UFO-Revyn - 1998 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-REVYN
Issue: Nr. 1 - 1998
Publisher: Föreningen UFO-Trestad
Type: Member's journal for the UFO-Trestad association.

Editorial Stance and Reorganization

The editorial, 'UFO-Trestad mot nya mål...' by Jörgen Bengtsson, details a significant shift in the organization. Initially founded in January 1997 with hopes of attracting many active members, UFO-Trestad found a lack of active participation in research and contributions from members. Despite organizing meetings and astronomical evenings, attendance was low, and member contributions to the magazine were absent. Consequently, UFO-Trestad has reconstituted itself from January 1998 onwards to function more as a research group than a general association. The primary focus will be on researching UFO phenomena, with UFO-Revyn serving as the forum for reporting findings and conclusions. While general activities will still be organized, the core mission is scientific investigation. The association now sets higher standards for its members, requiring them to complete field investigation courses, though anyone can become a supporting member and subscribe to UFO-Revyn.

The organization intends to dedicate more energy to serious ufology, investigating interesting cases, including a film sequence from Vänersborg being analyzed in collaboration with UFO-Sverige and MUFON in the USA. The magazine will feature more current reports, research, and investigation work. UFO-Trestad also plans to be more vocal in combating vague claims, New Age ideologies, and blind faith, aiming to provide accurate information about UFO phenomena to the public and media. The association also plans to develop its website and collaborate with other serious, scientifically oriented groups.

Latest News (Senaste nytt)

The 'Senaste nytt' section in issue 1 of 1998 highlights several points:

• Distribution: UFO-Revyn is distributed to public libraries in Vänersborg, Trollhättan, and Uddevalla, with the hope of attracting more engaged members. It is also sent to UFO-Sverige's board and the Archive for UFO Research in Norrköping.
• Article Changes: Due to recent events, some planned articles, including those on SETI and UFO-Trestad's investigation project, have been postponed.
• Reorganization Reception: The reorganization of UFO-Trestad into a group primarily for active field investigators has received positive reactions from other local groups and the national organization.
• Membership Structure: The new structure creates a mix where active membership requires field investigation experience, while general interest members can become supporting members.
• Future Activities: While research is the primary goal, UFO-Trestad hopes to organize more relaxed activities for supporting members, such as a summer barbecue.
• Collaboration: UFO-Trestad is part of the nomination committee for the UFO-Sverige national meeting and is seeking a new treasurer. The departure of Håkan Blomqvist from UFO engagement, becoming a skeptic, is noted as a significant event.
• Astronomy and History: Suggestions for activities include experimenting with dowsing rods and visiting ancient stone settings, which some researchers believe were oriented astronomically.
• Information Dissemination: UFO-Trestad has been sending information about UFOs and astronomy to schoolchildren requesting help with special projects.
• UFO-Sverige Meeting: The UFO-Sverige national meeting is scheduled for April 25-26, organized by Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, with public lectures and exhibitions on Sunday.

UFO - Fackterm eller begreppsförvirring?

This article by Roger Skoog addresses the ambiguity surrounding the term 'UFO' (Unidentified Flying Object). The author questions whether all unidentified lights should be classified as UFOs or if the term should be reserved for phenomena that genuinely deviate from known natural occurrences. He points out that many observations, such as those involving alleged alien encounters in bedrooms, are more akin to typical ghost sightings and should not be classified as UFOs if no flying object was observed. The article argues that the term 'UFO' has acquired a negative connotation, often linked to the New Age movement and less serious ufologists. Skoog suggests the need for a new, more scientific Swedish definition, but acknowledges the difficulty due to the term's widespread recognition. He also notes that media often equates UFOs with 'flying saucers' or 'extraterrestrial flying objects,' overlooking the fact that many objects entering the atmosphere are space debris, not alien spacecraft.

The author criticizes the conflation of UFOs with New Age beliefs and the tendency for media to sensationalize the topic. He emphasizes that UFO-Sverige members must be careful when speaking to the media to avoid misrepresentation. The article also touches upon the common misconception that UFOs are necessarily alien spacecraft, suggesting that many reported sightings are misinterpretations of known phenomena.

Kondensationsstrimma eller UFO?

This article recounts an incident on November 18th where an observer reported seeing a UFO with a tail near Skara. The observer, contacted via mobile phone, described the object as luminous and moving. However, upon further investigation by Roger Skoog, the circumstances suggest a simpler explanation. The observation occurred shortly after sunset on a clear day with excellent atmospheric conditions, ideal for observing airplanes illuminated from below. The object's description, including a 'tail,' is consistent with the condensation trails of aircraft. The observer could not be reached for further details, and questions arise about how they obtained the contact number for the investigation agency (AFU) and why they did not stop to observe more closely if genuinely excited. The article concludes that the most likely explanation is a normal airplane, despite some unusual details in the report.

