Chetvertoye Izmereniye - 2003 No 02

Magazine Overview

This issue of "ЧЕТВЕРТОЕ измерение НЛО" (Fourth Dimension UFO), issue number 2(176) from 2003, published by the Yaroslavl Ufocenter named after F. Yu. Zigel, focuses on a range of UFO-related topics, from geopolitical speculation to scientific theories and eyewitness accounts.

Saddam Hussein and Crashed UFOs

The cover story speculates on a connection between Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and a crashed UFO. Ufologist D. Traynor, citing a report in "UFO Roundup," suggests that an incident in December 1998, where a UFO was filmed over Baghdad during Operation Desert Fox, might indicate cooperation between aliens and Hussein. A caller to Art Bell's radio show claimed a UFO crashed in Iraq, and the US is allegedly seeking a pretext to invade, fearing that Hussein could exploit the alien technology. The article mentions the possibility of giant, bio-engineered scorpions acting as guards for Hussein in the Ku alat-el-Yulundi fortress, a remote location potentially used by aliens. Another report from MUFON in 1993 claimed an F-16 shot down a UFO over Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War, with debris recovered by US forces. Correspondents in Iraq could neither confirm nor deny these rumors, though local market talk mentioned aliens as guests of Saddam.

NASA's Nuclear Rocket Plans

The magazine reports on NASA's plans, announced in January 2003, to develop nuclear propulsion for spacecraft. This technology aims to triple the speed of space travel, potentially reducing a trip to Mars to two to three months. A crewed mission to Mars is projected for 2010 if the project is successful. NASA has set a strict schedule for developing the nuclear rocket engine and its application in actual flights.

The 50th Anniversary of the Washington UFO Incident

This section commemorates the 50th anniversary of the "Washington Raid" in July 1952, when multiple UFOs were sighted over the US capital, evading fighter jet intercepts. It also notes a similar event on July 26, 2002, where UFOs were reportedly seen over Andrews Air Force Base, with witnesses claiming fighter jets pursued a glowing blue object.

Cosmic Find: Meteorite in Shebekino

An article briefly mentions Ivan Vasiliev of Shebekino, Russia, finding a 2.5 kg meteorite in his garden. He, a former mining engineer, is confident it's a space object and hopes for expert confirmation.

Fiery Ball in the Forest

An eyewitness account from January 7, 1936, describes a fiery phenomenon in a forest near Chashnitsa, Yaroslavl region, Russia. Two girls witnessed a large flame, about 2.5-3 meters high, which then transformed into a ball of light the size of a football and flew away. The witness's teacher suggested it was escaping gas, but the lack of smoke and intact frost on the trees made this explanation unsatisfactory.

UK to Declassify UFO Information

Great Britain's government plans to declassify UFO-related data collected over several decades as part of a move towards greater transparency. The famous Rendlesham Forest incident from 1980, involving sightings of a large, illuminated craft, is among the cases to be reviewed.

UFO Explosions Over Africa

The self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland requested international aid to investigate two UFO explosions over the Gulf of Aden on December 5 and 7, 1995. Following the explosions, locals reported various illnesses, and animals behaved erratically. Many witnesses observed low-flying objects and their explosions, which shattered windows, but no debris was found.

Death of Matilda

A brief report notes the death of Matilda, a cloned sheep from Australia, on January 31, 2003. The cause of death is unknown as the body was cremated due to rapid decomposition under the Australian summer heat.

Columbia Disaster

This section details the tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003, over Texas, killing all seven astronauts. The article mentions the final communication from the shuttle and President George W. Bush's address to the nation, vowing to continue the space program. NASA and the FBI found no signs of terrorism, and the shuttle was beyond the range of surface-to-air missiles. The article also touches upon the Challenger disaster in 1986 as a previous tragedy in the shuttle program.

How Many Bits in the Universe?

Physicist Seth Lloyd from MIT is featured for his estimation of the information content and computational capacity of the universe. He views every process as a computation and suggests the universe might be simulating itself. Lloyd estimates the universe would need 10^90 bits of information and 10^120 operations to simulate itself, but notes there are only about 10^80 elementary particles. He posits that the universe's own dynamic evolution is what it calculates.

Winter UFO Reports

Several brief reports of winter UFO sightings are included:

• Blagoveshchensk, Russia (November 17, 2002): An orange, illuminated object with side lights hovered for about 30 minutes.
• Podgorodka, Omsk region, Russia (November 26, 2002): A forest inspector witnessed a large, disc-shaped object with a ring, resembling Saturn, moving vertically.
• Kyrgyzstan (January 13, 2003): A family on the Bishkek-Osh highway saw two bright, disc-shaped UFOs.
• Dneprodzerzhinsk, Ukraine (December, unspecified date): Hundreds of people observed a large UFO for two hours, described as having a bright central circle and pulsating lights.

Unexplained Solar Activity

Scientists in Ukraine have detected an unusual 'arrhythmia' in the Sun, with activity levels higher than predicted by the 11-year cycle. This phenomenon, which can cause weather anomalies and electronic disruptions on Earth, is not fully understood.

Unusual Contacts in the Bryansk Region

Victor Shein of Bryansk, Russia, recounts his experiences, starting with a sighting in October 1993 of a silent, hovering object that moved with incredible speed. He later describes an experience on November 7-8, 2001, where he heard a strange sound, felt fear, and then found himself inside a vast, crystal-like hangar. He encountered a pear-shaped being and saw a large planet. He describes a feeling of euphoria and a strong desire to repeat the experience.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents a stance that UFOs are a real phenomenon, often linking them to geopolitical events, technological advancements, and unexplained natural occurrences. The editorial team actively seeks information and encourages readers to share their experiences, as evidenced by the call for sponsors and the address for submitting letters. There is a clear interest in investigating potential alien technology and its implications for humanity, often framed within a context of government secrecy and the unknown.