Science vs The UFO
By
While tales of alien abduction and government cover-ups are rife, little is heard of the most common of UFO sightings, that of the ‘light-in-the-sky’ (LITS). It is true that most LITS reports can be easily explained away, usually as aircraft lights, but also astronomical bodies such as bright stars and planets. But there is a small residue of such LITS reports that are not so easily explained. These often haunt certain geographical areas such as the Pennine Hills of Northern England, Marfa, Texas in the USA, and Hessdalen in central Norway. It was the LITS in Hessdalen that attracted the attention of UFO researchers from Norway and Sweden in the early l980’s, and since then many others from around the world. The Hessdalen LITS were the first to be subjected to scientific scrutiny using a whole host of hi-tech equipment. Hessdalen really was the scene of ‘Science v The UFO.
Hessdalen is a valley in central Norway. It lies southeast of Trondheim and about 30 kilometres northwest of the town of Roros. The whole valley stretches 12 kilometres in length and has only around 200 inhabitants. The valley is special for one very unusual thing; mysterious lights.
The First Appearance
In December l981, unknown lights suddenly started to appear in the skies above Hessdalen. These lights could sometimes stand still for more than an hour. They were also seen to move around slowly before stopping, and sometimes they were observed travelling at a fast rate of speed. At one time the lights were tracked on radar and were estimated to be travelling at approximately 8,500 meters per second.
These lights were observed just about everywhere and more often than not they were below the horizon down in the valley and not high up in the sky. It has to be said that the vast majority of the lights were reported to be below the tops of nearby mountains. No one in Hessdalen could offer an explanation for these strange lights.
The Shapes of the Lights
The lights themselves appeared to have several different shapes. This was something that became quite apparent when the lights were photographed. The main shapes were; bullet shaped, with the sharp end down, a round football shape, and an upside down Christmas tree shape. There were other shapes but the above three were the main ones.
The colours of the lights were mostly white or a yellow/white. Sometimes a small red light could be seen amongst the white. On a few occasions the lights were made up of every colour in the rainbow. The lights could be observed several times a day, but they were seen more during the night. At the most they were observed four times a day. There were more reports of the lights in the winter rather than the summer. One reason for this might be the fact that in summer Hessdalen has almost perpetual daylight.
The Colours of the Lights
The lights could be split into three groups:
1. Small and strong white or blue flashes which could show up everywhere in the sky.
2. Yellow or yellow/white lights. These lights were, more often than not, observed in the valley and below the horizon. Sometimes they were just above the rooftops and even down on the ground. They could appear stationary for more than an hour before slowly moving off around the valley, and sometimes they could show extremely fast acceleration and very fast speeds.
3. Several lights together at a fixed distance from each other. Mostly these were yellow or yellow/white lights with a red light at the front. These lights could move slowly around the tops of the mountains.
Continued Sightings
The reports of the strange lights carried on throughout l982, but suddenly in the spring of l983, sightings of them dropped rapidly. By the summer of l983 there were no reports of the lights at all. However, in the autumn and winter of l983 the sightings began again but in far fewer numbers than before. Things changed somewhat in the autumn of l984 as the sightings began once more to increase.
As no official institute with governmental support in Norway seemed to be interested in these strange lights, five individual researchers began their own research project: Project Hessdalen. Their aim was simple, to discover what the lights in Hessdalen were. The project consisted of a working committee which had the responsibility of running the project, and an advisory committee to help the working committee in the theoretical part of the project. The advisors were also there to act as an ‘expert’ group to answer questions from others involved in the project.
Project Hessdalen Begins
Project Hessdalen managed to obtain good contacts in a number of institutions in Norway including the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, The University of Oslo, the University of Bergen and also the University of Trondheim. Some of the Project’s team had made contact with these establishments in the past in the course of other research.
