UFO - 2010 No 1

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO Magazine, NR. 1 2010, Volume 29, published by UFO-NORGE, is the largest special issue on UFO phenomena. It features a cover story on a spectacular light phenomenon over Nordkalotten (Northern Cape) and includes a variety of articles, reports, and analyses related to UFO sightings and research.

Collaboration with UFO-Sverige

The editorial section, "Fra redaksjonen" (From the Editors), by Mentz Kaarbø, announces a historic collaboration between UFO-NORGE and UFO-Sverige. This partnership aims to merge their two magazines, UFO and UFO-Aktuellt, to strengthen their position in challenging times for print media and consolidate their subscriber base. The idea originated from Ole Jonny Brænne, chairman of UFO-NORGE. An attempt to also include the Danish SUFOI and their publication UFO-Nyt was unsuccessful, as SUFOI believed that print media would become obsolete in favor of online information. Despite this, UFO-NORGE and UFO-Sverige will continue with joint publications, aiming for four issues per year, up to 64 pages each, with most content and covers in color, without increasing the subscription price. The magazine acknowledges a delay in informing readers about this change due to the previous issue's late publication.

Cover Story: Spectacular Light Phenomenon over Nord-Norge

The main feature, "Spektakulært lysfenomen over Nord-Norge" (Spectacular Light Phenomenon over Northern Norway), by Mentz Kaarbø and Ole Jonny Brænne, details a remarkable event observed on Wednesday, December 9, 2009, in Northern Scandinavia. The phenomenon began shortly before 8 AM, with observers in Northern Norway reporting a strange light that developed rapidly on the eastern horizon. At least 22 people took photos, and 8 video films were captured. The light, initially a faint blue with a tail, expanded and began to spin, creating rings. Some described it as a large mosquito spiral. After a few minutes, the light faded, leaving a dark 'hole' that also disappeared. The blue tail remained visible for 10-15 minutes. The event was observed from Nord-Trøndelag, Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark, as well as Northern Sweden. The article includes comments from witnesses, such as Fred Hansen, who described it as a large fireball, and Totto Eriksen from Tromsø, who said it "spun and exploded." The phenomenon was widely reported in Norwegian media.

"Object" near the Moon

Another article, "'Objekt' ved Månen" ('Object' near the Moon) by Arnulf Løken, discusses a phenomenon reported by Terje Wulfsberg, who believes it is related to the predicted arrival of the Maitreya. Since December 2008, an unusual celestial object, described as a very bright star, has been observed globally. Astronomers initially explained it as Venus or Jupiter. However, Wulfsberg argues that closer examination of video footage reveals it is not a typical star. The object reportedly pulsates, expands, contracts, disappears for periods, and moves in various ways, sometimes appearing to be within Earth's atmosphere. It changes shape (oval, crescent, spherical, rectangular) and color (yellow, red, green, white, blue, orange). The article includes links to video recordings and quotes from Wulfsberg and Anne Bie, urging further investigation. The report sent center received expert analysis from amateur astronomer Birger Andresen, who suggested it was likely Jupiter, with the possibility of it being seen in different positions due to Earth's rotation and time zones.

The Socorro Incident: A Hoax?

"Var Socorro-saken en svindel?" (Was the Socorro Case a Hoax?) questions the authenticity of one of the most famous UFO cases. The article suggests that the incident might be a fraud, based on new information. It references a letter from Linus Pauling to Stirling A. Colgate of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, dated June 19, 1968, inquiring about Lonnie Zamora and Sergeant Sam Chavez's sighting of a "flying saucer" on April 24, 1964. A sketch by Lonnie Zamora is included.

Report Central Updates

Arnulf Løken's "Rapportnytt" (Report News) section provides an overview of recent UFO sightings reported to UFO-NORGE. These include:

• Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag (March 24, 2009): A yellow, white, red, and green light observed for 15 minutes, moving rapidly and changing colors.
• Hellesylt, Møre og Romsdal (May 31, 2009): A white, silent object observed for five minutes, described as disk-shaped.
• Farsund (July 14, 2009): Two orange lights observed for three minutes that merged and exploded.
• Kjeldebotn, Nordland (December 9, 2009): A luminous, rotating disk observed for 18 minutes, with pulsing rings.
• Oslo (December 30, 2009): A bright, star-like object observed for 60 minutes, which appeared to move and change colors.

The section also includes a table summarizing these and other observations from March 2009 to February 2010.

