UFO-Revyn - 1997 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-REVYN
Issue: Nr. 2
Year: 1997
Publisher: Föreningen UFO-Trestad
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-Revyn, the member's bulletin for the UFO-Trestad association, delves into various aspects of ufology with a strong emphasis on scientific methodology and a critical perspective on certain trends within the field.

Editorial Stance and Key Themes

The editorial, penned by Jörgen Bengtsson, sets a clear tone for the magazine. It highlights the evolution of UFO research, distancing itself from the simplistic 'flying saucer' and 'extraterrestrial hypothesis' that characterized earlier investigations. Bengtsson criticizes the 'New Age' movement, describing it as a 'spiritual movement' that engages in systematic 'brainwashing' and often has financial motives or promotes antisemitic ideologies. He warns against the dangers of crystals, tarot, spiritism, channeling, and other esoteric practices, linking them to potential personal catastrophe or financial ruin. UFO-Trestad's stated goal is to seek solutions to the UFO mystery using scientific methods and critical viewpoints, maintaining an agnostic stance and being open to all possibilities, including the eventual non-existence of the UFO phenomenon.

The magazine also features a section on 'Mystiska ljusfenomen på månen' (Mysterious Light Phenomena on the Moon) by Jörgen Bengtsson. This article explores the history of observations of 'Transient Lunar Phenomena' (TLP), dating back to medieval England. It discusses various explanations, from meteor impacts to geological activity, and touches upon speculative theories involving extraterrestrial intelligence. The article critically examines sensationalist claims, such as those made by George Adamski and others, and debunks the misinterpretation of the Apollo 11 mission footage by certain UFO sects. It notes that while astronomers acknowledge TLP, a definitive explanation remains elusive, with ongoing research into lunar geology and gas emissions.

Föreningen UFO-Trestad Activities

Föreningsinformation (Association Information) details the activities of UFO-Trestad. The association held its first quarterly meeting in Trollhättan, which was a social and discussion-oriented event. New members were welcomed, and the association's stance on prioritizing natural explanations in UFO investigations was reaffirmed. UFO-Trestad officially joined UFO-Sverige on January 16, 1997, receiving a startup grant. The article mentions the annual meeting of UFO-Sverige in Strängnäs, where UFO-Trestad was appointed to the election committee for the 1998 meeting. A change in UFO-Sverige's statutes now allows individual memberships, though local group membership is significantly more economical. The financial situation of UFO-Sverige is noted as a reason for a limited project plan for 1997.

A quarterly meeting was planned for June 17th at Eldmörjan on Hunneberg, encouraging members to bring fika and UFO stories. An outdoor meeting was scheduled due to the renovation of the usual HSB hall.

Rapport-Nytt is mentioned as having resumed its function and being highly readable. Discussions within UFO-Sverige's planning conferences have focused on improving the handling of reports, with a commitment to dedicating more resources to investigating 'hot cases' and reducing the time spent on less significant sightings.

UFO-Sverige's trip to Peru in June is also mentioned, with anticipation for Anders Persson to share his experiences. The AFU-Newsletter has not been published for over a year, but information about AFU's activities has been disseminated. The positive reception of UFO-Revyn's first issue is noted, encouraging submissions from readers for future issues, emphasizing its role in communication and debate between meetings.

Letter from Clas Svahn

Clas Svahn, Chairman of UFO-Sverige, writes a letter to Jörgen Bengtsson welcoming UFO-Trestad's membership. He expresses optimism about UFO-Trestad's serious approach and potential as a research group and a hub for UFO enthusiasts in the region. Svahn emphasizes the importance of being part of a larger organization for support and encourages contact with UFO-Sverige's central board and report center. He stresses that quality of work is more important than the size of a local group.

