AFU 19720000 Vimana no 2

Magazine Overview

Title: VIMANA
Issue: 2
Volume: 1972
Publisher: Interplanetistit ry (Interplanetisterna)
Publication Frequency: Quarterly member journal
Date: 1972

Editorial Information

Editor-in-Chief: Aili Nurmiaho
Editorial Secretary: P. Teerikorpi

The Interplanetistit ry is an association dedicated to researching and disseminating information about 'flying saucers'. The annual membership fee is 15 mk. The association's postal address is PL 101, 00101 Helsinki 10, Finland.

UFO Seminar in Turku

A UFO seminar was held in Turku on July 15-16, 1972. The event took place at the Åbo Studentkåren building. A registration form and program were sent to members. The seminar aimed to provide a refreshing and informative gathering for those interested in UFO knowledge.

Interview with J. Allen Hynek

This section features an interview with astronomer J. Allen Hynek, conducted by Sven Magnusson and translated by Jarl Lund. Hynek, who was an astronomical consultant for the U.S. Air Force for over 20 years, discusses his views on UFO research.

Hynek's Definition of UFO: Hynek criticizes the broad definition of UFOs used by the Condon Committee, which labeled any object that caused bewilderment as a UFO. He proposes a definition of a UFO as an observation that remains puzzling after investigation by individuals capable of identifying natural objects.

Critique of Condon Committee and Air Force Investigations: Hynek states that neither the Air Force nor the Condon Committee conducted their UFO research effectively. He argues that the Air Force's primary interest was national security, not scientific inquiry, and that their 'Blue Book' project was poorly managed. He asserts that the Condon Committee made two significant errors: misdefining the subject and investigating the wrong aspect. He believes the committee should have focused on whether UFO reports indicated genuinely new empirical observations beyond current scientific understanding, rather than assuming an extraterrestrial hypothesis from the outset.

The Nature of UFOs: Hynek acknowledges that some UFOs exhibit behavior that could be interpreted as intelligent, but he does not yet attribute this intelligence to an extraterrestrial source. He also considers the possibility of paranormal intelligences.

International Cooperation: Hynek advocates for 'ufology' to receive support from governments and the UN. He proposed to UN Secretary-General U Thant that the UN act as a clearinghouse for UFO reports from different countries and assist in UFO research. He notes that U Thant showed interest, particularly regarding reports from South Africa.

Future UFO Research: Hynek emphasizes the need for a modern approach to UFO research, moving beyond chronological cataloging. He suggests using advanced data processing methods to compare UFO characteristics such as trajectory, color, shape, and the observer's attributes. He also stresses the importance of studying new cases with modern equipment like spectrographs and infrared devices, especially in cases where physical traces are reported.

Humanoid and Contactee Cases: Hynek distinguishes between humanoid sightings and 'contactee' cases. He believes that while humanoids might exist, their nature (biological, robotic, or elemental) is uncertain. He differentiates them from 'contactees' like Adamski, Fry, and Van Tassel, whom he suspects of being charlatans who have harmed serious UFO investigation by promoting sensational claims and cult-like followings.

Personal Experience: Hynek states he has never had a close encounter with a UFO, though he has seen unusual objects in the sky that he believes could have natural explanations.

Witness Account: UFO Sighting at Salajärvi, Nastola

This section details a UFO sighting reported by Mirjam Loise Nastolan Kumialta, a teacher, on March 10, 1970. While walking her dog near Salajärvi, she observed a large, glowing object in the sky, described as a bright, pale light similar to a full moon but with a flat surface. She alerted her neighbors, Kerttu and Artturi Virtanen, who also witnessed the phenomenon. The object moved slowly towards the southwest. The witness also noted a peculiar light phenomenon later that evening, which she connected to the earlier sighting. The experience profoundly impacted her, leading her to research UFO literature.

Kerttu Virtanen, who witnessed the event with her husband, described the object as disc-shaped and hovering, making a circular movement. She noted a distinct base and a bright, possibly hot, light beam emanating from it. The object's movement was unusual, making a sharp turn. They observed it for about 45 minutes.

Encounter with an Extraterrestrial Visitor

This narrative, attributed to Alberto Sanmartin and based on an article from 'UFO-Nachrichten' (December 1971), recounts a conversation with a visitor from another world. The visitor, who appeared on November 16, 1957, spoke of Earth's impending destruction due to atomic war and the selection of survivors. He claimed that those who are hateful would not be taken to another planet. The visitor also provided Sanmartin with a stone, stating it held secrets about time and space. The visitor's calm demeanor and knowledge of Sanmartin's name and the stone's origin led Sanmartin to believe the visitor was extraterrestrial.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine 'Vimana' appears to be a platform for disseminating information and fostering discussion on UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial intelligence, and related topics within Finland. The editorial stance seems to be one of serious inquiry into these subjects, as evidenced by the publication of detailed witness accounts, interviews with experts like J. Allen Hynek, and reports on UFO-related events such as seminars. The magazine aims to provide members with information and encourage critical thinking about these often-controversial subjects. The inclusion of an interview with J. Allen Hynek suggests an alignment with a scientific approach to UFO research, while also acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge and the need for further investigation.

