UFO Navigator - No 039 - 2002

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Navigator
Issue: No. 39 (0039)
Date: August 2002
Type: Russian UFOlogical Digest

This issue of "UFO Navigator" delves into a variety of UFO-related phenomena, news, and alleged encounters from around the globe. The cover highlights the film "Signs" and the topic of "Crop Circles" as the main sensation of the month, alongside reports on Japanese interest in the "Kyshtym dwarf" and a tragedy at the Sknylyv airfield potentially linked to UFOs.

Underwater Base Near Majorca?

Reports from sailors, divers, and fishermen near the northern coast of Majorca describe strange, loud, machine-like sounds emanating from underwater. These sounds, described as similar to distant machinery or a giant steel pipe being dropped, are puzzling local authorities. UFOlogists, however, recall a wave of UFO sightings in the Majorca area in the early 1970s, including underwater appearances, leading to speculation about a possible underwater UFO base.

"Signs" Film Ignites Crop Circle Debate

The release of the M. Night Shyamalan film "Signs," starring M. Gibson, has fueled public interest and debate surrounding crop circles. The film's success, evidenced by its significant box office earnings, has spurred a wave of related media productions, including documentaries and books. While many crop circles are acknowledged as human-made hoaxes, the article notes that even creators like J. Lundberg are unsure if all formations are artificial. The economic impact of crop circles is highlighted, with farmers profiting from tourism. The article also touches upon the history of crop circles, tracing them back to the 17th century and mentioning a 1854 report to the Royal Society.

Crop Circles in Greece and Slovakia

In Slovakia, pilots participating in a glider competition near Nitra-Drazovice observed three large crop circles from the air. UFOlogist Miroslav Karlik suggests these formations are only visible from a height. The circles, with diameters of 15.5, 7.4, and 6.3 meters, were connected by lines. In Greece, local farmers have reported seeing "ring" or "plate"-shaped objects landing in their fields, causing damage. Unlike their British counterparts, Greek farmers are not compensated for crop damage by tourists.

UFOs Over Washington D.C. - 50th Anniversary

July 1952 is remembered as the "raid on Washington" due to numerous UFO sightings and military intercepts. Fifty years later, a similar event occurred when a UFO was observed over Washington D.C., evading fighter jets. The object was detected by NORAD near the U.S. capital. While official reports are vague, eyewitnesses claim fighter jets pursued the glowing object.

"Black Triangles": American Super-Airships?

Research by the National Institute for Advanced Science suggests that the "black triangles" frequently seen over the U.S. are not alien craft but advanced American lighter-than-air vehicles. These "dirigibles" are described as massive, with advanced stealth technology. Their flight paths often appear close to U.S. Air Force bases, leading to suspicions of their origin. These craft are believed to be capable of carrying heavy payloads and potentially housing nuclear reactors or hypothetical electrokinetic engines.

$200,000 for the Kyshtym "Dwarf"

The case of the "Kyshtym dwarf," a mysterious creature found in 1996, has resurfaced with two Japanese TV companies, NTV and Asahi TV, reportedly vying to acquire its mummy. Asahi TV is offering $200,000 for the mummy. The article details the efforts of Asahi TV's producer, Deguchi Masao, to locate the mummy, involving local contacts and investigators. However, conflicting reports suggest the mummy may no longer exist, with some claiming it was lost due to improper storage or even taken by an alien craft. The article also presents a skeptical view from a film director who dismisses the sale as a publicity stunt.

Tragedy at Sknylyv Airfield: UFO Blamed?

A catastrophic air show accident in Sknylyv, Ukraine, on July 27, 2002, resulted in 83 deaths. During the event, a Su-27 fighter jet crashed. Video footage of the incident shows a white, cigar-shaped object near the plane just before it entered a fatal dive. While Russian journalists suggested it might be a surface-to-air missile, the object's trajectory and behavior have led some to consider UFO involvement. However, aviation experts and UFOlogists offer differing opinions, with some attributing the crash to system failure and others suggesting the object was an insect or a typical anomaly in video footage.

UFO Steals Mobile Phone in Argentina

In Argentina, a man named Raul Dorado reported a UFO with three legs descending and taking his mobile phone. The object reportedly emitted a loud sound and hovered at a low altitude. This incident is part of a larger pattern of alleged "cattle mutilations" in Argentina, where numerous animals have been found dead with peculiar injuries, leading to widespread fear and speculation about extraterrestrial activity.

UFO Fleets Over Mexico

On July 5, 2002, multiple UFO sightings were reported over Mexico. A group of 30-40 metallic spheres appeared over Mexico City, with some witnesses claiming they emerged from a larger object. Other sightings included triangular and spherical UFOs, and a "large spherical UFO" observed during a thunderstorm. These sightings have fueled ongoing UFO research in the region.

Space News: Life on Mars?