The UFO research groups of both UFO Norway and UFO Sweden along with many volunteers began their field studies of the Hessdalen lights in January l984. A wide variety of sophisticated instrumentation was to be used in order to try and get to grips with the unknown lights. Such instrumentation included a battery of cameras, radar, spectrum analyser, geiger counter, and much more.
No sooner had the field study began in snow-bound Hessdalen valley than the project began to obtain some positive results. On January 27, l984, the lights were seen by project members and on radar. At 5.32 pm an oblong-shaped light was observed. The light was observed moving away over the mountains and out of sight. The light had a white and red colour to it which blinked at uneven intervals. On January 28 at 3.49 pm something was detected on radar but nothing was seen with the naked eye. On January 29 there was again an echo on the radar but again nothing was seen by the eyes of the gathered observers. On the February 1st, numerous radar returns were made but again the lights remained elusive to the ground observers. Later that night an oblong-shaped light was observed by 11 people and it was also photographed. Throughout the remainder of the project numerous observations of the lights would be made and they were photographed on many occasions.
Instrumentation
The instruments used for the project were many and varied. They included:
A camera with a special filter which could be used to analyse the light spectrum. A seismograph was used to measure any movements in the Earth’s crust, just in case the lights were related to small earthquakes. None were registered. Radar recordings totalled 36, three of which coincided with observations made by the projects observers. Two photos of the radar screen were taken depicting the returns. The project also used a spectrum analyser connected to an antenna so that all radio signals could be monitored on a screen. At no time did this instrument pick up anything unusual. A magnetometer was used to measure any variations in the Earth’s magnetic field. There was none. A laser was pointed at the lights a total of nine times. Eight out of the nine times the lights seemed to respond to the laser by altering the way they were flashing. Geiger counters were used to measure any radiation but nothing unusual was recorded. An infrared viewer was also used but on the two occasions when the lights were observed using this instrument there was no infrared radiation visible.
The camera was probably the most effective of all the instruments used. Dozens of colour photographs were taken. Those taken by using a long exposure showed the round or oval lights. All the cameras were tripod mounted to reduce blurring. The lights were photographed in the sky, just above the mountain tops and of course down in the Hessdalen valley itself. Computer analysis of some of the photographs was inconclusive.
UFO Laboratory
A similar exercise was attempted again in the winter of 1985, but due to extremely bad weather conditions it was not possible to repeat the success of the l984 project. American UFO researcher, the late Dr J. Allen Hynek, who was at one time a consultant to the official United States Air Force UFO study Project Blue Book, visited the l985 Hessdalen project. It was to be one of his last field trips before he died later that same year. Dr. Hynek described the project as “a UFO laboratory” and was extremely impressed by the results of the l984 project and of the efforts of all those involved.
Dr. J. Allen Hynek in Hessdalen shortly before is death in 1985. To his left is Project Hessdalen leader, Erling Strand.
Since that time Project Hessdalen has been discussed and debated in many countries around the world. The lights, although still there, are not in such profusion as they were in l984. Some equipment still monitors the area and the researchers involved still hope to set up camp in the Hessdalen valley once again should the lights return in large numbers.
It has been speculated that the strange lights could be related to some kind of weather phenomenon, or to lights produced by faults in the earth’s crust termed ‘earthlights’. Some believe that a solid structure lies behind the lights, but no one knows for sure what they are. They remain truly unidentified.
Still Unidentified
In the spring of l994 a group of 20 scientists attended a workshop in Hessdalen which lasted for four days. These included Professor Boris Smirnov from the Institute of High Temperatures in Moscow, Russia, Professor David Fryberger from the Stanford Linear Accelerator in the USA, and Professor Yoshi Othsuki from Waseda University in Japan. All agreed that the Hessdalen lights were ‘real’ and not illusions of any kind and that they were worthy of further scientific study. UFOs had been promoted into the scientific premier league.
UK based researcher Paul Devereux who is part of the Project Hessdalen consultancy team and was at the for day workshop in l994 continues to work closely with Project Hessdalen leader Erling Strand. Both have ventured far and wide to research similar types of light phenomenon in other parts of the world.
