UFO-Revyn - 1997 4

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-REVYN
Issue: Nr. 4
Year: 1997
Publisher: Föreningen UFO-Trestad
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-REVYN, the member magazine for Föreningen UFO-Trestad, delves into Swedish UFO literature and poses the profound question: "Is humanity alone in the universe?". The cover also highlights UFO-Trestad's presence on the internet.

Editorial Stance and Focus

The editorial, penned by Jörgen Bengtsson, emphasizes the critical importance of skepticism and rigorous examination in scientific work, particularly within UFO research. Bengtsson argues that UFO-Trestad must prioritize research over mere social gatherings, stating that "The skeptical questioning and critical examination are important cornerstones in all scientific work." He laments that the administrative burden of running the association leaves little time for actual research. The editorial advocates for a shift towards a more focused, research-oriented approach, moving away from discussions that "most resemble coffee parties." The goal is to concentrate on factual observations and scientific investigation, rather than simply debating theories or personal beliefs.

Bengtsson also touches upon the paradox of individuals who are otherwise scientifically skeptical becoming fascinated by UFO phenomena, noting that serious ufology requires knowledge in various scientific fields such as astronomy, meteorology, and psychology, and must be conducted without preconceptions. He cautions against blindly accepting all observations as proof of extraterrestrial visitation, urging for critical analysis and evidence-based conclusions.

The issue's main theme, "Swedish UFO Literature - an overview," is introduced by Jörgen Bengtsson. He notes the vast amount of UFO literature available globally, with most being in English, but highlights a collection of Swedish authors whose works vary in quality. Among the most recognized Swedish UFO writers are K.G. Rehn and Boris Jungkvist.

Swedish UFO Literature: An Overview

Jörgen Bengtsson reviews the contributions of key Swedish UFO authors. K.G. Rehn is presented as the first Swedish author to write relatively seriously about the phenomenon. His debut book, "De flygande tefaten - dokument och teori" (The Flying Saucers - Documents and Theory), published in 1966, became a bestseller for its genre. Rehn was convinced of the extraterrestrial origin of UFOs but also called for a scientific and unbiased examination of the phenomenon. His subsequent books, including "UFO-nya fakta om de flygande tefaten" (UFO-New Facts about the Flying Saucers), "Tefaten är här" (The Saucers Are Here), and "UFO-utmaningen" (UFO-Challenge), are discussed. Despite his conviction, Rehn's work is described as scientifically correct and distinct from later New Age literature.

Following Rehn's passing, Boris Jungkvist emerged as the popularizer of the UFO subject for the general public and inherited the title of the country's foremost ufologist in the media. Jungkvist's first book, "UFO - en fantastisk verklighet" (UFO - A Fantastic Reality), published in 1977, was successful, leading to his book "Besökare från kosmos" (Visitors from Cosmos). However, Bengtsson qualifies Jungkvist's self-proclaimed status as a UFO researcher, stating that 90% of his books' content consists of rewritten articles from weekly magazines and other sources of questionable veracity. The review also points out an early tendency in Jungkvist's work to emphasize his own person and his former association, "UFO-Häggvik," which was presented as an academic research center with extensive technical equipment and international connections, an exaggeration according to the author.

Is Humanity Alone in the Universe?

Roger Skoog contributes an article exploring the probability of extraterrestrial life. He begins by stating that the observable universe contains hundreds of billions of galaxies, each with billions of stars. Assuming each star has a system of planets, this leads to an astronomical number of planets. Given that Earth's position in space and time is not exceptional, Skoog questions why life on Earth should be considered unique.

He provides a statistical breakdown of stars within the Milky Way galaxy. Out of approximately 200 billion stars, he excludes those that have left the main sequence (like red giants, white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes), which constitute about a tenth. He further excludes M-stars (red dwarfs), which are unlikely to host life-supporting planets, accounting for about three-quarters of the remaining stars. This leaves about 40 billion stars similar to our Sun (spectral classes F, G, and K). After excluding stars in multiple systems (binary or triple stars), he estimates around 10 billion sun-like stars remaining in the Milky Way. He suggests that these stars, which are single, yellow-white, yellow, and orange, could host, on average, one life-supporting planet each.

Skoog then delves into the probability of technological civilizations arising. Assuming a 100% probability for the origin of life and a 10% probability for the development of intelligent life and then a technological civilization, he estimates that one in a hundred planets might develop a technological civilization. This would result in 200 million such civilizations in the Milky Way and about 10,000 within a local sphere of 1000 light-years. However, he highlights the significant challenge of the time perspective. If a technological civilization exists for only a million years (a fraction of a star's lifespan), the probability of encountering one at any given time is very low (1 in 10,000). He concludes that while we are likely not alone, the vast distances in the universe make interstellar travel and communication practically impossible with current understanding, relegating such possibilities to science fiction.

