RIAP bulletin - Vol 10 No 2 - April-June 2006

Magazine Overview

Title: RIAP BULLETIN
Issue: Volume 10, Number 2
Date: April-June 2006
Publisher: Research Institute on Anomalous Phenomena (RIAP)
Country: UKRAINE

This issue of the RIAP Bulletin focuses on anomalous phenomena, with a significant portion dedicated to the Tunguska event and its potential explanations, including the intriguing theory of mirror matter. The magazine presents research from the Kharkiv-based Research Institute on Anomalous Phenomena (RIAP), an independent scientific body established in 1992.

Contents Overview

The issue features several articles:

• Tunguska Genetic Anomaly and Electrophonic Meteors, Part 2 by Z. K. Silagadze
• The "Weber Effect" and Anomalous Luminous Phenomena in the Earth Atmosphere in the Period of the Tunguska Event of 1908 by B. F. Bidiukov
• Radioactivity at Tunguska by N. V. Vasilyev, G. V. Andreev
• Questioning Witnesses in 1926 about the Tunguska Catastrophe by I. M. Suslov

Article Summaries

Tunguska Genetic Anomaly and Electrophonic Meteors – Part 2 (Zurab K. Silagadze)

This article delves into the potential biological effects of ELF/VLF electromagnetic radiation, particularly in the context of the Tunguska event. It begins by noting that various biological systems, including plants like mugwort and compass plant, and animals, utilize the Earth's magnetic field for adaptation and orientation. This suggests that Earth-strength magnetic fields can influence biological systems, providing evolutionary tools.

The author then discusses the findings regarding the effects of low-frequency non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. Studies have indicated that even brief exposures to high-intensity ELF electric fields can be fatal to small organisms and affect the central nervous system of mammals. Furthermore, ELF electric or magnetic fields can induce a physiological stress response, leading to changes in body weight and biochemical levels in rats. The induction of heat shock proteins (HSP) by ELF fields is highlighted, suggesting that cells perceive these fields as potentially hazardous. This sensitivity is considered to have evolutionary grounds, possibly serving as an early warning system for more dangerous stressors.

The article speculates that the genetic and ecological consequences of the Tunguska event might not be due to mutations occurring during the event itself, but rather manifestations of latent mutations unmasked by the stress response induced by the powerful ELF/VLF radiation from the bolide. It also considers the possibility of direct mutagenic effects from ionizing radiation during the explosion, referencing witness accounts of intense heat and physical disturbances, which could be explained by Joule heating from an extraordinary electromagnetic pulse.

The Riddle of the Sands

This section explores the enigma of the Libyan Desert Glass (LDG), discovered in Egypt in 1932. This exceptionally pure silica glass, dated to 28.5 million years old, presents a puzzle as no impact crater has been found. While impact theories involving shock compression are discussed, the lack of a crater and the unique properties of LDG lead to alternative hypotheses. One suggestion is that a massive atmospheric explosion, far more powerful than Tunguska, could have melted desert sand grains. However, evidence of shock metamorphism points back to an impact origin, leaving the absence of a crater as a significant mystery.

The article then introduces the concept of "mirror matter" as a potential explanation for these enigmatic impact events. Mirror matter is a hypothetical form of matter that exists in a parallel universe, interacting with ordinary matter primarily through gravity. The theory posits that if a body composed of mirror matter impacted Earth, it could explain the lack of impact craters and fragments. The interaction via photon-mirror photon mixing is crucial, potentially causing mirror particles to acquire a temporary electric charge and undergo Rutherford scattering in the atmosphere, leading to an atmospheric explosion.

This mirror matter hypothesis is also applied to explain other phenomena, such as the puzzling flat-flaw craters on the asteroid Eros and the Richât structure in Mauritania. The author suggests that these features might be the result of impacts by mirror space bodies, which could outnumber ordinary ones in the solar system. The article concludes by noting that the existence and properties of mirror matter could be tested through experiments like the ETH-Moscow positronium experiment, which looks for oscillations between ordinary and mirror particles.

Concluding Remarks

The concluding section synthesizes the various riddles discussed, including the Tunguska genetic anomaly, magnetoreception, Libyan Desert Glass, mirror matter, and parity violation, suggesting they might be pieces of a larger puzzle. The author reiterates the hypothesis that the Tunguska event's impact was primarily due to its electrophonic nature, with powerful ELF/VLF electromagnetic radiation triggering subtle genetic mechanisms. The article draws a parallel between the Tunguska event and larger global catastrophic events, like the asteroid impact that caused the dinosaur extinction, in their role of boosting evolution. It also touches upon the growing scientific acceptance of celestial interference in terrestrial matters and the potential hazard posed by near-earth space objects, including the enigmatic "soft impacts" attributed to mirror matter.

