizes a scientific approach, open to all explanations, and notes that something strange is happening globally.

The issue highlights four Swedish UFO cases:

• Holmträsk, 2004: A couple saw and heard an unidentified, aluminum-colored object, about six meters long with small wings, flying slowly near their home. It could not be identified by Swedish military or UFO-Sverige.
• Vänersborg, 1997: A man filmed two bright spheres moving at high speed, passing a plane, and then disappearing upwards.
• Håknäs, 1991: A woman observed a large cigar-shaped object with a motor sound for 30 seconds.
• Kode, 1990: A couple saw a strong light rise from a location, followed by a metallic grey object resembling a rock or Stealth aircraft, which disappeared with a bang.

Other Articles

"Flygande tefat var en ufoballong" (Flying Saucers were a UFO-balloon): This article reports on New Year's Eve sightings in Göteborg where people mistook UFO-balloons for actual UFOs. The article explains how these balloons, similar to sky lanterns, are constructed and function.

"Han tog ned rymden på jorden" (He brought space down to Earth): This piece is a tribute to Carl Sagan, the renowned astronomer, astrobiologist, and science communicator. It highlights his contributions to science popularization through his TV series 'Cosmos', his research into extraterrestrial life, and his influence on public understanding of space.

"Jordens extremer: Iskristaller skapar ovanligt ljusfenomen" (Earth's Extremes: Ice Crystals Create Unusual Light Phenomenon): This article explains the optical phenomenon of circumhorizontal arcs, a type of halo caused by ice crystals, detailing the conditions required for its visibility and its appearance as a bright, colorful band.

"Medeltida fresker målades 1951" (Medieval Frescoes Painted in 1951): This section discusses the art forgery case of Lothar Malskat, who was commissioned to restore medieval frescoes in Lübeck after WWII. Instead of restoring the damaged frescoes, Malskat painted his own interpretations, which were initially praised before his deception was revealed.

"Avsiktlig smärta känns mer" (Intentional Pain Feels More): A brief psychological note discussing how perceived intentionality affects the experience of pain, citing research involving electric shocks.

"Mystiskt gravbesök" (Mysterious Tomb Visit): A historical anecdote about archaeologists opening a 400-year-old Chinese tomb and finding a 100-year-old Swiss watch, suggesting an earlier, unexplained visitor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, with a particular focus on UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters. The articles often delve into the psychological aspects of belief, memory, and perception, particularly in relation to hypnosis. There is a clear interest in documenting UFO cases, both historical and contemporary, from Sweden and abroad. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories while also encouraging critical thinking, as seen in the discussions on hypnosis and the debunking of UFO-balloons. The inclusion of articles on unrelated phenomena like atmospheric optics and art forgery suggests a broader interest in mysteries and unusual events.

This issue of UFO Sverige, identified as Volume 12, Issue 10, with a cover date of 'SÖNDAG 39' (Sunday 39, likely referring to a specific week in the year, possibly 1990 given the context of other dates), focuses on "Famous UFO cases from around the world." The magazine presents a diverse collection of reported sightings and encounters, spanning various decades and geographical locations, with a significant emphasis on Swedish cases.

Global UFO Cases

The magazine opens with a global overview of notable UFO incidents:

• Lubbock, USA (1951): For two weeks, residents of Lubbock observed unexplained lights. Amateur photographer Carl Hart Jr. captured images that remain unexplained despite investigations.
• Hessdalen, Norway (1981): This region is noted for the highest number of registered unidentified aerial phenomena, with many sightings of luminous balls near mountain ridges.
• Trindade Island (1958): A Brazilian research vessel reported seeing a high-speed object, though this case is presented with a later revelation that the photo was a hoax.
• McMinnville, USA (1950): Farmer couple Trent photographed a disc-shaped object that approached their farm, a case considered likely authentic.
• Vancouver Island, Canada (1981): A disc-shaped object was captured in a photograph taken by Hannah McRobert, which was later analyzed by ufologist Richard Haines as an authentic UFO.
• Rättvik, Sweden (1968): Olle Rydén photographed two copper-colored, disc-like objects resembling large tires on the ice of Lake Siljan.
• Mora, Sweden (1952): The issue highlights the photograph taken by Nils Frost on September 15, 1952, as Sweden's only properly analyzed UFO image, investigated by the defense staff, observatories, and Professor Hannes Alfvén.
• Marskär, Sweden (1956): Stockholm artist Kåre Kårevall photographed a luminous object that lifted off the ground while he was photographing a friend's catch.
• Härnösand and Östersund, Sweden (1970): Residents observed a triangular object for several days, identified by meteorologists as likely an American weather balloon.
• Skillingaryd, Sweden (1971): Lars Thörn took famous photos of a saucer-shaped object with a pink glow and humming sound. Later, UFO group GICOFF identified it as suspended hubcaps, though Thörn denied it was a hoax.

