Anomalija - No 01

Magazine Overview

Title: Аномалия (Anomaly)
Issue: № 0
Date: September 1990
Publisher: TASS and the Association "Ecology of the Unknown"
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This is the inaugural issue of "Аномалия," a scientific-informational bulletin dedicated to exploring anomalous phenomena. The magazine aims to collect, systematize, and analyze facts and observations that fall outside conventional scientific understanding. It seeks to foster a more open approach to studying unexplained events, which have often been met with skepticism by mainstream science.

Editorial Stance and Key Articles

"What is 'Anomaly'?" by Sergey Bulantsev (Editor)

Sergey Bulantsev, the editor and journalist, introduces the bulletin by defining "anomaly" as a deviation from the norm. He draws a parallel between contemporary skepticism towards phenomena like UFOs and poltergeists and the historical rejection of meteorites by the Paris Academy of Sciences. Bulantsev argues that our understanding of 'normal' is limited by our incomplete knowledge of the laws of existence. He emphasizes that the bulletin's goal is to gather facts and observations that challenge conventional perceptions, suggesting that what seems anomalous today might be understood as normal in the future, much like the invention of the airplane was once considered impossible.

"Scientists' Point of View: Collecting Facts" by Vlail Kaznacheev (Academician of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences)

Academician Vlail Kaznacheev stresses the importance of collecting and systematizing facts about anomalous phenomena. He believes that while sensationalism should be avoided, the scientific community must remain open to investigating unexplained events. Kaznacheev suggests that many observed phenomena might be manifestations of the interaction between Earth and other forms of intelligent life in the universe, or perhaps 'cosmic mimicry' where subjective perception aligns with objective reality. He advocates for a new, synthetic science – "Ecology of the Unknown" – to study these phenomena.

"Minefields of New Knowledge" by Elena Melnikova (Doctor of Economic Sciences)

Dr. Elena Melnikova discusses the rapid advancement of human intellect and technology, noting how quickly once-unimaginable innovations become commonplace. She posits that humanity is now experimenting on itself, facing the "minefield" of new knowledge, with stakes including life, intellect, and health. Melnikova argues that the current technological society, by ignoring the potential of higher psychic abilities and real-world phenomena, is hindering its ability to create a safe future. She calls for a redirection of intellectual resources towards constructive purposes and a greater understanding of the unknown.

"Happy Birthday, 'Anomaly'!" by Chris A. Rutkowski (President of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada)

Chris A. Rutkowski congratulates the bulletin on its launch, acknowledging that anomalous phenomena have often been ignored or dismissed by science. He notes a growing trend towards openness and international cooperation in studying these events, which he sees as a natural progression for any scientific discipline. Rutkowski expresses his support for the editors and authors of "Аномалия" and wishes them success.

UFO Sightings and Commentary

"In the Air"

This section presents two eyewitness accounts:

1. Moscow Resident (I.V. Botukhova): On April 16th, a resident of Tushino, Moscow, observed a bright orange, egg-shaped object in the sky, approximately the size of the moon. The object changed positions, appeared to open and close, and then vanished.
2. Engels Resident (E. Bitsuev): A resident near Engels reported seeing two moons in the sky – one normal yellow and another smaller, pulsating, lilac-colored moon with a bluish haze. This second 'moon' eventually disappeared.

Other Articles

• "Eyewitness Questionnaire"
• "Portrait of a 'Saucer' or a Photomontage?"
• "The UFO Phenomenon in Canada"
• "Poltergeist in India: Event and Judgment"
• "The Bermuda Triangle: Another Version"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of anomalous phenomena, the limitations of conventional scientific paradigms, and the importance of collecting and analyzing empirical data. The editorial stance is one of advocating for a more open-minded and rigorous approach to studying the unexplained, challenging established scientific dogma, and exploring the potential of human intellect to understand and navigate these phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on the need for a new scientific framework, termed "Ecology of the Unknown," to accommodate these subjects. The bulletin positions itself as a vital resource for this exploration, aiming to bridge the gap between the unknown and scientific understanding.

This issue of 'Аномалия' magazine, dated 01.90 and identified as volume 10, is titled 'НЛО: наблюдения и комментарии' (UFO: Observations and Commentary). It focuses on UFO sightings, witness testimonies, and expert analysis, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon.

Key Articles and Reports

Moscow Sighting

The issue begins with a report from Moscow, where resident M.V. Kalinin describes observing a strange, glowing object with multiple lights over Chistoprudny Boulevard on March 21st. The object, described as a sphere with lights, was seen to move silently and rapidly, ascending sharply before disappearing. Valery Lupovka, a Candidate of Technical Sciences and member of the 'Ecology of the Unexplained' association, comments on this sighting. He notes that while personal encounters with UFOs can be surprising, witnesses often focus on exotic details and neglect to record precise observational data like time, altitude, and direction, which are crucial for scientific analysis.