New Age - en bedräglig idyll...

This extensive article by Jörgen Bengtsson critically examines the New Age movement, which has been the subject of local media coverage. Bengtsson argues that the movement is not a harmless or idyllic phenomenon but rather a breeding ground for potentially dangerous ideologies. He highlights how various cults exploit the broad and ill-defined nature of New Age to spread extreme messages. The article points to the belief in 'space people' taking over Earth and a hierarchy of 'enlightened' individuals, with those who question these beliefs facing elimination. Bengtsson draws parallels between these ideas and old antisemitic tropes, noting that such concepts originate from the writings of figures like Blavatsky and Bailey, which influenced 1930s National Socialism. He criticizes media for uncritically promoting New Age ideas, often presenting self-proclaimed 'masters' as enlightened beings. The article cites the example of 'Aisi-Aisi from Pioos 1,' a supposed extraterrestrial communicating through Gösta Bergström, as a prime example of unsubstantiated claims. Bengtsson warns that the uncritical acceptance of New Age ideas contributes to a general 'dumbing down' of society and that the movement's pseudoscientific language and claims require rigorous scrutiny. The article also includes a photograph of Ernst Zundel's UFO book, 'NAZI SECRET WEAPON?', illustrating how extremist groups can co-opt public interest in UFOs.

UFO-Trestad satsar på fältundersökning

This section details the ongoing changes within UFO-Sverige's report handling. Pelle Persson in Härnösand will now be primarily responsible for investigating incoming cases, while Irre Bredin will focus on local group contacts and the 'Rapportnytt' publication. UFO-Trestad has been asked by UFO-Sverige's chairman, Clas Svahn, to assist in investigating particularly interesting reports nationwide, not just regionally. This closer collaboration with the UFO-Sverige report center (RPC) will provide UFO-Trestad with greater insight into more reports, allowing them to publish more findings in UFO-Revyn. The group also plans to investigate older, poorly documented cases and expand their databases. This focus on practical ufology is a direct result of UFO-Trestad's reorganization into a research group. They are actively seeking more volunteers, emphasizing that no specific prior knowledge is needed beyond a genuine interest, as basic training is provided through field investigation courses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO-Revyn are the critical examination of UFO terminology, the debunking of sensationalized UFO claims, and a strong critique of the New Age movement. The editorial stance is clearly one of scientific skepticism and a commitment to rigorous, evidence-based investigation of UFO phenomena. The magazine actively seeks to counter misinformation and pseudoscientific claims, particularly those associated with New Age beliefs, which it views as potentially harmful and bordering on antisemitism. UFO-Trestad positions itself as a research-oriented group dedicated to providing accurate information and fostering an open, yet critical, debate on the UFO subject.

This issue of UFO-Aktuellt from 1998, published by UFO-Trestad, focuses on UFO reports, investigations, book reviews, and astronomical observations. The magazine features articles in Swedish and covers a range of topics within the ufology and paranormal fields.

UFO Reports and Investigations

UFO-rapport från Vinninga

The issue begins with a report from Vinninga, Sweden, where a woman named Anne described an unusual luminous phenomenon on November 7th. While driving home around 00:20, she observed a large, pulsating light originating from the ground and extending high into the sky, resembling a mushroom at its peak. The phenomenon lasted for two minutes, and she heard a rumbling sound, likening it to thunder. Anne felt a sense of unease and believed it might be extraterrestrial, though she acknowledged the possibility of a natural phenomenon or a nearby airfield. She also mentioned a family experiencing strange phenomena around their house. UFO-Trestad's field investigator, Tony Ekberg, interviewed Anne. Despite her initial eagerness for an investigation, Anne did not return the report form, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact location. UFO-Trestad considered the case "rather uninteresting from a UFO perspective" and required further information for a deeper investigation.

UFO-rapport från Dals Rostock var bluff!

Another report details an incident in Dals Rostock on November 26th, where a person named Christer and 5-10 other observers saw a large white light over a forest for about half a minute around 20:00. Roger Skoog, a field investigator from Mellerud, was assigned the case. However, upon contacting Christer, Skoog discovered that the report was a hoax. Christer denied any knowledge of the observation, claiming he did not play indoor bandy in Dals Rostock and that it was likely a prank by an acquaintance. Skoog concluded that there was no case to investigate and closed the file, expressing frustration that UFO organizations are sometimes targeted for pranks.

Flera UFO:s filmades i Vänersborg!

