UFO Navigator - No 042 - 2002

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Navigator: Russian Ufological Digest
Issue: N 42 (0042)
Date: October 2002

This issue of "UFO Navigator" delves into a variety of anomalous phenomena, with a strong focus on recent UFO sightings and related events. The cover story highlights a new "Tunguska"-like event in Siberia, while other articles explore UFO video evidence from Georgia, meteor activity, and the mysterious Chupacabra. The magazine also includes regular features on astronomical discoveries and ongoing UFO investigations.

Main Articles and Reports

New "Tunguska Meteorite"?

The lead article details an event on September 26, 2002, near Bodaybo in the Irkutsk region, where a large, luminous object reportedly crashed. Eyewitnesses described a powerful jolt, a loud rumble, and a bright fiery trail. Local residents felt tremors, and a glow was observed in the sky. The Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences suggested it was a large meteorite, but local residents believe it was a spacecraft. The event was accompanied by unusual atmospheric phenomena, including a violet glow that persisted for days. The RAN Meteorite Committee has remained silent on the matter, and seismic data from the area showed no tremors.

Meteor Activity

The magazine notes a significant increase in meteor activity worldwide. Reports include a "green bolide" seen over Honolulu, a fiery object nearly hitting a plane over Florida, and a bright bolide over Great Britain. The article also mentions a flaming bolide over Argentina and a "glowing object" seen in Susques. Astronomers attribute this heightened activity to meteor showers like the Draconids and Orionids, which can produce a large number of meteors, including larger fragments.

Georgian Video Footage: Military Secret or UFO?

This section discusses an incident on October 3, 2002, where seven UFOs were reportedly sighted over Rustavi, Georgia. A witness, Giorgi Cheishvili, captured footage on a digital video camera. The objects were described as turtle-shaped, approximately 50 meters in diameter, and moved rapidly, sometimes hovering. The article expresses skepticism, suggesting the objects might be flares or illumination bombs used in military exercises, citing the proximity of a military training ground and the presence of helicopters. Similar incidents involving flares have reportedly confused UFOlogists in the past.

Chupacabra Unleashed

On September 22, a Chupacabra is blamed for the death of 19 animals on a farm in Puerto Rico. The owner, Ramon-Luis Guzman Colon, found his roosters, ducks, chicks, and rabbits dead, with evidence of blood draining. One rooster was dragged 30 meters from its cage. The creature reportedly entered the farm despite secure enclosures. Another report from Puerto Rico describes a similar incident near Caguas-Centro.

"Flying Diamond" Over Calgary

On October 3, residents of Calgary, Canada, observed a strange, diamond-shaped object described as a small clump of very white, bright cloud. It moved rapidly westward and disappeared behind buildings. Another witness in British Columbia described a pale, yellowish object that flew slowly and was round. The object reportedly had no wings or propellers.

Cigar-shaped UFO Over Great Britain

An English newspaper reported a cigar-shaped UFO flying over Ilkeston, UK, on September 30. The object reportedly flew its route and returned. Witnesses described it as not being an airplane or dirigible, as it flew "broadside" and emitted a strange noise. The object had rows of white lights at each end and yellow "lamps" underneath, with a flashing red beam in the center. The UFO Association of Anomalous Phenomena noted this as a significant observation indicating increased UFO activity in the area.

First Results from the Peruvian Air Force UFO Commission

This section reports on the findings of an official commission established by the Peruvian Air Force to study UFOs. The commission, led by Julio Chamorro, has received hundreds of reports monthly, many from credible sources. While most sightings can be explained, about a dozen cases each month remain unexplained. One notable case involved a video recording from Chulucanas showing a giant "ship" hovering for two hours. The commission believes that if UFOs are confirmed as extraterrestrial spacecraft, it could lead to significant technological advancements for humanity.

Shooting at a "Saucer" in Azerbaijan

A witness from Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan, reported seeing a large "saucer" hovering over the city on September 25. The object was reportedly shot at by a man with a pistol, after which it flew away, and the rain, which had stopped during the object's presence, resumed. Police arrested the shooter.

Mass UFO Sightings Over the Netherlands

Reports from the Netherlands indicate a surge in UFO activity. In Bladel, a car was reportedly followed by a UFO for 45 minutes on September 28. The object exhibited unusual behavior, including hovering and pursuing the vehicle. Another witness in Utrecht saw a flat, glowing white spot with a gray, luminous tail that followed her home on September 29. In Hoorn, a red, glowing object with lights was seen flying at high speed on September 30, followed by a white ball.

Quaoar - A Tenth Planet?

