Ufologen - No 03 - 1972

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFOLOGEN, number 3, dated October 1972, is a Swedish publication from the Norrköpings UFO-Förening. The cover headline announces 'NYA UFO OBSERVATIONER' (New UFO Observations) and features an illustration of a UFO. The price is listed as 4:- per issue.

Redaktionellt (Editorial)

The editorial section, signed B.A.L., notes a significant increase in clippings and new UFO observations in recent weeks, suggesting a potential new UFO wave. This, combined with the publicity from Gösta Rehn's book, has led to widespread media coverage of UFOs. The editorial also mentions that the organization UFO-SVERIGE is undergoing a comprehensive reorganization of its report follow-up and research activities, aiming to improve its long-term capabilities and support for UFO research.

Ny UFO-flap 72 (New UFO Flap 72)

The cover illustration is attributed to Norrbottens-Kuriren, dated October 28.

Nya UFO Observationer (New UFO Observations)

This section details numerous UFO sightings reported from various locations:

• 026. Södertälje, Sweden (September 12): Håkan Flomqvist of Södertälje UFO-Center reported on a case involving four to nine horseshoe-shaped objects observed for 5-10 seconds. The objects were described as blue-grey and silent, leading to an 'unidentified' classification.
• 045. Røros, Norway (September 12): Liv and Jan Hegseth reported a large, bright object near Reitstøa at 02:30 AM. The object followed their car, hovered silently, and was observed for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Witnesses used binoculars to see it was half-sphere shaped with a blinding and sharp light.
• 046. Horsens, Denmark (September 12): Overlærer Thomas Rasmussen observed a silent object flying south-north. It was described as cylindrical from behind and triangular from the front, silver-colored, and twice the size of the moon. Other citizens confirmed the silent flight, comparing its shape to a jumbo jet.
• 047. Taree, Australia (September 13): A flying saucer was observed daily at 7:10 AM, witnessed by hundreds, including skeptical journalists. The object was photographed.
• 048. Mockfjärd, Sweden (October 3): Axel Eriksson observed a phenomenon with a blue glow moving fast behind a ridge. He, along with two companions, heard and saw two jet planes shortly after.
• 049. Amsberg, Sweden (October 3): Director Göte Eek reported seeing a bluish-white light moving towards Västerdalarna for a fraction of a second, at the same time as other observations.
• 050. Malung, Sweden (October 3): Fru Gertie Magnild observed a fireball with a rainbow-colored tail moving in the same direction as a previous sighting.
• 051. Umeå, Sweden (October 5): Two conscripts, Göran Malmström and Leif Jacobsson, observed two luminous, disc-shaped objects hovering and moving erratically. The objects were silent and not identifiable as aircraft. Military aviation confirmed no activity in the area.
• 052. Åbyn, Sweden (October 5): Fru Hjördis Rehnman reported seeing the same luminous objects as the conscripts near Umeå, initially four, then two.
• 053. Sunnersta, Sweden (October 5-6): Ingrid Bäckman and Christina Hammarström observed a mysterious, pulsating white mist moving in a zigzag pattern in the sky for about ten minutes.
• 054. Knutby, Sweden (October 6): A person observed a light moving in a zigzag pattern in the western sky, not identifiable as an aircraft.
• 055. Tärendö, Sweden (October 10): Börje Stridsman reported seeing four strange, silent, 'frog-hopping' objects. He initially thought they were helicopters but later dismissed this.
• 056. Kiruna, Sweden (October 10): Bror Aspehult and his family observed four hexagonal objects emitting intense light flashes, moving rapidly and silently.
• 057. Inbyn, Boden, Sweden (October 10): Sven Lund and his father Johan Lund observed three luminous objects in a V-formation, moving at high speed.
• 058. Överkalix, Sweden (October 11): Halvard Persson and his mother Ingrid described six 'lilleputtplan' (miniature planes) moving incredibly fast and silently.
• 059. Länghem, Sweden (October 13): A woman observed six hexagonal objects resembling stars, emitting light and moving rapidly.
• 060. Söderköping, Sweden (October 15): A group observed a football-sized, luminous ball surrounded by dark blue flames, passing through the air and landing a few kilometers away.
• 061. Älvseyn, Sweden (October 15): A person observed a luminous ball passing at high speed, disappearing and reappearing with a different direction.
• 062. Västerlösa, Sweden (October 24): Sten Sundqvist reported two bright, burning objects moving towards his car, emitting a loud sound and a weak heat radiation. They were silent and left a thin layer of soot on the car.
• 063. Tranås, Sweden (October 24): Margaretha Lindgren observed two parallel, intensely bright, yellow-glowing objects resembling spheres.
• 064. Gullringen, Sweden (October 25): Gunnar Lundell reported a moving object emitting enormous light and a deafening sound, moving at incredible speed.
• 065. Rørvik, Norway (October 26): Pål Dekkerhus observed a strong light moving at high speed, resembling a crescent moon with a bright halo, later descending to a low altitude and moving erratically.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the reporting of numerous unexplained aerial phenomena across Scandinavia and Australia in October 1972. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of documenting these sightings seriously, presenting witness accounts and newspaper clippings without immediate dismissal. The editorial also highlights the importance of organized research and reporting within the UFO community, as evidenced by the planned reorganization of UFO-SVERIGE.

