UFO Navigator - No 011 - 2001

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Navigator
Issue: No. 11 (0011)
Date: March 2001
Publisher: UFO Navigator
Country: Russia
Language: Russian

This issue of "UFO Navigator" presents a diverse range of topics within the realm of ufology and anomalous phenomena. The cover prominently features a quote from Professor James McDonald from 1967, suggesting that UFOs are alien probes. The main headlines highlight the panic surrounding the impending deorbit of the Mir space station, the alleged discovery of an alien skeleton, and the existence of a black market for "flying saucers."

Mir Space Station: A Prolonged Descent

The lead story details the public's anxiety regarding the fall of the Mir space station. Reports varied on the timing and location of its descent. A representative from the Russian space agency, Yuri Koptev, stated that the deorbit would be managed through braking impulses. Amidst the uncertainty, rumors circulated about the potential dangers of the falling station, including a sensational claim by a Russian scientist, Alexander Karash, about the presence of mutated fungi on board that could pose a threat to human health. The article notes that such microorganisms had been observed on Mir previously, with some reportedly corroding metal and releasing toxic vapors. However, official representatives from Rosaviakosmos dismissed these concerns.

German Ufologists Predict Public Reaction to Mir's Fall

German ufologists, through Werner Walter of the German Center for UFO Registration, predicted a surge in public interest and emotional reactions to the Mir space station's deorbit, comparing it to previous instances of "space debris" burning up in the atmosphere, which often led to calls reporting "nuclear explosions" or "alien spacecraft."

The Black Market for "Flying Saucers"

An interview with Nikolai Subbotin, director of the Russian UFO Station (RUFORS), reveals a disturbing trend: a black market for alleged alien artifacts and "flying saucers." Subbotin describes how individuals are profiting from selling purported alien spacecraft debris, with prices escalating, especially after the success of asteroid-themed movies. He also mentions a personal anecdote about an acquaintance who started selling "flying saucers" and subsequently acquired significant wealth and a position in the Duma, hinting at the potential for illicit dealings.

American UFO Chronicle (February-March 2001)

This section provides a chronological list of UFO sightings reported in February and March 2001:

• February 6, Phoenix, Arizona, USA: Four bright, disc-shaped UFOs with domes were observed flying in formation.
• February 9, Escanaba, Michigan, USA: A large, bright sphere with colored lights hovered for an hour before descending behind trees. Similar sightings occurred on subsequent nights.
• February 10, Tell City, Indiana, USA: A bright, oddly shaped object performed complex aerial maneuvers for 75 minutes, exhibiting characteristics of a disc with a flat bottom and visible markings.
• February 16, Gulf of Mexico: A bright white object was seen flying at high speed, disappearing into and reappearing from clouds.
• February 21-22, Rogwe River, Oregon, USA: A pilot and his family observed a bright, disc-shaped object with an 'X' pattern of lights near the mountains.
• February 22, Fishkill, New York, USA: A large, diamond-shaped object with three bright white lights was sighted.
• March 2, Mount Airy, Maryland, USA: A bright, fiery object appeared in the night sky, changing shape and fading away like a prolonged fireworks display.
• March 2, Moffat, California, USA: Three witnesses reported a small, cigar-shaped object flying slowly towards a mountain.
• March 3, Macon, Georgia, USA: Following a severe thunderstorm and the crash of a military transport plane, ufologist John Thompson suggested a possible link to UFO activity, though no evidence supported this.

Abduction in Malaysia

This report details the alleged abduction of Wabi Gintukod from Kampung Keraiyan Baru, Malaysia. His wife, Mainis Gampat, reported that he became invisible and floated upwards before disappearing. He was later found 11 days later in a state of shock and unable to communicate. Witnesses described the alleged abductor as having a "square body." The incident is compared to cases from "The X-Files."

"Contacts" in Chile

This section clarifies earlier reports about UFO sightings in Chile. The "giant silver saucer" seen on February 16, 2001, was identified as a special weather balloon called MIR (Montgolfiere InfraRouge). The article debunks exaggerated claims about BBC Chile sharing secret UFO information, stating that the organization was merely reviewing documents related to UFO observations involving BBC personnel.