UFOLOGI I TRESTAD - Forskningsgruppen informerar (Ufology in Trestad - Research Group informs)

This section provides an update from UFO-Trestad's research group. They report a lack of new cases delegated to them since the last issue, with some cases from Dals Rostock being handled by UFO-Dalsland. Roger Skoog is assisting with geographical mapping of reports. The group has received materials from the Rapportcentralen, including addresses of active field investigators, noting that UFO-Trestad has a significant number of trained investigators. They have also ordered a list of UFO reports from Älvsborgs län from AFU for analysis. The Håbol case is likely to be closed due to lack of interest from the observer and its limited ufological significance. The group encourages anonymous reporting of sightings, emphasizing their intention to create a comprehensive index while guaranteeing anonymity. They also criticize media coverage of UFOs, citing an example from Trollhättans Tidning that misrepresented a local UFO group's interest in a phenomenon, highlighting the struggle for Swedish ufology to be perceived as serious.

The research group's contact information is provided: Jörgen Bengtsson, Tony Ekberg, Roger Skoog, and Magnus Andersson.

Mystiska ljusfenomen på månen (Mysterious Light Phenomena on the Moon)

This detailed article by Jörgen Bengtsson explores the phenomenon of 'Transient Lunar Phenomena' (TLP). It begins by noting that while UFO theories often involve the moon, the TLP phenomenon itself is less discussed within ufology. TLPs are a scientifically recognized fact, with the term 'Transient Lunar Phenomenon' used in scientific contexts. The article traces historical observations back to medieval England, citing a specific event in 1178 described by the monk Gervase of Canterbury. While this event is attributed to a meteor impact, other TLP observations, such as those in 1587, remain unexplained by simple impacts. The article discusses how the invention of the telescope by Galileo Galilei and the development of more powerful instruments led to increased observations of lunar lights. It mentions observations by William Herschel in the late 1700s and a significant increase in dramatic observations in the 1800s, including a detailed investigation by the Royal Astronomical Society in 1869. Further observations in 1877, 1910, and 1917 are noted, with regular TLP observations occurring between 1950 and 1970.

The article addresses the 'aliens on the moon' theories, dismissing sensationalist claims by figures like George Adamski and Don Wilson as lacking evidence and requiring the dismissal of official NASA data. It critiques the misrepresentation of the Apollo 11 mission footage by Japanese UFO sects, which falsely depicted UFOs in images. The article highlights that astronauts did observe unknown light phenomena in the Aristarchus crater during the Apollo 11 mission, a region known for TLP sightings since 1963.

Regarding natural explanations, the article states that while astronomers do not deny TLP, a definitive cause is not yet established. Analysis of moon rocks reveals volatile gases that could be ignited by electrical discharges from cracking rocks, a phenomenon confirmed in laboratories. TLPs often occur at the terminator (the boundary between lunar day and night) where temperatures fluctuate drastically, and near perigee (closest approach to Earth), suggesting a link to geological activity and gas emissions from the moon's interior. The article mentions observations in the Alphonsus crater between 1956-1958 and astronomer Kozyrev's spectral analysis in 1958, which suggested glowing carbon gas possibly from volcanic activity, though the moon is considered geologically dead. The article concludes that the numerous TLP sightings and their mobility suggest that purely geological explanations may not suffice, leaving the phenomenon to intrigue ufologists and the public until future lunar missions provide more definitive answers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO-Revyn strongly advocates for a scientific and critical approach to ufology. It actively distinguishes itself from what it terms 'New Age ufology,' which it criticizes for its lack of rigor and potential for pseudoscience and harmful ideologies. The magazine champions empirical evidence, scientific methods, and logical analysis as the primary tools for investigating UFO phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on debunking sensationalist claims and promoting a more grounded, investigative stance. The publication also serves as a platform for communication within the UFO-Trestad association and its affiliated organizations, fostering discussion and sharing of information among its members.

Title: UFO-Revyn
Issue: 2
Volume: 1998
Date: 1998
Publisher: UFO-Sverige
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-Revyn features a cover story by Roger Skoog titled "Eye Anatomy Causes UFO Reports?" which explores how the human visual system's imperfections and psychological factors can lead to misinterpretations of phenomena, potentially explaining some UFO sightings. The magazine also includes a report on the UFO-Sverige national conference, astronomical observations, and various miscellaneous notes on ufology and related scientific topics.

