UFO-Syd Information - 1979 No 8-9

Magazine Overview

This is issue number 8/9 of "UFO - SYD INFORMATION", dated December 18, 1979. It is published by Föreningen UFO-SYD in Sweden and is intended for internal circulation among UFO-Sveriges collaborators, with a strict non-disclosure policy for third parties. The magazine covers a range of topics related to UFO phenomena, including specific sightings, research findings, organizational news, and a special exhibition.

Table of Contents

• The table of contents lists several articles and features:
• "När Du jul vill ha, Du jul ock hava kan" (When you want Christmas, you shall have Christmas)
• Föreningsnytt (Organization News)
• Smygehamnsfallet slutrapporterat (Smygehamn Case Final Report)
• Utställningen - en sammanfattning (The Exhibition - a Summary)
• Århundradets rymdupptäckt: skadad rymdfarkost ligger i bana runt jorden (Discovery of the Century: Damaged spacecraft in orbit around Earth)
• UFO och parapsykologi (UFO and Parapsychology)
• En julsaga - av Carl Henner (A Christmas Tale - by Carl Henner)
• Han ritar, bygger och kör sina egna flygande tefat (He draws, builds, and flies his own flying saucers)
• Norsk bonde fick besök från rymden (Norwegian farmer visited by aliens)
• Lorden som tror på flygande tefat (The Lord who believes in flying saucers)
• Insändare (Letters to the Editor)
• Högaktuell, säregen UFO-rapport (Highly current, peculiar UFO report)
• Pressklipp (Press Clippings)
• Inför 1980 (Looking ahead to 1980)

Editorial and Holiday Message

The editorial, titled "När Du jul vill ha, Du jul ock hava kan...", reflects on the approaching winter and the holiday season. The author, NANNE, notes the commercialization of Christmas and expresses a hope for a return to its traditional values of joy and community. The message also touches upon the possibility of Jesus being an extraterrestrial visitor, with the Star of Bethlehem potentially being a mother ship. It encourages readers to use the holiday break for reading, suggesting books on speculative topics.

Organization News (Föreningsnytt)

Activities: Due to a UFO-SYD exhibition, the December meeting was canceled, and dates for January's monthly meeting, theme night, and observation night are yet to be determined. Members will be notified once these are finalized.

Subscription Reminder: The magazine will now be published 10 times a year. The subscription fee is 40 SEK per year. To ensure receipt of issue 1/79, payment must be made by January 15, 1980, using the provided payment slip.

UFO Decals Back in Stock: UFO-SYD has a limited supply of decals featuring the UFO-Sveriges emblem, available in fabric and plastic for 6 SEK each, plus postage. Orders can be placed by mail or purchased at association meetings.

Smygehamnsfallet - Final Report

This article details the Smygehamnsfallet incident on April 24, 1979, where Ulf Laxmyr from Trelleborg reported seeing a hovering object near Smyge fyr. The object was described as being made of polished steel or aluminum, approximately 50-60 meters long, and about 20 meters above a house. It resembled a passenger aircraft but lacked wings. Laxmyr observed it for about 15 seconds, experiencing a heat sensation and a feeling of being "inflated." The investigation, conducted by UFO-SYD, involved questionnaires and interviews. While meteorological reports indicated falling air pressure and approaching thunderstorms, no definitive explanation for the sighting was found. The case was reported to the national report center as a Grade 1 near-observation of a UFO phenomenon. The report also mentions a similar, larger object sighted near Örtofta around the same time.

The Exhibition - A Summary

From December 4 to December 16, UFO-SYD held a major exhibition on UFO issues at Lunds stadshall, in collaboration with Lunds Konsthall. The exhibition featured 49 screens, display cases with technical equipment, and UFO literature. Approximately 1400 people visited the exhibition by December 15, with an expectation of exceeding 1500 visitors. The exhibition aimed to allow visitors to form their own opinions about UFOs, clarifying that a UFO is an "unidentified flying object," distinct from a "flying saucer" (a specific type of identified flying object). The exhibition included a film from UFO-Sverige and displays of UFO-SYD's technical equipment. A weather balloon, on loan from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), was also displayed, noted as a common cause for UFO reports. The article expresses gratitude to several individuals for their contributions to the exhibition's success.

Flying Saucers Found for 597 B.C.