UFOs in Sweden

Several articles delve into specific Swedish UFO phenomena:

• Mysterious Northern Lights on Saturn: An astronomy section discusses new findings from the Cassini probe revealing a new form of northern lights on Saturn, visible in infrared, which differs from typical auroras and may hold information about Saturn's magnetic field.
• Martebo, Sweden (1986): Reports of mysterious lights near Martebo on Gotland are discussed, with many cases attributed to car lights, though other phenomena like St. Elms fire and ball lightning are also mentioned.
• UFO Wave in Dalarna (1985): Photographer Rune Österlund encountered a strange object near Falun. His colleague later captured a color photo of a similar phenomenon. The Västerbergslagen UFO association published a report on this wave of sightings.

The New UFO Wave: Bedroom Visits

An extensive article by Clas Svahn, chairman of UFO Sverige, discusses the changing nature of UFO reports. He notes a shift from sightings of flying saucers to 'bedroom visits' and encounters with non-physical beings. Svahn states that these experiences, while often interpreted as UFO-related, are genuine subjective experiences for those who have them, and science faces a challenge in explaining them. He mentions the book "Close Encounters" by Whitley Strieber as a catalyst for this trend around 1988. Svahn emphasizes that while most reports (90%) have natural explanations (stars, lights, camera reflections), some remain unexplained. He also references a study from the Karolinska Institute suggesting serotonin's role in perceiving 'spiritual realities'.

• UFO Sverige Facts: The organization was founded in 1970, is the largest in the Nordic region with about 850 members and 26 local groups. It maintains the world's largest UFO archive in Norrköping and collaborates with SMHI and the Swedish Defence Research Agency. Contact information for reporting sightings is provided.

Eyewitness Accounts from Sweden

• Falsterbobukten (July 2008): Johan Lepik and his fiancée Charlotta witnessed an intense orange light that changed shape over 15 minutes. Johan photographed the phenomenon, which faded away. Clas Svahn finds the case interesting, and Johan, previously skeptical, now believes in the possibility of unexplained events.

UFOs in Pennsylvania, USA

John Ventre, State Director for MUFON in Pennsylvania, reports on a summer with numerous UFO observations in the state during 2008. MUFON investigators conducted 136 field trips, a significant increase from the previous year. He details several specific sightings:

• Export, Pennsylvania (June 19, 2008): Alison's 12-year-old daughter saw a craft with red pulsating lights and white lights moving silently. Her friend also witnessed it. Alison had previously seen a neon green object.
• Altoona, Pennsylvania (June 23, 2008): Candi photographed strange cloud formations and black helicopters after seeing a craft. Field researcher Bob Gardner investigated.
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (July 18, 2008): Jim and his wife observed a massive, bright white-yellow object moving silently and faster than a jet plane. They are experienced observers.
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (July 18, 2008): James and his wife saw a bright star-like object that stopped and started. James, a retired military man, took three photos.
• Moundsville, West Virginia (July 18 & 23, 2008): Cristopher and his wife reported a low-flying, bright object moving east, faster than a jet, with increasing brightness. It slowed down, turned, and seemed to have issues with its lights.
• York, Pennsylvania (July 25, 2008): David, a geologist and amateur astronomer, saw four lights in a 'V' formation that changed and turned. His wife and son also witnessed it, and David took photos. The observation was published in the Evening Sun.
• Uniontown, Pennsylvania (October 2008): Barbara, a wheelchair user, reported an encounter with a short man with a tartan shirt, blue trousers, grey skin, no hair, a large head, deep wrinkles, and dark almond-shaped eyes. She felt he suppressed her memory of the event, which returned later.

