UFO Rapport - 1976 3

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-RAPPORT
Issue: Nr. 3
Date: August 15, 1976
Publisher: SUFORC Research Center (Swedish UFO Research Center)
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-RAPPORT, dated August 15, 1976, presents a diverse range of topics related to UFO phenomena, space exploration, and advanced energy concepts. The cover prominently features headlines about space probes on a "Viking journey to the planet MARS!" and questions whether "PLASMA PHENOMENA" can explain many UFO observations.

Editorial Stance and Content Overview

The editorial section, titled "Redaktionellt," by "RED," reflects on the history of UFO research groups and organizations, noting that despite decades of effort, a comprehensive understanding of the UFO phenomenon remains elusive. The author calls for the formation of specialized groups of experts to study various aspects of the phenomenon scientifically, aiming to compile material and achieve a holistic view. This includes detailed studies of electromagnetic effects, radiation sources, vegetation damage, humanoid descriptions, and craft movement patterns.

The magazine features two main articles:

"Framtidens Energikällor" (Future Energy Sources) by Thomas Ü Orr

This is the second part of a series focusing on controlled fusion energy, specifically exploring "Three paths to controlled fusion energy." This section delves into "Fusion power through laser technology." It explains the concept of "inertial confinement," where tiny fuel pellets (deuterium-tritium gas) are compressed and heated by powerful laser pulses to initiate a fusion reaction. The article details the process, the required temperatures (over 100 million degrees Celsius), and the energy released. It also provides a brief explanation of how lasers work, focusing on "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation" and their characteristics like short wavelengths and coherence. The article uses diagrams to illustrate the implosion of a micro-sphere and the compression of fuel.

"UFOs och varierande plasmafenomen" (UFOs and various plasma phenomena) by Hans Lauritzen

This article explores the connection between UFOs and plasma phenomena. It suggests that self-luminous, supraleading plasma fields can form in the Earth's magnetosphere and descend into the atmosphere. These fields are described as being impenetrable to magnetic field lines and are set in motion by them, often reflecting electromagnetic radiation and causing strong radar echoes. The article discusses how these plasma fields react to sound waves, potentially leading to changes in their light emission. It differentiates between ionized gas fields, which are weakly luminous and move slowly, and supraleading plasma fields, which are intensely luminous and can exhibit high speeds. The author notes that the breakdown of plasma fields can result in sound explosions, sometimes registered without a clear cause. The article also touches upon the potential for plasma phenomena to be involved in the propulsion of spacecraft, referencing the characteristics of electron vortices in solid materials and superconductors.

UFO Reports from Sweden

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to "UFO reports from Sweden," detailing numerous sightings from April to June 1976:

• Siljan, 30/4 1976: An object reportedly created a long crack in the ice of Siljan lake.
• Kiruna, 9/5 1976: A family observed a mysterious, meter-long, wingless, metallic object hovering silently.
• Masungsbyn, 10/5 1976: Six adults witnessed a grey object that remained stationary before disappearing at high speed.
• Vidsel, 11/5 1976: A woman and her son saw a low-flying, robot-like object that crossed a road and entered a forest.
• Pålträsk, 11/5 1976: A woman observed a small, grey, robot-like object flying at low altitude.
• Rian, 13/5 1976: A woman and her children reported a round, grey object flying low, which caused radio interference.
• Bergby, 7/6 1976: A couple saw a bright, luminous object that appeared to have windows and later turned red before vanishing.
• Bergeforsen, 10/6 1976: Several people observed three luminous objects in formation that moved silently and disappeared into a cloud bank.

Specific Case Studies and Features

• "Kidnappning (?) av UFO avväjd!" (Kidnapping (?) of UFO Averted!): This section recounts an incident in Thompson, Manitoba, Canada, in June 1967, where a family and neighbors witnessed a rotating, cylindrical object. During the event, an 8-year-old girl was reportedly lifted into the air but was pulled back by a 13-year-old boy. The event was described as a vortex of dust and debris around their house.

