Chetvertoye Izmereniye - 2000 No 09

Magazine Overview

This issue of "ЧЕТВЕРТОЕ ИЗМЕРЕНИЕ И НЛО" (Measurement and UFO), dated 2000, No. 9 (154), is published by the Yaroslavl Public UFO Center. It focuses on UFO phenomena, space exploration, and related scientific and societal issues.

Kecksburg Catastrophe

The lead article details the Kecksburg incident of December 9, 1965, in Pennsylvania, USA, where an unknown object crashed. The article highlights the extensive military operation that followed, including the cordoning off of the area and the evacuation of the object. It cites numerous eyewitness accounts, including those of local residents and firefighters, who reported military presence and the use of a nearby farmhouse as a temporary command post. The article notes that while some locals denied the event, the majority corroborated the crash and subsequent military activity. It mentions the involvement of both Army and Air Force personnel. The object's descent was reportedly silent, followed by a column of bluish smoke. The article references ufologist Stan Gordon's investigation into the incident.

Cosmonaut G. S. Titov

A brief obituary notes the passing of Cosmonaut G. S. Titov, a Hero of the Soviet Union. It details his birth in 1935, his military aviation training, his selection as one of the first cosmonauts, and his role as backup to Yuri Gagarin. His orbital flight on Vostok-2 in August 1961, lasting 25 hours and 11 minutes, completed 17 orbits and covered over 700,000 km, proving human capability to live and work in space. The article also lists his subsequent career achievements, including graduating from the Military Air Engineering Academy and holding various high-ranking positions in the space forces before retiring in 1991. He was also a State Duma deputy from 1995.

New Photographs of Mars

NASA's Mars Global Surveyor has released over 20,000 new images of Mars to the internet. These images, captured since September 1997, offer details with resolutions as fine as 10 meters. The article explains that while a narrow-angle telescope can achieve 1.5-meter resolution, the large data volume limits its continuous use, whereas a wide-angle camera provides 7.5 km resolution. The Mars Global Surveyor was launched in November 1996 and arrived at Mars in September 1997, having since completed over 5,000 orbits and systematically mapping the planet's surface since March 1999.

Cloning of Endangered Animals and Human Cloning Concerns

The magazine reports on the successful cloning of an endangered Asian gaur (a type of wild cattle) in the USA, using a cell from a deceased animal implanted into a cow's egg. The cloned gaur, named Noah, is expected to be born in November. The same research team is reportedly preparing to clone a giant panda. The issue also includes a statement from the Orthodox Church in America expressing strong opposition to human cloning, citing the uniqueness of each individual created in God's image. The Church warns against the potential for eugenics, commercialization of DNA, and the creation of a 'superior' class of humans. They highlight the current inability to detect mutations or developmental defects in cloned embryos and urge the government to ban human cloning experiments and funding.

Separately, the Tunisian government has called for an Arab League treaty to ban human cloning, with a working group established to prepare a report on the issue. Religious figures in Arab countries also oppose human cloning, deeming it contrary to Islamic law.

UFOs and Military Encounters

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to accounts of UFOs interacting with military aircraft. The article details numerous incidents where UFOs have reacted to attempts at interception, pursuit, or capture.

• Evasion Tactics: UFOs are described as disappearing instantly, accelerating to extreme speeds (over 3600 km/h, 6000 km/h, and even 10,000 km/h), and making rapid changes in direction to evade fighter jets. Examples include incidents over Washington, North Dakota, Grozny, Japan, and Chile.
• Engagements and Pursuits: Some accounts describe UFOs chasing fighter jets or engaging in maneuvers that put the pilots in danger. One incident in 1950 involved a UFO repeatedly passing over a US fighter jet. Another in Laredo, USA, in 1952, resulted in a UFO damaging a fighter jet's wing.
• Engine Shutdowns and Aircraft Damage: Several cases report UFOs causing military aircraft engines to shut down, leading to forced landings or crashes. Examples include incidents involving US Navy aircraft and Belgian F-16s.
• Specific Incidents:
• A 1948 incident over Japan involved an object evading pursuit at speeds exceeding 10,000 km/h.
• In 1954, a large cigar-shaped object with smaller disks maneuvered around a civilian aircraft, evading F-86 fighters.
• In 1976, French 'Mirage' jets attempted to intercept a UFO that accelerated to 3600 km/h.
• A 1990 incident in Belgium saw an object rapidly ascend and descend, evading radar detection.
• Test pilot Apraksin reported two encounters where UFOs emitted bright beams that caused his aircraft's electrical systems to fail and its canopy to be damaged.
• In 1944, two US Navy fighter jets had their engines fail while attempting to attack a UFO, forcing them to ditch at sea.
• In 1954, a US fighter jet's engine failed after encountering a UFO, leading to a crash.
• A 1967 incident involving Cuban MiG-21s reportedly resulted in one fighter exploding after approaching a metallic sphere, which then rapidly ascended and disappeared.

UFO Over Domodedovo

A personal account from Dmitry Nikonov describes a sighting on September 28th near Domodedovo airport. He and his daughter observed a strange aircraft resembling a normal plane but with four searchlights attached to each wing. The object flew slowly and lower than usual, emitting a humming sound similar to a car's differential. It lacked navigation lights.

Flying Candle

This is a personal anecdote about a strange phenomenon observed during a power outage. A candle on a table was seen levitating several centimeters above the tablecloth. The event coincided with a lightning strike outside. The author attributes it to Brownian motion or other unexplained natural phenomena.

Subscription Information and Video Offers

The magazine includes information on subscribing to "ЧЕТВЕРТОЕ ИЗМЕРЕНИЕ И НЛО" for the first half of 2001. It also advertises a collection of video films on ufology and magic, listing titles such as "Three Hours of Wonder," "Ufological Video Album," and "Guests from Eternity."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and encounters, particularly those involving military forces, and the scientific advancements in cloning. The magazine appears to present a wide range of UFO-related accounts, from crashes to aerial maneuvers, and includes both personal testimonies and reports of official investigations. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, while also acknowledging the ethical and societal implications of new technologies like cloning. The publication also promotes ufological literature and videos, suggesting a dedicated readership interested in these subjects.