Se upp - 1979 No 1

Magazine Overview

'Se upp!' is the information and contact organ of the Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening (Västerås Interdisciplinary Association), with this issue being number 1 of volume 4, dated 1979. The magazine covers a diverse range of topics, including UFO phenomena, astronomy, parapsychology, ancient research, and space exploration. The editorial stance emphasizes that the work is voluntary and unpaid, with the content and presentation being secondary to the information provided. Contributions from readers in the form of articles and discussion posts are welcomed.

Content Highlights

UFO Reports and Investigations

The issue features several articles on UFO sightings and investigations. A significant report details an Australian TV crew's filming of UFOs over New Zealand, described as a fleet of unidentified flying objects, including a clock-shaped craft. The film was shown on New Year's Day and reportedly caused a scramble for UFO information. Another article discusses a CIA report, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, which suggests that the US intelligence agency has been monitoring UFOs since 1949 and that the government has misled the public about its involvement. The report mentions alleged UFO crashes in Mexico (1948) and Arizona (1953), with claims of alien beings being recovered. A separate piece highlights a New Zealand military response to UFO reports, including fighter jets being put on alert and radar detecting unexplained signals.

Astronomy Section

A detailed astronomical forecast for 1979 is provided, covering the visibility and movements of planets such as Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The text offers specific dates for celestial events like elongations, oppositions, and conjunctions, along with estimated magnitudes and diameters. It also discusses the Earth's orbital speed variations due to its elliptical path around the sun, noting that the Earth moves faster when closer to the sun (perihelion) and slower when farther away (aphelion).

Film Review: 'Capricorn One'

The magazine includes a review of the film 'Capricorn One,' which posits that the first moon landing was a hoax staged by NASA in the Arizona desert. The review highlights the film's plot involving an investigative journalist uncovering the conspiracy and the subsequent efforts to suppress the truth, comparing the scandal to Watergate.

Editorial and Organizational Information

The issue includes an editorial by 'J.E.' reflecting on the past year (1978) and looking forward to 1979. It mentions the association's move to a new, more pleasant location and the upcoming annual meeting on February 25th, where important decisions will be made. The editor expresses a desire for more members to attend meetings and contribute to proofreading articles, noting that this has been a challenge. The editorial also thanks members for a good 1978 and encourages attendance on Sundays.

Membership and Fees

Information is provided regarding the 1979 membership fees, which remain the same as the previous year: 50 SEK for full-paying members and 15 SEK for students/pensioners. A separate notice ('OBS!') details the costs for coffee and refreshments at meetings held at Råbygården, with different prices for full members and students/pensioners. Members are reminded to bring their membership cards.

Call for Translators

An 'EFTERLYSNING' (Wanted) section appeals for volunteers who can translate articles from languages such as German, English, French, Spanish, and Finnish, as much of the material for 'UFO-Information' requires translation.

Annual Report 1978

The 'Verksamhetsberättelse 1978' (Activity Report 1978) from the Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening details the organization's activities. It notes three board meetings, the publication of five issues of 'Se upp!', and a membership count of 58 at the end of the year, with 21 members between the ages of 7 and 25. The report mentions thematic meetings, a UFO group that investigated four cases (all quickly explained as known phenomena), and lectures on ancient research, parapsychology, and astronomy. External activities included a film screening and a UFO exhibition at the library. The report also refers to the association's membership in other organizations like UFO-Sverige and Föreningen för Psykobiofysik.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of 'Se upp!' are UFO phenomena, scientific inquiry into unexplained events, and astronomical observations. The editorial stance, as expressed in the introductory sections and the annual report, is one of open-minded investigation and information sharing within a voluntary, community-driven framework. The association appears dedicated to exploring interdisciplinary topics, with a particular focus on UFOs, while maintaining a grounded approach to reporting and encouraging member participation.

This issue of the magazine, published in Västerås in February 1979, focuses on the annual report and activities of the Västerås UFO Association (VTF) for the year 1978, and outlines plans and events for 1979. The document includes financial statements, auditor's reports, and the association's bylaws.

Board and Administration (Styrelsen)

The issue begins by listing the board members for the past year, headed by Chairman Jan Eriksen. The board included Vice Chairman Paulus Antila, Secretary Anna Carin Roos, Vice Secretary Agneta Andersson, Treasurer Karl-Erik Karlsson, and board members Curt Eiric Arnolds, Lars Sköld, Kari Osara, and Erland Mille. Substitutes (Supplant) were Karl-Erik Levin, Lars-Ove Boudin, and Per-Uno Fransson. The auditors were Bengt Joelsson and Leif Olsson, and the election committee consisted of Tove Eriksen and Per-Uno Fransson.

The board expresses gratitude to the members for their trust and work during the year, and for their financial support. They hope the past year was valuable and meaningful for the members. The board encourages members to actively promote the association's activities, stating that a larger membership allows for greater initiatives. The board concludes by stepping down and wishing the association success in 1979.

Signatures of Jan Eriksen (Ordf.), Anna Carin Roos (Sekr.), and Karl-Erik Karlsson (Kassör) are present, dated Västerås, February 1979.

Financial Report (Balanserat årsbokslut för verksamhetsåret 1978)

The financial section details the expenses and income for 1978. Total expenses amounted to 5,466:56 SEK, including costs for a projector, merchandise, membership fees to national organizations (UFO-Sverige, Föreningen för psykobiofysik, Västerås ungdomsråd), subscriptions to UFO-Information, rent for premises at Skogsvägen 27 B, lecture fees, exhibition costs, postage, postgiro fees, reimbursements to Jan Eriksen for expenses, printing costs, and ticket orders for a national meeting.

