Se upp - 1982 No 1

Magazine Overview

'Se upp!', issue Nr. 1, year 7, published in 1982, is the information and contact organ of Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening and Hallstahammars UFO Förening. The magazine's work is described as voluntary and unpaid, with the appearance and text quality being secondary. It covers topics related to astronomy, UFOs, and parapsychology.

Articles and Content

Åkesta Observatory

The main article, authored by Ake Wallenquist, details the private observatory established by landowner Åke Odelberg at Åkesta Gård, near Västerås. Odelberg's lifelong interest in astronomy led him to build a well-equipped facility. The article traces his early astronomical pursuits, starting with a homemade telescope and progressing to astrophotography. It describes the construction of a new observatory building in 1939, featuring a rotating dome, and the development of a stable mounting for his instruments. The main instrument is a 1.5-meter refractor with a 100 mm objective lens from Watson & Son in London. The observatory's equipment, including cameras and various lenses, allowed for detailed photographs of celestial bodies such as the Moon, Pleiades, and the Sun. The article also mentions Odelberg's plans to acquire a Schmidt-Väisälä type reflecting telescope.

Lunar Eclipse Observation

Dan Lindgren reports on a successful observation of a total lunar eclipse on January 9, 1982. A group of ten people from VTF gathered at the Åkesta observatory to witness and photograph the event. Despite initial concerns about clouds, the sky cleared, and the eclipse proceeded as expected. The article describes the progression of the eclipse, the appearance of the copper-red color, and the duration of totality, which lasted about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Photographs taken during the event were made available for purchase.

Parapsychology and Martin Jonsson

An article titled 'Människan är inte ensam i rymden' (Man is not alone in space) discusses parapsychology and features Professor Martin Jonsson. Jonsson, described as the world's only professor in parapsychology, based in Utrecht, Netherlands, shares his journey from a humble background in northern Sweden to his academic position. He discusses his early fascination with astronomy and atomic physics, his correspondence with prominent scientists like Knut Lundmark and Manne Siegbahn, and his studies. The article touches upon his interest in 'unexplained phenomena' and his extensive research in parapsychology, particularly his work with J. B. Rhine in the USA. It also briefly mentions his role as a military psychologist.

Spök Historier (Ghost Stories)

Under the heading 'Spök Historier', the magazine includes a brief mention of Martin Jonsson's early exposure to 'unexplained things' and ghost stories in his hometown, which sparked his interest in investigating such phenomena.

Editorial and Publisher Information

The issue provides contact information for the responsible publishers, Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening and Hallstahammars UFO-Förening, including their postal addresses and telephone numbers. It reiterates that all work is voluntary and unpaid.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine 'Se upp!' appears to focus on ufology and related scientific and speculative topics. The editorial stance, as indicated by the content, is to inform and engage readers interested in astronomy, unexplained phenomena, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The emphasis on voluntary work and the tolerance for less polished text suggests a community-driven publication dedicated to its subject matter. The inclusion of both scientific observations (like the lunar eclipse and observatory details) and more speculative topics (parapsychology) indicates a broad approach to the themes of the unexplained and the cosmos.

This issue of Allers, dated February 27, 1977, focuses heavily on parapsychology and related phenomena, featuring an extensive interview with researcher Martin Jonsson. The magazine also includes reports from local UFO and scientific associations, astronomical event listings, and financial statements.

Martin Jonsson: A Skeptical Investigator

The central piece is an interview with Martin Jonsson, who is presented as a researcher dedicated to establishing parapsychology on a firm scientific footing. Jonsson expresses a strong desire to clear away the "nonsense" and "superstition" in the field, even coining the term "paraporr" to describe the sensationalist and often exploitative aspects of what he considers "soul-level pornography."

Jonsson acknowledges that parapsychological research is still in its early stages, requiring much more knowledge and continuous, rigorous investigation based on experience. He admits that current theories might not hold up to future scientific scrutiny, even if some fascinating experimental results, including his own, have been achieved. He views such experiments, even if they turn out to be mistakes, as necessary for breaking new ground in understanding the fragmented knowledge of humanity and nature, particularly regarding consciousness.