Radar Observations

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to radar sightings. Reports detail how air traffic controllers at the Nalchik airport observed an unidentified flying object on their radar screens for 23 minutes on March 7th. The object appeared as a distinct, non-meteorological target moving at 160-200 km/h. A Mi-2 helicopter was dispatched, and as it approached within 6 kilometers, both the helicopter and the object disappeared from radar for 18-20 seconds before reappearing. The object then changed course and headed towards the helicopter, which evasively returned to base. Air defense services also tracked the UFO, with pilots describing it as a brightly glowing sphere about three meters in diameter. A similar report comes from Ulyanovsk, where hundreds of residents witnessed a large, blue-green sphere on April 6th. The initial report of this sighting came from the crew of an An-26 aircraft. The issue also includes a testimony from V. Mokhankov, a radio technician at the airport, who visually confirmed the object and then tracked it on his radar, noting its unusual stationary and then rapid movement before it vanished.

Ground Sightings and Physical Traces

The magazine also covers ground-level observations. An officer, E. Pavlov, reported an elliptical object hovering at about 100 meters above a field in Kohtla-Järve, Estonia, on March 23rd. The object had yellow, running lights around its circumference and later descended and landed. His son and neighborhood children also witnessed the event. Another intriguing report from Voronezh describes a mysterious hole, five meters deep and 100 mm in diameter at a 70-degree angle, that appeared overnight in a freshly plowed field. The landowner reported seeing a large, bright sphere moving low over the ground. Vladimir Sapozhnikov, a Candidate of Technical Sciences, comments on the Kohtla-Järve case, noting that while such landing reports are common, they often lack detailed data on environmental changes. He finds the Voronezh case more interesting, suggesting that known methods of hole formation do not fit the description and that further investigation is warranted.

Personal Encounters and Medical Effects

Two detailed personal accounts are presented. S. Dyusembaev, a worker from Semipalatinsk, recounts an experience where he was struck by an unseen force, felt a heavy pressure, and heard hissing sounds after observing a square, glowing object hovering over the ground. He sustained a broken collarbone, which healed unusually quickly. The second account involves Galii Faizov, a pipeline patrolman from Yulamano, Bashkiria, who observed a 'ship' with glowing lights that interfered with electrical equipment and caused a pipeline pressure drop. He was also subjected to beams of light and felt a disorienting effect. Dr. Yulia Koretskaya, a Doctor of Medical Sciences, discusses the sensitivity of people to weak fields and emphasizes the need for thorough medical and biological studies of witnesses. Dmitry Georgievsky, a Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, highlights the importance of considering the field nature of UFOs and their potential to affect both physical devices and human perception, suggesting that 'energy strikes' and 'pressure' might be manifestations of poorly understood properties of matter. Dr. Yuri Sergeev, a Candidate of Medical Sciences, finds the medical aspects of these cases interesting, noting that the rapid healing of Dyusembaev's collarbone is medically unusual and might be related to the residual magnetic field effects described.

Analyzing UFO Photographs

Alexander Kuzovkin, a physicist-optician, analyzes purported UFO photographs, explaining that many are optical effects caused by lens aberrations and reflections, particularly in night shots with strong light sources. He provides an example of a 'UFO' photo he took in his own apartment due to a nearby lamp. The article also warns about deliberate fabrications, often created by teenagers, and notes that refusing to provide negatives for analysis is a common sign of a hoax.

Witness Questionnaire

To aid in systematic data collection, the magazine includes a comprehensive 'Witness Questionnaire' developed by Alexander Semenov, president of the 'Ecology of the Unexplained' association. This questionnaire covers 28 points, ranging from the date and time of observation to the object's shape, color, movement, physical effects, and the witness's personal details and background. It aims to standardize reporting and provide researchers with detailed information for analysis.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the diverse nature of UFO sightings (visual, radar, ground-based), the challenges in scientific analysis due to subjective reporting and potential misinterpretations, and the exploration of possible physical effects of UFOs on the environment and human physiology. The magazine adopts a stance of serious inquiry, presenting witness accounts and expert opinions while encouraging rigorous scientific investigation and cautioning against unsubstantiated claims or hoaxes. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards the phenomenon, coupled with a demand for verifiable data and systematic research methods.

This issue of "Anomalous Phenomena" (АНОМАЛИЯ) from January 1990, titled "Portrait of a 'saucer' or a hoax?" (Портрет «тарелки» или фотошутка?), delves into the complex world of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and poltergeist activity. The magazine presents a collection of photographic evidence, witness accounts, and analyses of unexplained events from various parts of the world, questioning the authenticity of some sightings while highlighting others that remain puzzling.