Local News Reports (Pennsylvania)

• Pittsburgh Tribune Review (September 1, 2008): The newspaper published an article discussing the UFO wave, interviewing witnesses like James and Allison, and referencing astronaut Edgar Mitchell and the Kecksburg incident.
• PCNC TV Interview: The author participated in a TV interview discussing UFO phenomena with Mike Pintac, who had previously revealed the Three Mile Island story. Pintac had interviewed Edgar Mitchell.
• 105.9 DVE Radio: The author was interviewed on a Pittsburgh radio station, where hosts discussed UFOs and abductions.

Foreign Reports

• Sevier County, Tennessee, USA (January 4, 2006): A witness reported a large, oval, silver-colored object that ascended rapidly and punched through a cloud layer, leaving a smoke trail.
• Milan, Italy (February 4, 2006): Italian UFO photo journalist Milan-Paola Harris reported five UFOs parked over Milan for six hours, observed by hundreds of spectators.
• Forellsjö, Washington, USA (February 1, 2006): Two UFOs were observed, one unclear and one sharper, moving east and remaining visible in the earth's shadow. Later, a large golden object entered from the south, flying north.
• Bohai Sea, China: Chinese CCTV reported that six pilots from the Flight Performance Teams observed a large unidentified aircraft formation flying directly towards them, nearly causing a collision. Air traffic control did not detect the formation. Feng Yi, a pilot, recounted these rare experiences, noting that his team had seen similar formations from various countries before.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence of UFO phenomena, often highlighting cases that have resisted conventional explanation. While acknowledging that most reports have natural causes, UFO Sverige appears to maintain an open stance towards the possibility of genuine unexplained aerial phenomena and potential extraterrestrial contact. The shift in reported experiences towards more personal, internal encounters is a key theme, suggesting a move beyond simple 'flying saucer' sightings to deeper psychological and perhaps spiritual dimensions of the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance is one of critical investigation and documentation, encouraging the public to report sightings while also providing explanations where possible.

This issue of *Kvällsstunden*, dated August 2003 (Volume 20, Issue 33/03), features a cover story investigating the alleged hauntings at Rankhyttan manor in Sweden, titled "Varför spökar 'Svarta Damen' på Rankhyttan?" (Why does the 'Black Lady' haunt Rankhyttan?). The magazine also includes a report on a UFO-related incident in Middleport, Ohio, and reader contributions detailing personal paranormal experiences.

UFO Incident in Middleport, Ohio

The first article recounts an incident from early February 1967. Connie Gordon, who had recently moved to Middleport, Ohio, was walking to school when a large black 1949 Buick stopped beside her. The driver, a clean-cut young man described as about 25 years old with a modern shirt and styled hair, called out to her. When Connie approached, thinking he needed directions, the man suddenly lunged, grabbed her arm, and ordered her into the car. She struggled and managed to escape back to her house. Her husband, Keith Gordon, later reported seeing the same Buick cruising the neighborhood. The following day, Connie heard someone on the porch, and a note written in pencil was slipped under the door, warning her to "Be careful girl, I can still get you." The couple reported the incident to Officer Raymond Manly. Despite the car appearing old, Connie noted it seemed new inside and out. The police department, being small, found no record of such a car in Middleport and suspected a disturbed individual. The Gordons moved back to West Virginia shortly after the incident. The author notes that the police were suspicious of him, repeatedly asking if he was from the government.

Police Investigation

The Middleport police force, described as small and sleepy, had limited resources. When the author visited in March 1967 to see the case files, the police chief provided a printed record with Connie's name and address and a note: "Dark Buick, young man." The chief stated that no such car existed in Middleport and that it was likely a case of a "madman trying to abduct a young girl." Officer Manly assured the author that the house was under constant surveillance. The author informed them that the Gordons had moved away, which seemed to end the police's immediate interest.

Paranormal Experiences and Hauntings at Rankhyttan Manor

The magazine then shifts to Swedish paranormal accounts. The author, Elof Roos, begins by discussing how he connects with readers through *Kvällsstunden*, leading to discussions about the supernatural. He shares an anecdote from a reader in Norrland who, while measuring a space in an outbuilding, felt an urgent need to leave. Immediately after he exited, a large hot water heater that had been in place for 30 years fell, narrowly missing him.

