UFO Navigator - No 032 - 2002

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO Navigator," identified as N 32 (0032) and dated March 2002, is a Russian ufological digest. The cover prominently features headlines about the arrival of the first comets of the "Aquarius Era," a forgotten wave of UFO sightings in 1909, and an alleged UFO attack on a woman in Argentina. It includes a quote from Gaston Alexis, a former French Air Force lieutenant colonel, stating that UFOs are not of terrestrial technology.

News and Reports

The "News" section covers several brief items: a report on UFOs or American "shuttles" on April 1st, an appeal by ufologists to the UN, a mention of a UFO observatory planned in Puerto Rico, and a note on the "Aquarius Era" comets. It also references previous publications and encourages readers to seek further details.

April 1st: A Worthy Welcome... UFO or American "Shuttle"?

This article discusses the proliferation of hoaxes and misdirections, particularly online. It highlights an E-bay listing for a homemade UFO kite, suggesting that such devices might explain some sightings of "flying triangles" over Europe and the United States. The piece then examines a report from the "Altus Times" newspaper about a UFO sighting in Altus, USA, on March 11th. The local police chief, Patterson, suggested it might have been a shuttle, but the article notes that there were no scheduled shuttle launches or returns around that date, questioning the official explanation and hinting at the possibility of secret shuttle flights.

"At the Front Door": Ufologists' Appeal to the UN

Ufologists worldwide have launched a petition campaign, aiming to present their signatures to the UN Secretary-General in March 2003. The organizer, ufologist John Velez, sent out a letter detailing this initiative. The article suggests that this campaign might also serve to collect UFO video footage for a "video application" to the petition, implying a potential for exploiting enthusiasts. Boris Shurinov is mentioned as one of the individuals involved.

Puerto Rico: Mayor's Plans for a Ufological Observatory

Marcos Turín Irrizarri, the mayor of Lajas, Puerto Rico, has been planning a "ufological observatory" for seven years. However, the project has been stalled due to a lack of funds, with money allocated for the observatory instead being used to aid victims of Hurricane George. The intended construction site has also become unavailable. The mayor's motivation appears to be a mix of scientific interest and a desire to create a "tourist attraction," potentially turning Lajas into a hub for ufology tourism. He claims to have seen a "bright light" himself, which he interprets as a UFO.

Aliens Attack a Woman in Argentina

This report details an incident on January 1, 2002, involving Faustina Nolasco, a 57-year-old peasant woman from Las Palitas, Argentina. She claims to have lost consciousness after being struck by a beam from a "flying saucer." Upon waking, she experienced burns and found nearby plants withered. The following day, a nearby tree was scorched, and vegetables in her garden had wilted. The article also mentions other sightings in Argentina, including several UFOs over Santa Rosa on March 2nd, described as a "very large star" and later as light flashes and a "glowing cloud."

New "Sign for Putin"

This section revisits a previous report about a large letter "P" seen over the Kremlin. It references an article in the Simferopol newspaper "Tainaya Doktrina" by former KGB lieutenant colonel Sergey Paukov. Paukov describes the event on December 2, 2001, near the "Rossiya" hotel in Moscow, where TV workers allegedly filmed a giant, luminous letter "P" in the sky. The article notes that the phenomenon was briefly shown on the TV channel "Inter" without commentary, making it largely unnoticed. Vladimir Azhazha, a specialist in UFOlogy, was reportedly unaware of the event. The article speculates that the "P" might be a "cosmic greeting" for President Putin, especially as his 50th birthday approached.

Green "Cosmic Dog"?

This section reports on sightings of unusual creatures. Vladimir Lipkan from Kyiv observed a creature near the village of Khatyanovka on March 12th, described as resembling a large dog with disproportionately long limbs, a non-dog-like face with fangs, and iridescent green skin. The creature's movements were described as heavy, and its head resembled that of a dragon. Similar sightings of dog-like creatures possibly linked to UFOs were reported in Moscow in 1990 and Alma-Ata in 1991.

UFOs Over Primorye

Residents of Varenovka, Rostov region, reported seeing five strange circular objects in the sky on March 5th. These objects emitted beams of light that illuminated the area. One beam caused a car's engine to stall. The objects remained for 15 minutes before disappearing, leaving an unusual silence. The article notes two other UFO sightings in the Primorye region in the past six months, including glowing circles over Poliotdel'skoye in November 2001 and a ball with a beam over Avilo-Uspenka. A saucer-shaped object was also seen over Kuteinikova in 1999.

Our Calendar (On This Day... Years Ago)

This section provides brief historical notes: an "unidentified object" over Vilno in 1892, a "celestial phenomenon" over a military unit in 1961, and an alleged abduction in China in 1988.

"Star" Over Vilno. 1892

This article details a sighting in Vilno (now Vilnius) in late March 1892 of a strange "star" or "ball" in the sky. A correspondent for "Vilensky Vestnik" described it as a luminous object with an "electric reflection" the size of a carriage wheel. The object's shape changed, and it emitted beams of light. While initially speculated to be a "Prussian" ball or an unknown star, it was later officially explained as the planet Venus.