Other Articles and Features

• MUFON's Rapid Response Team: The article "MUFON med utrykningsteam" (MUFON with Rapid Response Team) discusses the establishment of a rapid response unit by the American organization MUFON to investigate UFO reports immediately after they occur. This initiative is funded by Robert T. Bigelow Aerospace.
• Richard Hall's Passing: A brief mention of the death of "one of ufology's greatest personalities."
• British Ministry of Defence UFO Investigations: "Forsvarsdepartementet i Storbritannia vil ikke lenger etterforske UFOer" (British Ministry of Defence will no longer investigate UFOs) reports that the UK MoD has ceased its UFO investigations.
• Book Reviews: "Bokanmeldelser" (Book Reviews) offers brief, negative reviews of two books.
• Field Researcher Course: "Feltforskerkurset 2009" (Field Researcher Course 2009) mentions Ole Jonny Brænne's participation in a course organized by UFO-Sverige.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on eyewitness accounts of unexplained aerial phenomena, often presenting them as potentially significant events that warrant further investigation beyond conventional explanations. There's a clear interest in detailed reporting of sightings, including shape, color, duration, and behavior of observed objects. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging readers to share their experiences and critically examine official explanations. The collaboration with UFO-Sverige suggests a pan-Scandinavian approach to UFO research. The magazine also highlights the role of organizations like UFO-NORGE and MUFON in collecting and analyzing such reports.

Title: UFO nr.
Issue: 1-2010
Date: January 2010
Publisher: UFO nr.
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of UFO nr. delves into a series of intriguing events and phenomena, primarily focusing on a mysterious luminous spiral observed in the skies over Northern Norway and Sweden on December 9, 2009. The magazine also touches upon the controversial theories surrounding the Share International movement and its belief in the imminent arrival of a world teacher named Maitreya, as well as an incident involving Norwegian crop circle researchers in England.

The "Star Mystery" Phenomenon

The lead article, "Det store "stjernemysteriet"" (The Great "Star Mystery"), by Mentz Kaarbø, meticulously details the events surrounding the luminous spiral observed on December 9, 2009. The phenomenon was captured by multiple photographers, including Morten Kristiansen in Sortland and Tommy Guttormsen in Alta, using Canon EOS 350D and 450D cameras with long exposure times. Initial reports from observers like Jens Revold in Tromsø described a rotating, white-glowing "star" surrounded by a circular cloud, followed by a blue-violet tail, which then faded out. The event lasted approximately two minutes.

Various official and scientific bodies, including Norsk Romsenter, Andøya Rakettskytefelt, and the European Space Agency (ESA), had no knowledge of any human-made activity that could explain the phenomenon. Even the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Armed Forces' operational headquarters were unable to provide an explanation, though the latter did register an unusual light over Nord-Norge.

Astronom Knut Røed Ødegaard expressed uncertainty, suggesting it could be a fireball meteor but noting it didn't quite fit. Erik Tandberg, a prominent Norwegian space expert, initially speculated about a failed Russian submarine-launched missile test from the White Sea. This theory was later supported by Pål Brekke, a senior advisor at Norsk Romsenter, who cited a radio amateur network warning about navigation restrictions in the White Sea during that period. Truls Lynne Hansen from the Aurora Borealis Observatory in Tromsø also agreed, suggesting the spiral pattern was caused by sunlight reflecting off leaking fuel from a rocket that had lost control and exploded.

The phenomenon was also observed in Sweden and Finland. However, Finnish investigators were unable to find any photographic evidence or reports.

Alternative Theories and Conspiracies

The magazine explores less conventional hypotheses, referencing an article by conspiracy theorist David Wilcock in the Norwegian magazine NEXUS. Wilcock proposed that the spiral was intentionally created by "insider factions" using what he termed "torsion weapon technology." He linked the event to Barack Obama's visit to Oslo for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, suggesting it was a "Nobel Torsion Message" warning about the dangers of such weapons.

Another conspiracy theorist, Richard Hoagland, also suggested the EISCAT antenna system near Tromsø could be responsible for creating the spiral, similar to the HAARP system in Alaska, which he claimed was used to emit "high-energy beams" that could cause extreme cold and snow.

William C. Treurniet, another researcher, analyzed images and videos, proposing the existence of two spirals: a rotating Archimedes spiral and a separate, non-rotating spiral seen in videos. He suggested the former was consistent with a rocket launch, while the latter was not.