NASA announced new evidence suggesting the possibility of life on Mars. Scientists have found that 25% of the magnetic material in the Martian meteorite ALH84001 was deposited by ancient bacteria. This finding, based on six physical criteria, indicates that the magnetite could only have originated from biological processes. The article also mentions SETI researcher Jill Tarter's belief in the presence of extraterrestrials in the solar system.

Follow-up on Previous Publications

Reports of UFOs over Baku, Azerbaijan, continue, with sightings of four UFOs and alleged power grid interference. The article also mentions UFO sightings over Latvia, including a disc-shaped object with green and red lights, and a "black triangle" with colored lights. Sightings of yellow lights over Kaliningrad are attributed to artificial satellites, but similar reports of large, bright objects suggest other possibilities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores reports of UFO sightings, crop circles, alleged alien encounters, and unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation into these topics, presenting various accounts and expert opinions, while also acknowledging skepticism and the possibility of hoaxes or natural explanations. The recurring themes include the potential for extraterrestrial intelligence, the mystery surrounding unexplained aerial objects, and the impact of these phenomena on human society and scientific understanding.

This issue of 'Anomaliya' magazine, dated August 2002, presents a collection of reports and investigations into unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and related ground traces. The content is primarily in Russian and focuses on witness testimonies, analysis of potential evidence, and discussions of both extraterrestrial and natural explanations for these occurrences.

Witness Testimonies and Sightings

The magazine features several firsthand accounts of UAP sightings. A report from Zvenigorod describes a silent, brightly lit object with no visible engines. Another account from St. Petersburg details a similar silent object. A musician and his wife in St. Petersburg observed a bright object that approached rapidly, stopped, and then continued its path. Residents of the Turinsky District in the Sverdlovsk Oblast reported daily sightings of a small, glowing green object. A witness in Orenburg described seeing two bright, blinking red lights that turned out to be maneuvering objects. Reports from Crimea include a bright red flash followed by a glowing red object and sightings of silent white lights in a line. A bright object, brighter than Sirius, was seen flying towards the Sea of Azov at high speed.

Physical Traces and Ground Phenomena

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the phenomenon of 'crop circles' and other ground traces attributed to UAP. The article 'Circles in the Fields: Traces of Aliens or Old Good Nature?' by Keith Basterfield (originally published in the early 1980s) is featured. Basterfield discusses numerous cases of 'nests' or 'landing sites' found worldwide. He categorizes these traces into those found in pastures (огороженные участки земли или поля) and meadows (луга). The article explores various types of traces, including rings, flattened areas, and twisted or laid agricultural crops. Several examples are provided from Australia, detailing circular depressions, flattened grass, and areas where crops were bent or laid down in specific patterns. Basterfield critically examines these cases, often concluding that natural explanations are more plausible than extraterrestrial intervention. He specifically discusses 'slime mould' (слизистая сень) and fungi as potential causes for some of the observed phenomena, particularly 'fairy rings' (круги фей) found in pastures.

Natural Explanations and Scientific Analysis

The magazine emphasizes the importance of scientific investigation and proposes natural explanations for many reported phenomena. The article by Basterfield highlights how scientific and technical research councils have investigated these cases, often finding that unusual sounds or lights associated with them have mundane origins. The role of fungi in creating circular patterns on fields is explained in detail, with characteristics provided to distinguish these 'mushroom rings' from those potentially caused by UAP. The article also touches upon other potential natural causes, such as ball lightning or storm winds, for crop formations.

Historical Cases and Specific Incidents

Several historical incidents are recounted. 'Glowing arcs' observed over Tselinograd Oblast in 1962 are described as moving across the sky like waves. An incident in Vyazma between 1960-1965 involved an object covered in sparks falling into a pond, leading to its subsequent pollution and degradation. An elliptical object with wavy edges and a humming sound was observed in the Kaluga Oblast in 1982. The magazine also includes a report from Odessa about two 'saucers' being chased by a fighter jet, though the UFOs were not detected by radar. A sighting near Minsk in 1997 involved narrow orange strips and a white sphere observed in the sky.

Notable Cases and Contactee Accounts

The issue includes a section on 'Our Dictionary' which defines terms and mentions notable figures. Woodrow Derenberger, a contactee from the 1960s-70s, recounts an encounter in 1966 where he allegedly met an 'enlonaut' (alien astronaut) who emerged from a black flying object. The enlonaut reportedly engaged in a conversation with Derenberger, asking about Earth and its inhabitants.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena and physical traces. There is a clear editorial stance favoring rational, scientific explanations, particularly natural ones, for many of the reported events. While acknowledging the existence of phenomena that remain unexplained, the magazine encourages critical examination of evidence and discourages jumping to extraterrestrial conclusions without sufficient proof. The emphasis is on rigorous investigation and the application of scientific principles to understand these occurrences, often contrasting them with sensationalized media reports. The magazine appears to aim at demystifying UFO phenomena by presenting a balanced view that includes both extraordinary claims and grounded, scientific analysis.