Argentinian Monster

Reports from Argentina describe small, mysterious creatures, referred to as "diablitos" (little devils), measuring no more than 50 centimeters. These creatures have been observed at night in the town of Pitrufquen. Witnesses describe them as having ear-like protrusions and emitting piercing cries. They are also associated with the mysterious deaths of small farm animals, suggesting a possible link to the chupacabra phenomenon.

English Anomaly

• February 15, Lairg, Sutherland, Scotland: A bag of mysterious white powder fell onto a school playground, dusting about 30 students. The powder was collected for analysis, with initial suspicions pointing to a military or civilian aircraft.
• February 19, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England: Five oval objects described as "bright yellow lights" were seen in the sky, but the local RAF base reported no launches.
• February 21, Scarborough, England: A "skyquake" event, similar to those in the US, caused ground tremors and a humming sound in the sky.
• February 28, York, England: A meteorite crashed into a garden, creating a 30 cm diameter and 90 cm deep crater.

NEAR Probe: Mission End

The NEAR Shoemaker probe, which landed on the asteroid Eros on February 12, 2001, has lost contact. The message states that signals became weaker due to the probe entering the asteroid's shadow, affecting its solar panels. While some specialists believe contact could be re-established in a couple of years, others are less optimistic due to the extreme temperature conditions. NASA has received valuable data from the probe's gamma-ray spectrometer.

Our Greeting to Extraterrestrials

Children in Russia are developing a project to send a message to extraterrestrial civilizations. The project involves selecting symbols and musical interludes to represent Earth. The message will be disseminated via the Internet and launched into space in mid-August 2001 from a deep space communication station in Evpatoria. A team is identifying target star systems with exoplanets, with distances of only tens of light-years.

Mysterious Ice Fall in Australia

On March 6, 2001, a large chunk of ice, described as being the size of a freezer container, broke through the roof and ceiling of a house in Sydney. The ice chunk weighed over 1.5 kilograms and fell from a significant height. While hail was ruled out, and no aircraft were reported in the area, the ice was sent for analysis. This incident occurred amidst numerous UFO sightings over Australia.

Tracing Our Publications

This section discusses the possibility that "triangular UFOs" are actually secret US Air Force aircraft, citing a Discovery Channel documentary that featured hypersonic aircraft like the "Aurora" and "TR-3 Black Manta." It also mentions Arthur C. Clarke's belief in extraterrestrial life on Mars, based on NASA probe images of alleged "pyramids" and "sphinxes."

Reports from the Field

• St. Petersburg: Witnesses reported observing "glowing bodies" over the city on November 29 and 30, 1997. The objects were described as bright, stationary lights resembling searchlights, which would disappear after a few minutes. The author suggests these could be meteoric particles burning up in the atmosphere, but also notes that they did not behave like typical aircraft or meteors.
• Tyumen Region: A witness described a large, moon-colored sphere with a halo that moved slowly across the sky in winter, possibly during childhood. The object turned 90 degrees over a crossroads. The author suggests this could be related to rocket launches from Plesetsk, but acknowledges unusual features in the description.
• Pridnestrovie: A report from Tiraspol describes three light sources moving in a triangle formation at night.

Angel Hair

An analysis of "angel hair," a mysterious white, fibrous substance found on a farm in West Virginia, revealed it to be a polymer containing protein. While its natural, biological origin was confirmed, its exact source could not be determined, and the possibility of "possible intelligent influence" was not ruled out.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of unexplained aerial phenomena, space exploration, and potential extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various sightings and theories while also attempting to provide rational explanations or debunk sensational claims. There is a clear interest in both official space programs (like the Mir station and NEAR probe) and unofficial reports of UFOs and alleged alien encounters. The magazine aims to inform readers about the latest developments in ufology, from alleged alien artifacts to sightings around the globe, while also encouraging critical thinking and further investigation.

This issue of "UFO Navigator" (Issue 11, Volume 1, March 2001) is a Russian publication dedicated to the exploration of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. The magazine features a collection of eyewitness accounts, historical case studies, and speculative analyses of extraterrestrial activity.