Celestial Spectacle Over a Military Unit. 1961

An anonymous witness reported observing an unusual object in the sky over Chelyabinsk region in April 1961. The object, described as a glowing ball or spherical mass, moved with a hovering, shuttle-like motion, then performed a zig-zag flight before rapidly disappearing, leaving a thin vertical violet trail. The observation lasted about 15 minutes, with no sound reported.

Irretrievable Abduction in China. 1988

In March 1988, the Chinese news agency Xinhua reported the abduction of a 10-year-old boy by a UFO. The boy's father described a glowing white ball appearing at their doorway, emitting a bright white beam that pulled his son into another object, which then vanished. The report mentions increased UFO activity in China and a growing number of disappearances.

"Saucers" Over Eastern Estonia. 1990

On March 23, 1990, between 24:00 and 00:30, a flying object resembling a flying saucer was observed near a gas station in Sillamäe. It moved towards the "Narva" pass, emitting bright spotlight beams. Taxi driver Evgeny Nikolaev and his passengers also witnessed the object. It hovered near garages and then moved at high speed towards the "Narva" pass. Security guards at an ammunition depot in the "Narva" pass also reported seeing the object. Five days later, students and teachers returning by bus from Tallinn saw a fiery orange ball in the sky, followed by dark, ring-shaped silhouettes. The events were characterized by bright light effects but no sound.

Investigation

One Hundred Years Ago: The UFO Wave Over the Southern Hemisphere

This section details a wave of UFO sightings that occurred in July 1909 over New Zealand and Australia. Reports described strange lights and "flying ships." The article focuses on sightings near Kelso, New Zealand, where schoolchildren drew pictures of a "flying ship" with sails and a propeller. A woman named Mrs. Russell also reported seeing a black, boat-like object. Skeptics suggested the children's drawings were influenced by popular fiction, while others claimed the children later admitted it was a prank. The article also mentions a letter to "Otago Daily Times" by Robert Grigor, who speculated about atomic ships from Mars and the possibility of Martian beings resembling octopuses.

Further reports from New Zealand include sightings of a large, dark object near Koaka Point, described as a "house-sized" ship. On July 25th, Mr. George Smith and Mr. Poulter observed a dark object with powerful lights. On July 27th, Alan Mitchell and Alex Riech saw a large, boat-shaped object flying low over the river. The article also mentions a report from Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia, on August 5, 1909, of a bright blue light moving north.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, and anomalous aerial phenomena from around the world, with a particular focus on Russia and former Soviet countries. It often contrasts official explanations with eyewitness accounts and ufological interpretations. There is a recurring theme of historical UFO waves being re-examined. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, often highlighting the unexplained aspects and questioning conventional explanations, while also acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes and misidentifications. The magazine seems to aim at documenting and disseminating information on UFO-related events and theories to its readership.

This issue of "UFO" magazine, published in 1981, delves into a variety of unexplained aerial phenomena, focusing heavily on sightings reported in Australia and New Zealand. The content is primarily in Russian, with some references to English-language sources and authors.

UFO Sightings in Australia and New Zealand

The magazine begins by recounting several UFO incidents. In Golburn, Australia, multiple witnesses reported a large, bright, pale blue light appearing for five consecutive nights, described as "like a car headlight." The object was seen moving rapidly and changing direction. Another report from Governor's Hill describes a light appearing from the south, moving towards the hill, then turning east and returning south.

A significant event detailed is the Glen Innes sighting on August 13, where several credible witnesses described an object resembling a flying balloon, appearing as an inverted cone with a lit lower section, moving north. In New Zealand, on September 1, two prominent citizens of Goura observed a cigar-shaped object with a gondola flying over the Tapuani Hills and disappearing behind the horizon.

Later, on October 25, a "mysterious airship" visited Western Australia, appearing over a farm near Onslow. It was described by Mrs. A. D. J. Roe as massive, square-like, and reflecting sunlight, resembling an airplane more than a dirigible.

Hypotheses on UFO Origin

A substantial portion of the magazine is dedicated to exploring various theories about the origin of UFOs. Ufologist Brad Steiger is credited with presenting 18 hypotheses, many of which are considered far-fetched. These include:

