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Why did reports fall from about 20 a week in 1981–1984 to about 10–20 a year?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of Do the Hessdalen lights include a natural phenomenon not yet explained, once known light sources are removed?·3 answers·0·0 following
Three answers, none aheadNone is ahead yet. See what would settle it.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible.

Why it matters

A real decline in occurrence would constrain the mechanism; a decline in reporting would not⁠[1]⁠[2].

Answers 3

None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Evidence: 1 for, 1 against
Still possible
The phenomenon itself became rarer.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: 1 for
Still possible

History

  1. Strand et al.: the valley's population fell from about 200 in 1980 to about 120.For: Reporting fell with media attention, fewer investigators and a shrinking local population.
  2. Teodorani puts forward: the phenomenon itself became rarer.
  3. Teodorani puts forward: reporting fell with media attention, fewer investigators and a shrinking local population.
  4. Teodorani: witness counts within 0.1–5 km decline from double figures in the late 1990s to low single figures in the…For: The phenomenon itself became rarer.
  5. Teodorani: tourism has increased, which should raise the number of potential witnesses.Against: Reporting fell with media attention, fewer investigators and a shrinking local population.
  6. Asked on this site
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