UFO-Trestad Activities and Information

Föreningsinformation (Association Information): This section details recent activities and future plans for UFO-Trestad. The association held its first meeting of the autumn with poor attendance, prompting discussions about restructuring into a specialized research group with higher demands on members. While formal meetings will be reduced, the magazine UFO-Revyn will continue to be distributed. The association is considering broadening its scope beyond UFOs to include other mysteries, given the lack of local UFO events. Discussions also touched upon earth radiation and dowsing phenomena. Tony Ekberg presented the association's new website, and suggestions for its improvement were welcomed. The "Projekt Spaning" (Project Scouting) was mentioned, with lists of UFO cases from Älvsborg county being circulated. A notable event was the discussion of the "UFO-moose" case on Hunneberg, with the moose's skull being presented.

UFO-Trestad Website: Tony Ekberg and Jörgen Bengtsson describe the launch of UFO-Trestad's website, which aims to inform the public about the organization and its views without the risk of sensationalized reporting by local media. The website, developed with the help of Johan Löfgren, will feature the association's statutes, ideology, articles from UFO-Revyn, membership information, and meeting minutes. It will also provide updates on ongoing investigations and links to other relevant websites, including NASA and astronomy organizations. The site is registered with search engines, and a visitor counter is in place. Webmaster Tony Ekberg can be contacted for further information. The website address is http://home5.swipnet.se/~w-57536/UFO/.

Ufologi i Trestad (Ufology in Trestad): This section provides updates from the research group. It notes a lack of reported local observations during the autumn, attributing it to observers not contacting the research group or the UFO-Sweden report center. The group seeks feedback on how to inform the public while avoiding attracting "saucer freaks" whose involvement could be detrimental. A previous report of mysterious "light crosses" over Lövgärdet was identified as the planet Jupiter, with a critique of an alleged "UFO expert" from the Swedish Air Force for failing to explain the observation. "Projekt Spaning" commenced on September 5th at Flo Klev's viewpoint on Hunneberg, though the initial observation was of a passing airplane due to cloud cover. Subsequent scouting attempts were canceled due to weather, but a session on October 23rd at Kopparklinten in Trollhättan involved studying celestial objects like the Pleiades, Saturn, and Jupiter through a telescope, as well as observing satellites. The research group plans to spend the winter mapping misinterpretation objects visible on a typical evening.

Organizational Changes and Issues: The magazine reports on significant organizational changes within UFO-Sverige. Dag Blomqvist, the treasurer of UFO-Sverige, has resigned due to alleged financial irregularities within the board, including a significant outstanding debt. Blomqvist found no other way than to leave the organization. As a consequence, the neighboring association UFO-Dalsland is also being dissolved. UFO-Trestad has offered to collaborate with UFO-Dalsland, and they are interested in recruiting Dag Blomqvist for their research group due to his recognized skills as a field investigator. Other trained field investigators from the Dalsland group are also welcome. The resignation of the treasurer indirectly affects UFO-Trestad as part of the nomination committee, which will now need to propose a new treasurer for the 1998 national meeting.

Other Content: The issue also includes a section on "Aktuell astronomi" (Current Astronomy) and "Vinterstjärnbild; Orion" (Winter Constellation; Orion), suggesting a broader interest in astronomical topics. A section titled "Ut i det blå..." (Out in the Blue...) and "Rymdens ord:" (Words of Space:) likely contain shorter articles or commentaries. An announcement for "I nästa nummer" (In the next issue) teases future content.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFO phenomena through scientific methods, the exploration of Swedish UFO literature, and the broader question of humanity's place in the cosmos. The editorial stance strongly advocates for a rigorous, evidence-based approach to ufology, distinguishing it from mere speculation or social activities. There is a clear emphasis on the need for critical thinking and a scientific mindset, even when dealing with topics that are inherently mysterious. The magazine also highlights the importance of accessible information through its new website and its continued publication of UFO-Revyn, aiming to serve both researchers and the general public interested in the UFO phenomenon.

This issue of UFO Aktuellt, dated 1997/6, delves into the complex world of ufology, offering critical perspectives on prominent authors, investigative methods, and the astronomical phenomena that often get mistaken for UFOs. The magazine emphasizes a distinction between sensationalist and critical approaches to the subject, while also providing practical information for those interested in serious UFO research.

Critical Reviews of Ufologists

The issue begins with a critique of Boris Jungkvist, an author whose books are described as exciting but lacking in critical analysis. Jungkvist is accused of uncritically accepting fantastic theories and presenting UFOs as spacecraft piloted by aliens. His work is characterized by sensationalism and a tendency to promote his own public profile. The article highlights how Jungkvist has allegedly plagiarized material, such as the Spetsbergen saucer crash story, which has been debunked by other researchers.

Staffan Stigsjöö is also discussed, with his books criticized for drawing heavily from press clippings. In contrast, Eugen Semitjov's "De otroliga tefaten" and Sven Magnusson's "Flygande Tefat - Vad säger vetenskapen?" are praised for offering more nuanced perspectives and maintaining a healthy distance from the subject.

Sune Hjort is presented as a "New Age ufologist" known for his sensationalist books and media appearances. The article notes his alleged Nazi sympathies and describes his UFO books as "bizarre."