Eye Anatomy Causes UFO Reports?

Roger Skoog's article delves into the limitations of the human eye as an optical instrument. It explains that while the eye is versatile, it is not perfect, and visual impressions can be flawed or distorted due to the eye's own limitations, environmental influences, or emotional factors. For instance, a small particle in the eye's fluid could be mistaken for something flying in the sky. Hershel W. Leibowitz, an expert in perceptual psychology from Pennsylvania State University, is quoted stating that most people will eventually experience seeing light phenomena that do not actually exist. The article highlights how conditions like nearsightedness can distort perceptions, suggesting that some UFO reports might stem from individuals simply misinterpreting what they see due to poor vision. Furthermore, the human eye relies on contextual clues, making it susceptible to illusions. An example given is a single, stationary point of light in a dark room that can appear to move, sometimes in arcs or erratic patterns, even though the light source is fixed. This phenomenon, Skoog suggests, could explain many UFO sightings. Emotional factors also play a significant role; an incident in Illinois in 1978 where dozens reported seeing a flying saucer was later identified as airborne advertising, with fear and prior beliefs influencing what people thought they saw.

Visual System Diagram

A detailed diagram of the human visual system is included, illustrating various parts of the eye such as the iris, pupil, lens, retina, optic nerve, and surrounding structures like the ciliary processes and muscles of the eyeball. This visual aid complements the article on eye anatomy and perception.

Report from the National Conference

Tony Ekberg reports on the UFO-Sverige national conference held on April 26-27 at Thomasgymnasiet in Strängnäs. Representatives from UFO-Trestad, including Jörgen Bengtsson, Roger Skoog, and Tony Ekberg, attended. The conference began with an address by Clas Svahn. UFO-Trestad was granted a voting mandate as a new local group. Anders Persson was elected as the meeting chairman. The 1996 activity report mentioned two planning conferences: one in Sundsvall to support the new UFO-Mitt group, and another in Norrköping to discuss revised procedures for UFO investigations and the Rapportcentralen, with a focus on spending more time on the most interesting reports. An international UFO conference was held in Göteborg on October 27, 1996, featuring foreign ufologists. New local groups established in 1996 were UFO-Trestad and UFO-Dalsland. A total of 349 reports were received in 1996, with 57 during daylight and 282 at night. UFO-Sverige received positive media attention, with some journalists recognizing the difference between UFO-Sverige and other UFO groups. However, the treasurer, Dag Blomqvist, reported a bleak financial situation, and auditors criticized the bookkeeping practices, though improvements are underway. The operational plan for autumn 1997 included a continuation course for field investigators to enhance quality. UFO-Sverige also planned to inform educational directors about school materials and facilitate lectures at schools. An international UFO conference in Denmark was scheduled for November, and a new edition of "Fakta om UFO" was to be published in the summer, along with a forthcoming CD-ROM. A significant decision was made to allow individual memberships, enabling anyone to join UFO-Sverige without being part of a local group, though individual members would not have voting rights at the national assembly. UFO-Dalsland registered its dissent to this decision.

