Se upp - 1978 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: Se upp!
Issue: 1
Volume: 3
Date: 1978
Publisher: Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening
Focus: UFO phenomena, information, and contact organ.

Editorial Introduction and Organizational News

The issue begins with an editorial note from J.E. explaining the name change from 'Vinana' and 'Ormen' to 'Se upp!', stating that 'Vinana' was inspired by Lehel Répit's booklets and 'Ormen' also relates to Répit. The editor clarifies that these names were adopted quickly and the changes were discussed and approved at the annual meeting and subsequent member meetings.

Recent Activities and Changes at VTF

J.E. reports on recent events, including the annual meeting in February. A significant development is the acquisition of a new location for the association. The editorial emphasizes a shift in decision-making power from the board to the members, with the board no longer holding the sole leadership function. Future decisions and activities will be determined by members attending the two regular monthly meetings. Members with specific interests are encouraged to take initiative in organizing events.

The UFO group (field researchers) is actively discussing UFO phenomena within the association. J.E. encourages members to bring up other interesting topics for discussion.

Köping UFO-Förening Film Collaboration

VTF has rented a film from Köping UFO-Förening for 1978 to show in Västerås. This film is available for other organizations interested in hosting a thematic evening on UFOs. The editor notes that the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' has increased interest in UFOs, leading to more requests for screenings, and advises planning ahead.

Program for Spring 1978

The magazine lists the planned activities for VTF for Spring 1978:

• April:
• 22: Night observation in Svenå.
• 24-30: UFO exhibition at Västerås City Library.
• 27: Film screening (Köpings) with a panel debate at Västerås City Library at 19:00.
• 28: Regular member meeting at 18:30 at Engelbrektsgatan 5.
• May:
• 1-7: Continuation of the UFO exhibition.
• 4: Regular member meeting at 18:00 at Engelbrektsgatan 5.
• 6: Night observation in Svenå.
• 20: Regular member meeting at 18:30 at Engelbrektsgatan 5.
• 26: Continuation of regular member meeting at 18:30 at Engelbrektsgatan 5.
• June:
• 3: Night observation in Svenå.
• 6: Regular member meeting at 18:30 at Engelbrektsgatan 5.
• 16: Night observation in Svenå.
• 17: Night observation in Svenå.

The program also mentions other possibilities, such as a thematic evening on May 2nd in Köpings by Fil. lic Arne Groth from FOA. Members are encouraged to inform VTF about other events in Västmanland. For those interested in night observations, a phone number (021-35 51 19) is provided for registration.

Technology: Sailing in Space

An article titled "På seglats i världsrymden" (Sailing in the World's Space) discusses the development of solar sails. Six major American companies are building these large 'kites' for NASA, with completion expected in the early 1980s. The plan is to use these sails to intercept Halley's Comet in the mid-1980s for exploration. The sails are described as enormous constructions made of ultra-light aluminum-coated plastic film, propelled by solar wind. The first sail will be 800x800 meters, equivalent to 80 football fields. The article highlights the potential for these solar-powered spacecraft to revolutionize space travel.

Astronomy: Arecibo's Message to the Stars

Another article, "Hallå, det jorden-ä någon dä?" (Hello, is anyone there?), focuses on the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, the world's most powerful radio-radar system. It details the observatory's massive 300-meter diameter antenna and its recent upgrade, including a 450,000 W radar transmitter. The article reveals that Arecibo has transmitted a message towards the star cluster Messier 13, containing 1679 impulses encoded in binary. This message, sent as a test of the new capabilities, is expected to take 24,000 years to reach its destination, with any potential reply arriving in 48,000 years. The article also touches upon the observatory's use in studying planets like Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, and its search for organic molecules in space.

A Universe Before Ours?

The article "Ett universum före vårt?" (A Universe Before Ours?) discusses the implications of pulsar JP-1953. This pulsar, with an estimated age of 45 billion years, challenges the then-current understanding of the universe's age (around 12 billion years), suggesting the possibility of a previous universe that was destroyed.

Seeing Through Fog: Arecibo's Radar Capabilities

The article "Ser genom töcken" (Seeing Through Fog) explains how Arecibo's radar system penetrates Venus's thick cloud cover, providing detailed surface images. It also mentions its use in studying Mars, Mercury, Jupiter's moons, and Saturn's rings.

Annual Meeting 1978

A report on the VTF Annual Meeting held on February 24, 1978, lists the newly elected board members: Jan Eriksen (Chairman), Paulus Anttila (Vice Chairman), Anna Carin Ross (Secretary), Agneta Andersson (Vice Secretary), K E Karlsson (Treasurer), and board members Lars Sköld, Erland Lille, Curt Eiric Arnolds, Kari Osara, and K E Levin. P U Fransson was elected auditor, and Tove Eriksen and P U Fransson were appointed to the election committee.

Following the meeting, a decision was made to implement a membership fee of 5 SEK for regular meetings (2 SEK for youth/pensioners) to cover costs for the venue and coffee. A new emblem was also adopted for VTF.

Material for 'Se upp!'

Members are encouraged to submit material for the magazine, which serves as a communication channel between the board and members, as well as among members themselves. Contributions can be submitted at the local office or by mail to VTF Box 13024, 720 13 Västerås.

Study Visit to Kvistaberg Observatory

An article details a study visit by VTF members, along with members of Solna Astronomical Förening, to the Kvistaberg Observatory on January 14, 1978. Despite a forecast of poor weather, the day was sunny. The visit included a tour of the observatory's facilities, including a Schmidt telescope. The article describes the challenges of maintaining temperature consistency within the dome and the process of aligning the telescope. Members also had the opportunity to observe Jupiter and the Moon.

Visit to SAF on Ekerö

Following the Kvistaberg visit, the group traveled to Ekerö to visit SAF. Here, they had a meal and then used a telescope to observe Jupiter and its moons, as well as the Moon's surface features. The article concludes by thanking the staff at Kvistaberg and Solna Astronomical Förening for their hospitality.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes interest in UFO phenomena and astronomy, encouraging member participation and information sharing. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena and scientific advancements, with a focus on community engagement and education within the field of ufology and related sciences.