Chetvertoye Izmereniye - 1994 No 04

Magazine Overview

Title: Четвертое Измерение (Fourth Dimension)
Issue: No. 4, 1994
Publisher: Organ of the Yaroslavl Group for the Study of UFOs, supplement to the newspaper "Zavodskaya Pravda" of the Yaroslavl Tire Plant.
Price: Free
Content Focus: This issue, titled "ИНДИКАТОР НЛО" (UFO INDICATOR), delves into the phenomenon of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) and their reported effects on terrestrial technology, particularly vehicles, and the development of detection methods.

UFOs and Vehicle Interference

The lead article details numerous accounts of UAP causing malfunctions in vehicles. A specific incident from September 1981 near Voronezh describes a traffic inspector witnessing a large, disc-shaped UAP land. Upon its departure, his car's electrical system, including headlights and the engine, failed. The UAP reportedly emitted a beam that swept the area, including his car, causing him to feel unwell.

The article notes a common pattern: UAP appearing near vehicles often cause engines to stop, headlights to dim or fail, and radios to experience interference or go silent. This phenomenon is not limited to cars but has been reported with motorcycles, trucks, buses, and agricultural machinery. Notably, diesel engines seem less affected than those with internal combustion and spark ignition.

A compilation of 106 reports from August 1945 to November 1963 across North and South America, Europe, and Australia highlights similar electromagnetic interference. Over 60 cases involved power loss or engine stoppage during UAP proximity. The effects are typically observed at night, with fewer daytime reports.

The article contrasts UAP interference with that from power lines, noting that while power lines cause radio static, they don't typically affect engines or lights. This suggests a different mechanism for UAP-induced interference. The severity of the effect appears to correlate with the UAP's proximity and intensity.

Explanations and Theories

Several theories are explored for these vehicle malfunctions. One suggestion is that UAP generate strong magnetic fields (around 20,000 gauss), but measurements of vehicle bodies after UAP encounters have not shown significant residual magnetism. Another theory, proposed by ufologist and astrophysicist D. McCampbell, focuses on the "tungsten effect." This theory posits that high-frequency electromagnetic fields, possibly microwave radiation from UAP, could affect the tungsten components in vehicle systems. Specifically, it suggests that increased resistance in tungsten filaments of light bulbs would cause them to dim or extinguish, and that tungsten alloy contacts in ignition distributors could be similarly affected, leading to engine failure.

Diesel engines, which lack spark ignition systems and operate differently, are generally unaffected, supporting the idea that the interference is electrical or electromagnetic in nature. The article also mentions that powerful microwave radiation can ignite gunpowder stores and negatively impact human health.

The UFO Indicator Project

Inspired by these observations, the Yaroslavl Group for the Study of UAP proposed the development of a specialized "UFO Indicator." This device would utilize the "tungsten effect," employing tungsten or its alloys as the most sensitive material to detect the unknown radiation. The goal was to create a simple electronic device with a sensitive self-recording instrument.

Initially, the indicator was a coil of thin tungsten wire. A member of the Yaroslavl group, A. N. Pyatkin, improved the design by creating a microchip containing a DC amplifier, a vapor-deposited tungsten layer, and a DC bridge. A simple computer based on K-155 and KR-188 microchips was developed to record, store, and display information chronologically.

The prototype indicator was installed on a rooftop in Yaroslavl and operated for nine months starting January 1, 1985. During this period, it registered eight distinct events indicating potential UAP activity, characterized by sharp changes in tungsten resistance leading to bridge imbalance.

Corroborating Eyewitness Accounts

Three of the eight recorded events were confirmed by independent eyewitness reports:

1. January 15, 1985: V. P. Mazur, a long-distance driver, reported seeing a bright, yellowish object with a large tail flying from west to east near Yaroslavl. He described it as descending and disappearing over the city, noting its light was dimmer than factory flares and its speed was significant.
2. January 21, 1985: A. A. Dobrosotskikh, deputy editor of the newspaper "Golos Truda" in Alexandrov, Vladimir Oblast, observed a large, yellowish object resembling a "light bulb" in the southeastern sky during a cold, frosty evening. He described its size as approximately one-quarter to one-fifth of the moon and its altitude at about 45 degrees above the horizon.

Other Mentions

The issue also includes a brief mention of a conference in Poland from November 25-27, 1985, concerning "Psychophotography and UFOs." It lists speakers and topics, including "Psychophotography" and "UFOs in the USSR." There is also a brief article about a "Human Being in Volgograd Forests" and a section titled "UFOs and Disasters."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the phenomenon of UAP, focusing on empirical evidence, eyewitness accounts, and attempts at scientific investigation and detection. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UAP, seeking to document and understand these events, particularly their physical effects on the environment and technology. The emphasis on developing detection devices like the "UFO Indicator" suggests a proactive approach to studying the phenomenon. The inclusion of diverse cases from different regions and time periods underscores a commitment to comprehensive reporting on UAP-related occurrences.