Azimut Zahad - 2011 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: AZIMUT ZÁHAD
Issue: 1(3), Ročník II (Year II)
Date: 1/2011 (January 2011)
Publisher: AZIMUT ZÁHAD
Country: Slovakia
Language: Slovak

This issue of AZIMUT ZÁHAD, an online magazine focused on mysteries and secrets, enters its second year of existence. The editorial, "Úvodné slovo" (Introductory Word) by Martin Toth, acknowledges the magazine's growing distinctiveness and its ability to evoke both enthusiasm and animosity, which the editor sees as a positive sign, contrasting it with indifference. The core mission remains the investigation and resolution of mysteries.

Articles and Features

Agrosymboly: Sú naozaj pravé? (3) (Crop Circles: Are They Really Real? (3))

This section delves into the investigation of crop circles, or "agrosymbols." It highlights the lack of organized information and consensus among researchers regarding their authenticity. The article focuses on magnetic anomalies and related disturbances in electrical equipment often reported by investigators. These anomalies, such as compass needle deviations, are typically measurable only shortly after the formation of the crop circle, leading to the belief that strong magnetic fields are involved. However, the article points out the unreliability of anecdotal evidence from amateur investigators who often use basic equipment. It suggests the need for more rigorous scientific parameters, including electrostatic field measurements, soil conductivity, and ion concentration changes, requiring specialized equipment like magnetometers with recording capabilities.

The article also discusses reports of malfunctioning electronic devices within crop circles, including cameras, mobile phones, and dictaphones, which reportedly resumed normal function after leaving the area. It also touches upon experiments with CB radios inside crop circles, which did not yield the expected improved transmission conditions. The piece concludes by noting that these phenomena might be more pronounced shortly after the formation of the circle.

Záhadné „odtlačky“ po agrosymboloch (Mysterious "Imprints" after Crop Circles)

This short piece discusses "imprints" found in the vegetation at crop circle sites, as reported by a reader. While initially attributed to large numbers of visitors, these imprints continued to appear even when visitor numbers declined. The cause remains unclear, with changes in the crop persisting even after agricultural work, ruling out simple explanations like chemicals or water. The article suggests these imprints are a known phenomenon at many crop circle locations.

Astronómia: Poučme sa o astronómii! (Astronomy: Let's Learn from Astronomy!)

This article criticizes the inaccuracies and misconceptions often found in ufological literature regarding astronomy. It addresses the common claim of "billions of inhabited planets" in our galaxy, providing a more grounded estimate of 1 to 10 billion inhabited planets per 40 stars, considering stellar evolution and the life cycle of stars. The author emphasizes that not all stars are in a phase conducive to planetary systems, and many planets may be gas giants or have already been engulfed by their stars.

The article also debunks a sensationalized report about the star Betelgeuze exploding and illuminating the night sky like day. It clarifies that while Betelgeuze is a massive star, its explosion would result in a bright star, not a second sun, and the light would take 640 years to reach Earth, meaning we are currently seeing light from the year 1371.

Astronómia: Ako je to s Planétou X? (Astronomy: What About Planet X?)

This section discusses the celestial body Eris and its potential connection to the concept of "Planet X" or "Nibiru." It clarifies that "Planet X" is a historical term used for suspected objects that, once discovered and named (like Pluto and Eris), are no longer referred to as Planet X. Eris is described as a dwarf planet, one of several recently discovered on the outer edge of the solar system, none of which are approaching Earth. Its orbit is distant, and its existence and orbital path are publicly known.

Astronómia: Ako môžeme poprieť existenciu Nibiru? (Astronomy: How Can We Deny the Existence of Nibiru?)

This article directly addresses the myth of Nibiru. It states that NASA discovered no evidence of Nibiru or Planet X during its IRAS infrared survey in 1983. The concept of a "tenth planet" emerged from a 1984 study of infrared sources, but these were later identified as distant galaxies or interstellar clouds. The article concludes that Nibiru is an unsubstantiated myth and that claims of a returning, invisible planet would be met with ridicule by astronomers.