This article, originally from Skånska Dagbladet on December 4, 1979, highlights an ancient UFO report dated 597 BC displayed at the Lund exhibition. It reiterates that UFOs are not a modern phenomenon. The exhibition, titled "UFO - what do you know about flying saucers?", comprises about 50 screens, with 40 from UFO-Sverige and the rest from UFO-SYD. Mikael Nanne, chairman of UFO-SYD, emphasizes that a UFO is an unidentified flying object, not necessarily a saucer. The exhibition also features a film and technical equipment, with opportunities to hear authentic reports. A weather balloon is presented as a common explanation for UFO sightings.

Discovery of the Century: Damaged spacecraft in orbit around Earth

This feature, drawing from a National Enquirer article and translated by Marianne Aplerud, reports on a claim by Russian scientists, including Professor Sergei Petrovich Bozhich, that a damaged alien spacecraft is in orbit around Earth. They believe it may contain deceased humanoids. The spacecraft was reportedly first observed in the early 1960s at an altitude of 205 miles. Russian scientists used computers to reconstruct the event, concluding that the craft broke into ten pieces on December 18, 1955, due to an explosion. They argue it cannot be a meteor, as meteors do not orbit or explode spontaneously. American experts, such as Dr. Henry Monteith and Dr. Stanton Friedman, express fascination and support for further investigation, suggesting a joint US-Soviet effort to retrieve the debris. The article cites physicist John P. Bagby's 1969 Icarus paper on potential 'moons' of Earth, which aligns with the Russian date. Professor Aleksander Kazantsev estimates the original craft was at least 60 meters long and 30 meters wide, possibly with multiple levels. Russian scientists believe the alien beings were between 90 cm and 2.7 meters tall. The article concludes with a quote from Russian researchers expressing confidence that evidence of extraterrestrial visitation will be proven.

This section is cross-referenced with an article from "ALLERS N:45 11/11-79" which also discusses the Russian claim of a damaged UFO orbiting Earth, potentially carrying alien occupants. It quotes Soviet scientists like Professor Sergei Boshich and Dr. Vladimir Azhazha, who believe the craft is from another world and may contain alien bodies. The article mentions the discovery in the early 1960s at a height of 1240 miles and the subsequent years of study. It also notes that the first Soviet spacecraft was launched two years after the alleged discovery. The article dismisses the possibility of the object being a meteor. It includes quotes from Dr. Desmond King-Hele, who states that if true, it would prove intelligent life beyond Earth, and Professor Aleksander Kazantsev, who estimates the craft's size and potential for occupants. Professor Alexei Zolotov suggests the beings were between 60-70 cm and 2.5 meters tall. The article ends with a question about definitive proof of alien visitation in the current year, with a positive response from Russian researchers.

UFO and Parapsychology

Written by Gligor Dimiskovski, this article explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with parapsychology, specifically reincarnation and "side-persons" (individuals who claim to have lived past lives or experience alternate lives). It describes research conducted at Uleåborg University Hospital using deep hypnosis to investigate these phenomena. A shortened dialogue from a hypnosis session is presented, where a subject under hypnosis claims that life exists in space, that souls from other planets visit Earth frequently, and that they have sensed these souls, though not seen them directly. The subject describes three such souls appearing near a nitrogen factories in Uleåborg a few days prior. Coincidentally, a newspaper headline the next day reported "Strange light phenomena over the nitrogen factory," which the subject denied seeing. The article suggests this could be a path towards understanding UFO problems and recommends Reima Kampman's book "You Are Not Alone."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea that UFO phenomena are real and not merely modern inventions, citing ancient reports and ongoing research. There's a strong emphasis on scientific investigation, even when dealing with speculative topics like alien spacecraft and parapsychology. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness and a desire to inform the public about UFO-related developments, encouraging critical thinking while presenting extraordinary claims. The publication also serves as a platform for organizational news and member engagement, fostering a community around the study of UFOs.

This issue of the Helsingborgs Dagblad, dated December 18, 1977, features a cover story titled "Nio planeter på rad år 1982. Jorden bromsas och skälver!!" (Nine planets in a row in 1982. Earth slows down and shakes!!). The magazine explores a range of topics including astronomical predictions, space colonization, a fictional winter survival story, and a reported UFO sighting.

Planetary Alignment and Earth Cataclysms

The lead article, based on the book "Bortom tid och rum" (Beyond time and space) by journalist and space expert Eugen Semitjou, discusses a theory that a rare alignment of nine planets in 1982 could lead to catastrophic events on Earth. Semitjou cites calculations by two American researchers, John Gribbin and Plogomonn, who predict that the planets' combined gravitational pull will create extreme tidal effects on the Sun, causing violent solar eruptions. These eruptions would unleash powerful geomagnetic storms and winds, potentially slowing Earth's rotation and triggering massive earthquakes. The article also mentions that solar activity is expected to peak during this period, coinciding with an 11-year cycle.

