Vimana - 1977 No 8-9

Magazine Overview

This issue of "VIMANA" (NR. 8*9) is a combined publication from the Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening (VTF), serving as their contact organ. The magazine acknowledges a delay in publication due to the limited number of actively engaged individuals, emphasizing the need for broader member participation in contributing ideas and content to ensure the magazine remains vibrant and representative.

Editorial Stance and Member Involvement

The editorial emphasizes that "VIMANA" is crucial not only as an internal information channel but also as the organization's public face. It highlights the importance of inter-organizational cooperation in sharing information and research findings. The editorial calls for active member involvement, stating that while a board exists, it relies on member input for ideas and suggestions to guide the organization's activities. The goal is to "ACTIVATE RESEARCH INFORM."

Recent VTF Activities

Prior to the summer break, VTF held two public meetings in May. The first was on METEOROLOGY, featuring Anders Nylund from SMHI in Norrköping, who is also a member of VTF. The second meeting included a presentation of a new UFO slide show by Torvald Berthelsen from Köpings UFO-förening, followed by a Q&A session. Both meetings were well-attended.

UFO Slide Show and Future Projects

VTF has completed a sixteen-minute slide show about UFOs, which has been shown to over 20,000 people. There are plans to create similar slide shows for other topics covered by VTF's activities, contingent on the formation of new working groups. Two such groups, focusing on Parapsychology and Future Research (Femtidsforskning), are in the planning stages. The magazine intends to present these topics in detail in upcoming issues, starting with the current one.

Working Groups and Membership

A member meeting is planned to kick off the "Future Research" group. A parapsychology meeting was held on October 20th. The organization hopes for strong participation in these groups, which promise to explore fascinating phenomena.

Call for Board Members

The annual meeting in February will elect a new board. Some current board members will not continue, necessitating replacements. The election committee is seeking individuals interested in board work or who can recommend suitable candidates.

Parapsychology

This section delves into parapsychology, defining it as the study of phenomena beyond the conventional understanding of psychology. It notes that parapsychology, once considered fringe, is now a recognized scientific field with dedicated research and professorships. VTF has attended lectures on hypnosis (Dr. Ture Arvidsson) and psychobiofysics (Jan Fjellander), the latter involving experiments with the vitality of eggs and plants. The article also mentions a lecture on acupuncture by Lars Olof. It discusses phenomena like levitation, where individuals are lifted by multiple people, and explores the unknown forces involved. Telepathy is presented as a significant area of research within parapsychology, a form of ESP (Extra Sensory Perception), with experiments conducted over various distances, including between Earth and the Apollo spacecraft. Telepathy is described as operating independently of time and space, potentially overcoming electromagnetic shielding. Clairvoyance, the ability to perceive distant events, is also linked to telepathic abilities and is reportedly used by police in the US for locating missing persons. Omens or premonitions are also discussed as part of the ESP family, alongside inspiration and intuition, which have historically driven scientific discovery. While some ESP abilities are considered innate to a few, others can be trained. Psychokinesis, the ability to move objects with the mind, is also presented as a well-documented area of parapsychological research, with experiments involving object manipulation.

Ancient Civilizations and UFOs

The "FORNTIDSFORSKNING" (Ancient Research) section connects VTF's activities to UFO phenomena. It posits that ancient events and civilizations may have had connections to UFOs, leaving behind mysterious traces. The section questions the mechanisms behind human evolution, pondering whether it was natural selection or external help. It references authors like Erich von Däniken and Hoimar von Ditfurth, who explore theories about humanity's origins and development. The article emphasizes that while theories exist, the true drivers of human development remain unknown. It highlights the vastness of geological time and the relatively brief existence of humanity, stressing the importance of understanding our origins. The section touches upon the idea that ancient technologies and civilizations may have surpassed modern ones, citing monumental structures and ancient fine mechanics as evidence. It poses questions about whether ancient cultures achieved similar or greater advancements before their decline, referencing the pyramids of Egypt and Mexico, and the theories of authors like Immanuel Velikovsky and Lehel Repit regarding events 12,500 years ago.

VTF Program and Activities

There is no fixed program for the immediate future, but VTF is open to suggestions. The parapsychology group is already active, meeting monthly. Information about upcoming VTF events is typically found under the "Vad händer" (What's Happening) section in the magazine "VIT."

Field Research Course

Centralgruppen för UFO-Sverige organized a field research course for field researchers in Lersäter on October 24-25. Approximately 70 people attended. Three representatives from VTF participated. The course included training in interview techniques, photo and measurement methods for UFO landings, and practical exercises. A simulated landing trace was created for participants to analyze. The course also featured a demonstration of various types of signal flares by military personnel to illustrate their function and reduce observation errors. A plane with flashing lights was used for aerial observation training. The evenings concluded with dancing and night observations. Sunday involved discussions on occult phenomena and a review of the weekend's activities. Participants expressed interest in attending similar courses in the future. The VTF field researchers expressed thanks to Köpings UFO-förening for the well-organized and educational program.

Meteorology Lecture

On May 12th, VTF, in collaboration with the Västerås City Library, hosted a lecture on meteorology by Anders Nylund from SMHI in Norrköping. The lecture was well-attended, with many interested individuals present. Nylund provided an overview of climate change and variations on Earth, discussing historical climate patterns, ice ages, and the factors influencing glacial growth. He noted a trend towards a cooler period, with even slight shifts in average temperatures having drastic effects. The lecture also covered the development of meteorology, highlighting the impact of technological advancements, particularly in electronics and computers, and the role of satellite technology in modern forecasting. The use of weather balloons and the complex apparatus involved in data collection and analysis for weather maps were explained. Nylund also discussed the nature of the aurora borealis and the potential impact of freons from spray cans on the ozone layer, warning of the danger posed by increased UV radiation.