• "Observation från 1951 avslöjad" (Observation from 1951 Revealed): This article details a UFO sighting by the Sowell family in Oak Grove, Louisiana, on January 1, 1951. The family observed a large, round, rotating object moving slowly across the sky. The object was described as having a diameter of 9 to 15 meters and appeared to have windows.

• "Pascagoula-fallet" (The Pascagoula Case): This is an interview conducted by Tommy Blann with witnesses Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker regarding an incident on October 11, 1973, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Hickson and Parker reported being taken aboard an egg-shaped craft by three alien beings. They described the beings as approximately 1.50 meters tall, with large heads, wrinkled, silver-like skin, and long arms. They were subjected to an examination by a beam of light.

• "VIKINGPROJEKTET" (The Viking Project): This section provides a detailed timeline and overview of NASA's Viking missions to Mars, which launched in 1975. It outlines the project's objectives, including searching for signs of life on Mars, the spacecraft's destinations, launch dates, and estimated arrival times. The article discusses the scientific experiments planned, such as metabolic analysis and molecular analysis of soil and atmosphere samples, and the instruments used, including gas chromatographs and mass spectrometers. It highlights the significance of finding even primitive organisms on Mars.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the potential for extraterrestrial life (both on Mars and through alleged encounters), and the exploration of advanced energy technologies like fusion power. The editorial stance, as expressed in "Redaktionellt," is one of advocating for a more rigorous, scientific, and organized approach to UFO research, moving beyond anecdotal evidence to build a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. The magazine aims to bridge the gap between unexplained aerial phenomena and scientific inquiry, while also presenting detailed accounts of specific UFO incidents and alleged alien interactions.

Title: VIKING
Issue: 20
Year: 1976

This issue of VIKING magazine, dated 1976, delves into the ambitious Viking mission to Mars, detailing its technological marvels and scientific objectives. It also explores the controversial topic of UFOs and the burgeoning field of parapsychology through book reviews and discussions.

The Viking Mission to Mars

The magazine provides a comprehensive look at the Viking project, highlighting it as the USA's largest unmanned space endeavor to date. The spacecraft is described as having two main components: an orbiter (satellite) and a lander. The orbiter, measuring 9.8 meters wide and 3.3 meters high, weighed 2360 kg, while the lander, 2.7 meters wide and 2.2 meters high, weighed 1050 kg. The operational uniqueness of the project lies in having four separate units functioning simultaneously, allowing for extensive observation of Mars from both orbital and landing perspectives.

Upon arrival at Mars, the spacecraft underwent deceleration and entered an elliptical orbit with a minimum altitude of 1500 km and a maximum of 33,000 km above the surface. The orbiter is presented as an advanced version of the Mariner 9 probe, carrying the lander within it. The mission's operational phase includes a reconnaissance program to select landing sites, aided by approximately 7000 close-up images from Mariner 9. The onboard camera system is noted for its significant improvements, enabling rapid image transmission to Earth. This is crucial for making real-time decisions about landing site suitability based on terrain conditions.

Each orbiter is equipped with two TV cameras capable of producing stereoscopic images in black and white and color. Video information is digitally encoded and transmitted to a large antenna near the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. A computer converts these signals into images, with a round-trip communication delay of about 40 minutes. Critical operations, such as the landing phase, are fully automated due to this time lag.

The scientific instrumentation on each spacecraft weighs approximately 65 kg and has an estimated lifespan of 140 days, with hopes of functioning for up to two years. The landers are equipped with robust heat shields to withstand the friction heating during atmospheric entry. The landing sequence commences at an altitude of about 240 km with a speed of 16,000 km/h. At approximately 5800 meters, a parachute is deployed, and the lander descends until about 1200 meters, at which point three braking rockets, the 'Terminal descent engines,' reduce the speed to about 9 km/h. These engines have a burn time of roughly 30 seconds.