This issue of "UFO Navigator" (Volume 1, Issue 1, August 2002) explores a range of paranormal and extraterrestrial phenomena, with a strong focus on alleged alien contact and sightings. The magazine presents detailed accounts of individuals who claim to have interacted with non-human intelligences, alongside discussions of scientific theories and unexplained events.

Woodrow's Encounters

The central narrative revolves around a contactee named Woodrow, who recounts multiple encounters with beings he identifies as "Lanulosians" from the planet Lanulos, which he describes as a utopian society. His first reported incident involved a UFO landing near his truck, from which a figure emerged before the craft departed. Shortly after, during a car ride with his friend Philip Elliot, Woodrow experienced a trance-like state, during which he heard alien voices speaking about multiple ships and their readiness to reveal themselves. Woodrow claimed to be in telepathic contact with an alien named Kold, who described Ganymede as a place with three seasons: planting, harvest, and cold.

Woodrow's contacts continued, including an alleged meeting with Kold and a "saucer navigator" named Carl Ardo. They claimed their ancestors originated from Earth and had lost the art of space travel. They also expressed a belief in a creator God similar to Earth's religions. These aliens reportedly faced hostility from humans, with Kold sustaining injuries from being shot at. Woodrow later claimed to have visited Lanulos in May 1967, staying in Kold's house.

Further contacts with Kold occurred, with Kold stating he was from Lanulos, near the Ganymede star cluster. Woodrow refused hypnosis, citing a warning from a "US Air Force Major" not to undergo such procedures. A psychiatrist who examined Woodrow found no mental or organic abnormalities. However, this psychiatrist, Raymond Jarvis, later claimed to have seen a disk-shaped UFO and heard Kold's voice in his head, promising to appear as a salesman.

The Montelione Hoax

The magazine also details the story of Tom Montelione, a psychology student who claimed to have met aliens, including one named Vadig, and visited Lanulos. His account was initially corroborated by others and featured in ufological literature. However, in 1979, Montelione confessed that his entire story was fabricated. He admitted to deliberately contradicting Woodrow's account to create a sensational narrative, even claiming to have known the alien who "contacted" Woodrow. Despite his confession, Montelione's story had already gained traction within the UFO community.

The Derzhainsk Incident

This section recounts a widely publicized UFO contact case from a pioneer camp named "Berezka" near Derzhainsk, Kazakhstan, on June 26, 1979. A group of older students and a counselor reported seeing three figures, described as three meters tall, thin, wearing black clothing, and with large heads and eyes, approaching them rapidly. The witnesses fled in terror. The incident was investigated by authorities, but no external confirmation was provided. Later, a boy reported seeing a "stranger" in the bushes at night, and a chair was found with its legs sunk into the ground, suggesting significant weight. Rumors circulated that students in costumes were responsible, and the camp was subsequently closed for the second shift.

The Desverges Case

Described as one of the most sensational "contact" cases of 1952, this incident involved scout leader Sonny Desverges and three scouts. While inspecting a race track, Desverges saw a light and went to investigate. He was knocked down by a fiery ball that emerged from a disk-shaped object. The scouts did not see the object but rushed for help. Upon arrival, police found Desverges conscious and the grass at the contact site scorched. The case raised doubts due to Desverges' questionable reputation, with ufologists divided on its validity.

Other Phenomena

The issue also touches upon other intriguing topics:

• "Crop Circles: The Greatest Mystery of Our Time": A review of Lucy Pringle's book on crop circles, which presents eyewitness accounts and suggests the phenomenon warrants scientific investigation.
• Religious Apparitions: Reports of images resembling the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ appearing on windows and surfaces in Brazil and Argentina, respectively. These apparitions attracted large crowds but were met with caution by the Catholic Church.
• "Snowman" Sighting in Yakutia: A report from "Yakutsk Evening" about a strange creature found dead in a trap in the Verkhoyansk region. Described as a large primate with a long tail and covered in fur, its identity remains uncertain, with speculation ranging from a mutated musk deer to a runaway ape.
• Variable Speed of Light Theory: A discussion of a hypothesis by Australian scientists suggesting that the speed of light might not be constant and could decrease over time. This theory, if proven, would necessitate a revision of fundamental physics, including Einstein's theory of relativity.
• "25th Frame" Detection: An article detailing the development of a detector in Russia to identify the use of the "25th frame" (subliminal messaging) in television broadcasts. The technology aims to expose hidden advertisements and messages, with potential penalties for channels found using them.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, with a particular interest in UFOs, alien encounters, and alleged psychic phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories, even those that are controversial or later debunked (as in the Montelione case). There is an underlying theme of skepticism towards official explanations and a willingness to investigate fringe topics. The inclusion of scientific discussions, such as the variable speed of light, alongside anecdotal reports, suggests an attempt to bridge the gap between paranormal claims and scientific inquiry, albeit from a perspective sympathetic to the unexplained.