Total income was 3,417:65 SEK, comprising membership fees for 1978 and 1979, subscriptions to UFO-Information, income from lectures and sales, voluntary contributions, and bank interest from 1977. The year resulted in an operating deficit of 2,048:91 SEK.

Assets as of December 31, 1978, included cash on hand (531:15 SEK), a postgiro balance (213:99 SEK), and the acquisition value of inventory in the association's premises (300:- SEK). An additional inflow of 420:- SEK from board members in the first quarter of 1978 for help with rent for the premises at Skogsvägen 27 B is also noted.

Auditor's Report (Revisionsberättelse)

The auditors, Leif Olsson and Bengt Joelsson, state that they have reviewed the accounts for Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening for the period January 1 to December 31, 1978. They examined the cash book, balance statements, payment orders, postgiro transactions, bank book, and expense verifications. They recommend that the annual meeting grant the board discharge from liability for the period covered by the report. The report is dated Västerås, 1979-02-05.

Bylaws (Stadgar för Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening)

The bylaws outline the association's name as Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening (VTF). Its objectives are to activate, research, and inform in seven areas: UFO research, astronomy, space research, meteorology, ancient history research, parapsychology, and chemistry. Membership is open to all upon payment of the annual fee, and members receive a membership card. Membership ceases upon request, non-payment of dues, or discrediting the association.

VTF is neutral regarding politics, religion, race, and citizenship. The board is elected by the annual meeting and typically consists of nine members, including a chairman, vice chairman, treasurer, and secretary elected directly. The board must meet at least quarterly. The fiscal and operational year is the calendar year. The treasurer is responsible for bookkeeping, and the postgiro account is managed by the treasurer and chairman. The accounts are audited by two revisors elected by the annual meeting.

The annual meeting is the highest decision-making body, held before the end of February. The agenda includes elections for board members and auditors, and review of reports. Changes to the bylaws require a 2/3 majority at two consecutive meetings, one of which must be an annual meeting. Dissolution of the association requires a 2/3 majority at two consecutive meetings held at least two months apart, with remaining assets used to further the association's objectives.

Eclipses in 1979 (Förmörkelser 1979)

The issue details astronomical eclipses occurring in 1979. All times are given in GMT.

• February 26: A total solar eclipse, not visible in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, or Finland, but partially visible in the Faroe Islands and Iceland, and totally visible in parts of western Greenland, northern USA, and Canada. Totality lasts up to 2m49s.
• March 13-14: A partial lunar eclipse visible in its entirety in Europe, with maximum obscuration of 0.86 of the moon's diameter.
• August 22: A ring-shaped solar eclipse visible only in southern South America and parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The annular phase lasts up to 5m59s.
• September 6: A total lunar eclipse not visible from Europe. The total phase occurs between 11:31 and 12:17 GMT.

The source for this information is 'Astronomisk Tidskrift'.

Reading Material (LÄSUÄRT.)

This section provides summaries of articles from other publications:

• UFO-INFORMATION 6/78: Topics include evidence of ancient civilization on Mars, a Swedish military sighting of a UFO phenomenon with radar, and the training of 106 field researchers.
• UFO-INFORMATION 1/79: Features include news from the Bermuda Triangle, a story about children disappearing after 'lifting off on a scooter', and a Swedish air force officer's sighting of a UFO formation.
• DET BÄSTA 3/79: Includes an article about a reported time slip in the park at Versailles, where two women allegedly found themselves transported to the 18th century, and a new perspective on the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb.

UFO-Sveriges stödfond

UFO-Sverige has a special fund for grants, managed by an independent person. Funds can be requested from the central group or the national meeting, provided the need is clearly specified. The fund primarily covers costs related to the member magazine and administration, as well as commitments aligned with UFO-Sverige's statutes. Donors have full insight into the fund's usage. An annual report is made available to all active and interested members. The fund's account number is 23 90 52-4.

Upcoming Content and Membership Drive

The magazine teases content for the next issue, including articles on how to determine one's own biorhythms, a report on a lecture by Arne Groth, and a report from the annual meeting. A prominent call to action urges members who have not paid their membership fees to do so immediately: "Missa inte detta, utan Du som inte har betalt medlemsavgiften. Gör det NU!"

Member Meetings 1979 (MEDLEMSMÖTEN 1979)

Scheduled member meetings for 1979 are listed, all to be held at Råbygården, Pilfinksgatan 3. The themes include 'Ungd Astronomi' (Youth Astronomy) and 'Ungd' (Youth).

• Tuesday, March 13, 18:30: Ungd Astronomi
• Sunday, March 25, 18:00
• Sunday, April 22, 18:00
• Tuesday, April 24, 18:30: Ungd
• Tuesday, May 15, 18:30: Ungd
• Sunday, May 20, 18:00

A map is provided showing the location of Råbygården at Pilfinksgatan 3, near Råby Centrum, with bus routes 14 and 15 indicated.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the internal administration and finances of the UFO association, astronomical phenomena, and UFO reports from various sources. The editorial stance appears to be one of transparency and member engagement, encouraging participation and financial support for the association's activities. The inclusion of bylaws and detailed financial reports suggests a commitment to organizational structure and accountability. The focus on UFO research, astronomy, and related scientific fields indicates the association's core interests.