UFO - 2005 No 1

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO, Norway's largest special interest magazine on the UFO phenomenon, is number 1 from 2005, marking the 24th year of publication. The cover prominently features 'UFO over Mexico' and highlights 'Norwegian UFO reports in CIA archives' and the 'Huygens landing on Titan'. The price for a single issue is Kr. 60, and the annual subscription is Kr. 200.

Editorial Section

The editorial, "Fra redaksjonen" (From the Editorial Office) by Mentz Kaarbø, addresses the significant publication delays, with the magazine skipping the entire year of 2004. The editor apologizes and explains that this is due to the voluntary nature of the work, which must fit around jobs and family life. Despite these challenges, the magazine aims to improve its timeliness and provide a 'general facelift'. The editorial notes a dramatic drop in subscribers, from nearly 1000 in the mid-1990s to 245, attributing this decline, common among UFO organizations worldwide, to a general lack of public interest in the phenomenon, possibly exacerbated by overexposure in media like 'The X-Files'.

Featured Articles and Reports

UFO over Mexico: This issue features a significant article on a UFO observation made from a surveillance plane over Mexico the previous year. Despite a year passing, little new information has emerged, suggesting the event may remain unexplained.

Norwegian UFO Reports in CIA Archives: The magazine details the release of 305 previously classified UFO-related documents by the CIA, following FOIA lawsuits. This indicates the intelligence agency closely monitored UFO activity in Norway.

Space Exploration: For space enthusiasts, there is an extended article on the Cassini probe's journey to Saturn and the landing of the Huygens probe on Titan.

Rapportnytt (Report News): This section presents several spectacular cases, including one from 1957 that inspired a painting exhibited at the Oslo National Gallery.

Specific Sightings Detailed:

• Botnegård, Bjugn, Nord-Trøndelag (November 5, 1957): Knut Halvorsen and taxi driver Aksel Bekkavik witnessed a dark, spherical object performing complex maneuvers at low altitude before disappearing at high speed. They reported feeling a form of communication and being watched.
• Eie Farm, Drangedal, near Porsgrunn (July 1958 or 1959): Several witnesses observed a bright, white, spherical object with a humming sound hovering at low altitude. The object had a clear, defined shape and was approximately 2-3 meters in diameter.
• Vefsna near Mosjøen (August 1996): Two fishermen reported unusual experiences, including their fishing lures being inexplicably returned to shore and a feeling of being displaced. They described a strange magnetic field and a sense of unease.
• Fimreite, Sogn og Fjordane (July or August 1960): An anonymous witness recounts seeing a large, metallic gray, cylindrical object with a rocket-like rear section hovering silently over a fjord. The object, estimated to be 100-200 meters long, displayed no visible propulsion or control surfaces and accelerated away at incredible speed.
• Hessdalen (November 15, 1996): A craft described as being as large as a house, with flashing blue-white lights, landed in a farmyard. The witnesses were frightened and later learned from a local farmer that such occurrences were not uncommon in the area.

Other Noteworthy Items:

• Betty Hill is Dead: The passing of Betty Hill, a well-known figure in UFO history, from lung cancer in October 2004 at the age of 85.
• John Mack is Dead: The death of John E. Mack, a prominent and controversial ufologist, at the age of 74.
• The Visit: A painting titled "Besøket" by Knut Wessel Halvorsen, inspired by a 1957 UFO sighting on the Fosen peninsula.
• Bob Shell in Court: Bob Shell, a former associate of Bob Kiviats' TV show "Alien Autopsy," was charged with the murder of his studio manager.
• Astronews: A section covering new and old information from outer space.
• Huygens Has Landed: Confirmation of the Huygens probe's successful landing on Saturn's moon, Titan.
• What Were the Lights Under the Surface?: An account of mysterious glowing circles observed in the surface of the sea by adventurer Terje Dahl in the Panama Bay.
• Mysterious Signals Detected: Astronomers using the Arecibo radio telescope detected unexplained signals from approximately 200 areas of the sky in 2003.
• Astronomers Discover New Class of Exoplanets: Research sponsored by NASA has led to the discovery of a new class of exoplanets, bringing humanity closer to answering the question of whether we are alone.
• Book Reviews: A section featuring reviews of books.
• Press Clippings: A collection of relevant news items.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, investigations, and related phenomena, with a strong focus on Norwegian cases. It also addresses broader topics in ufology, such as the deaths of key figures and the release of official documents. The editorial stance acknowledges the challenges faced by UFO organizations due to declining public interest and media saturation, while continuing to document and present UFO-related information. The magazine emphasizes personal experiences and encourages open discussion among like-minded individuals, aiming to demystify phenomena that are not immediately explainable.

