Azimut Zahad - 2010 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: Azimut záhad
Issue: 1, Volume I
Date: 2010 (implied by content)
Publisher: KPUFO.CZ
Country: Slovakia
Language: Slovak

This inaugural issue of 'Azimut záhad' (Mystery Azimuth), an online magazine dedicated to mysteries, secrets, and unexplained questions of history and the present, particularly domestic ones, welcomes readers with an introductory word from the editor, Martin Toth. The magazine aims to provide entirely new, original materials, reflections, and polemical articles, taking a critical and investigative stance rather than merely relaying information available elsewhere.

Articles and Features

Did a UFO Appear in Your Photograph?

This article addresses the common experience of finding strange objects in photographs, questioning whether they were truly present at the moment the picture was taken. It explains that the term UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) is broad and can include balloons or birds, not just alien spacecraft. The piece cautions against jumping to conclusions, noting that even seemingly anomalous objects might have mundane explanations.

UFO MEMORY Project

KPUFO.CZ and KPUFO.EU/SK have launched the UFO-MEMORY project, which aims to collect accounts of anomalous phenomena from former military personnel, police officers, and others who experienced unusual events during their service. The project seeks to compile these memories on dedicated websites and encourages individuals to fill out questionnaires or contact the organizers directly.

Book Review: 'Kameny krve a víry' by Pavel Kroupa

This section reviews Pavel Kroupa's book, which explores the mysteries of Neolithic sanctuaries in Brittany, Malta, and Slovakia. The book is praised for its amateur yet analytical approach, examining archaeological findings and offering logical interpretations. It highlights the importance of studying megalithic culture, which is often overlooked, and the author's efforts to document and preserve these ancient sites. The review notes that Kroupa, a veterinarian by profession, has also worked as a photographer and documentarian, focusing on prehistoric stone structures.

Are They Really Genuine? (1) - Agrosymbols

This article begins a series on crop circles, discussing the criteria for determining their authenticity. It acknowledges that while many signs of genuineness exist, no single anomaly definitively proves a crop circle is not man-made. The author emphasizes that a holistic approach is necessary, considering multiple factors rather than relying on a single criterion. The first technical criterion discussed is the geometric execution and aesthetic quality of the formation, while also noting that 'circlemakers' possess sophisticated tools to create convincing fakes.

Mysterious Circles (1) - Circles in the Forest

Following the discussion on crop circles in fields, this section shifts focus to circles found in other environments, specifically forests. It recounts an incident in Poland where three circles were discovered in a forest, with the stalks broken down similarly to field circles. It also mentions pictograms found near Rzeszów, which were later obscured by tree growth. The article notes that forest circles have also been observed in the Czech Republic, where they were attributed to frost and wind, and poses the question of whether similar cases exist in Slovakia.

UN Appointed Envoy for Contact with Extraterrestrials?

This news item reports on the UN's alleged appointment of Mazlan Othman as a special envoy for contact with extraterrestrials. The report suggests that this move has excited ufologists, with some interpreting it as a sign that contact is imminent. However, the article also presents a contrasting view from V. Kremlík, who believes the UN appointment is a bureaucratic creation motivated by self-interest. Furthermore, it cites a denial from the UN spokesperson, Jamšid Gaziyev, who called the reports nonsense, and Mazlan Othman herself reportedly complained about being made a fool of by the media.

KGB Has No Evidence of UFOs

Former KGB head Vladimir Krjučkov stated in an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda that the Soviet secret service never possessed any evidence of UFOs or paranormal phenomena. He asserted that there was nothing extraordinary on Earth and that all rumors and requests for confirmation were false. Krjučkov's conclusions were based on information from agents, high-ranking officials, and foreign intelligence agencies, who also found no evidence despite investigations.

Did the Moon Landing Really Happen?

This section questions the authenticity of the moon landing, presenting it as a potential 'hoax.' It mentions conspiracy theories suggesting that the lunar missions were faked and that the footage was pre-filmed. The article references a series called 'MythBusters' that reportedly addresses the possibility of faking moon landing footage, including 'jumps' and 'footprints' in the lunar dust.

Conspiracy Theory: How to Create One

This satirical piece offers a tongue-in-cheek guide on how to construct a conspiracy theory. It advises against originality, suggesting instead the use of existing, popular elements from various theories (e.g., JFK assassination, 9/11, chemtrails, moon landing denial). The method, termed 'fishing,' involves combining disparate pieces of information and presenting them as secret knowledge obtained from hidden archives or insiders. The article mocks the uncritical acceptance of such theories by some individuals.

Flashes on the Moon

This article discusses the phenomenon of unexplained flashes observed on the Moon. It notes that while scientists have recorded numerous such events, ranging from faint points to large areas several kilometers across, their cause remains a mystery. The article mentions that astronomers have been observing these flashes for centuries, but photographic evidence is scarce due to their unpredictable nature. A team using two telescopes in Chile and New York has been continuously monitoring the Moon, and in two years, they have identified over 1500 'flashes' recorded by both cameras, ruling out atmospheric effects. A prevailing theory suggests these flashes are caused by dust clouds ejected by gas eruptions from beneath the lunar surface, possibly related to the decay of radioactive elements like protactinium, uranium, argon, and radon. Scientists are hopeful for a definitive explanation soon. An image from 1953 is presented, showing a bright spot on the Moon, identified as a potential fountain of dust and gas.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the unexplained, UFOs, conspiracy theories, and historical mysteries. The editorial stance, as articulated in the introductory section, is to provide original, critical, and investigative content, encouraging readers to question and analyze information rather than passively accept it. The inclusion of a satirical piece on creating conspiracy theories suggests a critical approach to unsubstantiated claims, even while engaging with the broader topics of mystery and the unknown.