UFO Lecture

In December 1975, VTF held a public meeting featuring a UFO film. On May 26th of the current year, another event took place where Köpings UFO-förening presented a lecture. The updated slide show, which has been seen by over 20,000 people, was shown to a nearly full auditorium at the city library. Torvald Berthelsen, chairman of Köpings UFO-förening, gave an introductory speech, noting the increasing seriousness with which the UFO issue is being treated, moving away from skepticism and ridicule towards greater openness from the public, media, and authorities. People who have seen or experienced UFOs are now more willing to come forward without fear of being labeled as crazy. The film included photos and images from various sources, as well as cave paintings and artifacts from ancient times, suggesting that UFO phenomena are not new. However, the article cautions that this visual material is considered anecdotal and not definitive proof of alien spacecraft, defining UFO as something seen but not yet identified.

The evening concluded with a Q&A session with a panel from VTF and Köpings UFO-förening. The questions indicated a strong public interest in the UFO topic and its various aspects, though answers were limited to known facts.

This public meeting was the last before the summer break. The magazine notes that VTF activities will be less frequent during the summer and resume in the fall.

UFO Night Observations

Night observations are being organized again, largely in cooperation with Köpings UFO-förening. These are described as excursions offering opportunities for astronomical studies and radio communication. Interested individuals can contact Jan Eriksen to participate, also indicating their car ownership or need for transport.

VTF Merchandise

VTF is considering producing T-shirts with the VTF symbol. They are polling members to gauge interest and have set a price of approximately 20 SEK per shirt. The design is illustrated with a sketch showing the front of the shirt with the logo. Additionally, self-adhesive badges, about 60 mm in diameter, are being considered. The sale of T-shirts and badges is part of a campaign to raise funds for VTF's activities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "VIMANA" revolve around the investigation of unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs and parapsychological events. There is a strong emphasis on the need for active member participation, information sharing between organizations, and the scientific exploration of these topics. The magazine positions itself as a platform for raising awareness and fostering research, while also acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge and the speculative nature of some of the subjects discussed. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and a desire to inform the public about ongoing research and discussions within the UFO and parapsychology communities.

This issue of "UFO - FLYGANDE TEFAT" from 1977 serves as a newsletter for the VTF (presumably a UFO research organization), providing updates on upcoming events, membership information, and potential study circles. The publication is in Swedish.

Forntidsforskning Meeting

A meeting focused on "Forntidsforskning" (Ancient History Research) is scheduled for Monday, December 5th, at 6:30 PM at Humlegatan 20 C (basement premises). The speaker will be Anna-Karin Roos, who will discuss archaeology. The aim is to learn about ancient history through archaeological excavations.

Astronomy Excursion

An excursion to the Kvistaberg astronomical observatory is planned for January 14, 1978. During this trip, the group also intends to visit the Solna Astronomiska Förening (SAF) in Stockholm to complement the impressions gained at Kvistaberg. Members and interested individuals from other organizations are asked to submit an expression of interest by December 15th. The excursion will be canceled if the number of participants is insufficient. For inquiries and registration, contact 021-35 22 62 or 021-35 51 19.

Membership Fee 1978

As 1977 draws to a close, the announcement is made regarding the 1978 membership fee. The fee remains unchanged at 50 kronor for full-paying members and 15 kronor for pensioners and students. Payment slips are included with the magazine. Members who joined in the last quarter of 1977 have already paid their 1978 fee. The payment period extends to the end of the first quarter of 1978. Failure to pay by this deadline will be considered as the member not wishing to continue their membership. It is possible to rejoin later, but information during the interim period will be missed.

UFO-INFORMATION Subscription

Subscribers to "UFO-INFORMATION" can, as before, send their subscription fees to VTF, who will then forward them. The price for a full-year subscription (6 issues) is 50 kronor, and it can be paid simultaneously with the membership fee.

UFO Group Formation

A meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 15th, at Skogsvägen 27 B, to form a UFO group. The meeting will include a viewing of VTF's slide film and other interesting images. Following the film screening, plans will be made for future activities within this subject area.

Study Circle

If there is sufficient interest among VTF members for a study circle on Meteorology, it may commence soon. Karl-Erik Levin is handling the Meteorology group and believes such a circle would be both interesting and beneficial for the organization's activities. Interested individuals can contact Karl-Erik Levin directly at P1 3346 C, 723 48 Västerås, or by phone at 021-22050.

Vimana Contact Organization

The page also features a graphic and text indicating that "VIMANA ÄR ETT KONTAKTORGAN SOM HANDLAR BL.A. OM" (Vimana is a contact organization that deals with, among other things). The graphic displays various fields of interest including Rymdforskning (Space Research), Forntidsforskning (Ancient History Research), UFO-fenomen (UFO phenomena), Astronomi (Astronomy), Meteorologi (Meteorology), Kemi (Chemistry), and Parapsykologi (Parapsychology), associated with the "Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening" (Västerås Interdisciplinary Association).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around promoting active participation in the organization through various meetings and events, covering topics from ancient history and astronomy to UFO phenomena and meteorology. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging engagement and providing opportunities for members to learn and contribute to the organization's pursuits. There is a clear emphasis on timely communication regarding deadlines for expressions of interest and membership fee payments.