This issue of UFO Magazine, dated 1-2005, is published by UFO-Norges and features a cover story titled "Hva var lysene under havoverflaten?" (What were the lights under the surface of the ocean?) by Terje Dahl. The magazine covers a range of topics related to UFOs, alien encounters, and space exploration, with a focus on notable personalities and events in the field.

Betty Hill is Dead

The magazine reports on the passing of Betty Hill, a well-known figure in UFO lore, who died at the age of 85. Hill and her husband Barney gained fame for their claim of being abducted by aliens in a UFO in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in 1961. Their experience, which they described as a 'close encounter of the fourth kind,' became the basis for a book and a TV movie. The article details their account of the abduction, including the missing time and the subsequent hypnotic regression that revealed details of their examination by extraterrestrials. Betty Hill later became a public speaker on the topic, though she expressed concern about the commercialization of UFO phenomena and the proliferation of false claims. She also advocated for a shift away from a purely materialistic worldview.

John E. Mack is Dead

Another prominent figure in ufology, John E. Mack, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, is also reported to have passed away at the age of 74. Mack was known for his controversial research into alleged alien abductions, which he viewed as potentially transformative spiritual experiences rather than purely physical events. His work, which included studying numerous individuals who claimed to have encountered extraterrestrials, challenged conventional scientific paradigms. Despite facing scrutiny from the academic community, Mack maintained his research and its potential to broaden human understanding of reality.

The Visit (Besøket)

This article by Arnulf Løken recounts the UFO sighting experienced by Knut Wessel Halvorsen (74) in 1957 on the Fosen Peninsula in Norway. Halvorsen, an artist, later depicted this event in his painting "Besøket" (The Visit), which was exhibited at the Statens 116. Kunstutstilling in Oslo. Halvorsen and his driver, Aksel Bekkavik, witnessed a black, spherical object exhibiting erratic movements and lights. The object approached their car, causing them to stop. It then performed a dazzling display of spinning and color changes before flying away. Both witnesses felt a sense of communication and being observed. The article also includes a map of the area where the sighting occurred and a photograph of Halvorsen with his painting.

Unfortunate Irishman

A brief report, originating from Loupe, Northern Ireland, details an incident where a man named Thomas Hutchinson claimed to have caught a flying saucer. The object, described as egg-shaped and about a meter high, landed in a bog near his home. When Hutchinson attempted to bring it to the police station, it reportedly spun and then flew away. This incident is presented alongside a historical newspaper clipping from 1956.

Bob Shell on Trial

This section discusses Bob Shell, a former associate of Bob Kiviat's TV show "Alien Autopsy," who was facing trial for the death of his studio leader and model, Marion Elizabeth Franklin. Franklin died of a morphine overdose in Shell's studio in 2003. Shell was accused of providing her with narcotics. The article also mentions other charges against Shell, including desecration of a corpse. Shell denied the murder charge but admitted to consensual sexual activity with Franklin. The legal proceedings were ongoing at the time of publication.

Orion Nebula and a New Supernova

This section features two astronomical topics. The first is a stunning image of the Orion Nebula (M42), described as one of the most beautiful objects in the sky, a classic in astronomy. The second topic is the discovery of a new supernova, SN2005ba, by three Norwegian amateur astronomers. The supernova was detected in April 2005 in the galaxy group Copelands septett, located 380 million light-years away in the constellation Leo. This marks the second supernova discovered by Norwegian amateurs.