1. Extraterrestrial Version: UFOs are spacecraft from alien civilizations conducting observations.
2. Military Version: UFOs are secret military aircraft flown by Earth astronauts.
3. Secret Society Version: An ancient secret society of scientists and alchemists developed advanced technology they keep hidden.
4. Programmed Illusion Hypothesis: UFOs and their pilots are holographic projections or elaborate special effects.
5. Unknown Earth Life Forms: UFOs could be unknown life forms, such as plasma, electrical, or energy beings, inhabiting Earth's upper atmosphere.
6. Atlantis Astronauts Hypothesis: UFO pilots are descendants of a technologically advanced civilization from ancient Atlantis.
7. Time Travelers Hypothesis: UFO pilots are future humans visiting the present to correct developmental paths.
8. Other Dimensions Hypothesis: UFOs originate from other spatial-temporal continua or different vibrational frequencies.
9. Universal Poltergeist Hypothesis: UFOs are manifestations of an unknown physical law that activates the subconscious, projecting energy that can mimic human intelligence.
10. "Chameleon-like Psychoid" Version: UFOs are protean phenomena that reflect human beliefs and psychological states of the era.
11. Psychic Need Version: UFOs are manifestations of human psychological needs, similar to psychokinesis or apparitions.
12. Unconscious Prototypes Version: UFOs and their pilots are pseudo-real objects generated by the collective human unconscious, representing energetic transformations.
13. Extraterrestrial Deceivers Hypothesis: Alien beings intentionally mislead humanity to conceal their true activities on Earth.
14. Magical Version: UFOs are magical manipulations by elves, gnomes, and other paraphysical beings involved in human evolution.
15. Supernatural Forces Version: UFO pilots are beings described in religions as messengers of divine hierarchies, guiding and saving humanity.
16. Game Version: UFO pilots are engaged in a game with humanity, gradually altering our perception of reality and pushing us towards higher consciousness.

The authors conclude that UFOs did not suddenly appear after 1947 but have been a subject of human fascination and religious worship for centuries.

Hypnotic Regression and Its Limitations

The magazine discusses the use of hypnosis, particularly "retrospective hypnosis," in ufology to recover memories of alleged encounters with UFOs or alien abductions. It explains that hypnosis can create a state of rapport between the hypnotist and the subject, allowing access to memories.

However, the article strongly cautions against viewing hypnosis as a "truth serum." It highlights that while hypnosis can help recall past events, it also increases suggestibility, making individuals vulnerable to leading questions. The text quotes Leonard George, a specialist, stating that there's no evidence that memories under hypnosis are clearer than without it; instead, hypnosis tends to enhance the subject's desire to please the hypnotist. The American Psychological Association is cited as acknowledging that hypnosis can produce convincing "false memories."

Investigator Kenneth Lanning notes that while some details recalled under hypnosis might be true, others can be misperceived, distorted, symbolic, or outright false. The challenge for law enforcement is to discern the truth from fabrication.

The Girenko Photo Series

A significant section details a series of 14 photographs taken by Dima Girenko, a seventh-grader from Ukraine. An expert analysis by the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) concluded that the images, depicting an "anomalous phenomenon," were not fabricated. The analysis noted that the object changed shape and suggested that its appearance was due to light interaction with the lens rather than reflection from the object itself. The experts recommended further investigation with more photographic material.

The article also mentions that many residents of Girenko's village had previously observed UFOs. It includes accounts from A. G. Zaika, a hospital orderly who saw a dazzling ball approaching rapidly, and L. A. Borshch, a teacher who reported seeing a "saucer" eight times, describing its changing shapes.

Cryptid Sightings

The magazine also touches upon cryptid phenomena:

• "Hodomur, Man of Infinity": A 1934 short story by Ege Tilms is discussed for its apparent premonition of modern UFO phenomena, including crop circles, men in black, abductions, telepathy, and amnesia.
• "Snow Man" in India: Residents of Meghalaya, India, report the return of the "snow man" or "Yeti" in the West Garo Hills, with a photograph of its lair taken by Dipu Marak.
• Romanian Lake Monster: A "Romanian counterpart" to the Loch Ness Monster is reported to inhabit Tarnita Lake in the Carpathian Mountains, with a photograph taken by a tourist.

"Ten Rules for a Contactee"

This section provides pragmatic advice for individuals who believe they may encounter UFOs or their occupants. It emphasizes preparedness, including carrying a camera (even if the film is likely to be overexposed), wearing warm clothing, and having "charged" water. It advises against attempting to flee, to greet potential alien visitors with dignity, and to avoid asking questions requiring special knowledge. The rules suggest that a contactee might be asked to deliver a message to humanity, which could involve criticism of human behavior and a reminder to protect the environment and pursue spiritual development.

Specific warnings are given regarding encounters with small, gray-skinned beings with green blood, suggesting caution and a potential exchange for human corpses. Contactees are also advised against taking any "small, unclaimed items" from UFOs and to perform a mental self-examination afterward.

Book Review and Project Information

The issue includes a critical review of Igor Vinokurov's book "Don't Look Them in the Eyes!," which is described as a compilation of material from other books, lacking originality and offering nothing new to readers already familiar with the subject.

Finally, the magazine presents information about the "Russian UFO-Net" project, initiated by Nikolay Subbotin, aimed at creating a unified information space for UFO researchers in Russia and the CIS. It outlines the project's goals, methods, and stages, including the creation of a standardized database and a national UFO database (EBD) expected to contain 10,000-15,000 entries.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the scientific and speculative explanations for UFOs, and the psychological aspects of witness testimony. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting various theories and anecdotal evidence while also critically examining the reliability of witness accounts, particularly those obtained through hypnosis. There's a clear effort to document reported events and explore potential causes, ranging from the mundane to the extraordinary, while also acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge and the potential for misinterpretation or fabrication.