Eyewitness Accounts and Case Studies

The issue begins with an account from Moldova, where observers reported seeing large, silent, and highly maneuverable objects that accelerated rapidly and disappeared into the sky. This sighting is noted as being similar to others reported in local newspapers.

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a report from Satka, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, detailing the appearance of a UFO on February 5th. The account, originally published in the local newspaper "Satkinsky Rabochiy," describes a bright, pulsating sphere observed by a woman and her family, which moved in unusual patterns before being filmed.

Several historical cases are presented, including:

• Miass, Russia (1979): Students reported seeing an object resembling the sun.
• Semrino, Russia (1984): Six red and two yellow lights arranged in a specific pattern were observed hovering over a forest.
• Slovenia (1988): A mysterious glowing object appeared in the sky, observed by multiple witnesses and described as emitting a loud noise upon departure.
• Vladivostok, Russia (1991): A couple observed a silver sphere with green lights.
• Plymouth, USA (2000): A witness reported seeing bright white lights arranged in a cross shape.

The 'Alien Skeleton' Case

A major feature of this issue is the investigation into the alleged discovery of an extraterrestrial skeleton in Aurora, Texas, USA, in 1897. The article details the findings of Professor Bob Slotter, a paleontologist, who studied the remains. The skeleton is described as having unusual characteristics, including large eye sockets with sclerotic rings, small nasal openings and mouth, hollow bones, and a three-fingered hand with a single joint.

The discovery is linked to a reported crash of a cigar-shaped craft in Aurora on April 17, 1897. The article discusses the recovery of metallic fragments from the crash site and the analysis of these materials. It also mentions a letter from 1925 that describes observations of small beings interacting with cigar-shaped ships near Ladonia, Texas, and a subsequent report of a cigar-shaped craft on the ground near Stephenville, Texas, with two small beings appearing to repair it.

The magazine notes the difficulties in verifying the skeleton's authenticity due to the passage of time and the deaths of key witnesses and researchers, including Professor Slotter himself.

Other Phenomena and Concepts

The issue also touches upon other UFO-related topics:

• BAVIC Line: A concept introduced by ufologist Aimé Michel, referring to straight lines along which numerous UFO sightings were reported.
• Crimson Fog (Багровый туман): A phenomenon described as a red glow near the ground, often accompanied by electromagnetic interference, observed in high latitudes.
• Baltic Bolide: A mysterious celestial object observed over the Baltic Sea in 1976, described as a bright, fiery object that moved slowly and appeared to break apart.
• UFO Bases: The article discusses various alleged locations of UFO bases on Earth, citing information from psychics, abductees, and 'contactees,' while noting the lack of concrete evidence for their existence.

Historical Events

• Baltic Sea Phenomenon (1716): An account of a spectacular celestial event observed over the Baltic Sea, involving colliding clouds, intense light, and flame, described as resembling a battle between fleets and armies.

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

The magazine appears to adopt a stance of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting eyewitness accounts and investigative findings without definitive conclusions, often leaving the interpretation to the reader. Recurring themes include the historical nature of UFO sightings, the potential for extraterrestrial visitation, and the scientific and investigative approaches to understanding these phenomena. The inclusion of detailed case studies, expert opinions (even from deceased researchers), and discussions of physical evidence suggests an effort to lend credibility to the subject matter, while acknowledging the challenges in verification. The magazine also includes a section for reviews of other UFO-related publications.

This issue of "Anomalnye Novosti" (SPb), 2001, N 5, presents a mix of reviews and articles, with a significant portion dedicated to critiquing other publications in the ufology and paranormal field. The magazine also includes a book review and discussions on cryptozoology and the philosophical concept of life after death.

Book Review: "NLO i FBI" by Bruce Maccabee

The issue begins with a positive review of Bruce Maccabee's book "NLO i FBI" (published in Russian by "Kron-Press" in 2000). The reviewer praises the book's rapid translation from English and highlights Maccabee's meticulous research into the early years of UFO investigations in the United States, suggesting that even American researchers may have overlooked some details.