UFO Sightings and Photographic Evidence

The issue opens with photographs allegedly taken by V.M. Kondrashov in February of the current year, provided by him from the village of Cherdakly in the Ulyanovsk region of Russia. These images were later published by the newspaper "Pravda Ukrainy" on March 21st of the same year. The article questions the nature of these images, suggesting they might be a 'hoax' or a 'photographic trick'.

Another case features a resident of Yalta, S.N. Doroshenko, who photographed an object on February 3, 1985. According to witnesses, a glowing green vortex appeared, moving along the terrain and emitting a buzzing sound. The object flew over a milk factory and disappeared. An analysis of the photographs taken with a 'Zenith-E' camera provided no grounds for doubting their authenticity.

Further photographic evidence comes from the archive of F.Yu. Zigel, showing an object above the Kola Peninsula on October 15, 1968. Analysis of this image revealed that its surface and contour resembled 'splashes of boiling substance'. Microscopic examination showed graininess, suggesting the visible form was likely a plasma-like shell hiding a central core.

Identical UFO shapes were reported on November 21, 1979, near the village of Talnakh, under Norilsk. A group of nine witnesses observed a UFO emitting light beams from its lower part.

A more suspicious case involved a black and white film sent by a Moscow resident on April 13, 1990. It contained six frames depicting a dark object hovering over a school building. The witness claimed his son and friends had observed and photographed the UFO. However, further investigation revealed that the schoolchildren themselves admitted to faking the images.

UFOs in Canada: A Ufological Perspective

The magazine features an extensive section on UFO research in Canada, focusing on the work of Chris Rutkowski from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Rutkowski, along with his colleagues, founded the UFOROM association (Ufological Research of Manitoba). Despite never having personally witnessed a UFO, Rutkowski is dedicated to collecting and analyzing reports.

The article emphasizes that 'unidentified' does not necessarily mean 'extraterrestrial'. It highlights that approximately 8% of people have reported seeing UFOs, indicating a global phenomenon worthy of scientific study. Rutkowski expresses concern over governments, including Canada's, potentially downplaying or concealing information about UFOs.

Rutkowski has interviewed hundreds of witnesses, storing the data in a computer. Reports are sent to the National Research Council of Canada, which collects but does not analyze them. Currently, no official body in Canada is actively studying UFOs.

Rutkowski categorizes UFO sightings into two main groups: those observed from a distance, appearing as glowing objects with red, orange, or white light, and daytime sightings, often of disk-shaped, metallic objects capable of hovering and moving with astonishing speed.

Poltergeist Phenomena

The issue also explores the phenomenon of poltergeists, describing various manifestations such as unexplained noises, disembodied voices, and the movement or destruction of objects. One hypothesis presented is that poltergeists are caused by a 'probe' from a highly developed extraterrestrial civilization.

The Mysterious Fires of Naanghi Bad

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the inexplicable fires in the Indian village of Naanghi Bad, located near Jaipur. Residents report spontaneous combustion, where fires erupt without any apparent cause, such as open flames or electrical faults. The fires are described as unusual, igniting rapidly and being difficult to extinguish. Attempts to douse the flames with water sometimes seemed to intensify them.

One account details the experience of Pratap, a peasant whose house burned down. He witnessed a small spark appear on the wall, which then exploded like a bomb, engulfing his hut in flames. He tried to put out the fire with water, but it only made it worse.

Another characteristic of the events in Naanghi Bad is the spontaneous movement and disappearance of objects. Books, blankets, and dishes have been found in unexpected places, and items have even been observed to teleport through walls.

The Role of Sadhu Gopal-ji and Scientific Analysis

The village elder, Hari Ram Narayan Sharma, recounts a similar event that occurred 30 years prior in the nearby village of Palera, which eventually subsided. In Naanghi Bad, the situation worsened until the sadhu Gopal-ji intervened. He built a small altar and, through prayer and concentration, reportedly restored harmony to the village.

Sadhu Gopal-ji explained that the village had experienced a 'vacuum of energy' or an imbalance of good and evil forces. He used his mental energy to restore balance.

While a natural gas leak was considered, official investigations revealed that drilling in the area only yielded water, ruling out this explanation. The fires and other phenomena in Naanghi Bad remain unexplained. The villagers received compensation for their losses but would prefer the events not to repeat.

Valentin Fomenko, a candidate of technical sciences and an investigator of anomalous phenomena, comments that spontaneous combustion and object movement are well-known poltergeist phenomena. He notes that poltergeists can manifest as self-flight and self-destruction of small objects, unexplained streams of water, and the materialization/dematerialization of objects.

Poltergeists and Extraterrestrial Civilizations

Regarding poltergeists, the magazine suggests that their manifestations, such as sounds, voices, and object manipulation, could be caused by a highly advanced extraterrestrial civilization using unknown laws of nature. This hypothesis is supported by the observed phenomena of materialization, dematerialization, and teleportation. Poltergeists are seen as a 'test' to study human reactions to unusual events that defy common sense.

