Aftenposten, 18 Jun 2003

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article.jhtml?articleID=566849

Low 'UFO' activity in Hessdalen


Norway's most renowned spot for mysterious aerial sightings,
the village of Hessdalen in South Troendelag, is experiencing a
dearth of sightings. The valley community's measuring station has
registered 120-130 unidentifiable light phenomena since 1998, but
only one in the past year, newspaper VG reports.


Project Hessdalen began in 1983 and is managed by Oestfold
University College. The project introduced sophisticated monitoring
equipment in 1998 and posts incoming data on a web site devoted to
the investigation.

Project leader Erling Strand told VG's web site that not only have the
mechanical sightings dwindled recently, but also the observations
made by the local populace.

Strand said that they cannot explain the sharp drop in sightings but
believes one key factor is technical problems connected to newly
installed camera equipment.

"We are now in the process of reinstalling the equipment and then we
believe that registered sightings will pick up again," Strand said.

Project Hessdalen has attracted international interest, including a
group of scientists working at Italy's Institute for Radio Astronomy
who study the Hessdalen phenomena.