Today, 17 years after Project Hessdalen, where UFO Norway and UFO Sweden joined forces to complete one of, if not the most complete scientific study of UFO’s conducted by any civilian UFO group, sightings are still being reported. The local population still regularly report sightings direct to UFO Norway. Local people have reported both lights-in-the-sky and apparent structured, cigar-shaped UFOs. Recent sightings (year 2001) include a report by Mr. F. Moen on April 13. In a valley west of Hessdalen his son observed a fast moving light for over 20 minutes. Throughout the sighting the light continued to change colour as it moved about the sky. Earlier in the year, on March 28 Mr Tor Gaserud was driving towards the town of Roros when he observed a blue-green light close to the mountain ridge. The light was observed for around 20 seconds. Right at the beginning of the year Mr Peder Gronas and his grandson Bjarne Lillevold were driving towards Hessdalen when they observed a bright light just above the mountain. Whatever these LITS are, they continue to be observed in and around the Hessdalen region as these few sightings clearly show.
Automatic Measurement Station
Equipment still monitoring the Hessdalen valley includes an Automatic Measurement Station (AMS). This is a video camera linked to a video recorder and a computer system. The camera takes photos at regular intervals but it is also triggered if a light source appears. An improved AMS is on the drawing board but funds are required to upgrade the equipment already there. When such plans can be accomplished is solely dependent on how much money can be raised from sponsors. The main sponsor today has been Ostfold University College in Norway. The amount of money so far generated has not yet achieved the desired result: to solve the Hessdalen Phenomena. Further plans for Project Hessdalen include:
Expanding the Automatic Measurement Station. Develop and run a database, with a web interface. Analyse data and begin the necessary activities to find the answers to the Hessdalen Phenomena. Develop small AMS that can be installed in other places with high UFO activity.
Become a sponsor of Project Hessdalen
Project Hessdalen is run mainly on a voluntary basis, with individuals spending their own time and money to try and resolve the puzzle of the Hessdalen lights. With proper funding so much more and even a resolution to this puzzle could be found. The AMS requires further equipment and without funding it is unlikely to be up-graded in the near future.
Financial assistance is required to purchase the right equipment, install it and set it to work. Money is also required to pay people to work on the project which in turn will speed things up rather than waiting for volunteers all the time.
Project Hessdalen, the “UFO LABORATORY” as termed by the later DR Hynek, needs your support. Donations and sponsorship both large and small is more than welcome. If you would like to become a sponsor you can contact Mr. Erling Strand on: telephone +47 41425 411, or fax: 0047 69168018. Or you can write to him c/o: UFO NORWAY, PO BOX 124, N-31363 Borgheim, Norway.
More information on Project Hessdalen can be found on the web site: www.hessdalen.org
ON-GOING INTERNATION AL RESEARCH
In August 2000 and 2001 Italian astrophysicists joined their Norwegian counterparts in a joint study of the phenomenon. Again a whole battery of equipment was used as part of this study including radio spectrum analysers, cameras, video cameras and spectroscopes. The head of the Italian team is Massimo Teodorani, PhD, and astrophysicist from Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in Bolgna, Italy. The Italian Committee for Project Hessdalen financed his project. In a full interview with US researcher Linda Moulton Howe Teodorani concluded that the Hessdalen lights are “Thermal plasmas of unknown origin”. This full interview can be located on the web site at: http://earthfiles.com/earth301.htm
The
mysterious lights in and around the Hessdalen Valley continue to amaze and
mystify. Attempts to pin them down scientifically have not yet fully succeeded,
but information of a wide variety has already been obtained. With the right
sponsorship it is hoped that an answer will be found. Until that time, the
Hessdalen lights do remain truly ‘unidentified’.
THE
INSTRUMENTATION USED DURING PROJECT HESSDALEN
Camera with grating.