This issue of the magazine 'UFO', identified as issue number 11, delves into the controversial topic of UFOs and their potential interaction with American nuclear weapons during the 1960s and 1970s. The publication originates from KPUFO.EU/SK, a Slovak organization focused on ufology and paranormal phenomena.

UFOs and Nuclear Weapons Threat

The lead article, 'Did UFOs threaten American nuclear weapons?', reports that five former American and British military pilots have urged their governments to release information about UFO encounters. According to these pilots, extraterrestrials visited Earth multiple times in the 1960s and 1970s, specifically targeting nuclear weapons and allegedly 'deactivating' some missiles. The article questions why individuals involved with nuclear weapons are not bound by strict confidentiality agreements, suggesting they might not be who they claim to be, or that their statements are false. It also raises concerns about the verification of such information, noting that it relies solely on the statements of individuals whose backgrounds are unknown. The author expresses skepticism towards claims of 'peaceful' aliens who dislike nuclear weapons, attributing such narratives to the realm of contactees and individuals like Adamski, suggesting these 'revelations' might originate from the fringes of contactee communities.

The article specifically mentions US Air Force officer Dwynne Arneson, who reportedly spoke about UFO sightings and inexplicable failures of nuclear missiles. Arneson, who served in TOP SECRET matters, is questioned for not being under a gag order, and the author wonders if his public statements about UFOs are a deliberate diversion from more significant issues.

Debunking UFO Sightings: The Case of Prievidza

Another section, 'A UFO allegedly appeared over Prievidza...', addresses a common type of UFO report: sightings of several colorful, usually orange-red, silent lights moving across the sky. In this specific case, around 30 such lights were reported. However, the article quickly identifies these as 'lanterns of happiness' (lampiónky šťastia), which are balloons powered by hot air. The author notes that even when such explanations are available, many researchers struggle to accept them, possibly due to a desire to validate their work in ufology. The article suggests that clear cases of these lanterns being mistaken for UFOs are often subjected to prolonged investigation.

Arguments Against UFOs and Explanations

The magazine then presents arguments commonly used by those who believe 99% of UFO reports are misidentifications, particularly of these lanterns. The sheer number of lights (10, 30, or more) is cited as a potential giveaway, though ufologists often focus on single or pairs of lights. The color, while traditionally red or orange, can vary, and distant lights may appear yellow or pale. The movement is described as smooth, fast, slow, stopping, and making chaotic side-to-side movements, attributed to air currents. While observers might claim the lights moved against the wind, the article explains that different air currents exist at various altitudes. Thermal influences from chimneys and buildings in urban areas can also cause illogical movements. Formations of multiple lights are also explained by strong air currents maintaining a constant speed and formation, or by lanterns being tied together. The perceived speed is often an illusion, as observers compare them to aircraft, failing to realize the lanterns are only a few meters or tens of meters above them. The timing of sightings, often on weekends, is also linked to the release of lanterns for celebrations.

The article concludes that when the fire in the lantern dies out, the light simply extinguishes. Observers, however, may describe this as the light disappearing at 'breakneck speed into space' or similar dramatic terms, when in reality, it was just the light going out. The author states that spending too much effort on such reports is a waste of time.

Personal Account: A Strange Encounter

A section titled 'Cases' features a personal account from an individual identified as G.P. He recounts waking up one night, not in his bed, but on a table in a bright, pale gray room with no furniture. The light emanated from the walls, which were smooth. He felt warmth and the table surface was soft, like velvet. He could look in all directions except behind him, of which he has no memory. He also mentions a single injection mark in his left elbow, noting that it's the only place where he can be injected or have blood drawn due to deep veins.

CEZ OKNO: A Portal of Conspiracy and Ufology

The magazine also reviews the Slovak ufology portal 'CEZ OKNO'. It describes the site as gaining popularity through a peculiar mix of ufology, extreme conspiracy theories, and politics. The portal is said to largely rehash material from other sources, blending insightful ideas with 'colossal nonsense'. The article criticizes the site for presenting only one side of issues, citing examples like vaccination being portrayed as harmful and chemtrails as actual powdering. It notes that critical or dissenting opinions are not published in the discussions.

Editorial Information

The magazine is identified as an 'AZIMUT ZÁHAD' (AZIMUT MYSTERIES) non-periodic internet magazine for Slovak researchers and ufologists. Issue number 1 was released in November 2010. The editor is Martin Toth, and the graphic design is by Jakub Cepník. Contributions can be sent to [email protected]. The magazine is available for free download from the website of the Club of Psychotronics and UFO in the Slovak Republic (KPUFO.EU/SK). Reproduction of any material requires editorial consent.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of 'UFO' magazine exhibits a skeptical stance towards many UFO claims, particularly those involving misidentification of common phenomena like lanterns. While acknowledging the possibility of genuine unexplained events and government secrecy surrounding UFOs, the magazine emphasizes critical analysis and evidence-based reasoning. It appears to be critical of sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, especially those originating from contactee circles. The editorial stance leans towards debunking rather than promoting unverified UFO narratives, while still leaving room for the investigation of potentially significant cases. The inclusion of a personal, unexplained experience suggests an openness to the truly mysterious, even while advocating for rigorous scrutiny of most reports.