UFO Navigator - No 021 - 2001

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO Navigator," the Russian Ufological Digest, dated October 2001 (Issue No. 21), delves into the ongoing conflict between scientific and pseudoscientific claims, alongside a collection of UFO sightings and related phenomena from around the globe.

Main Themes

The cover prominently features the headline "THE FIGHT AGAINST PSEUDOSCIENCE CONTINUES," signaling a major focus on the perceived battle against non-scientific or pseudoscientific beliefs. Other highlighted topics include the mystery surrounding images from the 'Phobos' interplanetary probe and the perennial question of whether Noah's Ark has been found.

News and Reports

The "News" section touches upon several intriguing topics: a potential link between methane and the Bermuda Triangle, a report of UFOs appearing on September 11th, an account of crop circles being formed, a 'flying saucer' sighting over Jurong West, a pyramidal UFO over Chile, and general space news. It also references previous publications and invites readers to explore details further.

The "Fight Against Pseudoscience" Intensifies

The issue details a significant escalation in the "fight against pseudoscience," spearheaded by the Russian Academy of Sciences. A major event was the international conference "Science, Pseudoscience, Paranormal Beliefs," held in Moscow on October 3, 2001. This conference, initiated by Academician Kruglyakov, chairman of the Commission for Combating Pseudoscience, also involved the Russian Humanitarian Society, the philosophical faculty of Moscow State University, and the American organization CSICOP. It was revealed that American sponsors primarily funded the conference, covering travel expenses for scientists from CIS countries. The five-day event attracted 200 scientists from eight countries, including the USA, UK, Sweden, and France, and was covered by major Russian media outlets.

The conference's initial aim was to establish a unified stance on science and its relationship with the 'spiritual world,' religion, and paranormal phenomena. However, it largely devolved into discussions on methods to combat 'pseudoscience.' Speakers expressed strong opinions, with Professor Valery Kuvakin of Moscow State University asserting that science has the right to self-identification and that a clear demarcation exists between science and parascience. Academician Garry Abelev argued against wasting taxpayer money on 'charlatans' and 'nonsense.' Professor Sergey Kapitsa warned of the dangers of organized pseudoscience, drawing parallels to historical superstitions and expressing concern that a growing interest in magic could regress society to the Middle Ages.

The International Academy of Informational Sciences, associated with V. G. Azhazha, was identified as a primary target of the anti-pseudoscience campaign. It was described as the strongest pseudoscientific organization, claiming over 15,000 'academicians' worldwide, including prominent political figures and Nobel laureates. Kruglyakov stated that combating this academy is a key objective for their commissions.

The article notes a surprising development: scientists considering an alliance with the church, which also opposes 'superstition.' Academician L. Mitrokhin suggested that science might cooperate with religious figures to combat pseudoscientific phenomena, clarifying that religion itself is not considered pseudoscience but another form of social consciousness. The author questions how this alliance would reconcile scientific understanding with religious narratives like the creation of the world in six days.

Kruglyakov further elaborated on the global rise of pseudoscience, citing the proliferation of academies that 'sell' doctorates and the increasing involvement of pseudoscience with high-ranking officials. He mentioned instances of patents for perpetual motion machines, exhibitions of psychics, and the presence of sorcerers and astrologers within security structures and government bodies.

Another example of alleged pseudoscience highlighted is the claim that torsion generators could purify Gelendzhik Bay. The article suggests this was a scam, as the bay had naturally cleansed itself after industrial waste discharge ceased years prior. A purported medical device claimed to cure numerous ailments was also dismissed as a 'dummy' product, despite lobbying efforts to ensure its mandatory purchase by medical institutions.

The article also touches upon the influence of astrology in high-level government, citing an anecdote about an astrologer advising Boris Yeltsin's security detail on financial matters and company investments, raising concerns about the impact of such beliefs on national leadership.

UFOs and Paranormal Phenomena

Astrophysicist Sergey Efimov noted that UFOs were barely discussed at the conference, being lumped with other 'pseudosciences.' The appearance of ufologist Mark Milkhiker was prevented by the chairman.

Sergey Leskov, a correspondent for 'Izvestia,' described the conference atmosphere as peculiar, with academics in the front rows and a large, agitated audience behind them, some of whom he speculated might have arrived through 'teleportation.' The explanation, however, was that the conference was open to the public, and organizers likely did not vet attendees rigorously.

Dr. Joe Nickell, a prominent skeptic and investigator of anomalous phenomena, was the only Western guest to speak with the Russian press. He shared his experiences debunking claims of weeping icons and statues, attributing them to natural phenomena or deliberate deception. Regarding UFOs, Nickell stated that 97% of cases he investigated had mundane explanations, such as spotlights or organized hoaxes, leaving only 3% unconfirmed.

Nickell also addressed crop circles, noting their increased appearance after media coverage and their consistent emergence at night in remote fields. He concluded that several groups likely create them competitively, citing an instance where a group was caught in the act.