Special gratings were used in order to try and establish what kind of light source was present. Ordinary 35 mm cameras were also used to great effect. The cameras fitted with the special grating were used to try and obtain spectral analysis of the LITS. Only four photo’s taken using the special grating proved to be of any use. The results of these pictures were inconclusive.
Seismograph.
A MEQ-800 portable seismic system was used in Project Hessdalen. It has been suggested that the LITS were the result of earth movements and the seismograph was used to check to see if there was any correlation between earth movements and manifestations of the LITS. No seismic movements were noted in connection with the LITS.
Radar.
Atlas 2000 radar was used as part of the project. It had a maximum distance of 33 kilometres and at times did make recordings. A total of 36 radar recordings were made.
Spectrum Analyser.
This piece of equipment was used to check and see if there was any electrical interference caused by the LITS. A Hewlett Packard spectrum analyser was used which swept from 150 kHz to 1250 MHz continuously. Nothing was recorded in connection with the LITS.
Magnetometer.
There were some suggestions that the LITS may be associated with a magnetic field. Could the LITS be caused by magnetic storms for example? A Fluxgate Magnetometer, model FM100, serial 73 was used. No correlation was found with the LITS.
Laser.
A 633nm laser from Spectra-Physics Inc. was used to see if the LITS would react to a strong light source was aimed at them. The laser was aimed at the LITS on nine separate occasions. Eight out of nine times the LITS reacted as a result, usually changing the pattern of their flashing.
Geiger counter.
Used to measure background radiation they were also used to check for any increase in radiation readings in locations where the LITS had been seen close to the ground. None were recorded.
Infrared Viewer.
Two FJM, model 80045 IR - viewers were used to check for any IR radiation from the LITS. None was detected.
One of the leading researchers for UFO Norway and Project Hessdalen is Mr Odd-Gunnar Roed from Tonsberg in southern Norway. I recently caught up with Mr Roed in Norway and what follows is an extract from a much longer interview I conducted with him in August 2001.
Philip Mantle (PM).
Odd-Gunnar Roed (OGR).
PM: When did you first become interested in UFO’s.
OGR: AS far back as I can remember, when I was about 4-5 years old, I can remember being the potatoes cellar with my Granddad, I can remember asking him about the universe and the possibility of life in space, and luckily he was interested in the subject and he did not put me off, so sometimes I feel as if I’m born with this interest in a way.
PM: What part did you play in the Project Hessdalen team.
OGR: My title was Project Co-ordinator. Mostly I was responsible for the distributing the results of our research being distributed to people in Norway and around the world. I prepared a bulletin which was distributed to selected scientists and large UFO groups.
PM: Have you witnessed the Hessdalen lights yourself.
OGR: Yes. I have. In l984 during the project in January, everyone attending could see the lights; you could almost set your watch to the phenomena. For several weeks the lights appeared almost every 2 hours around the clock. I saw the typical orange-red light travel through the valley from south to north and I also observed a rare sight which appeared like a dozen flash bulbs going off with one and half seconds and then nothing and then the same thing happened a little further to the north.
PM: What do you believe causes the Hessdalen lights.
OGR: Well that is almost an impossible question to answer. First these lights appear intelligent then on the other hand they don’t appear to be that intelligent as they are travelling through this remote valley doing absolutely nothing. We never witnessed anything of a structured nature, only lights. However, the local people have reported close encounter type cases and close-up UFO sightings of cigar shaped objects. We have had the lights react to us, for example, we decided to turn off our instrumentation and the sightings increased, when we decided to turn it back on again the sightings decreased. This was when we decided to do this not when we actually hit the switch. So you can see, it if very difficult to answer this question but I would go as far to call these lights an intelligent natural phenomena.
PM: Do you think that science will find an answer to the Hessdalen lights or will they remain unidentified.
OGR: I think that science will find an answer. The question comes down to money. If we remove the term UFO and go down the route of trying to locate a new form of energy then companies from around the world will undoubtedly come on board. These lights could open up a new avenue of physics and we have had scientists from the USA and Russia comment on the lights and have ruled out conventional explanations such as ball lightning. The world of science must continue to study these lights without a doubt.