Huygens Has Landed on Titan

This article by Harald Søvik and Mentz Kaarbø reports on the successful landing of the Huygens probe on Saturn's moon Titan. Titan, previously a mystery due to its dense atmosphere, is thought to resemble early Earth. The Huygens probe, part of the ambitious Cassini-Huygens mission, traveled for over 3.5 billion kilometers. The article details the probe's descent through Titan's atmosphere, its instruments for analyzing atmospheric and surface composition, and the initial images and data transmitted back to Earth. The Cassini spacecraft played a crucial role in relaying data from Huygens. The mission is a collaboration between NASA, ESA, and ISA, involving 17 countries.

What Were the Lights Under the Surface of the Ocean?

This cover story by Terje Dahl recounts a mysterious experience he had while sailing in the Panama Bay. Dahl, an adventurer and expert on Pacific island settlements, describes seeing luminous, circular lights in the ocean surface, as if something were shining powerful flashlights from beneath the water. He speculates about possible explanations, including bioluminescence, electric eels, algae, submarines, or even UFOs. He describes his solo sailing journey on his boat, Coco Loco, and his reflections on the nature of adventure and the vastness of the ocean.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO Magazine include eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters, the legacy of prominent figures in ufology, and advancements in space exploration. The magazine appears to maintain an open-minded but critical approach, presenting detailed accounts of events and research while also acknowledging controversy and the need for evidence. The editorial stance seems to be one of exploring the unexplained and the frontiers of human knowledge, whether in the realm of paranormal phenomena or scientific discovery.

This issue of UFO Magazine, dated nr. 1 – 2005, published by UFO-NORGE, focuses on a variety of topics related to UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial life, and related mysteries. It includes articles on historical UFO reports, scientific investigations, book reviews, and personal accounts.

Articles

Mysterious Lights at Sea

The issue begins with a personal account of witnessing unusual lights on the ocean surface at night. The author describes seeing multiple round, yellow lights, each about 10 meters in diameter, moving in an irregular formation. These lights were distinct from natural phenomena like bioluminescence or fish.

SETI@home Detects Mysterious Signal

Astronomers involved in the SETI@home project used the Arecibo radio telescope to detect a mysterious radio signal, designated SHGb02+14a, originating from a region between the constellations Pisces and Aries. The signal's frequency (1420 MHz) is notable as it is an emission frequency of hydrogen. The signal's characteristics, including its rapid frequency change, have puzzled researchers, with possibilities ranging from unknown astronomical phenomena to extraterrestrial intelligence.

Norwegian UFO Reports in CIA Archives

This article details the declassification of 305 previously secret UFO-related documents by the CIA, following FOIA requests from UFO organizations. The documents include several Norwegian UFO reports from 1952-1954, sourced from Scandinavian newspapers. Notable sightings include an unknown aircraft over a naval base near Horten in October 1952, a round object observed near Harstad in September 1952, and bright objects flying in formation over Kautokeino in May 1954. Reports from Stavern in 1954 also describe an unidentified flying object observed during military exercises.

UFO Sighting on Mars

An article discusses a controversial image captured by the Mars rover Spirit in March 2004, showing a streak in the sky. NASA scientists confirmed it was an object in motion, leading to speculation about whether it was a man-made satellite or something else.

New Class of Exoplanets Discovered

Astronomers have discovered a new class of exoplanets, smaller than Jupiter and Neptune-sized, which are significantly smaller than previously observed gas giants. These planets may have solid surfaces, making them more Earth-like. Two such planets were discovered orbiting the stars Gliese 436 and 55 Cancri, using the radial velocity method.

Book Reviews

Several books are reviewed:

• The Encyclopedic Sourcebook of UFO Religions by James R. Lewis: This academic work explores the religious aspects of UFO phenomena, examining how UFO beliefs have shaped new religious movements and the sociological implications of these beliefs.
• Dreamland: A novel of the UFO cover-up by Hilary Hemingway & Jeffry P. Lindsay: This novel is critiqued for its weak characters, uninspired plot, and reliance on common UFO tropes without adding originality.
• Demons, Doctors, and Aliens by James Pontolillo: This book is reviewed as a skeptical examination of alien abduction claims, attempting to debunk them by linking them to historical phenomena like witchcraft and demonology. However, the review notes its incompleteness due to its publication date.
• Psychological and Paranormal Aspects of Urology by Berthold E. Schwartz: This short book is criticized for its superficial treatment of UFO experiences and paranormal phenomena, with weak writing and irrelevant images.

