Chetvertoye Izmereniye - 1997 No 01

Magazine Overview

This issue of "ЧЕТВЕРТОЕ ИЗМЕРЕНИЕ И НЛО" (Fourth Dimension and UFO), published in 1997 as supplement to the newspaper "Заводская правда" (Factory Truth) of the Yaroslavl Tire Plant, focuses on anomalous aerial phenomena and UFO-related topics. The cover headline, "Земной айсберг свалился с неба" (Earth iceberg fell from the sky), introduces a report on a massive ice fall in Russia.

Earth Iceberg Fell from the Sky

The article details an incident in the Aznakaevo forestry in Tatarstan, Russia, where a chunk of ice approximately 500 cubic meters in volume fell from the sky, damaging nearly thirty trees and covering an area of 675 square meters with a depth of 0.3-1.5 meters. Initial analyses found the radiation level to be normal, and no unusual elements were detected. The report speculates on possible explanations, including a waterspout or unusual weather patterns, and notes the potential for the site to become a pilgrimage destination for UFO enthusiasts, drawing parallels to the Perm anomaly.

Giant Hail

This section compiles several incidents of unusually large hailstones falling in the United Kingdom during 1981. It begins with an account of 95-year-old Mary Nixon in Cheshire, whose carpet was damaged by ice blocks the size of footballs that fell through her roof. Similar events are reported in Anerley, Kent, where a two-foot hole was created in a roof, narrowly missing a child. Another incident involved a man being hit on the head by a tennis ball-sized ice sphere, causing vision impairment. Further accounts include a large ice projectile damaging a farm outbuilding in Dorset and a significant ice mass falling near Fleet. The article questions the common explanation of ice falling from aircraft, noting that many hailstones were composed of impurities and fell far from flight paths. It also references historical accounts, such as an ice mass falling in Scotland in 1849. The section highlights the case of Dr. Richard Griffiths in Manchester, who was nearly hit by a two-kilogram ice block in 1973 and subsequently studied it, finding it composed of fifty-one layers of ice separated by thin layers of air, with a crystalline structure that could not be replicated in laboratory conditions. The article suggests a possible extraterrestrial origin for these "ice meteorites" but notes they would likely melt or be extremely hot upon impact.

New Book

This brief section announces an upcoming book by Yaroslavl ufologist Valery Kukushkin titled "Химеры урочища Икс" (Chimeras of the X Tract), which will cover events in an anomalous zone in the northern Yaroslavl region. The book is being published by the Russian State Educational Institute of Intellectual Property. It also mentions that this will be the first in a new series of popular science books called "Пришельцы из космоса!" (Aliens from Space!), with the second book being "Селениты" (Selenites) by Ukrainian ufologist Arkhipov.

Encyclopedia of UFOs

This section introduces Jerome Clark, a UFO researcher and vice-president of the Center for the Study of Unidentified Flying Objects in the USA. It notes his role in organizing the first International UFO Congress in 1977 and his editorship of "International UFO Reporter." The article highlights Clark's recently released UFO encyclopedia, with the first volume covering UFO phenomena of the 1980s and the second volume focusing on the period between 1947 and 1959.

Center for Research of Russian Ufology

Located in Los Angeles, this center aims to foster connections and information exchange between Russian and American UFO researchers. It seeks to inform the American public about new directions in Russian ufology and encourages readers to send their UFO sightings and contact experiences to the newspaper for translation and publication in American UFO journals. Specific examples include forwarding crop circle reports to MUFON and English ufologists, and sending pilot encounters with UFOs to Dr. Richard Haines.

Aliens from the Depths of Ages

This article explores historical accounts of UFO sightings and encounters with extraterrestrial beings, suggesting that such phenomena have been observed since ancient times. It references myths of Native Americans, Eskimos, Polynesians, Papuans, and Bushmen, as well as Egyptian papyri mentioning "red spots of cylindrical shape" and "shaggy gnomes." Cuneiform writings of the Sumerians are cited for accounts of "hundreds of flying swords" and "large green creatures." Roman sources, including Titus Livius and Dion Cassius, are mentioned for recording sightings of "round shields" and "elongated spots" in the sky. The article also refers to a twelfth-century manuscript by English monk Galfred of Monmouth describing strange visions of stars and a "fiery ball" with a "dragon" emitting beams of light. It touches upon medieval encounters with advanced alien technology and mentions Alexander Hamilton, a member of the US House of Representatives, having allegedly communicated with aliens from a cigar-shaped craft.