This issue of UFOLOGEN, dated October 1972, focuses on a significant wave of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings that occurred across Sweden on October 26, 1972. The magazine presents a collection of detailed reports from various locations, primarily in northern Sweden, featuring witness testimonies, photographic evidence, and preliminary analyses.

Key Sightings and Reports

The issue meticulously documents numerous observations from October 26, 1972:

• Strömsund (066): Tore Zakrisson and Sigfrid Göransson reported a strange luminous phenomenon west of Kärrnäset, initially a fast-moving light that changed into a large, red, spherical object before disappearing behind a hill. Zakrisson expressed a newfound belief in UFOs due to this experience.
• Frök (067): Gunnar Eriksson observed a glowing ball moving north, which then disappeared. Later, he saw a second, fainter object that appeared larger.
• Häggdånger (068): Osvald Lindén described a bright green ball moving north with a tail, which then split and moved southwest before dissolving.
• Ramsele (069): A bright, comet-like object was seen moving from south to north, briefly becoming a light brighter than the moon.
• Österåsen area (070): Holger Lindblom reported a red, ball-shaped object moving southeast. He also witnessed a mirage-like image of Sollefteå city in the sky.
• Nordantjäl (071): Göta and Erik Nordin saw a light resembling searchlight beams moving slowly north.
• Gällivare (072): Train driver Gunnar Majlöw and assistant Erik Åhlund reported a luminous object that grew larger, resembling a luminous moon, before disappearing.
• Kiruna (073): The Kiruna Geophysical Observatory received multiple calls about glowing objects and was analyzing film footage taken during the night.
• Mirjek (074): Josef Enbom saw a bright object moving north, followed by a star-like object that grew into a large luminous ball.
• Boden (075): Several people observed a star-like object that grew into a disc-like shape, emitting a yellow-red glow.
• Idivuoma (076): Lars-Erik Asplund, his brother Harry, and their mother Hilma Asplund saw two luminous balls, one emitting light beams and smoke.
• Gällivare (077): Multiple individuals reported seeing a luminous ball that increased in brightness and then disappeared.
• Kalix (078): Five men at the police station reported a bright "searchlight" that moved northeast and then vanished.
• Boden (079): Policemen Sixten Kullbrandt and Roland Nyman observed a bright point of light that moved northeast and lasted for about ten minutes.
• Piteå (080): Policemen Sten Andersson and his colleague photographed a large, luminous, round phenomenon with a distinct "gloria."
• Luleå (081): A 24-year-old man and his parents followed a bright "star with a veil" for several kilometers.
• Stora Tuna (082): Several people, including Reinhold Carleby, observed a large, elongated, luminous object moving horizontally.
• Norrbotten (083): A camera at the Kiruna Geophysical Observatory captured images of one or two objects moving in the sky.
• Örnsköldsvik (085): Chauffeur Per-Göran Jonsson and his wife Lillian reported a yellow-white object that moved in a peculiar path, followed by two dim streaks, and later a bright point that grew larger and appeared to approach their car.
• Mellansel (086): Carina Candray and Gunnel Björklund observed a strong, elongated, luminous object moving north, leaving a light trail.

Explanations and Theories

Several explanations were proposed for the observed phenomena:

• Meteors/Satellites: Laboratory technician Tage Eriksson suggested some sightings could be meteors. Professor Aina Elvius proposed that some phenomena might be satellites re-entering the atmosphere. Docent Ludwik Liszka at the Kiruna Geophysical Observatory also suggested satellites, rocket stages, or "space debris."
• Rocket Launch: A significant explanation presented is the launch of the Soviet weather satellite "Meteor 13" from Plesetsk on October 26, 1972. This event, occurring around the same time as the sightings, is suggested to explain the luminous phenomena observed across northern Sweden, particularly the "glowing cloud" or "light column" described in some reports. The launch angle and altitude are discussed in relation to the observations.
• Unexplained Phenomena: Despite the proposed explanations, many reports are presented as unexplained, with witnesses emphasizing the unusual nature and behavior of the objects, ruling out conventional aircraft or known natural phenomena.

Analysis and Commentary

The magazine includes commentary from its editorial staff and experts. The editorial stance appears to be one of careful investigation, presenting witness accounts and expert opinions without definitively concluding on the nature of all phenomena. The report on the Jonsson sighting (085) presents two possible interpretations: a "telemetry disc" or a late stage of a rocket launch. The magazine notes that the data presented would require further investigation to classify the report as unidentified.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the widespread occurrence of unexplained aerial phenomena across Sweden within a short period. The editorial stance is one of thorough documentation and open-minded investigation, presenting a range of sightings and potential explanations while acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding many of these events. The magazine aims to collect and disseminate information on UAP, encouraging further research and reporting.