БЮЛЛЕТЕНЬ "АНОМАЛЬНЫЕ ЯВЛЕНИЯ"

Magazine Overview

This issue of the bulletin "Anomalous Phenomena" (No. 8, October-November-December 1993) is a special electronic edition from the Ukrainian Commission on Problems of Anomalistics. It addresses significant internal conflicts within the ufological community, scientific approaches to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), and observational data on anomalous phenomena like ball lightning and UFOs.

Statement from the Group of Members of the Ukrainian Ufological Association

This section details a conflict that began over a year prior, stemming from a collective statement issued by Kharkiv members of the Ukrainian Ufological Association (UКУФАС) on July 24, 1992. They criticized proposed changes to the UКУФАС Charter by the association's leadership as undemocratic and illegal, particularly the method of implementing these changes through a "referendum" rather than a congress. Despite these objections, the UКУФАС leadership allegedly managed to re-register the Charter with illegal amendments on September 30, 1992, at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. The statement asserts that the original UКУФАС, formed in 1991 as a voluntary association, effectively ceased to exist after this date. A new organization, described as a commercialized corporate enterprise, operates under the old name, serving only the interests of its leadership. The new structure and methods are characterized as anti-social, ignoring members' rights, violating laws, and demonstrating unprofessionalism and incompetence. The leadership is accused of prioritizing personal gain over the association's stated goals of developing and coordinating ufological research in Ukraine and assisting ufologists. The statement claims that over two years, UКУФАС has provided no real benefit to its members and has led to a decline in the professional and scientific level of Ukrainian ufology, fostering commercialization and disunity. The presence of a few professional scientists is seen as detrimental rather than beneficial. The formal status of UКУФАС as the sole national ufological organization allows its leadership to speak on behalf of all Ukrainian ufologists, creating a negative impression of Ukrainian ufology to the public and scientific circles. The issue is framed as a conflict between genuine researchers of anomalous phenomena and "Ufologist-Businessmen."

Declaration of Separation and Formation of the Ukrainian Commission on Problems of Anomalistics (УКПА)

The statement continues by explaining that the conflict within UКУФАС has reached a stalemate, with neither side able to resolve it legitimately on their own. The proposed solutions—a congress, prosecution, or dissolution and division—are deemed unfeasible. The Extraordinary Congress, planned for July 1993, was unilaterally canceled by the president. The authors acknowledge that appealing to the prosecutor's office could have severe negative consequences for UКУФАС and Ukrainian ufology, potentially leading to further disunity and undermining public trust. However, they feel compelled to take action to resolve the situation. Therefore, they declare their complete separation from UКУФАС, stating that the organization in its current form does not align with their goals or interests and hinders the development of scientific ufological research in Ukraine. To preserve the continuity of scientific study of anomalous phenomena, they are forming an independent public organization: the Ukrainian Commission on Problems of Anomalistics (УКПА). This new commission will assume the tasks that UКУФАС was originally established to fulfill but failed to achieve. Until its own charter is adopted, the commission will operate under the UКУФАС Charter from June 1991. The Kharkiv Coordination Council of UКУФАС is transformed into the Coordination Council of the Ukrainian Commission on Problems of Anomalistics. Alexander Vasilievich Beletsky is named Chairman of the Coordination Council, and Vladimir Semenovich Mantulin is the Scientific Secretary. The bulletin "Anomalous Phenomena" becomes the official publication of the УКПА. The group reaffirms its commitment to cooperation with all interested colleagues on the principles of voluntarism, equality, legality, transparency, and mutual respect. The statement is open for further signatures.

The statement is signed by numerous individuals, including A.V. Arkhipov, A.V. Beletsky, S.V. Bobok, O.V. Bogdanovich, V.V. Borozdykh, V.P. Goloveshko, V.I. Eletsky, S.A. Ivanov, D.P. Kazakov, P.I. Kutnik, R.P. Kazakova, V.S. Mantulin, A.V. Nechaev, A.B. Petukhov, V.V. Rubtsov, M.M. Tonenkova, V.G. Tupalo, V.A. Khromenko, V.I. Shiralieva, and R.B. Tshuko, with several individuals representing organizations.

Radio Intercept: "Radio Liberty"

This section reports on a UFO conference held in New York. Correspondent Anna Orekhova interviews Bob Blechman, a lawyer and leader of a UFO advocacy group. Blechman asserts that UFOs pose a threat, potentially leading to nuclear war, and criticizes the US government for concealing information. He notes that while public interest may have waned, the number of attendees at their conferences remains high. The article also mentions a skeptical tone in a "New York Times" article about the conference, quoting a visitor who suggested that many UFO enthusiasts might not be entirely sane. A Canadian scientific study on UFO observers is also mentioned, which found that participants had slightly above-average intelligence and that many reported sightings during "sleep paralysis," a state prone to hallucinations. The study also noted that these individuals did not experience distress after their sightings, suggesting a possibly positive psychological effect.