UFO-Trestad's Role and Future

UFO-Trestad was appointed to the nomination committee for the upcoming year, anticipating significant work in the autumn. The 1998 national conference is scheduled to be hosted by the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening. The conference concluded after just over three hours. Attendees then sought accommodation at the Strängnäs hostel, which was described as pleasant, cozy, and affordable. Discussions about UFO phenomena continued informally. The following morning, after a less-than-ideal breakfast of chips and Coca-Cola, participants visited an exhibition organized by UFO-Sverige, featuring displays on UFO history, photographs, books, magazines, and a searchable database of 12,000 cases. The lectures began at 13:00 with Richard Svensson discussing ancient folklore and comparing it to modern beliefs about aliens. Andreas Ohlsson presented Kenneth Arnold's 1947 observation, considered the start of modern UFO history, including an audio recording of Arnold. Clas Svahn spoke about the Swedish defense's UFO investigations from 1933 to 1997. Håkan Blomqvist concluded the lectures with a talk on the New Age movement's perspective on UFOs, characterizing it as unscientific and prone to fantasy, sometimes with fascist or extremist undertones. A panel debate was held but not attended by the UFO-Trestad representatives due to the travel distance. The weekend was deemed very interesting and rewarding, providing valuable insights into UFO-Sverige's operations. The UFO-Trestad representatives felt that UFO-Sverige had high expectations for their group, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a serious approach and avoiding the "flummier" aspects associated with some New Age beliefs.

Miscellaneous Notes

Jörgen Bengtsson contributes several short articles:

• Belief in God among Scientists: A survey in the journal Nature indicated that about 40% of scientists in the USA believe in God, with mathematicians showing the highest belief rate (45%), while physicists and astronomers are the most atheistic (78%). 70% of biologists are atheists.
• Ice on the Moon: The Clementine space probe has discovered ice in the Aitkin crater near the moon's south pole, likely from comet impacts. NASA plans a follow-up mission in September.
• Universe Structure: Two American physicists propose that the universe has an "upside" and a "downside," contrary to the prevailing theory of uniformity. Analysis of radio waves from distant galaxies suggests a rotation, implying an axis similar to Earth's. If confirmed, this could revolutionize cosmology, requiring reevaluation of relativity and the Big Bang theory, and opening possibilities for other universes.
• Intelligent Flying Robots: Researchers at Linköping University are developing small, autonomous aircraft capable of intelligent decision-making for tasks like monitoring traffic. These planes will be about 3 meters wide and fly at altitudes from 50 meters to a few kilometers, suggesting future work for UFO-Sverige.
• Sci-Fi Channel UFO Programming: A weekend of UFO-related programming on the Sci-Fi Channel included a special production called "Earthscan," filmed in various Swedish cities. The programming mixed factual claims with science fiction, prompting a question about when a serious TV channel will produce a genuinely scientific UFO program.
• Jupiter's Moon Ganymede: The Galileo probe confirmed Ganymede has a magnetic field and functions like a planet. Scientists are increasingly convinced of potential life in the oceans beneath Europa's icy crust.
• Tactic Blue Stealth Aircraft: The US Department of Defense explained that a frequently sighted UFO over California between 1982 and 1985 was the Tactic Blue aircraft, a prototype stealth plane tested 135 times during that period.

Ufologen

This section presents a statistical analysis of recent Swedish UFO cases based on data from "Rapport-Nytt" issues 1 and 2 of 1997, covering 79 cases. The diagram shows a significant peak in sightings between 8 PM and 9 PM, attributed to darkness making observations easier and more people being outdoors. A smaller increase is noted between 6 AM and 7 AM, coinciding with people waking up. Sightings are rare in the morning but increase after 2 PM, with a sharp rise in the evening. A minor peak around 2 AM is considered possibly coincidental due to the small sample size. The analysis acknowledges that the data includes cases of questionable UFO status. The author suggests the need for a system to evaluate UFO incidents, possibly using frameworks like Hynek's S-P diagram or Clarke's categorization, to better allocate resources for investigations. A stronger focus on pure research is recommended for future progress in understanding the UFO mystery.

Current Astronomy

Jörgen Bengtsson discusses recent astronomical events:

• Comet Hale-Bopp: The comet is returning towards the outer solar system. Following comet Hyakutake, Hale-Bopp provides another opportunity to witness a bright comet, a rare occurrence. The previous bright comet was West in 1976, and Hale-Bopp will not return for approximately 3000 years.
• Summer Sky: The early summer is not ideal for amateur astronomy due to bright skies. Mars is visible but not particularly noteworthy for study. Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus are poorly positioned for observation. Two faint meteor showers occur in July, with the most significant being the Perseids, peaking around August 12th, potentially producing 30 to 200 meteors per hour.