The Pakistani news outlet Pakistan Daily reported that a high-energy beam from the EISCAT station on December 9, 2009, had punctured the thermosphere, causing a thermal inversion in the exosphere and potentially contributing to severe winter weather. The report also mentioned that Russian authorities, including Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, were allegedly informed about the incident.

Share International and Maitreya

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the Share International (SI) movement and its belief in the imminent arrival of "Maitreya," a world teacher. Terje Wulfsberg, a key spokesperson for SI in Norway, describes observing a luminous object he calls the "Miracle Star" regularly from his home in Samnanger. He dismisses explanations that it is Venus or Jupiter, claiming it is much brighter and behaves differently.

According to Wulfsberg and SI, Maitreya is a fully grown adult who will soon reveal himself and offer guidance to humanity. They believe an economic crash will make people more receptive to his message. SI was founded by Benjamin Creme, a British artist and writer, who has made numerous predictions about Maitreya's appearance, often with revised dates.

The magazine presents a critical view of SI's claims, noting that Wulfsberg's observations of the "star" could easily be explained as planets like Jupiter and Venus, as confirmed by the Bergen Astronomical Association. The article highlights the movement's reliance on unsubstantiated claims and its tendency to dismiss conventional explanations.

The Russian Missile Launch Confirmation

Later in the issue, the confirmation of the Russian missile launch is detailed. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the first two stages of the missile functioned correctly, but the third stage failed. Pavel Felgenhauer, a Russian defense analyst, commented that the light and cloud formations observed are consistent with failed missile launches. The Russian Northern Fleet initially denied any missile launch, citing international agreements requiring notification. However, it was later revealed that the test area was closed to maritime and civilian air traffic, a fact that had been announced via the international radio network Navtex and noted by radio amateurs.

The missile was identified as an RMS-56 Bulava, launched from the nuclear submarine "Dmitrij Donskoj" in the White Sea. This was part of a series of tests, with this particular launch being the seventh failure out of twelve attempts, indicating ongoing problems with the technology. The Bulava missile is described as 12 meters long, 2 meters in diameter, weighing 37 tons, and is a three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile (SLBM) with a range of over 8,000 kilometers, capable of carrying multiple warheads.

Crop Circle Incident in England

Another article, "Nordmenn beskutt i kornsirkel i England" (Norwegians shot at in a crop circle in England), recounts an incident on July 13, 2009. A group of Norwegians from the Norsk Kornsirkelgruppe, led by Eva-Marie Brekkestø, were investigating a large crop circle in Allington, Wiltshire, England. While inside the formation, they heard gunshots and were confronted by a masked man with a shotgun. The man, who had set up a camouflage tent within the circle, ordered them to leave. Brekkestø reported that the man was hired by the farmer to keep people away from the field.

After the Norwegians left, Brekkestø approached the man, who was identified as a guard. The incident prompted a swift response from the police, who arrived by helicopter, disarmed the guard, and took him into custody. The police informed the Norwegians that while farmers have the right to deny access to their land, threatening someone with a weapon is a serious offense.

The article notes that crop circles cause significant damage to crops in England, and the farm in question had experienced similar incidents previously. However, Brekkestø stated that most farmers are generally positive towards visitors interested in crop circles.

UK Ministry of Defence Ends UFO Investigations

The final major article, "Forsvarsdepartementet i Storbritannia vil ikke lenger etterforske UFOer" (UK Ministry of Defence will no longer investigate UFOs), reports on the UK Ministry of Defence's decision to cease its UFO investigation program after over 50 years. The MoD cited a lack of evidence suggesting UFOs pose a threat to national security and the inability to identify UFO reports, making the investigation an inefficient use of resources.

The article mentions that thousands of UFO reports from 1981-1996 had been transferred to the National Archives for public access. A dedicated UFO investigation contact point was closed on December 1, 2009, and the responsible employee was reassigned, saving the department approximately 440,000 kroner annually. The decision was made in the context of prioritizing resources for military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Nick Pope, a former UFO investigator for the MoD, expressed disappointment, believing that valuable information might be lost. Dr. David Clarke, another UFO expert, suggested that while the decision is understandable given other priorities, scientific bodies or independent researchers should continue to investigate such phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently contrasts official explanations and scientific findings with alternative theories and conspiracy narratives. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, particularly those promoted by groups like Share International, while acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena. The magazine emphasizes the importance of evidence-based investigation and critical analysis, as seen in its detailed reporting on the Russian missile launch and its debunking of some of the more outlandish theories surrounding the "star mystery."