Further elaborating on the potential consequences, the article highlights the predictions of researchers Gribbin and Plogomonn regarding solar eruptions becoming more violent than ever. They foresee that intense particle radiation from these eruptions could disable all radio communication on Earth, intensify auroras, and affect the planet's climate. There is also a possibility that Earth's rotation could be slowed down, even by a fraction of a second, which could be enough to cause violent earthquakes in unstable regions. The theory that solar eruptions can slow Earth's rotation is not new; a French astronomer in 1950 claimed solar eruptions had already slowed Earth's rotation by a thousandth of a second, and solar eruptions in 1972 were monitored by satellites, with some data supporting this theory.

Los Angeles Earthquake Prediction

The American researchers also pinpoint potential earthquake hotspots, with California and Los Angeles identified as particularly vulnerable. Experts have long anticipated a major seismic event in the area. Speculation about a massive earthquake intensified in 1971 after the region experienced significant damage. Rumors suggest that the entire state of California could collapse, with large parts sliding into the Pacific Ocean, and Los Angeles potentially becoming a ruin on the ocean floor. Seismologist James Whitcomb is quoted expressing skepticism, stating that the idea of Los Angeles disappearing into the sea is a recurring fantasy.

Space Colonization and Future Habitats

Eugen Semitjou's book also explores the future of humanity in space. He describes the potential for millions of people to live in space colonies within the next century. These artificial worlds would be designed to resemble Earth, complete with farms, forests, lakes, shops, and recreational facilities, experiencing day-night cycles and seasons. However, they would differ significantly from Earth in their internal structure. In these cylindrical habitats, the landscape would curve upwards, with trees and buildings leaning inwards, and rivers appearing to flow uphill. The author notes that newcomers might experience vertigo in these inverted worlds, but normal gravity would be maintained by the cylinder's rotation.

The 'Cylinder' Habitat

The described cylinder would be 32 kilometers long and 6.4 kilometers in diameter, rotating once every 114 seconds to simulate Earth's gravity. The interior would be divided into three equal, curved landscapes, separated by three equally long glass ceilings. Giant reflectors outside the cylinder would direct sunlight inwards.

These space colonies are presented not as science fiction but as a potential reality for future generations, offering a solution to overpopulation, environmental destruction, energy crises, and world hunger. The materials for these colonies would be sourced from the Moon.

Pluto and the Search for Extinct Civilizations

Another article discusses the possibility of sending humans to Pluto to investigate traces of a lost civilization. Soviet scientists A. Kovalj and V. Senkevitj propose that Pluto, the most distant planet, might be the remnant of a planet named Phaeton, destroyed by a cosmic explosion about 75 million years ago. They believe that a highly advanced civilization once existed on Phaeton, which orbited the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Evidence for this theory comes from meteorites. However, Kovalj and Senkevitj suggest that currently, life only exists on Earth, but that this might change in the future.

The Journey to Pluto

Reaching Pluto, which is about six billion kilometers from Earth, would take multiple generations. A trip to Venus, much closer, takes four months. The Soviet scientists suggest that the problem could be overcome by sending young cosmonauts to Pluto, who could then return to Earth to share their findings, or their children could do so. They cite recent long-duration space missions as providing valuable data for future experiments. The article concludes that a journey to Pluto might be possible within the current generation's lifetime.

John Searl and Flying Saucers

The magazine features an interview with John Searl, an Englishman from Reading, Berkshire, who claims to have built and flown his own flying saucers. Searl founded the National Space Research Consortium and dedicates his free time to designing and building these craft. He has reportedly sent several of his creations, of varying sizes, into space. His current project is a three-seater ship designed to circumnavigate the Earth in 1 hour and 40 minutes. Searl is described as serious about his work and intends to reveal his inventions to the public when he deems them ready. He has dreamed of flying saucers since childhood and is now fulfilling that dream.

Norwegian Farmer's UFO Encounter

A report from Vestre Spone, Norway, details an encounter by farmer Kåre Overn. On November 4th, at approximately 12:30 PM, Overn heard a strange, high-pitched humming sound. Looking out his kitchen window, he saw a green beam of light descending from the sky. The light was so intense it illuminated the barn across the yard. When he went outside, he witnessed an enormous, disk-shaped object hovering about 50 meters above his farmyard. The object was described as being made of green metal with circular windows and a smaller 'window' from which the light beam emanated. The object was approximately 40 meters away from his house, and the distance between his house and the barn was also 40 meters. Overn estimates the diameter of the object's half-spheres to be around 20 meters. After he went inside to get his camera, the light beam quickly disappeared, the humming stopped, and the object ascended rapidly before vanishing towards the northeast. The incident left a circular patch of brown grass and green-colored gravel on the ground. Scientists who were given samples of the ground reportedly refused to get involved, fearing it could harm their careers.