This issue of Vimana, a supplement to Canadian UFO Report from August 1971, focuses on unusual animal-related UFO incidents and sightings, primarily in North America and Finland. The magazine is in Finnish, with some English terms and references.

Key Articles and Reports

The Horse That Fell Ill After a UFO Incident (HEVONEN SAIRASTUI UFO-TAPAUKSEN JÄLKEEN)

This section, originally from the Canadian UFO Report, details two significant cases. The first is the famous case of Snippy, a pony from King Ranch in Colorado, found dead in September 1967. Snippy's head and neck flesh were removed with surgical precision, and unexplained tracks and reports of aerial phenomena in the area led to speculation about UFO visitations. The article notes that while other cattle deaths in the region were largely ignored, this case highlighted a potential fascination of 'aliens' with animals, often with tragic consequences. It is suggested that animals might react to high-frequency or low-frequency sounds emitted by UFOs that are inaudible to humans.

The second case, reported by UFO researcher Bill Allan, involves a Calgary veterinarian referred to as 'the doctor' (to protect his identity). While riding his horse on an evening in late August 1971 near Calgary, the horse became extremely agitated. The doctor observed a strange, low-flying object with wavy edges, estimated to be about 70 feet in diameter. The object appeared to be observing the ground. The doctor described the underside of the object as having two dark, rotating 'vents' or structures, about 4 feet wide each, rotating around a central, slightly protruding square-shaped body. The vents were darker than the main body, which he described as being made of a plastic or fiberglass-like material, colored bluish steel or silver.

He noted that his horse's distress made it difficult to observe the object clearly, but he saw it ascend, turn towards the southwest, and disappear. The cloud cover above the object became more turbulent as it departed. After dismounting, the doctor heard a soft, vibrating sound, which he mimicked by vibrating his lips. He estimated its frequency to be similar to the rotation speed of the 'vents'.

Later, while riding back, the doctor found a dead horse lying on its side. The visible flank was severely burned, though there were no signs of fire. The horse was still warm, and there was no rigor mortis, suggesting the death was recent. This discovery occurred about an hour after the UFO encounter. The veterinarian did not initially connect this finding to the UFO sighting. He reported it to a neighbor whose family lived nearby, and they went to investigate the next day. They found a large depression in the ground where the horse had been but not the horse itself. The surrounding dense vegetation was undisturbed, indicating that a heavy vehicle would have been needed to access the area, yet nothing was out of place except for the depression. It was as if the horse had been lifted straight out of the spot.

Sketches made by the doctor, later redrawn by Hal Crawford, illustrate the object's described features, including the rotating vents and a possible dome. The doctor estimated the central part of the underside to be about 10 feet in diameter, with three or four antenna-like rods extending from it. He described the object's main body as somewhat square-shaped, with the central part rotating slightly. He also mentioned a bright blue glow on the leading edge of the object.

Finnish UFO Reports (Sonkajärvelläkin ufo)

This section details UFO sightings in Finland.

Sukeva Incident:

Two sisters, Helena (14) and Raija Mankinen, reported a strange encounter near Sukeva in early April 1972. While walking home, about 150 meters from their house, they encountered two figures dressed in dark clothing who appeared to be walking towards them. Suddenly, the figures vanished. At the same moment, a dim, reddish light appeared to the right of the road, above the treetops. Their brother, Unto Mankinen (21), who was returning home by car from Sukevanmäki around the same time, reported seeing a similar silent, flying object about two kilometers away.

Their neighbor, farmer Paavo Savolainen, acknowledged the strangeness of the report but stated that he knew the girls and believed them. He also mentioned that Unto Mankinen was not prone to fantasizing.

Sonkajärvi Incident:

Another report comes from Sonkajärvi, where a man in his fifties observed a silently moving, light-reflecting object flying below the treetops over a field around 11 PM on a Friday night in late April 1972. The object appeared to wobble, and its lights went out after a few tens of seconds. The witness, identified only as O. H., described the object's movement as somewhat unsteady.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently highlights the impact of UFO phenomena on animals, suggesting a unique sensitivity or vulnerability in the animal kingdom to these unexplained aerial objects. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into UFO reports, presenting witness testimonies and physical evidence, while acknowledging the skepticism and difficulty in verifying such claims. The inclusion of local UFO club contacts suggests an effort to connect researchers and enthusiasts across different regions.