The recurring theme is the human tendency to seek extraordinary explanations for unusual events, often overlooking simpler, conventional causes. The magazine highlights the ongoing debate between mainstream science and alternative beliefs, particularly in the realm of UFOlogy and unexplained aerial phenomena.

This issue of UFO-Norge, dated 1-2010, focuses on debunking the famous Socorro UFO incident of 1964. The cover story, "Socorro UFO-saken oppklart?" by Anthony Bragalia, presents evidence suggesting the sighting by policeman Lonnie Zamora was an elaborate student prank.

The Socorro UFO Incident: A Hoax Revealed

The article details the events of April 24, 1964, when Lonnie Zamora reported seeing a landed, oval, aluminum-white object with legs, two small figures in white overalls, and a red symbol. The object reportedly flew away with a high sound and flame, leaving landing marks and a scorched bush.

However, the article posits that this was a carefully orchestrated deception. A key piece of evidence is a letter from Dr. Linus Pauling to Stirling Colgate, then director of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NM Tech) in Socorro. Colgate's handwritten note on the letter confirms that a student engineered the "prank" and had since left the school. Further correspondence with Colgate, who was a renowned astrophysicist, elicited a brief "Yes" when asked if he still believed it was a hoax.

Former professor of psychology at NM Tech, Dr. Frank T. Etscorn, also provides insights. He recounts how a former student investigated the case in the mid-1980s and confirmed it was a hoax. The student found that a projection apparatus was stolen from the university the day the UFO observation took place. Etscorn suggests that NM Tech students, known for their pranks and a desire to "trick" those they perceived as "dumb," were likely responsible.

Dave Collis, a student at NM Tech in 1965, a year after the incident, shares that a professor had confidentially told him the UFO observation was a student-engineered hoax. Collis, who was a pyrotechnics expert, noted that the reported event seemed "terrestrial" from the outset.

The article explores the possible methods used in the hoax, including a large helium balloon with a reflective surface or coated with "glossy" paper, equipped with "landing legs" and a red symbol. "Roaring" or "hissing" explosives, model rockets, or flares could have created the sound and flame effects. Small students dressed in white lab coats could have played the role of "aliens." The "landing tracks" and scorched bush could have been faked, possibly using silicon or trinitite. The lure of a speeding car might have been used to guide Zamora to the staged event.

Debunking Theories and Alternative Explanations

The article also touches upon earlier debunking theories, such as those proposed by astronomer Donald Menzel, who suggested it was an advanced prank by schoolchildren, and journalist Philip J. Klass, who initially proposed a misidentification of a dust devil and later suggested it was a tourist-attraction scheme by Zamora and the then-mayor. John W. Shipman, a student at NM Tech in the mid-1960s, describes how students created "flying saucers" and even interfered with military radar, indicating a culture of elaborate pranks at the institution.

Thomas Jones, who led a group of "Stealth Beta Force" pranksters at NM Tech in the 1980s and 1990s, highlights the sophisticated level of deception these students were capable of.

Other Content

The magazine also features a review of Geir Åsen's book "Lokale utenomjordiske mysterier" (Local Extraterrestrial Mysteries), which is criticized for its numerous errors and poor illustration choices. Another book, "UFOs that crashed to Earth" by Thomas King, is reviewed as a poorly written novel based on alleged real events.

A report on the "Feltforskerkurset 2009" (Field Researcher Course 2009) organized by UFO-Sverige details the event, including presentations on UFO investigation methods, digital UFO images, and contactee stories. The article also mentions a visit to the Archives for UFO Research (AFU) in Norrköping, Sweden, highlighting its extensive collection of UFO-related materials.

Finally, a section titled "RAPPORTNYTT — 'Objekt' ved Månen" addresses reports of UFOs near the moon, concluding that these are likely misidentifications of the planet Jupiter due to amateur video camera focusing issues and atmospheric conditions. The article explains how camera focus can struggle with faint light sources like planets, leading to distorted images that can be mistaken for UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of UFO reports, with a strong emphasis on debunking and identifying hoaxes. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards extraordinary claims, favoring rational explanations and scientific analysis. The magazine highlights the role of student pranks and misidentifications as common sources of UFO reports, particularly in the context of institutions like NM Tech. The issue advocates for rigorous investigation and critical thinking when evaluating UFO phenomena.