Juri Lina and Jan-Ove Sundberg are categorized as "sensationalist ufologists" whose works, like "UFO-forskning i Sovjetunionen" and "Fantom-ubåtar," are criticized for lacking critical evaluation and factual basis.

New Age Ufology vs. Critical Ufology

The magazine explores the shift in ufology during the 1990s towards "New Age ufology," which focuses on inner experiences, abductions, and spiritual interpretations. This is contrasted with critical ufology, which emphasizes scientific investigation and evidence-based analysis. The article argues that New Age ufologists often present their beliefs as facts without critical examination, and that this approach can be problematic.

UFO-Sverige and Field Investigations

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to a report on a UFO-Sverige field investigator training course held in October 1997. The course, attended by individuals from UFO-Trestad, covered topics such as the differences between New Age ufology, critical ufology, and skepticism. It also addressed how the Swedish defense investigates UFO events and detailed methods for conducting in-depth investigations of UFO sightings, including interviewing witnesses and examining historical cases.

The course also covered the phenomenon of crop circles and how to investigate them, as well as UFO-Sverige's new reporting system, which aims to focus on more significant cases. The report emphasizes the importance of scientific rigor and detailed documentation in UFO research.

Book Reviews

Several book reviews are featured:

• "Dialog med kosmisk kultur" by Sten Lindgren: This book is reviewed critically, with the reviewer suggesting it appeals only to those interested in cults and religious psychology. The reviewer finds Lindgren's claims of contact with extraterrestrials to be far-fetched and lacking in credible evidence, noting the book's use of questionable UFO photos and its omission of serious UFO organizations.
• "Är vi ensamma?" by Paul Davies: This book, by a professor of theoretical physics, explores the possibility of extraterrestrial life. While acknowledging Davies' expertise, the reviewer finds the book to be too technical for a general audience and partly outdated. The reviewer notes that Davies touches upon the UFO phenomenon, suggesting it might be a response to subconscious spiritual seeking, but does not rule out the possibility of actual extraterrestrial visits.

Astronomical Observations

The issue includes a regular column on "Aktuell Astronomi" by Jörgen Bengtsson. This section provides an overview of celestial events for the winter season, including the visibility of constellations like Orion, Taurus, and Gemini. It highlights notable astronomical occurrences such as planetary conjunctions (Jupiter, Venus, Mars), lunar occultations of Saturn, and meteor showers like the Leonids and Geminids. The column also touches upon common misidentifications of celestial objects as UFOs, such as Venus.

Orion Constellation

A detailed description of the Orion constellation is provided, including its prominent stars like Betelgeuse and Rigel, and the Orion Nebula (M42). The text explains the mythology associated with Orion and discusses the Orionid meteor shower, which is linked to Halley's Comet.

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

Throughout the issue, there is a clear emphasis on critical thinking and scientific methodology in the study of UFO phenomena. The magazine consistently warns against sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, particularly those associated with "New Age" ufology. The editorial stance favors rigorous investigation and evidence-based conclusions, advocating for a distinction between genuine research and pseudoscientific speculation. Recurring themes include the critique of popular ufologists, the importance of proper investigative techniques, and the need for a scientific approach to understanding unexplained aerial phenomena. The issue also touches upon the internal politics of UFO organizations, with a critical commentary on the resignation of UFO-Sverige's treasurer, Dag Blomqvist, citing issues of organizational transparency and democratic principles.

This document is the first issue of 1998 from the Swedish publication UFO-Revyn. The cover features a humorous illustration by Roger Skoog depicting a man with antennae on his head, looking bewildered and asking, "Did I hear wrong again?" The title is "Rymdens ord:" (Words of Space:), with a subtitle suggesting it's a response to an article about UFO literature in this issue.

Contents of Issue 1-1998

The issue highlights several key articles and topics:

• SETI - sökandet efter utomjordisk intelligens (SETI - the search for extraterrestrial intelligence): This article delves into the scientific efforts to detect signs of intelligent life beyond Earth.
• UFO - fackterm eller begreppsförvirring (UFO - technical term or conceptual confusion): This piece likely explores the definition and perception of Unidentified Flying Objects, questioning whether it's a precise term or a source of misunderstanding.
• Resultat från Projekt Spaning (Results from Project Spaning): This section presents findings from a specific project, presumably related to UFO sightings or investigations.
• Vårstjärnbild; Corona Borealis (Spring Constellation; Corona Borealis): These appear to be astronomical observations or discussions, possibly linking celestial phenomena to UFO reports or general interest in space.

An additional note "och mycket mer..." (and much more...) suggests a broader range of content.

The editorial team, identified as "UFO-Revyns redaktion," concludes the issue with a "Tack för i år" (Thanks for this year), implying this issue might be released towards the end of the year or marking a significant point in their publication cycle.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine focuses on UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), and related astronomical topics. The tone of the cover illustration suggests a blend of serious inquiry and a touch of humor or skepticism regarding the subject matter. The editorial stance appears to be one of exploration and discussion within the realm of ufology and space science, as indicated by the variety of topics presented.