He criticizes certain spiritualist practices, deeming them superficial and devoid of substance. As an example, he recounts a case where a medium claiming to channel spirits was found to have 10-20 meters of gauze in their rectum, which was presented as "ectoplasm." Jonsson also shares an anecdote with Knut Lundmark about the banality of messages supposedly from the deceased, noting that if a medium claims to be doing well or that it's beautiful where they are, it's unlikely to be Lundmark.

Jonsson discusses the common human fear of death, attributing it to the limitations of life, an innate death anxiety, the fear of suffering, ending up in the wrong place (hell), the cessation of hopes and dreams, loss of control over consciousness, and separation from loved ones. He suggests that people develop defense mechanisms, hoping for survival or reincarnation into a better existence.

He also touches upon the concept of "mind over matter," referencing experiments by Helmuth Schmith involving a lamp apparatus. In these experiments, participants were able to psychically influence which of four lamps would light up significantly more often than chance would predict, with the probability of such results occurring by pure chance being less than one in a billion.

Regarding reincarnation, Jonsson remains skeptical, particularly of cases originating from India. He states that no single case or large body of material has convinced him of its reality and questions whether reincarnation can be scientifically tested. However, he does not scientifically rule out the possibility that something, perhaps memories, might survive death.

Jonsson describes parapsychologists as "gifted alchemists" engaged in speculation and fumbling. He references Karl Popper's philosophy, emphasizing that hypotheses can be disproven but not definitively proven. He advocates for rigorous testing and modification of theories.

He expresses a firm belief that UFO observations, like many parapsychological phenomena, are often flawed. However, he strongly believes in the existence of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations in the universe, viewing disbelief as provincial.

Astronomical Events and Local Associations

The magazine also lists upcoming astronomical events, including partial solar eclipses on July 20 and December 15, and a total lunar eclipse on December 30, with details on visibility and times. It also provides contact information for night observations.

Reports from local associations are included:

Hallstahammar UFO-förening

A protocol from the Hallstahammar UFO-förening's annual meeting on January 31, 1982, details the election of officers for 1982, including Bo Roslind as chairman and Eddy Hinkelman as secretary. The membership fee for 1982 was set at 40.00 SEK for working members and 20.00 SEK for students. Michael Larsson was elected as an ombud to the national UFO-Sverige meeting. The meeting schedule was set for every 14 days, on Sundays at 5:00 PM.

Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening

The "Verksamhetsberättelse för Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening 1981" (Activity Report for Västerås Interdisciplinary Association 1981) outlines the association's activities. The board met three times, and their publication "Se upp" released one issue. The membership stood at 25 at the end of the year, with 10 being youth members. The association held 20 meetings and several night observations. The financial report indicated a deficit of 325.95 SEK for the year. The report also lists the board members for 1981, including Jan Eriksen as chairman and Måns Jonsson as secretary. A separate financial statement for 1981 is also provided, detailing income and expenses, and showing a deficit.

A letter dated January 14, 1982, from the auditors Ruben Lundin and Tove Eriksen, confirms that they have reviewed the association's books and financial records for the period January 1 to December 31, 1981, and recommend that the annual meeting grant the board discharge from liability.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of unexplained phenomena, particularly parapsychology and UFOs, with a strong emphasis on scientific rigor and skepticism. The editorial stance, as represented by Martin Jonsson's views, favors empirical evidence and critical analysis over sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims. The inclusion of reports from local associations suggests an effort to connect with and inform a readership interested in these topics at a grassroots level. The magazine also touches upon existential questions related to death and the possibility of an afterlife, reflecting a broader interest in the mysteries of human existence.

This document contains the statutes of the Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening (VTF) and a review of the "Astronomisk Årsbok 1982". The statutes, presented in numbered paragraphs (§1 to §11), detail the organization's structure, purpose, and operational rules. The review promotes the "Astronomisk Årsbok 1982" as a valuable resource for astronomy enthusiasts.

Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening (VTF) Statutes

§1. Name

The name of the association is Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening (VTF).

§2. Objectives

The VTF's objectives are to activate, research, and inform within seven different areas of interest: UFO research, Astronomy, Space exploration, Meteorology, Archaeology, Parapsychology, and Chemistry. This aims to provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary activity.

§3. Membership

Membership is open to all. Members gain membership by paying the annual fee decided for the year, for which they receive a membership card. Registration is done with the treasurer and secretary. Membership ceases if a member requests it, if the annual fee is not paid by the end of the first quarter, or if the member discredits the association or works against its interests.

§4. Neutrality

The VTF is neutral regarding politics, religion, race, and citizenship. However, this neutrality should not hinder activities related to worldviews and similar matters.

§5. Board

The board is elected by the annual meeting and consists of an odd number of persons, usually five. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary are elected directly by the annual meeting. Other board positions are appointed by the board itself. The board must meet at least once per quarter, and as often as circumstances require.

§6. Fiscal Year and Accountability

The fiscal year, like the accounting year, is the calendar year. At the end of the fiscal year, the board shall prepare an activity report and financial statements. The annual meeting will address the discharge of the outgoing board.

§7. Treasurer's Duties

The treasurer is responsible for keeping the association's accounts. Every individual amount must be recorded as soon as possible. The association's postgiro account is managed by the treasurer and the chairman. Other (interest-bearing) accounts are managed by the treasurer.

§8. Auditors

The association's accounts shall be audited by two auditors elected by the annual meeting. The audit documents must be submitted to the auditors no later than one month before the ordinary annual meeting.

§9. Annual Meeting

The annual meeting is the association's highest decision-making body. It shall be held before the end of February. The meeting notice must be sent to members at least 8 days before the annual meeting. The agenda for the ordinary annual meeting shall include:

1. Opening of the annual meeting
2. Question of the proper announcement of the meeting
3. Election of meeting chairman
4. Election of meeting secretary
5. Election of two scrutineers (also vote counters)
6. Adoption of the agenda
7. Activity report
8. Financial report
9. Audit report
10. Question of discharge for the outgoing board
11. Election of a new board (Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, other members)
12. Election of 2 auditors
13. Other business
14. Closing of the annual meeting

§10. Statute Amendments

Amendments to the statutes require a decision by a 2/3 majority at two consecutive ordinary meetings, one of which must be the ordinary annual meeting.

§11. Dissolution

Dissolving the association requires a decision by a 2/3 majority at two consecutive meetings held at least 2 months apart. The association's assets shall then be disposed of in a manner that promotes the objective stated in §2.

Review: Astronomisk Årsbok 1982

The "Astronomisk Årsbok 1982" is presented as a book for amateur and professional astronomers, featuring articles, photographs, tables, and maps. It is compiled by various authors, including Åke Wallenquist, Eugen Semitjov, Rolf Edberg, Tord Hall, Peter Nilssen, Anders Palm, Robert Malmström, Alf Henrikson, and Kar de Mumma. The book is described as easy to read and suitable for all ages and knowledge levels. It is highlighted as containing many impressive astrophotographs and being the only Swedish "Astronomisk Årsbok".

The price is 20 SEK, including postage and VAT, and it is available directly by mail. The review notes that the book is printed in a larger edition than previous years but anticipates it will sell out quickly, as earlier editions are already sold out. It is recommended as a perfect gift for anyone interested in astronomy.

An order form is included, allowing readers to order the book by sending 20 SEK to Bokförlaget INOVA's postgiro account. A delivery time of approximately 14 days is mentioned due to a recent postage increase.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document primarily focuses on organizational governance through the detailed statutes of the Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening. The editorial stance, as reflected in the review section, is promotional and enthusiastic towards the "Astronomisk Årsbok 1982", emphasizing its value, accessibility, and unique position as the sole Swedish publication of its kind. The themes revolve around structured organization, membership engagement, and the promotion of scientific interests, particularly in astronomy and UFO research.