Under stjarnorna - 1997 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UNDER STJÄRNORNA
Issue: Nummer 1 -97
Publisher: Ufo-Karlskronas
Date: 1997

This is the first issue of the member magazine 'Under Stjärnorna' from Ufo-Karlskrona, dated 1997. The cover prominently features the iconic phrase "I WANT TO BELIEVE" below an image of a disc-shaped UFO, setting a tone of curiosity and belief in the unexplained.

Editor's Note: REDAKTÖREN HAR ORDET!

The editor, Elin Henriksson, opens the magazine with a philosophical reflection on humanity's place in the vastness of the universe. She muses about the stars, the sun, and the possibility of life existing beyond our solar system, perhaps in dark or unusual environments like black holes. Henriksson questions historical events, such as the moon landing, suggesting it might have been a hoax. She touches upon the vastness and mystery of the universe, and the potential for governments to conceal information. The editor also delves into the nature of reality, questioning what we truly know and whether our understanding is based on verifiable facts or societal constructs like money. She concludes by posing existential questions about the nature of God and reality, suggesting that much of what we perceive might be a grand illusion or a play with a lifelong script. The tone is one of profound skepticism and a deep questioning of established truths.

SETI = SETI League

This section discusses the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) and the formation of the SETI League. It explains that SETI League was founded in 1994 by individuals who were disappointed when the US Congress defunded the SETI project in 1993 due to financial reasons. The organization operates privately, with members using their own large parabolic antennas connected to specialized receivers and computers to analyze signals from space. The article notes that the SETI League has the most members in the USA and Canada, with a growing presence in Europe. Currently, individual members choose which part of the sky to monitor, but the plan is to become more systematic as the membership grows to around a thousand.

The 'Elisabeth Tempelton' Photograph

This article focuses on a photograph taken in May 1964 featuring a young girl named Elisabeth Tempelton, with an unidentified person in a white suit behind her. The identity of the person in the white suit and whether it is a spacesuit remain unknown. The strange figure was only noticed after the film was developed. Police investigations and Kodak's laboratories ruled out double exposure. Ufologists interpret this image as evidence of alien pursuit, citing the Tempelton family's report of agitated livestock and sightings of "strange lights in the sky" on the day the photo was taken. Skeptics, however, believe a natural explanation will eventually be found.

Film Review: CONTACT

The magazine reviews the film 'Contact', based on Carl Sagan's book. The reviewer expresses surprise that Hollywood adapted the book, which lacks typical action movie elements like violence and sex. The film stars Jodie Foster as Dr. Ellie Arroway, a dedicated radio astronomer whose passion for the subject stems from her childhood. Driven by the loss of her father, she becomes obsessed with contacting extraterrestrial life. She works on the SETI project, facing opposition and a lack of funding, which leads her to seek private investors. She finds support from a mysterious businessman, S.R. Hadden. The film depicts the reception of a signal from another civilization, which contains a film from 1938 and a blueprint for an advanced machine, possibly a spacecraft. The review highlights that the film is not just about UFOs or the search for alien life, but also about faith, love, and perseverance. The reviewer praises Jodie Foster's performance and the film's special effects, comparing it favorably to 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and giving it a 'Very Well Approved' rating.

Information Section

This section provides detailed cast and crew information for the film 'Contact'. It lists the actors and their roles, including Jodie Foster as Ellie Arroway, John Hurt as S.R. Hadden, and David Morse as Ted Arroway. It also credits the director (Robert Zemeckis), writers (Michael Goldenberg and James V. Hart), producers, and other key production personnel. A photograph shows John Hurt as S.R. Hadden, and another shows Ellie Arroway with her father, Ted.

The End

The editor, Elin Henriksson, concludes the first issue by expressing hope that it was satisfactory, acknowledging that it might have been a bit 'stumbling' at the start but will improve. She provides contact information for questions, article submissions, and advertisements, including her name, address, phone number, and email. The final sentence is a reminder: "Have a good life and don't forget that we live under the stars."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), the nature of belief versus skepticism, and the philosophical implications of humanity's place in the cosmos. The editorial stance, particularly in Elin Henriksson's opening and closing remarks, is one of deep questioning, skepticism towards established narratives, and an open-minded curiosity about the unknown. The magazine encourages readers to ponder profound questions about existence and to consider possibilities beyond conventional understanding, while also engaging with popular culture representations of these themes, such as the film 'Contact'.