Fictional Winter Survival Story: "En Julsaga"

The issue includes a fictional story titled "En Julsaga" (A Christmas Tale) by Carl Henner. The story is set in a cave during a severe winter storm. A man named Cei, his wife Henna, their son Duh, and an elder named Moffe are struggling to survive. They are running out of firewood, and the storm shows no sign of abating. Moffe, who is old and has fragmented memories of a past world, speaks of a "troll tree" that is central to their midwinter traditions. This tree, adorned with white stones and silver fox fur figures, is believed to possess magical properties. As their situation becomes desperate, Duh suggests using the troll tree as firewood, a suggestion that horrifies Moffe and Cei, who fear it will summon "monsters." However, a mysterious "star" appears in the sky, and two beings, described as "angels," descend from it. They bring strange food and glowing rods that provide light and warmth. The beings leave the rods behind, and Moffe declares that the "star" has returned to stay. The story highlights themes of survival, folklore, and the hope brought by the mysterious visitors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to have a strong interest in the unexplained, the future of space exploration, and speculative theories about Earth's history and future. The editorial stance seems to embrace the possibility of extraterrestrial phenomena and advanced future technologies, while also including fictional narratives that explore similar themes. There's a blend of scientific speculation, reported sightings, and imaginative storytelling, suggesting an audience interested in the frontiers of human knowledge and the mysteries of the universe.

This issue of Hemmets Journal, dated nr 31/79, delves into the intriguing world of UFOs, presenting several compelling cases and perspectives from late 1979. The magazine features a dramatic cover story titled "KIDNAPPAD - AV TEFAT!" (Kidnapped - By Saucer!), highlighting a mysterious incident in France. The publication aims to explore UFO phenomena, including sightings, potential alien encounters, and the scientific community's response.

The Overn Farm Incident

The issue details an extraordinary event at farmer Kåre Overn's farm in Norway. Overn reported a disc-shaped object hovering over his property, emitting a loud humming sound before ascending at immense speed. Where a light beam from the object struck the ground, a brown ring appeared on the grass, and the gravel turned green. The grass was not burnt but appeared bleached. The ring was approximately 85 cm in diameter, with an outer ring of gravel 10 cm wide. Samples taken from the site, including soil and the green gravel, were sent to agricultural institutions. Analysis revealed altered germination rates in the soil and the rapid formation of algae on the gravel, suggesting a possible effect of radiation. A representative from UFO Norge, Eldbjörg Fjeldberg, conducted further experiments with soil samples, placing them in pots. Soil from the farmyard grew two small blades of grass, while soil from the circle produced lush grass, though a botanist found nothing abnormal about it.

A scientist, wishing to remain anonymous, expressed reluctance to get involved with UFO investigations, fearing it would jeopardize their career. This scientist dismissed the green gravel as common algae and suggested that the ring could be caused by agricultural chemicals like ant-acid. However, Kåre Overn, a respected farmer, maintained his account, stating no chemicals were spilled and reiterating the presence of the ring and green gravel. He expressed frustration at not being able to photograph the object and wished others had witnessed it.

Lord Clancarty's Plea for Disclosure

The magazine features an interview with Lord Clancarty, described as a leading UFO expert. Clancarty, who has studied UFOs for thirty years and written seven books on the subject, has been instrumental in initiating a debate on UFOs in the British House of Lords. He believes that extraterrestrial beings are friendly and may be observing humanity, potentially to warn us of impending catastrophes like war or environmental destruction. Clancarty urged world governments to disclose their knowledge about UFOs and alien life, suggesting that much information is being kept secret, particularly in America. He recounted a personal sighting of a UFO moving in a zig-zag pattern, surrounded by a ghostly white light.

John Searl's Ambitious Claims

The issue also touches upon the extraordinary claims of John Searl, who asserts he has developed a new and revolutionary propulsion technology for spaceships. Searl claims to have received permission from the Royal Aeronautil Society and the British aviation authority to build a large spaceship, the 'Swallow F1', with a diameter of eleven and a half meters. He plans test flights from Warminster, Wiltshire, to New Zealand, with stops in various international cities. The spaceship is designed for three occupants, and Searl has even sought permission to name it 'Queen Elizabeth II'. His research center has received funding from around the world, and he is planning an even larger craft capable of carrying 2000 passengers on a 30-minute round-the-world trip.