Lightning - The Avenger

This narrative recounts a curse placed upon the descendants of a murderer in 17th-century Peru. Juan Domingo Permenos, a Spanish conquistador, ordered the burning of indigenous people. Before their execution, the tribal chief cursed Permenos's descendants, predicting they would find no peace. The story follows the curse through generations: an officer named Rodrigo Permenos was killed by a lightning strike in 1764, marked by the number '1664' in the sky. His descendants later moved to the USA, and in 1864, brothers Federico and Luvel Permenos were killed by lightning in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, again accompanied by the '1664' phenomenon. In 1964, Emil Permenos and his son were struck by lightning, with Emil surviving as a disabled person. The article questions whether the curse will continue in 2064.

Cosmonauts Recall

This section features recollections from Soviet cosmonauts Musa Manarov and Gennadi Strekalov about unusual observations in space. Manarov describes filming an approaching ship and noticing an antenna-like object that seemed to detach and move downwards, appearing to rotate and having a metallic sheen. Strekalov recounts observing a ball-like object, described as a beautiful, shimmering Christmas ornament, hovering at a high altitude over Newfoundland in 1990. He also mentions observing clouds with unnaturally straight edges.

Proposed Videos on Ufology and Magic

A list of video films available for purchase is presented, covering topics such as UFO sightings, parapsychology, Egyptian pyramids, alien autopsies, magic, and clairvoyance. The films are offered on VHS tapes for 50,000 rubles each, including postage.

Awakened by the Explosion

This article details a UFO sighting over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on April 26, 1986. Senior dosimetrist Mikhail Varitsky and his colleague Mikhail Samoilenko reported seeing a bright red fiery ball, 6-8 meters in diameter, hovering over the damaged reactor. The object emitted two bright crimson beams of light towards the reactor. During the sighting, radiation levels measured 3000 milliroentgens per hour, which dropped to 800 milliroentgens per hour after the object slowly moved away to the northwest. The article suggests that the UFO might have reduced the radiation levels. It also mentions similar UFO sightings over Hiroshima after the atomic bombing in 1945, where a vision of the city before its destruction appeared for three days.

Astonishing Revelations of Ufologist F.I. Konovalov (World Conspiracy in the UFO Affair)

This extensive article by F.I. Konovalov alleges a 55-year cover-up by Russian military, the Academy of Sciences, and special services regarding the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations. It references a report titled "Nit 3" from military unit № 73790, concerning the study of unconventional engines and their interaction with the environment, suggesting it's part of a larger research program. The author claims that crashed UFOs and their fragments are being kept secret and studied by top scientists in Russia, citing rumors and alleged leaks from international ufology symposia. The article criticizes the lack of transparency from Russian authorities, contrasting it with the supposed openness during the Perestroika era. It mentions a secret laboratory for UFO research, allegedly linked to the Kapustin Yar missile range and the spaceport, and possibly located near Zhitkur in the Volgograd region. The article suggests that this laboratory, along with others possibly located near Krasnoarmeysk and in Omsk, is involved in studying anti-gravity and electromagnetic propulsion, likely based on extraterrestrial technology. It also touches upon alleged contact between Soviet officials and aliens, including a warning about the Chernobyl disaster that was reportedly not taken seriously. The author claims that a joint base with aliens (Zonneryans) exists in the Urals and that aliens provided technology for special minerals and shared technology for producing UFOs in a plant near Kirov. Konovalov appeals for witnesses to these events.

Recruitment Notices

Two recruitment notices are included. The first is from the closed joint-stock company "Business-Press," seeking subscription agents for their publication "Попутный ветер" (Tailwind). The second is from the same company, "Business-Press," which publishes the Russian Information Agency "Корвет" and the weekly "Попутный ветер," seeking correspondents. The requirements include age, education, and a willingness to work flexible hours. A creative competition is part of the selection process.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores anomalous phenomena, particularly UFO sightings and related events, often framing them within a context of potential government secrecy and extraterrestrial involvement. There's a strong emphasis on historical accounts and alleged cover-ups, particularly concerning Russian military and scientific research into UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of investigation and skepticism towards official explanations, encouraging readers to consider unconventional theories. The publication also promotes ufological literature and research, acting as a platform for sharing information and personal accounts within the UFO community.