Critique of "Anomalnye Novosti" (SPb), 2001, N 5

A substantial part of the magazine is dedicated to a critical analysis of the content of "Anomalnye Novosti" (SPb), 2001, N 5. The reviewer expresses disappointment, stating that the authors and editors seem detached from current events and are rehashing old information. Specific criticisms include:

• "The Secret of the Third Prophecy of the Virgin Mary": This article is dismissed as a debunked "hoax" that the Vatican had already clarified in 2000, concerning a Third World War.
• "UFO. Secret KGB Report" by Yuri Gavryuchenkov: The reviewer asserts that Gavryuchenkov misunderstands the topic. The "Blue Packet" is clarified as a declassified document collection from 1991, not an appendix to a KGB report, and there is no evidence it indicated a direct threat to human lives.
• "KGB UFO Crash Document": This article is criticized for featuring a known forgery, which the reviewer had previously debunked in "UFO Navigator" N 2. Gavryuchenkov is also faulted for his inability to accurately quote the document.
• Article by L. K. Gorokhov (pp. 8-9): The reviewer notes the absence of dates, allowing the publication to sensationalize the content as "Sensation!" despite the cases having been previously described by Gorokhov in the St. Petersburg publication "Anomaliya."
• Letters Section (p. 12): The reviewer claims that most of the letters published are plagiarized from other publications, stating this is true for three out of four letters.

Other Magazine Reviews

• "Anomaliya" (SPb), 2001, N 5: This issue is noted for its continuation of G. K. Kolchin's report, which had been published in full in the previous year's fifth issue. The report discusses Colonel F. Corso and his book, with a negative commentary by K. I., whose mental state is questioned.
• "NLO" (SPb), 2001, N 10 and 11: These issues are dismissed with a brief "No comments. Tired of saying the same thing..."
• "Perestok Kentaura" (Rostov-on-Don), 2000, N 9-12: Due to financial difficulties, this publication was released as a single, thick issue. It contains many quality UFO materials but also includes "obvious hoaxes," such as the writings of Milton Cooper (p. 18). The reviewer received the issue too late for its content to be considered newsworthy.

Events and Projects

• XXII Ziegeler Readings: Scheduled for March 31 - April 1, 2001, at the "Meridian" Cultural Center in Moscow. The first day's lectures are free, with a fee for the second day. The organizers, the "Ecology of the Unknown" Association, apologize for potential disruptions due to new venue rental conditions.
• Russian-Belarusian UFO Network Project: The newspaper "Secret Investigations" (Minsk) is seeking addresses of ufological centers and groups to create a database for monitoring paranormal phenomena. They aim to inform readers about regional centers and are requesting proposals for the principles of a global monitoring network.

Cryptozoology and Life After Death

• Cryptozoological Tidbits: The issue mentions a report from the website of "Vremya-MN" about the discovery of living, relict insects in Australia, identified as *dryococelus australis*. These insects, resembling "walking sausages," are 20 cm long and use cloning for reproduction. They were thought to be extinct since the early 20th century after the introduction of rats to their island habitat.
• Life After Death: The magazine discusses a "sensational" article from "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" (Feb 21, 2001) by A. Valentinov, which explores the idea that human consciousness may continue after brain death. This is linked to the research of Dr. Raymond Moody on near-death experiences (NDEs). The article cites a British study of 60 patients who experienced clinical death, where some reported experiences consistent with Moody's findings. However, the magazine also presents a counter-argument from A. Kurpatov in "Novosti Peterburga," who dismisses NDE accounts as a myth, stating that "clinical death" is not biological death and that the fear of death is a self-inflicted illusion. The piece concludes with philosophical reflections on the fear of death, quoting Epicurus and Immanuel Kant, and suggesting that focusing on living a meaningful life is more important than fearing death.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue demonstrates a critical and skeptical stance towards sensationalism and unverified claims within the ufology community, particularly evident in its detailed critique of "Anomalnye Novosti." While acknowledging the existence of UFO phenomena and paranormal research, the magazine emphasizes the need for rigorous investigation and factual reporting. The inclusion of philosophical discussions on life and death suggests a broader interest in existential questions beyond typical UFO reporting. The editorial stance appears to favor well-researched content and debunking of hoaxes, while also promoting collaborative efforts in paranormal research through initiatives like the UFO network project.