Information, Announcements, Advertisements

This section includes a report from a meeting of the Zaporozhye UFO club on November 1, 1993. A.I. Karpitko read a message from UКУФАС President V.S. Pokanevich, announcing that the next congress would be held in Kyiv, not Kharkiv, for logistical reasons. Pokanevich also urged members to actively participate in the Supreme Soviet elections and proposed nominating UКУФАС members as candidates. The message specifically mentions V.I. Yanushevsky from Odessa and the new Minister of Defense, V.G. Radetsky, as "our people." The report notes that out of ten attendees, seven voted for the president's proposals, two abstained, and one voted against. An editorial from "Anomalous Phenomena" clarifies that UКУФАС, as a public organization, does not have the legal right to nominate candidates for election under Ukrainian law, highlighting a "legal illiteracy and nihilism" within the organization.

The bulletin congratulates readers on the New Year and Christmas and previews upcoming articles, including the conclusion of the "Truth about SETI" piece, UFOs at the UN, and Agni Yoga.

Methods and Methodology of Anomalistic Research

Observations of Ball Lightning

This article by M.F. Slobodenik and V.V. Balyberdin discusses the methodological challenges in studying ball lightning. They argue that the current factual basis relies heavily on anecdotal observations, which are often flawed due to observation circumstances and psychological factors. They advocate for scientific research programs using instruments to gather and analyze data. The authors describe their own systematic observations and photography of thunderstorms since the early 1970s, focusing on the relationship between linear and ball lightning. They detail a refined method for nighttime photography of linear lightning, using a camera with ground references and manual shutter control, aiming to capture ball lightning that might occur within 0-3 seconds after a linear discharge. They note that while their photographs have captured ball lightning, visual observation during nighttime thunderstorms is extremely difficult due to bright flashes impairing vision. The camera, however, can register phenomena the eye misses. They present photographic evidence of ball lightning, including luminous, pulsating, and dark forms. Their observations during daylight thunderstorms, though less frequent, recorded ball lightning flying at distances of 1-1.5 kilometers, but the events were too brief to photograph. They conclude that ball lightning is not as rare as often believed and its appearance is directly linked to thunderstorms and linear lightning, suggesting that their photographic method can help determine the mechanism of its formation.

Truth about SETI

This article by A.V. Arkhipov critically examines the principles and practices of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). It traces the idea of interstellar communication back to the late 19th century, predating the invention of radio. The author highlights the pioneering work of Cocconi and Morrison in 1959, which laid out the "classical principles" of SETI: radio communication as the optimal method, the assumption that ETCs would attempt contact, and the expected characteristics of their signals (narrow-band, time-varying, repeating, point-source). Arkhipov argues that these principles are too narrow and have led to a focus on radio signals, neglecting other possibilities like optical communication, particle beams, or even DNA. He questions the assumption that ETCs would necessarily want to communicate with humanity, drawing parallels to communicating with a pet turtle. The article criticizes the dominance of radio astronomers in SETI research, suggesting that their adherence to classical methods is driven by vested interests and the need for funding, rather than purely scientific necessity. The author points to unexplained radio bursts detected during SETI experiments as potential evidence of non-terrestrial intelligence, but notes that these phenomena do not fit the classical model and are often dismissed or ignored. He suggests that the focus on classical SETI principles might be hindering the search for extraterrestrial artifacts and intelligence.

Anomalous Objects (AO) Observations in the Area of Borisoglebsk (Russia)

This section provides a list of reported observations of anomalous objects (AOs) using various radar systems (circular survey, radar altimeter, airborne radar) and visual sightings. Incidents include observations near a crashing MiG-21, a human-like figure followed by a luminous object, AOs exhibiting complex maneuvers in altitude and speed, and objects detected on radar that were not visually confirmed. One incident describes a MiG-21 encountering an AO, resulting in system failures and the crew ejecting. Another details AOs observed moving at high speeds and altitudes. The section also includes a photographic observation of an object described as a hemisphere or flattened sphere, with a clear boundary, and a detailed exposure time for photography.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around internal organizational disputes within the ufological community, particularly the schism within the Ukrainian Ufological Association (UКУФАС). The bulletin strongly supports the newly formed Ukrainian Commission on Problems of Anomalistics (УКПА), positioning it as the legitimate successor to the original goals of UКУФАС. The editorial stance is critical of what it perceives as unprofessionalism, commercialization, and legal illiteracy within the established UКУФАС leadership. The publication also champions scientific inquiry into anomalous phenomena, as evidenced by the detailed articles on SETI and ball lightning. The SETI article, in particular, advocates for a broader, more critical approach to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, challenging established paradigms. The reporting of UFO incidents, both in Ukraine and Russia, suggests a belief in the reality of these phenomena and the importance of documenting them. The bulletin appears to be a platform for disseminating research, critical analysis, and news within the field of anomalistics, with a clear agenda to reform and advance the study of these subjects in Ukraine.