When asked about his belief in UFOs, Nickell expressed a desire to investigate a genuine case but noted that most encountered were hoaxes. He was presented with the case of a landed 'saucer' near Woodbridge airbase in the UK, where soil radioactivity was reportedly ten times higher.

Lieutenant General Ivan Meshcheryakov criticized the Russian Academy of Sciences for prematurely labeling researchers of complex natural phenomena as 'charlatans,' suggesting that the academy itself was included in the list of pseudoscientific institutions.

The Bermuda Triangle: Methane to Blame?

A report announced experimental confirmation of the 'methane' hypothesis for disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle. Bruce Denardo's experiment demonstrated how methane gas released from the seabed could cause objects to sink. However, the US Coast Guard officially dismisses the Bermuda Triangle as a mythologized area, attributing disappearances to human error and natural factors like the Gulf Stream, unpredictable storms, and complex underwater topography.

September 11th: UFOs on the Day of Tragedy

Following the September 11th attacks, ufologists received numerous reports of mysterious objects over America. Sightings included a bright, star-like object near Logan Airport that split into parts, and a round, orange object moving at high speed near Otis Air Force Base. A wedge-shaped UFO was reported over Colon, Michigan, and a mysterious light source performed incredible maneuvers over Ash Grove, Missouri. Two objects emitting red, green, and white flashes were seen near Hellertown, Pennsylvania.

Crop Circle Specialist Witnesses Formation

Nancy Talbott, a specialist in crop circles, reported witnessing their formation in Holland on August 21st. She described luminous beams of light descending onto a field, followed by a fresh crop circle and an attached strip, resembling a 'T' shape.

"Flying Saucer" Over Jurong West

On September 22, 2001, residents of Jurong West, Singapore, observed a 'flying saucer' hovering for about fifteen minutes. Witnesses described it as a round object with flashing lights, some noting its immense size.

Pyramidal UFO Over Chile

On October 5, 2001, three witnesses in Iquique, Chile, reported a giant pyramid-shaped object, approximately 300 meters long, hovering over the coastline. It emitted red, yellow, and green lights, with a constant white light at its apex.

Space News

An article from October 11th reported the potential discovery of liquid water on Mars, theorized to exist in a large subsurface reservoir. Another report discusses the Draconids meteor shower, which caused several forest fires in Colorado and a bright bolide observed over Volgograd, Russia, believed to be a fragment of a comet.

Following Up on Publications

This section addresses the controversy surrounding a staged crop circle incident reported by "Komsomolskaya Pravda." The magazine criticizes the newspaper's attempt to portray the event as a sophisticated hoax, arguing that the staged circle was crude compared to genuine formations.

It also discusses attempts to find mystical explanations for the September 11th attacks, referencing a painting by Vladimir Trefilov depicting the World Trade Center towers burning, created years prior. The article questions the validity of such 'predictions,' noting that Trefilov had painted numerous apocalyptic scenes.

Another account describes a drawing by a Hungarian boy named Peter, allegedly depicting the 9/11 tragedy with remarkable accuracy. The article expresses skepticism, noting the boy's death and the large number of drawings he produced.

Several anecdotes are presented about individuals having premonitions or feeling compelled to be late for work on September 11th, thus avoiding the disaster. The author suggests these are common human experiences, amplified by the scale of the event.

UFO Sightings: August Observations

The magazine details numerous UFO sightings from August. Reports include a 'flying mushroom' over Mogilev, Belarus, and sightings over Lipovoye, Russia. A detailed account from Kolokolchik, Russia, describes two rhomboid objects emitting light and internal flickering lights, observed by Raisa Pavlovna. The objects left a circular patch of flattened grass.

Another sighting occurred in Ivanovo, Russia, where four pale-milky rhomboid objects were seen moving erratically. A similar sighting of a ball-shaped UFO was reported in the same area ten years prior.

Reports from Shuya, Russia, mention frequent UFO appearances, described as bright squares and fiery spheres, possibly related to mysterious tracks found in southern Russia.

A sighting over Belarus is mentioned, and a report from Saransk, Russia, describes a bright, star-like object that hovered and emitted beams of light.

"Flying Mushroom" Over Mogilev

An unusual object, described as a white, horizontal mushroom shape with a bright yellow-orange light, was observed over Mogilev, Belarus. It exhibited moving red and green lights and changed shape before disappearing.

UFO (?) Over Lipovoye

On September 29, 2001, residents of a gardening society near Tyumen, Russia, reported seeing a bright, fiery sphere moving rapidly across the sky. The object was described as leaving no trace and was possibly a rocket launch.

Our Calendar (This Day... Years Ago)

This section briefly lists historical UFO-related events: a wave of UFOs over Finland in 1973, a sighting over Zaostrovye in 1979, and a KGB document about a UFO observation near Magadan in 1988.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly advocates for a critical stance against pseudoscience, as evidenced by the focus on the conference and the critique of media sensationalism. The magazine appears to present UFO sightings and paranormal phenomena as subjects worthy of investigation, while simultaneously acknowledging the prevalence of hoaxes and the need for rigorous analysis. The editorial stance leans towards a skeptical but open-minded approach, seeking to distinguish genuine anomalies from fabricated or misinterpreted events. There's a clear emphasis on debunking fraudulent claims while not entirely dismissing the possibility of unexplained phenomena.