PM: Do you believe that Project Hessdalen has obtained enough evidence to prove the existence of such an anomalous phenomena to the scientific community.
OGR: Yes and No. We have several hundred photographs that baffle scientists to begin with. A number of these have been computer analysed and some of these showed that the lights illuminated the landscape beneath and we have regular photos taken by automatic field station there. Erling Strand of Project Hessdalen is the brain behind this and it really is worth a visit to our web site to see all these photos and more. So I am convinced that we have enough evidence to prove to scientists that these lights do exist and that they remain unidentified.
PM: UFO research in Norway is not just about Project Hessdalen, so what other significant cases are there in Norway.
OGR: Like most countries there are a lot to choose from. WE had an interesting 2 weeks in November l981 in Arendal, the same lights occurred there and then appeared in Hessdalen. Again, a lot of photos were taken in Arendal. If you could further south in Norway we had 30 witnesses observe a ‘necklace’ of lights in-between the islands. It looked like a large ship all lit up. It went on and off several times and other lights seem to land in the sea and a purple light illuminated the seas from underneath. There was also 2 searchlight-like beams pointing inland but they did not seem to cast any shadows. The light was very bright and very puzzling. This has gone on for over 10 years and we can’t figure it out.
PM: What is the most baffling UFO case that you have personally investigated.
OGR: In the mountains of central Norway in the Easter of l991 I was shown a picture from a newspaper showing some strange marks in the snow. Apparently there were 7 friends taking a vacation in the mountains over the Easter period, and they were staying in a cabin above the snowline. They observed this large orange circle of light with a red light underneath. It floated around in the air before it actually touched the ground 3 times all the while illuminating the snow. The next day they all went to investigate the area they located 3 marks in the snow. They were round marks which were circles within circles. They formed a triangular pattern. They were about 50cm in diameter and there was a yellowish-brownish colour to them as well. About 2 weeks later one of the witnesses took me to the site and I located the marks. I took samples from the marks, within the marks, and one from about 215 meters away. We had the samples analysed at a college and they started that the control sample was fine, the sample between the marks was just about normal, but the sample from the marks was completely sterile, they suggested that this could have been caused by radiation. Our geiger counter showed no adverse radiation readings, so we were completely at a loss to explain it. This is probably the most baffling case that I have ever investigated.
PM: Are there any interesting UFO photos from Norway.
OGR: We have one taken by an elderly lady in l983 of a ‘flying dustbin’. The negative was originally sent to the authorities here who ‘lost’ it. The lady in question saw the object and photographed it and it looks like a flying dustbin with a light on it.
PM: What cooperation if any have you had from the Norwegian military.
OGR: We have had quite good co-operation with them over Project Hessdalen so we can only compliment them. I believe they checked us out first just to make sure we were not a bunch of fanatics, but in Hessdalen they helped us a great deal.
PM: Apart from the Hessdalen lights, what do you believe is the nature and origin of UFOs.
OGR: This is another impossible question to answer. I think it could be a combination of things. Of course there is a large degree of unidentified natural phenomena but we must not rule out some of the testimony from abductees. Some of this information is very puzzling and if taken literally I would not rule out in ET visitations but I can’t be 100 % positive about this.
PM: Last but not least, what do you have to say to the sceptics.
OGR: Take off the blinkers and keep an open mind because there is something very strange going on and we must keep an open mind at all times.
END
About the author:
Philip Mantle is the former Director of Investigations for the British UFO Research Association and was the MUFON Representative for England. He is a well-known international lecturer on the subject of UFOs and is the co-author of ‘WITHOUT CONSENT and ‘BEYOND ROSWELL’. He can be contacted at:
Philip Mantle Interesting Links: http://home.eunet.no/~janbarw/Index.htm http://www.rense.com/general11/proj.htm |
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