UFO Activity in Norway

Reports from UFO-Norge indicate a significant decrease in UFO sightings in Norway in recent years. The organization, founded in 1973, has around 400 members and defines UFOs and USOs (Unidentified Submarine Objects).

Georg M. Rønnevig Interview

An interview with author Georg M. Rønnevig discusses his book "Romvesener, fredselskere, kidnappere og forførere" (Aliens, peace-lovers, kidnappers and seducers). Rønnevig compares modern alien beliefs to older folklore about trolls and demons, suggesting that aliens are the modern equivalent of supernatural beings. He notes that UFO reports are more common in the USA than in other parts of the world.

Other Mentions

The issue also includes a brief mention of a strange phenomenon observed over Grimstad in 1934, described as a luminous figure resembling Christ and angels. There is also a note about a meteor event in Tunguska, Siberia, in 1908, and a mention of the president of Kalmykia, Kirsan Iljumzhinov, claiming to have flown on a spaceship.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena from various angles, including historical accounts, scientific investigations, and cultural interpretations. There is a clear interest in declassified documents and scientific research, but also an openness to paranormal and folkloric connections. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting different perspectives and encouraging readers to form their own conclusions, while also acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge and the possibility of unexplained phenomena.

This issue of UFO Norge, identified as number 1-2005, is a Norwegian publication focused on UFO phenomena and related scientific explorations. The magazine actively solicits contributions from its readers, including articles, reports, and clippings, and offers a small incentive for tips leading to a featured report. It also seeks individuals who can translate UFO-related articles from other languages into Norwegian, with a particular need for those proficient in English, German, and French.

Editorial and Submission Guidelines

The editorial team welcomes articles and submissions, specifying that articles and reports should ideally be no longer than 1000 words (approximately two A4 pages, single-spaced, normal font). They emphasize that language proficiency is not a barrier, as the staff will handle editing. Submissions are preferred on diskette or via email to [email protected], with compatibility up to Word 7.0. No payment is offered for unsolicited manuscripts or pictures, but they will be returned if accompanied by a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope. The magazine also accepts clippings from newspapers and magazines concerning UFO phenomena.

Support and Funding

UFO Norge highlights the need for financial support through its 'UFO Norges Støttefond' (UFO Norway Support Fund). The organization acknowledges that many tasks are delayed due to financial constraints and that personal funds are limited. Readers are encouraged to contribute any amount, large or small, to the support fund. Furthermore, the magazine promotes its information folder as a means to increase awareness and recruit more members and subscribers, offering a free subscription to those who successfully recruit five new subscribers.

The Hessdalen Project

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the 'Prosjekt Hessdalen' (Hessdalen Project), which aims to upgrade its equipment for better understanding of the Hessdalen phenomenon. The project relies heavily on funding for the operation of its automatic measurement station. Erling P. Strand, the project leader and primary motor, is credited for his dedicated work. The project has received practical and financial assistance from Høgskolen i Østfold (Østfold University College), where Strand also serves as rector, as well as from individuals and institutions. The magazine appeals to readers and supporters to provide financial contributions to ensure the continued operation of this important project, providing account details for donations to 'Prosjekt Hessdalen' via Erling P. Strand and a postgiro account.

Exploration of Mars

The issue features an article discussing evidence of water on Mars. It references a stone found in the Endurance crater, suggesting that the area may have once been covered by water before erosion shaped it into a plain. The article mentions the exploration efforts of the American Mars rovers, 'Opportunity' and 'Spirit,' which have been operating on Mars for an extended period, exceeding their planned mission durations. The article is accompanied by an illustration simulating the distribution of water on the Martian surface, highlighting its similarity to Earth, and an image of the 'Opportunity' rover.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine demonstrates a strong commitment to reader engagement, actively seeking contributions and feedback. There is a clear focus on supporting ongoing scientific research, particularly the Hessdalen Project, by appealing for financial aid and highlighting the importance of such endeavors. The publication also keeps its readers informed about significant developments in space exploration, as evidenced by the article on water on Mars. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting research, encouraging public participation in the field of UFO studies, and facilitating the dissemination of information within the Norwegian UFO community.