On August 23rd, 1997, an observer named Johan in Vänersborg, Sweden, managed to film several unidentified objects in daylight. The film was sent to MUFON in the USA, which deemed it interesting enough to contact UFO-Sverige. UFO-Trestad was tasked with the field investigation. The film, approximately one hour long, shows Johan filming a traffic plane when a spherical object flies into the frame. The object ascends rapidly, and another spherical object appears, performing maneuvers before fading away. Investigations involving the Swedish Air Force and SMHI were initiated to find a natural explanation. The military confirmed no planes were in the air at the time, and radar did not detect anything unusual. Johan was interviewed by Jörgen Bengtsson and Tony Ekberg, and copies of the film were sent to Clas Svahn. The report suggests that the objects were not a deliberate hoax and that intelligence services are interested in analyzing the original footage.

Book and Video Reviews

Närkontakt med UFO by Eva Olsson and Tony Eckardt

This section reviews the book "Närkontakt med UFO" (Close Encounter with UFO) by Eva Olsson and Tony Eckardt, published by Shekinah Media in 1997. The book is an expansion of their 1992 video "Närkontakt med UFO." The reviewer, Jörgen Bengtsson, is highly critical of the book, describing it as poorly written, grammatically flawed, and filled with bizarre claims, such as an interview with a "UFO pilot" named Edeecha from the planet Azhiz, located an improbable distance away. The book is criticized for mixing UFO topics with occultism, mysticism, theosophy, and Gnosticism, along with the authors' own delusions. Bengtsson finds the book to be a "bottomless swamp of myths, lies, fantasies, and misinterpretations" and questions its purpose and audience, stating it's "impossible to review" due to its lack of structure.

Övernaturligt: En bok om UFO, nära döden, spöken och parapsykologi

This review discusses the book "Övernaturligt" (Supernatural), published by SEMIC in 1997. The book covers topics like UFOs, near-death experiences, ghosts, and parapsychology. The reviewer, Roger Skoog, finds the book to be superficial and lacking in depth. It includes chapters on UFO cases, New Age, the occult, and astrology, with a significant portion dedicated to horoscopes. Skoog notes that the book is cheaply produced with large print and many images, leaving only about 60 pages of actual content. He concludes that the book offers little substance and is primarily focused on sensationalism rather than serious investigation, advising readers to avoid it.

Other Articles

Mystiska ljusfenomen i havsdjupen (Mysterious Light Phenomena in the Ocean Depths)

This article by Jörgen Bengtsson explores historical accounts of unexplained lights and phenomena observed at sea. It mentions sightings of luminous wheels and geometric patterns in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of India, and in the Persian Gulf. The article also touches upon the Bermuda Triangle and the concept of "USOs" (Unidentified Submarine Objects). Potential explanations, such as electromagnetic effects or bioluminescent microorganisms, are discussed, but the article emphasizes that the deep oceans remain largely unexplored.

Aktuell Astronomi (Current Astronomy)

Written by Jörgen Bengtsson, this section provides an overview of celestial events visible in the spring sky. It discusses the visibility of planets like Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, along with meteor showers such as the Lyrids and Eta Aquarids. The article also highlights the constellation Corona Borealis, its mythology, and its notable stars like Alphecca and Nusakan. It mentions the galaxy cluster Abell 2065 within Corona Borealis.

Ut i det blå... (Into the Blue...)

This section contains miscellaneous comments from the ufology world, compiled by Jörgen Bengtsson. It touches upon media portrayals of UFOs, including a TV program and a film critique that dismisses Carl Sagan. The article also discusses the operational challenges faced by UFO-Sverige, such as a shortage of report forms and the need for fundraising. It criticizes the publication "Rapportnytt" for shifting its focus from UFO reports to topics like ghosts and internet-sourced content. A particular point of contention is a chronicle by Tora Greve, which is described as a jumbled mix of UFOs, Hindu mysticism, and occult ramblings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO-Aktuellt reflects a critical yet engaged stance towards ufology. While reporting on alleged sightings and investigations, the magazine also scrutinizes the quality of information, exposes hoaxes, and critiques sensationalist or pseudoscientific approaches. There is a clear emphasis on the need for rigorous investigation and scientific methodology, as seen in the critical reviews of books and the disappointment expressed over the lack of seriousness in some media portrayals. The magazine also highlights the ongoing efforts of organizations like UFO-Trestad and UFO-Sverige in collecting and analyzing UFO data, while also pointing out their operational challenges. The astronomy section suggests an interest in broader scientific inquiry alongside UFO research. The overall tone suggests a desire to separate credible UFO research from myth and misinformation.