Currently, there is no known way to stop poltergeists, with escape being the only partially effective measure. The phenomena often cease on their own after a period of time, with breaks ranging from days to a year.

The Bermuda Triangle: A Gas Hydrate Hypothesis

The issue concludes with a brief mention of the Bermuda Triangle mystery, suggesting that gas hydrates might be responsible for the phenomenon. The article posits that in this tropical region, three sharp angles of the triangle might be linked to the most fantastic explanations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent mystery of UFOs and the unexplained nature of poltergeist activity. The magazine adopts a stance of open inquiry, presenting various cases and hypotheses without definitively concluding on the cause of these phenomena. It encourages scientific investigation while acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge. The editorial tone suggests a belief that unexplained events are real and deserve serious consideration, moving beyond mere superstition or hoaxes, though the possibility of hoaxes is also addressed.

This issue of the science-information bulletin "Anomaly" (numbered 01.90, volume 30) is titled "The Bermuda Triangle: Another Version" and is a collaborative effort between TACC journalists and scientists from the Association "Ecology of the Unknown." The bulletin is published by TACC and GRII in Moscow, Russia.

The Bermuda Triangle Mystery: A Gas Hydrate Theory

The article begins by posing the enduring mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, where ships and aircraft vanish without a trace. It highlights several tragic incidents: the disappearance of the 200-meter-long American warship "Cyclops" with 309 crew members in 1919 after departing from Barbados; the loss of five US torpedo bombers on a training flight in 1945; and the "evaporation" of an American "Phantom" fighter jet with two pilots off the coast of Miami in 1971, despite clear skies and no distress signal. Rescue teams found no wreckage, even in shallow waters.

Traditionally, scientists have dismissed such events as due to common causes like storms, navigation errors, mechanical failures, or sensationalism. However, more exotic explanations, including extraterrestrial involvement and "death rays" from a sunken continent like Atlantis, have also been proposed. The article references a whimsical explanation from Vladimir Vysotsky about an "unclosed navel of the Earth."

A more recent and comprehensive theory, proposed by Canadian chemist Donald Davidson in 1984, suggests that the phenomena in the Bermuda Triangle can be explained by the properties of gas hydrates. These are solid, ice-like structures composed of water and methane, which can form under specific conditions of low temperature and high pressure found on the ocean floor. When these conditions change, the gas hydrates can destabilize, releasing vast quantities of methane gas.

This sudden release of methane causes the water on the surface to become a boiling foam, drastically reducing buoyancy. A ship caught in this phenomenon would lose its support and sink rapidly, like a stone. Similarly, an aircraft flying over such an area would lose lift. Any spark, even from hot exhaust gases, could ignite the methane, creating a momentary fireball that could consume a vessel or aircraft without a trace.

The article posits that the warm Gulf Stream current, known for its unpredictable shifts, might act as a trigger for the destabilization of these gas hydrate formations. When the current deviates, it could disturb the hydrate "ice mountains," leading to the catastrophic release of methane.

Supporting Evidence and Related Research

While Davidson's theory initially went unnoticed, recent research presented at a conference in New Orleans by the American Association for the Advancement of Science has provided results that support his hypothesis. The article notes that this theory, while potentially explaining many disappearances, does not account for cases where vessels were found intact but abandoned.

Texas engineer Wayne Dunlap, specializing in offshore platform foundations, shared his experiences with unusual gas hydrates found in the Gulf of Mexico. He described encountering "mountains of hydrate, mountains of solid ice" on the seabed, which complicate his work. Dunlap also mentioned the possibility of methane release triggered by even minor seismic activity, leading to a giant explosion. His team discovered a large, crater-like formation on the seabed, estimated to be millions of square meters, which they believe is the result of gas hydrate activity. Unfortunately, Dunlap, the author of this specific observation, passed away before his contribution could be fully recognized in the context of the Bermuda Triangle mystery.

Reader Engagement and Editorial Information

An editorial note addresses the reader, inviting them to share their thoughts and observations on anomalous phenomena. The bulletin aims to foster discussion and potentially publish reader contributions. Readers are encouraged to report any UFO sightings or unusual experiences. The editorial office is located at TACC, GRII, Press Bureau, Tverskoy Boulevard, Moscow.

The issue credits S.F. Bulantsev as the editor, A.A. Tomashova for the cover art, and A.G. Genaliev for preparing the layout and phototypesetting. The print run was 300 copies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the exploration of scientific hypotheses, specifically the gas hydrate theory, to explain the enduring mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. The editorial stance appears to be open to unconventional ideas and encourages reader participation in discussing anomalous phenomena, positioning "Anomaly" as a platform for exploring the unexplained from a scientific, albeit speculative, perspective.