Summer Constellation: Lyra

This section focuses on the constellation Lyra, a small but prominent feature of the summer night sky. Lyra is rich in stars and beautiful in binoculars. It is one of the oldest constellations, with origins in Greek mythology. Its neighbors include Draco, Vulpecula, Hercules, and Cygnus. Vega, Lyra's brightest star, is a beautiful bluish star, the third brightest in the northern hemisphere, and is relatively young and close to Earth. Vega, along with Deneb and Altair, forms the "summer triangle." The article notes that Vega is surrounded by a dust ring, possibly indicating the formation of a planetary system, and has been featured in literature, such as Carl Sagan's novel "Contact."

Beta Lyrae (Sheliak) is an eclipsing variable star with fluctuating brightness. RR Lyrae, located northeast of Lyra, is a prototype for RR Lyrae variables, used by astronomers for distance measurements. The constellation also contains a nova reported in 1919 and the planetary nebula M45 (NGC6720), discovered in 1779, which requires a larger telescope to observe.

Out in the Blue...

Jörgen Bengtsson offers commentary on various ufological topics:

• Critique of UFO Debaters: Bengtsson criticizes the lack of scientific understanding among some UFO debaters, particularly regarding the concept of an infinite universe. He references concepts like von Nägeli's paradox of infinity, Riemannian geometry, and topological cosmology.
• UFO-Sverige Membership: The national conference approved individual memberships, allowing figures like Sune Hjorth, Jan-Ove Sundberg, and Rauni-Leena Luukanen to join privately. However, the organization faces financial difficulties, and the author expresses concern that an overly exclusive approach could lead UFO-Sverige to be perceived as just another sect.
• "Sunday, Sunday" Radio Program: A commentator named Nils Dacke claimed the Star of Bethlehem was a spaceship and that Jesus descended as a four-year-old boy. Bengtsson questions how such beliefs are formed, suggesting influence from "out-there" UFO books.
• Heaven's Gate Cult: The mass suicide of the Heaven's Gate cult members in San Diego is described as a ritual to begin their journey to a "heavenly origin." They believed they were sent by a higher power and were to be picked up by a UFO following the Hale-Bopp comet. Bengtsson laments that such events contribute to the perception of UFO enthusiasts as eccentric individuals and highlights the dangers of extreme New Age beliefs.
• UFO-Trestad's Socializing: The UFO-Trestad board's post-conference gathering at a pub is humorously noted as being "out in the blue" on a different level.

The Word of Space: The Unvarnished Truth about "The Alien Abduction"!

A page features the title "RYMDENS ORD:" (The Word of Space:) with the subtitle "Den osminkade sanningen om 'The Alien Abduction'!" (The unvarnished truth about 'The Alien Abduction'!). An illustration of a flying saucer is included, credited to "X-files."

Next Issue

The "Next Issue" section previews content for UFO-Revyn nr 3, coming in August. Topics include "UFO Crews - a multitude of alien beings," "The Case of Gösta Carlsson - what should we believe?", "Autumn Constellation; Andromeda," and "The Ufologist," among other items. The issue concludes with a "Happy Summer!" message and an illustration of a butterfly.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of human perception, psychology, and UFO phenomena, suggesting that many sightings may be explained by natural causes or the limitations of human vision and cognition. There is a clear emphasis on scientific investigation and a critical stance towards unsubstantiated claims, particularly those associated with fringe New Age beliefs. The reporting on the UFO-Sverige conference highlights the organizational challenges and the ongoing debate within the UFO community regarding scientific rigor versus speculative theories. The astronomical sections provide factual information, grounding the magazine's content in observable science while maintaining an interest in unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to favor a serious, research-oriented approach to ufology, distinguishing itself from more sensationalist or pseudoscientific interpretations.