This issue of UFO NORGE, dated January 2010, is a Norwegian publication focused on UFO research and related scientific inquiries. The cover prominently features the headline "Kan bli konstatert liv på Mars i 2010" (Life on Mars may be confirmed in 2010), indicating a primary focus on the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

Editorial Content

Stoff mottas! (Material Received!)

The editorial section outlines the types of content the magazine accepts, including articles, letters to the editor, press clippings, and links. It specifies guidelines for submission, such as length limits (approx. 300 words for letters, 1500 words for articles) and formatting requirements. The editors reserve the right to shorten submissions and will edit for language. They also accept photos and illustrations, with authors responsible for captions. No payment is offered for submissions. Unsolicited manuscripts and images will only be returned if a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope is included. The magazine is also seeking individuals with good knowledge of English, German, and French who are interested in translating articles from other languages into Norwegian.

Husk vår informasjonsfolder (Remember our information folder)

This section encourages readers to help promote UFO-NORGE by distributing information folders. Readers can obtain these folders by writing to the contact address, visiting the website www.ufo.no, or downloading them from a specific URL. A reward of a free subscription is offered for every five new subscribers recruited.

UFO-NORGE Support Fund

This appeal highlights the financial needs of UFO-NORGE, stating that many tasks are delayed due to poor economy. It explains that while personal funds are used, this limits the organization's capacity. The fund is presented as a way for subscribers and others who may not have time to actively work for UFO-NORGE to contribute financially. Donations, large or small, are welcomed and should be directed to the "Støttefondet" (Support Fund) account (2470 17 28854) at UFO-NORGE, Karl Staaffsvei 70, 0665 OSLO.

Støtt Prosjekt Hessdalen (Support Project Hessdalen)

This section calls for support for Project Hessdalen and the operation of its automatic measuring station. The project requires more modern equipment to investigate the Hessdalen phenomenon. Project leader Erling Strand expresses gratitude for the practical and financial assistance received from Høgskolen i Østfold, individuals, and institutions. However, the project's funds are running low, with expenses such as data transfer from the station to Høgskolen i Østfold (where Strand is a lecturer) being a significant cost. Readers are urged to contribute financially to Project Hessdalen, providing a bank account and postal giro details for donations. The contact person is Erling P. Strand, with an address in Ullerøy, Skjeberg.

Kan bli konstatert liv på Mars i 2010 (Life on Mars may be confirmed in 2010)

This main article discusses recent findings related to the possibility of life on Mars. It references the Allan Hills meteorite (ALH84001), discovered in Antarctica in 1996, which NASA initially suggested contained fossilized traces of simple bacteria. Although this claim faced criticism, new analyses in November 2009, using advanced instruments, have made the possibility of life in the meteorite more likely.

The article also reports on the discovery of two new Mars meteorites that may contain fossils of living organisms. One of these meteorites has been in the British Museum of Natural History for nearly a hundred years. The article notes that approximately 80 Mars meteorites have been found on Earth.

NASA scientists from the Johnson Space Center in Houston estimate that the oldest of the three discussed meteorites was ejected from Mars 3.6 billion years ago, and the youngest 1.4 billion years ago. Their theory suggests that primitive life forms began to emerge on Mars around 3.6 billion years ago, similar to Earth's timeline, when Mars was a wetter and warmer planet.

With the improved analytical instruments available, researchers are confident that by 2010, they will be able to definitively confirm or refute whether the traces found in the Mars meteorites are indeed remnants of life. The article also mentions that the Kepler space telescope and future missions might reveal life on planets outside our solar system.

Mangler ord (Speechless)

Norwegian astrophysicist Knut Jørgen Røed Ødegaard expresses his excitement about the potential confirmation of life on Mars, stating that the Norwegian language lacks words to describe how thrilling it would be. He believes that if confirmed, it would be humanity's greatest discovery. Ødegaard also points to other recent discoveries suggesting Mars once had conditions suitable for life and that microbial life might even exist there today, citing the presence of significant amounts of methane in the atmosphere as potential evidence of bacterial activity.

Sources

The article cites "ABC Nyheter, 11. januar 2009 / MDK" as its source.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the scientific investigation into the possibility of extraterrestrial life, particularly on Mars, and the ongoing need for public support and funding for UFO research organizations like UFO-NORGE and specific projects like Hessdalen. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded scientific inquiry, encouraging reader participation through submissions and financial contributions, and highlighting potentially groundbreaking discoveries in the field of ufology and astrobiology.