The crucial ingredient for the mirror matter explanation of anomalous impact events is the photon-mirror photon mixing, which is experimentally testable. The ETH-Moscow positronium experiment is mentioned as a key experiment designed to detect this phenomenon. If positive, it could have significant implications for understanding the potential hazard posed by mirror matter space bodies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of RIAP Bulletin revolve around anomalous phenomena, particularly the Tunguska event, and speculative yet scientifically grounded theories to explain them. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, exploring unconventional hypotheses such as mirror matter and electromagnetic influences on biological systems, while grounding these discussions in scientific principles and referencing experimental evidence and ongoing research. The magazine encourages a broad perspective on unexplained events, seeking to connect seemingly disparate phenomena into a coherent understanding of the universe.

This issue of the RIAP Bulletin, dated 2006, Volume 10, No. 2, focuses on the 1908 Tunguska catastrophe and related anomalous phenomena. The cover prominently advertises the bulletin as a serious anomalistic periodical published in English for the community of independent states.

The "Weber Effect" and Anomalous Luminous Phenomena in the Earth Atmosphere in the Period of the Tunguska Event of 1908

This article by Boris F. Bidiukov investigates the "Weber Effect," which involved observations of magnetic needle oscillations in Kiel, Germany, during the nights leading up to the Tunguska event. Professor Weber noted these oscillations, which occurred at regular intervals with an amplitude of 2 angular minutes and a period of 3 minutes. The author notes that these oscillations stopped approximately 15 minutes after the Tunguska explosion and that the explosion did not seem to affect them. The influence of these oscillations was regular on the first two nights, lasting 7 hours 30 minutes each, with a 24-hour interval. The third night saw a delay and a shorter duration. The author finds it difficult to explain these influences naturally due to their asymmetrical nature. The article also compares the "Weber Effect" with anomalous luminous phenomena observed in the atmosphere after the Tunguska meteorite fall, noting that these light anomalies increased in the days before June 27 and peaked on the night of June 30 to July 1, 1908. A striking coincidence is noted: both the "Weber Effect" and light anomalies seem to concentrate in Germany.

Radioactivity at Tunguska

This section, authored by Nikolay V. Vasilyev and Gennadiy V. Andreev, presents preliminary notes on a program of further investigations of radioactive fallout in the Tunguska explosion area. They discuss four unconventional hypotheses for the Tunguska event: TSB as an extraterrestrial spacecraft, antimatter, a "microscopic black hole," or a "solar plasmoid." Research on radioactivity has been conducted since 1959, involving various methods like gamma and beta-radiometry, isotope content determination (40K, uranium), and examination of 14C in trees and peat. The main results indicate that soil radioactivity in the area is generally within natural background fluctuations, though slightly higher at the epicenter. Beta-radioactivity of vegetation and trees is higher at the epicenter, and tree ring beta-radioactivity has increased exponentially since 1945, possibly due to nuclear tests. A second peak of radioactivity in peat, dated to 1908, remains unclear. Investigations of soils shielded from contemporary fallouts show no artificial radionuclides. The isotopic content of argon in local rocks has not been modified, arguing against a powerful radiation stream or annihilation reactions during the explosion. However, thermoluminescent properties of rocks and soils in the epicentral zone show increased values in a "blind spot," suggesting the action of ionizing radiation. The authors conclude that the question of radioactivity in the Tunguska explosion area remains open, and further investigation using 4π-counters is needed to obtain spectra in the X-ray band.

Questioning Witnesses in 1926 about the Tunguska Catastrophe

This article by Innokentiy M. Suslov presents firsthand accounts from Evenk witnesses of the 1908 Tunguska event. The author recounts his efforts in the 1920s to gather these testimonies. One detailed account is from Akulina, who describes her chum being violently pushed, a bright light, strong wind, and a noise like thunder. She recounts trees falling, burning, and the destruction of their belongings. Another account from the brothers Chuchancha and Chekaren describes multiple thunder blows, a strong wind, falling and burning trees, and a bright light appearing like a second sun. They also recount the destruction of their chum and the leveling of the forest. The article includes other testimonies describing similar phenomena, including pits and dry rivers appearing after the event. The author notes that the Evenks attributed the catastrophe to supernatural causes, such as "agdy birds" or shamanic revenge. The article also touches upon the similarity of the geomagnetic storm following the Tunguska explosion to those caused by atmospheric nuclear explosions and the existence of a zone of increased plant mutations at the epicenter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The RIAP Bulletin consistently focuses on anomalous phenomena, particularly those related to the Tunguska event. The articles present scientific investigations, historical accounts, and theoretical hypotheses, often highlighting unexplained aspects of these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into anomalous phenomena, encouraging further research and discussion within the community of independent states, as indicated by the cover's promotional message.