This issue of "Anomalous Phenomena" (Аномальные явления), dated October 2001, is a compilation of reports and investigations into unexplained events, UFO sightings, and paranormal occurrences. The magazine, edited by Mikhail Gerstein, covers a range of topics from official documents to personal testimonies, aiming to explore mysteries that defy conventional explanation.

Documented Sightings and Incidents

KGB Report: UFO near Magadan (1988)

The issue begins with a declassified KGB document from 1988 detailing a UFO observation near Magadan, Russia. Two workers, I. I. Krylov and V. V. Drozdev, reported seeing a cone-shaped object, approximately 25-30 meters in diameter and over 50 meters high, hovering at an altitude of 1-2 km. The object emitted a pale blue beam of light towards the ground. They described the object as silent and causing a sense of fear. Later, they observed a similar object further down the road.

"Mysterious 'Stars'" over Priazovye (1991)

Another report describes a sighting in the village of Primorskoye, Ukraine, on October 13, 1991. A. Volkov reported observing two bright, star-like objects with red tails and blue-green centers. One object emitted a bright beam that moved in a zigzag pattern.

The Phobos-2 Incident (1989)

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the mysterious loss of the Soviet spacecraft "Phobos-2" in 1989. Launched in July 1988, "Phobos-1" and "Phobos-2" were designed to study Mars and its moon. "Phobos-1" was lost due to an erroneous command. "Phobos-2" successfully reached Mars orbit but lost contact with Earth on March 27, 1989, shortly before a planned close approach to Phobos. The article discusses various theories, including mechanical failure, external interference, and the possibility of an "unknown object" being involved. It also addresses the controversial images transmitted by "Phobos-2" shortly before its disappearance, which some interpreted as an alien spacecraft. The magazine presents an analysis by astrophysicist Sergey Efimov and a statement from M. Naraeva of Glavkosmos, who explained the images as distorted shadows of the "Phobos" spacecraft on the Martian surface, caused by the "Termoskan" instrument and relative motion.

"Vashka Object" (1976)

The issue revisits the "Vashka object," discovered in 1976 on the Vashka River in Russia. This metallic fragment, initially described as a "mysterious" alloy, was speculated to be part of an alien spacecraft. However, the article clarifies that its composition is consistent with pyrophoric alloys used in lighters and that it is likely a component of the "Soyuz" rocket boosters, which are known to fall in the area.

Lake Vedlozero (1928 onwards)

Anomalous phenomena reported around Lake Vedlozero in Karelia, Russia, since 1928 are discussed. These include a "dark object" falling into the lake, sightings of small "water men," unexplained lights, and interference with radio transmissions. However, investigations by Tomsk specialists found no anomalies, attributing the events to a meteorite impact and other natural causes.

"Black Creatures" near Varygino (1989)

A report from July 2, 1989, details the sighting of three unusually tall, dark figures by a couple in the village of Varygino, Pskov region. The figures were observed searching near a pond and then vanished. The witness testimony is presented as credible.

"Fairy Rings" and Venus

The magazine explains natural phenomena often mistaken for anomalous events. "Fairy rings" (fairy rings) are described as circular patterns of mushrooms caused by natural growth, not supernatural forces. The planet Venus is also discussed, explaining how its brightness and atmospheric conditions can create optical illusions that might be mistaken for UFOs.

Reviews and Other Sections

Book Review: "Almanac of the Unknown" (Reader's Digest)

A critical review of the "Almanac of the Unknown" published by Reader's Digest is presented. The reviewer finds the book to be a poorly compiled collection of anomalous phenomena, with a disproportionately small section on UFOs and a significant amount of speculative or fabricated content. The high price of the book is also criticized.

Announcements

An announcement calls for anyone who has witnessed UFOs over Kazakhstan to report their sightings to the Commission for Anomalous Phenomena at the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan.

"Noah's Ark" Photographs

Italian enthusiast Angelo Palego claims to have found remnants of Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat in Turkey, presenting photographs as evidence. The article notes that his findings are supported by Professor Nello Balossino, who points to satellite imagery showing a dark, rectangular object under a glacier.

Space Real Estate

A brief mention of a company selling plots of land on the Moon, Mars, and other planets, with prices significantly reduced.

Poltergeist Activity

A personal account from Lyudmila Zykovа describes a series of frightening poltergeist events in her home, including unexplained noises, moving objects, and a disturbing encounter with what she perceived as a poltergeist attempting to harm her. She links these events to the death of her family members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena, scientific investigation, and eyewitness testimony. It attempts to provide rational explanations for some events while acknowledging the persistent mysteries surrounding others, such as the Phobos-2 incident. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and analyses without necessarily endorsing all claims as definitively extraterrestrial or paranormal. There is a clear effort to debunk hoaxes and misinterpretations while still leaving room for genuine unexplained events.