Roos then presents a personal experience involving his daughter, Britt-Marie. After her death from a brain hemorrhage, he and his wife visited friends. Months later, in 1978, while having coffee with three colleagues, a hanging plant basket that had belonged to Britt-Marie fell from its hook. Despite thorough examination by everyone present, the basket and its hook were found to be perfectly intact, with no explanation for its fall.

Rankhyttan Manor: The 'Black Lady' and Other Phenomena

The main feature focuses on Rankhyttan manor, a historic estate with a rich and sometimes dark past. Rose-Marie Svanborg, an employee at the manor, guides the reporter through the property. She mentions that the manor was originally built between the 14th and 15th centuries and is named after its first owner, Jöns Rankilsson. The history includes connections to royalty, wealth, a beheading (Anders Persson Rank, who displeased Gustav Vasa), suicide, and other notable events.

Svanborg notes a persistent "unease" in the house, with the "Black Lady" being the most well-known spectral resident, seen wandering the second floor. Despite the manor now being a conference hotel with a modern spa, the Black Lady's presence is unaffected. Svanborg expresses a desire to meet her to understand her purpose.

She recounts instances of unexplained occurrences, such as hearing footsteps when she knew she was alone, and chairs being found pulled out from the dining table in the morning, suggesting the Black Lady might sit in one of the comfortable chairs.

The Room of Forestry Manager Dybeck

The article describes the room where forestry manager Dybeck shot himself in 1932. Guests have reported feeling cold and uneasy in this room. Dybeck had been asked by a colleague to leave the room briefly, after which he took a pistol and committed suicide. His colleague found him lying in a pool of blood. The reason for his suicide remains unknown.

Gustav Vasa's Connection to Rankhyttan

The article explores Gustav Vasa's historical connection to Rankhyttan. He sought refuge there while campaigning against the Danes. He worked as a farmhand, but his disguise was almost revealed by a maid who noticed his fine collar. The landowner, Anders Persson, recognized him as a former university classmate. However, Persson later betrayed Gustav Vasa and was executed in Stockholm in 1534 for participating in the "bell uprising" against Gustav's order to melt down church bells for cannons.

The Ghost of Rune

Another alleged spirit is Rune, a former groundskeeper who died in 1995 and was meticulous about maintaining the hedge. His successor and children reported hearing hedge trimmers working on the hedge late at night, even when no one was visible. They also heard footsteps approaching them in the dark.

Reader Contributions and Humorous Anecdotes

The magazine includes several humorous anecdotes and reader submissions:

• "Why do you think there is life on the moon?" "Because it shines there every evening..."
• "You know you're old when you tie your shoes and wonder if there's anything else you should be doing while you're down there..."
• A cannibal jokes about seeing two scouts in sleeping bags: "Yum, cabbage rolls!"
• "Snöfritt" (Snow-free): A joke about Glasgow having no snow because its million inhabitants all shovel.
• "Fast i tullen" (Caught at customs): A person gets caught at customs after using an umbrella during a light rain, having been advised to pretend it was raining.
• "Lång semester" (Long vacation): A humorous exchange about a two-month vacation, where the first month is the employee's and the second is the boss's.
• "Skorådet" (Shoe advice): A customer complains that shoes are always too big inside and too small outside.
• "Dyr bensin" (Expensive gasoline): Someone claims they never pay more than fifty kronor for gas.
• "Dansbanesnack" (Dance floor chat): A man asks a woman if she wants to dance, and she replies that she was just trying to get to the bar.
• A joke about NK selling stainless steel toasters, questioning why one would need a toaster that doesn't rust.

Scientific Notes

Two brief scientific notes are included:

• "Hav har tidigare funnits på Mars" (Oceans once existed on Mars): Research based on data from the Mars Orbiter suggests that Mars once had large oceans that have since dried up.
• "Hale-Bopp kan ha en måne" (Hale-Bopp may have a moon): Observations from the Hubble telescope suggest that Comet Hale-Bopp might have a moon, though further confirmation is needed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features content related to the paranormal, supernatural, and unexplained phenomena, including ghost stories, UFO sightings, and personal accounts of strange occurrences. The editorial stance appears to be open to exploring these topics, presenting them without immediate dismissal and encouraging reader participation through letters and anecdotes. The inclusion of humorous jokes and lighthearted reader submissions suggests an aim to entertain as well as inform, catering to a broad audience interested in mysteries and the unusual.