Significant technical challenges for landing include Mars' low, though not negligible, gravitational acceleration and its thin CO2 atmosphere. Specialized parachutes were developed for soft landings, but these also presented considerable difficulties. A key concern throughout the mission is maintaining absolute sterility to ensure that any potential findings of life forms are not due to contamination.

The project encompasses three main program parts: detailed photographic mapping by the orbiters, investigation of the planet's physical conditions (atmosphere, geology, internal structure), and the landers' search for life and biological processes.

Measurements using radio and radar equipment aim to determine the planet's size, electromagnetic properties, atmospheric composition, gravitational field, and surface density. Orbiters also observe cloud formation, cloud movements, and water vapor concentration, in addition to local weather conditions. Both orbiters and landers photograph the topography and transmit data on structure, stratification, mineral content, and erosion products. The landers' onboard laboratories analyze soil samples to determine mineral composition. Seismic measurements are intended to help establish the planet's internal structure, including whether Mars has a core, mantle, and crust similar to Earth.

Laboratory Experiments Onboard

Immediately after landing, antennas are deployed, and measurement equipment is activated. A three-dimensional steerable arm with a scoop is used to collect soil samples, which are then transferred to three different chambers within a biological 'life laboratory' onboard the lander. This laboratory, a cube approximately 25 cm in size, is designed to perform automated tasks that would normally require a complete research laboratory.

Chamber 1 of the life laboratory conducts a photosynthetic analysis. A soil sample is permeated with carbon dioxide, marked with radioactive carbon (C14) as a tracer. A lamp inside the chamber simulates Martian sunlight. After about five days, any remaining gas is expelled, and the soil sample is heated to 600°C to gasify any potential organisms. If the released gases are radioactive, it indicates that a photosynthetic life process has occurred, providing strong evidence for the presence of plant-like organisms.

UFOs and Parapsychology: Book Reviews

The issue also features reviews of books related to UFOs and parapsychology.

UFO-Utmaningen (The UFO Challenge) by K. Gösta Rehn

Reviewed by B. Tingstedt, this book is described as Rehn's fourth work, where he challenges the media and individuals who have allegedly ridiculed or spread misinformation about UFOs. The review notes Rehn's tendency to interpret new empirical observations, as stated by J. Allen Hynek, as evidence of 'extraterrestrial spacecraft,' which the reviewer finds lacking in scientific rigor and strong proof. The book dedicates a significant portion to Allen Hynek's 'The UFO Experience.'

Det "Övernaturliga" och Vår Världsbild (The "Supernatural" and Our Worldview) by Sven Magnusson

Reviewed by B. Tingstedt, this book by Sven Magnusson questions the existence of God, proposing instead that God might be a hyper-intelligent force or the underlying laws governing the universe. The book presents and discusses cases of reincarnation, mediums, spiritualism, and healing, advocating for intensified and serious research into parapsychology. The reviewer notes that Magnusson's material, while well-presented, draws heavily from the magazine 'Sökaren.'

The Edge of Reality by J. Allen Hynek & Jacques Vallee

Also reviewed by B. Tingstedt, this book is a collaborative effort between Hynek and Vallee, exploring various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, including landings, humanoids, magnetic effects, and the potential hostility of UFOs. The book suggests that while UFOs might be spacecraft, many factors point towards the parapsychological realm or the 'limits of reality.' It covers well-known UFO cases and warns against occultism. The book is noted for its comprehensive discussion and is considered a significant contribution to the field.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to maintain an open yet critical stance towards phenomena like UFOs and parapsychology. While acknowledging the scientific endeavors of missions like Viking, it also engages with more speculative topics. The editorial approach seems to favor detailed reporting on space exploration while critically reviewing literature on unexplained phenomena, emphasizing the need for evidence and scientific rigor, particularly in the context of UFOs. The magazine encourages further research into parapsychology but cautions against hasty conclusions.