Chetvertoye Izmereniye - 1999 No 06

Magazine Overview

This issue of "ЧЕТВЕРТОЕ ИЗМЕРЕНИЕ И НЛО" (Fourth Dimension and UFO), number 6 (141) from 1999, is published by the Yaroslavl Public UFO Center. It focuses on solar activity, UFO phenomena, space exploration, and military aviation.

Solar Cycle 23: Caution - The Sun!

The lead article discusses the beginning of the 23rd solar cycle, which officially started in October 1996, following a sudden flare in August 1997. The cycle is predicted to peak between January 1999 and June 2001. The article highlights the potential dangers of high solar activity, including disruptions to communication, power grids, and health issues for sensitive individuals. It also notes that odd-numbered solar cycles tend to be stronger than even-numbered ones. The importance of predicting these peaks for understanding solar processes and mitigating their effects is emphasized.

"Galileo" Prepares for Encounter with "Io"

This section reports on the Galileo space probe's mission to Jupiter. It details a recent close flyby of Callisto, one of Jupiter's moons, at a minimum distance of 1315 km, which yielded photographs and data suggesting a possible subsurface ocean. The mission's trajectory is being adjusted for upcoming close approaches to Jupiter's moon Io in October and November 1999. The proximity to Io is limited to 393,000 km due to the intense magnetic field and charged particles emitted by Jupiter, which could damage Galileo's electronics.

UFO Sighting Over Perm on February 24, 1999

A local TV channel in Perm broadcasted footage of a UFO observed for two hours over the city. The object appeared as two bright lights that alternately dimmed and brightened, sometimes in sync and sometimes with a 30-second interval. The author, Nikolai Subbotin, appeals for any comments or similar sighting reports.

Night Lights

This section compiles several recent UFO sightings. On May 31, 1999, silver, round UFOs were seen over Pueblo, Mexico, hovering at an altitude of approximately 8 kilometers. Two of the three objects then disappeared, while the third remained visible. The next day, June 1, a similar object was observed for several hours over the Rostov region in Russia, with some witnesses capturing it on video. On the night of June 1-2, a similar phenomenon was reported in Yaroslavl, described as a bright, flashing star moving purposefully. The article also mentions a strange encounter in Yaroslavl where a young woman reported seeing mysterious beings in her apartment, which she initially perceived as a dream.

The author, Yu. Smirnov, notes that the increased UFO activity in early June coincides with the predicted peak of solar activity, recalling a similar surge in UFO sightings between 1989-1991. The Yaroslavl UFO center requests the public to report any UFO sightings.

Mysterious Object Photographed by Professional Photographer

A photograph taken by Richard Cook on July 6, 1998, near Southampton, shows a mysterious object. Initially thought to be a weather balloon, its strange movement and size puzzled the photographer. The object appeared silver with a light ring around its center. The photograph, taken hastily, reveals a ring or protrusion around the object's center.

Aliens Live in Kostroma on Sovetskaya Street

This lengthy article details an alleged encounter with an extraterrestrial entity named Kron, who claims to be from the planet Khon. The contact occurred in an apartment in Kostroma, Russia, with the author, V.P. Dyachkov, and a contactee, N.M. Kapralova, facilitating communication. The family reported poltergeist-like activity, including appliances turning on and off, and a sensation of a presence. Kron claims to have been on Earth for about 750 years, with intermittent periods of presence in the apartment for about 4 years. He states his purpose is to prevent global catastrophes and help humanity understand its destiny. Kron explains that his form is energetic and less dense than human bodies, and he can travel instantaneously across the universe. He also confirms the existence of a 'subtle' world inhabited by beings like house spirits and witches, and that UFOs are sent by a 'cosmic commonwealth' for benevolent purposes. Bases of other civilizations exist on the far side of the Moon. The article includes a drawing of Kron, described as having a friendly appearance.

Messages to Mars

NASA is inviting people to send their names to Mars on the Mars 2001 Lander spacecraft. The names will be recorded on a CD-ROM and delivered to Mars. A free certificate will be provided to participants. The launch is scheduled for April 10, 2001, with landing on January 22, 2002. The article includes images of Mars taken by the Mars Polar Lander, showing polar caps and surface details.

Earthlings Await Contact with Aliens

This article speculates on why aliens have not officially contacted humanity. It suggests that UFOs might be military vessels, and that aliens might be at war with each other, possibly over control of Earth. Historical accounts of aerial battles in Nuremberg (1561) and Basel (1566) are cited as evidence of extraterrestrial conflict. The author argues that humanity's technological advancement, including nuclear and biological weapons, poses a threat to potential alien civilizations, explaining their reticence to make contact. The article concludes that conflict is inherent in development, and humanity's potential for aggression might be the reason for the aliens' caution.

Life Exists in the Depths of the Earth!

Geologists from Yaroslavl, in collaboration with colleagues from Perm and Yaroslavl State University, have found evidence of microbial life at depths of up to 10 kilometers. Organisms similar to surface-dwelling microbes were discovered at temperatures of 200 degrees Celsius. One unusual microorganism, nicknamed "Flea," was observed to 'resurrect' and reproduce. The research suggests that these deep-dwelling microbes produce methane, nitrogen, sulfur, and even water, supporting the theory of the organic origin of oil.

There Are Empty Places in Space

This section discusses the discovery of "empty" regions in space, not black holes, but vast areas devoid of stars. One such region, Barnard 68, located in the Milky Way about 500 light-years away, is described as a dark globule of gas and dust where temperatures can drop to -263 degrees Celsius. These regions are considered the birthplace of stars and planets through gravitational collapse. Barnard 68 is in an early stage of this process.

Fierce Volcano on Venus

This brief note mentions a Venusian volcano captured by a NASA spacecraft in 1992. The image shows a dome structure with lava channels extending approximately 100 kilometers from the center. The volcano's height is estimated at 10 kilometers. NASA data suggests ongoing volcanic activity and geological transformations on Venus.

SR-71A "Blackbird" - "Top Secret"

This article provides a detailed history and technical overview of the SR-71A "Blackbird" reconnaissance aircraft. It highlights its advanced design, developed in the late 1950s, which required the creation of new materials and technologies, particularly the use of titanium alloys for its airframe to withstand high temperatures from speeds exceeding Mach 3. The article compares it to Soviet aircraft like the MiG-25, noting the SR-71A's superior performance in speed, altitude, and range. It recounts instances of SR-71A flights over China and Egypt, and its involvement in the Vietnam War. The article also touches upon the aircraft's advanced reconnaissance equipment, including high-resolution cameras and side-looking radar. The SR-71A was first publicly revealed in 1989, and its successor, possibly named SR-73 or "Aurora," remains a secret.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial contact, and related anomalies. There's a strong emphasis on reporting eyewitness accounts, photographic evidence, and scientific investigations into these topics. The publication also covers space exploration, military technology with a UFO-related angle (like the SR-71), and more speculative topics such as life deep within the Earth and celestial events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the unexplained, encouraging reader participation and providing a platform for UFO enthusiasts and researchers. The articles often blend factual reporting with speculative analysis, reflecting a belief in the reality of UFOs and the potential for extraterrestrial interaction.