Od redakcie: Vznikol nový e-zin (From the Editor: A New E-Zine Has Arisen)

This editorial reviews a new e-zine launched by the ufological portal UFO Revue in collaboration with CEZ OKNO. While acknowledging its attractive appearance and some potentially interesting content, such as an article by T. Stankovič on crop circle authenticity and a report on UFOs from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, the editor expresses skepticism towards much of the material. The review criticizes sensationalist claims, particularly those from alleged "contactees" like Alex Collier, and recurring conspiracy theories about UFOs and alien cover-ups. The editor emphasizes the importance of original thought and critical analysis, suggesting that much of the content relies on unverified claims and repetitive misinformation.

Rozhovor s Milanom Banášom, bádateľom a autorom v oblasti záhad a tajomna (Interview with Milan Banáš, Investigator and Author in the Field of Mysteries and the Unknown)

In this interview, Milan Banáš, a relatively new figure in Slovak ufology, discusses his path into the field, sparked by a personal sighting of an unidentified flying object in 2010. He describes the current state of Slovak ufology as "in diapers," characterized by a disorganized and unprofessional approach, with many websites repeating the same debunked information. He advocates for a more structured approach, possibly through a unified "UFOKLUB," and suggests collaboration with more experienced investigators in the Czech Republic.

Banáš identifies the amateurish level of many Slovak websites as a major weakness, while paradoxically seeing the very existence of amateur research under difficult conditions as a strength. He stresses the need to avoid past mistakes, noting that many reported UFO sightings are misinterpretations of common atmospheric phenomena, balloons, or Chinese lanterns. He calls for the establishment of a semi-professional organization.

Regarding international cooperation, Banáš admits to not following ufological developments in neighboring countries closely but acknowledges the advanced "Projekt Záře" in the Czech Republic. He notes that conditions for research are better in countries like Germany and France, with active collaboration with US researchers.

When asked about the work of an investigator, Banáš states that a true investigator seeks truth and criticizes the passive approach of simply waiting for information, especially from the internet. He believes Slovak ufology needs to mature and move beyond its current fragmented state.

Nieje to trochu nelogické? (Isn't This a Bit Illogical?)

This piece critically examines the illogical nature of certain conspiracy theories, particularly those surrounding UFOs and alleged alien involvement in human technology. It cites Milton William Cooper's theories about the US and USSR receiving advanced technology from aliens in exchange for abductees. The author labels Cooper as a liar and a fraud, warning against his influence. The article then highlights the contradiction in believing aliens provide advanced technology while simultaneously claiming that the moon landing was faked, questioning the logic behind such assertions.

Úvahy a reakcie: O francúzskej tajnej službe, žandároch a UFO (Thoughts and Reactions: On the French Secret Service, Gendarmerie, and UFOs)

This article discusses a report from Jean Bastide, a MUFON representative in France, about a new book concerning French secret services and UFOs. The report suggests that France, like the USA, Russia, and China, is suppressing information about UFOs. The author expresses weariness with the constant stream of "warnings" and "revelations" about secret services, questioning the value of information that is readily available online. The article posits that such widespread "leaks" might be deliberate disinformation or fabricated stories designed to confuse the public.

Úvahy a reakcie: Ako zrátať mimozemšťanov? (Thoughts and Reactions: How to Count Extraterrestrials?)

This satirical piece questions the credibility of exopolitical accounts of alien encounters. It recounts a story of a 23-year-old woman in Argentina who allegedly encountered 14 aliens simultaneously. The author sarcastically points out the convenience of the aliens' telepathic communication and their choice to awaken only the woman, not her husband or daughter, deeming them "not yet ready." The article humorously contrasts this with a personal experience of trying to count 14 children at a family gathering, highlighting the implausibility of the alien encounter narrative.

Odpočúvajú duchovia ICQ? (Are Ghosts Listening to ICQ?)

This article critiques a speculative online post about a girl who saw a UFO after discussing the topic via ICQ. The author criticizes the speculative leap that aliens might have intercepted their communication and responded by sending a UFO. The article dismisses this hypothesis, along with even more extreme theories suggesting that "evil spirits" or "forces from the afterlife" might be involved. The author argues that such unfounded speculation, when published on ufological websites, blurs the line between genuine investigation and fantasy, ultimately harming the credibility of ufology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of AZIMUT ZÁHAD include the critical examination of UFO phenomena, the debunking of popular myths and sensationalist claims, and the promotion of a more scientific and evidence-based approach to ufology and related mysteries. The magazine appears to adopt a skeptical yet open-minded stance, encouraging rigorous investigation while cautioning against unsubstantiated theories and misinformation. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between credible research and speculative fantasy, with a particular focus on the need for better organization and professionalism within the Slovak ufological community.