The Valencia Incident: A Plane Chased by UFOs

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to an incident in Valencia, Spain, on November 11, 1979. A Spanish passenger plane carrying 119 people was reportedly pursued by four flying saucers shortly after taking off from Mallorca, en route to Tenerife. The pilot attempted to evade the objects but was unsuccessful and reported his situation to the control tower. The control tower could not identify the objects. The plane was ordered to land in Valencia, where two of the saucers reportedly hovered over the military airport, one over the terminal building, and another directly over the runway. Spanish Air Force fighter jets were scrambled from a nearby base, but the UFOs disappeared before they could be intercepted. Several witnesses on the ground reported seeing the unidentified objects. The Spanish military authorities launched an investigation.

The Frank Fontaine Abduction Case

Another case detailed is that of Frank Fontaine, a 19-year-old Frenchman who claims he and his friends were abducted by aliens. On November 26, 1979, while loading a van near Gisors, France, they observed a glowing, spherical object. Fontaine claims he was taken by the object and returned a week later to the exact same spot, with his clothes and money unchanged. His friends, Jean-Pierre and Salomon, corroborated the story. Police investigated the site but found no unusual evidence, even with Geiger counters. The police remain skeptical, and the case has been referred to the French aviation authority's UFO investigation department. Despite police skepticism, Fontaine and his friends maintain their account.

UFOs and Science Fiction

A reader's letter by Johan Pedersen argues that UFOs are not mere science fiction. He suggests that ancient civilizations may have interpreted UFOs as divine beings and that modern society's reluctance to believe in them stems from a fear of 'little green men' and a desire to avoid confronting the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe. Pedersen likens this denial to ignoring a ringing telephone.

Encyclopedia Entries on Flying Saucers

The magazine includes excerpts from various encyclopedias (FOCUS 1-6, 1974; Norstedts Uppslagsbok, 1973; Prisma Lilla Uppslagsbok, 1979; Bonniers lilla uppslagsbok, 1978) defining 'flying saucer' or 'UFO' as unidentified, often luminous, round, and rotating objects observed in the air, moving at high speeds. These entries note that while many sightings are explained as meteorological phenomena or instruments, some remain unexplained, leading to hypotheses about alien spacecraft. The entries generally reflect a scientific consensus that UFOs are largely unproven phenomena.

UFO-Syd Activities and Future Plans

The issue provides an update on the activities of UFO-Syd, a Swedish UFO organization. They are preparing for their 1980 annual meeting, where membership fees will be discussed. They are seeking a local meeting space and potential financial support. UFO-Syd encourages subscriptions to their information service, UFO-SYD Information, which provides updates on UFO activities, observations, and news. The organization also announces a new field researcher training course to be held in Lersäter in May 1980, with collective transport arranged.

Other UFO-Related News Snippets

Briefly mentioned are other UFO-related items: a report from Landskrona about a UFO lecture, a warning to mushroom pickers in northern Sweden about research rockets, the discovery of a new fish species in Antarctic waters, and Soviet scientists detecting mysterious energy in the upper atmosphere. There is also a mention of a similar incident to the Valencia case occurring at Landvetter Airport in Gothenburg, to be detailed in a future issue.

Scientific Explanations and Skepticism

An article discusses scientific explanations for unusual sightings, referencing W H John's research on optical refraction phenomena in the atmosphere, particularly temperature inversions, which can distort the appearance of objects. This theory is presented as a potential explanation for some lake monster sightings, like the one in Manitoba, Canada, and possibly even the Loch Ness Monster. The article notes that many Nessie sightings occur under conditions conducive to temperature inversions. However, it acknowledges that this theory cannot explain all observations. The magazine also includes a brief mention of a Swedish space project involving satellite development for telecommunications and radio/TV broadcasting, funded by the government.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings in Europe during late 1979, the challenges of scientific investigation and verification, and the skepticism faced by witnesses and researchers. The magazine appears to present UFO phenomena with a degree of seriousness, detailing witness accounts and investigative efforts, while also acknowledging the scientific community's critical stance and the possibility of natural explanations. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider the evidence and the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation, while also providing factual information and context from encyclopedias and scientific perspectives. The inclusion of a UFO witness questionnaire and information about UFO organizations suggests an aim to engage readers interested in the subject.