Title: AZIMUT ZÁHAD
Issue: 1/2011
Date: January 2011
Publisher: Azimut záhad
Country: Slovakia
Language: Slovak

Main Article: Observation near Levice

The primary focus of this issue is a detailed account of a UFO sighting that occurred on October 31, 2005, near Levice, Slovakia. The report is written by one of three friends who were on a night hike. They began their excursion around 5 PM, and by the time they reached the Šiklóš peak (Vápnik), it was dark, with only stars visible. After reaching the observation tower and enjoying the view, they decided to take a different route back, passing by the Margita-Ilona swimming pool and towards Kalinčiakovo.

Initially, they observed what they thought were stars, but one friend noticed four unusually arranged and distinctly regular lights. They initially dismissed them as street lamps due to their lack of movement, but upon closer inspection, realized they were too high above the horizon to be terrestrial lights and were several kilometers away. They continued their hike and decided to extend it by heading towards the village of Čudo via a field path. While observing the stars, which were numerous that night, the witness noticed something resembling an airplane close to the Big Dipper.

This 'airplane' did not blink like other aircraft. Instead, its red light moved smoothly from side to side. About fifteen minutes later, around 6:45 PM, the witness, who was admiring the clear night sky, noticed the object was still there. It was no longer blinking but its red light was slowly and smoothly intensifying and dimming. The witness became certain it was not an airplane because it was completely silent, describing the silence as 'like in a grave'.

After a while, the object began to move slowly to the left of the Big Dipper. It appeared to attempt a circular motion but stopped at approximately a 90-degree angle. It then seemed to approach, stop, and finally move away. The witness noted that such an observation would be difficult to make in the light of a city. The entire observation lasted about 20 minutes.

One of the friends recalled wishing to see a UFO land after seeing a falling star earlier that evening. They then hurried home. Upon reaching the edge of Levice from the field path, they heard dogs barking in unison and howling. They arrived home around 8:30 PM. The author concludes by asking for the publication's opinion on the event.

Project Announcement: UFO-MEMORY.SK and UFO-MEMORY.CZ

This section introduces a new joint project by KPUFO.CZ and KPUFO.EU/SK, called UFO-MEMORY.CZ and UFO-MEMORY.SK. The project's goal is to collect and document cases of anomalous phenomena reported by former soldiers, officers, pilots, radar operators, and anyone who experienced strange events during their mandatory military service in the Czechoslovak People's Army or the Army of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, or during police service.

The project aims to reach out to websites focused on military topics, military magazines, military associations, and historical clubs. The collected testimonies will be published on dedicated websites. Individuals who have experienced anomalous phenomena during these periods are encouraged to fill out a questionnaire for UFO sightings (http://www.kpufo.cz/codelat/ufo.htm) or for general anomalous phenomena (http://www.kpufo.cz/codelat/gg.htm). For more specific experiences, they can write to [email protected] with the subject line 'UFO-MEMORY'. The project also seeks assistance in identifying individuals or organizations to contact and ways to help promote the initiative.

Guide to Slovak Paranormal Websites and Blogs

The magazine provides a brief guide to Slovak paranormal websites and blogs. It mentions Meditácia.sk, a long-standing website covering spiritual topics such as reiki, shamanism, and healing. However, it notes that Meditácia.sk ceased operations on October 11, 2010, and will now function as an archive.

Editorial Information

The issue is identified as 'Azimut záhad. Neperiodický internetový časopis slovenských bádateľov a záhadológov.' (Azimut záhad. Non-periodic internet magazine of Slovak researchers and ufologists). It is issue number 1 (3) and was published in February 2011. 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 websites of Klub psychotroniky a UFO v Slovenskej republike (KPUFO.EU/SK). The reproduction of any material from this magazine without the editorial board's consent is prohibited.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Azimut Záhad focuses on eyewitness accounts of unexplained phenomena, particularly the UFO sighting near Levice. The magazine actively promotes research and documentation of such events, as evidenced by the UFO-MEMORY project. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into paranormal and anomalous phenomena, encouraging public participation in reporting and sharing experiences. The inclusion of a guide to paranormal websites suggests an effort to connect readers with resources in the field.