Astronomers have discovered a planet-like object named Quaoar, orbiting the Sun about 1.5 billion kilometers from Pluto. Its orbital period is 288 years, and it has a diameter of approximately 1280 kilometers, making it about ten times smaller than Earth. The discovery, made by Michael Brown and Chad Trujillo, challenges the classification of Pluto as a planet.

Space News

Astronomers have discovered a new moon of Uranus, its twentieth, named S/2001. This small, irregular moon is about 15-20 km in diameter. Jupiter still holds the record for the most moons with 39, followed by Saturn with 30. The article also mentions the successful launch of the Russian navigation satellite "Nadezhda-M" on September 26.

Following Up on Our Publications

This section revisits previous reports. A journalist's investigation into the "M-triangle" area found few genuine anomalies, with most claims attributed to "ufological tourism." However, reports of strange "balls" were noted. The article also touches upon alleged "chronal anomalies" in the Molybka area, where time is said to behave erratically, possibly due to magnetic anomalies from old iron ore deposits.

What is Flying Over the Village of Solomasovo?

A group of ufologists led by Sergey Zverev documented UFOs over the village of Solomasovo in the Tula region. Their digital camera captured blurs of spherical and rhomboid shapes, and the equipment reportedly malfunctioned during the recording.

Cigar-shaped UFO in the Skies of Syktyvkar

This is a brief mention of a cigar-shaped UFO sighting in Syktyvkar.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and related events worldwide. There is a clear interest in distinguishing genuine anomalous events from misidentifications, military exercises, or hoaxes. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, presenting evidence and witness accounts while also offering skeptical analysis and alternative explanations, such as military activities or natural phenomena. The publication also covers related topics like meteor showers and unusual creature reports, reflecting a broad interest in the unexplained.

This issue of "UFO" magazine, dated October 1993, delves into a variety of unexplained aerial phenomena and related topics. It features a collection of historical and contemporary UFO sightings, an investigation into the controversial claims surrounding the Dogon tribe's astronomical knowledge, and a discussion of potential natural explanations for some aerial observations.

Reported UFO Sightings

The magazine presents several detailed accounts of alleged UFO encounters:

• Lesozavodsky District, Komi Republic: Three workers reported seeing a cigar-shaped object with a glowing center and thin light strips emanating from it. The object emitted a rustling sound and a concentrated white beam of light before disappearing.
• Bay of Fundy, North America (1796): An entry from Simeon Perkins' diary describes seeing fifteen 'ships' flying in the air, some close enough to see their details. This is noted as a potential early sighting of aerial phenomena resembling ships.
• Delaware, USA (1881): Reports from Royal Oak, Maryland, describe a little girl seeing 'detachments of angels' in the sky, dressed in white and shining. Similar visions were reported by a farmer near Georgetown, Delaware, who saw large formations of soldiers in shining uniforms.
• Sandusky, Ohio (1931): A 'mysterious dirigible' or 'saucer' was observed for nearly an hour, described as a hazy silhouette floating over Marble Peninsula. It was noted that the airship 'Akron' was not in the air at that time.
• Sochi, Russia (1991): A resident reported seeing an egg-shaped object, bright white with a tail, flying at high speed and disappearing behind mountains. It moved parallel to the sea.
• Riga, Latvia (1993): Multiple passengers witnessed an object that transformed from a long, narrow shape to a triangle with a red light and white tail, then a black object, and finally an elliptical shape with pink lights. It performed complex maneuvers before disappearing.
• Chelyabinsk, Russia (1970): A witness described an Archimedes spiral object with a pale matte glow moving horizontally.
• Ulyanovsk, Naberezhnye Chelny, Stavropol Krai, and Vurnary (1978): Four separate reports detail observations on November 21, 1978, of an orange-red or bright white object that grew, emitted light, and transformed or dissipated. These accounts are presented as likely observations of the same phenomenon.

The Dogon Tribe's Knowledge of Sirius: A Critical Examination

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the controversial claims about the Dogon tribe of Mali and their alleged advanced astronomical knowledge, particularly concerning the Sirius star system. The article references research by Marcel Griaule and Germaine Dieterlen, who documented the Dogon's knowledge of Sirius B (a white dwarf star), its mass, orbital period, and rotation.

However, the magazine presents a critical perspective, citing Belgian anthropologist Walter van Beek, who spent 12 years among the Dogon. Van Beek states that he found no evidence that the Dogon knew Sirius was a double star or had detailed knowledge of its companion stars. He suggests that the information documented by Griaule might have been influenced by the researchers' own knowledge and the Dogon's cultural tendency to agree with their informants.

The article also discusses the possibility that any astronomical knowledge the Dogon possessed might have been acquired from European visitors rather than from ancient, extraterrestrial sources. It questions the use of modern astronomical terms in translating Dogon words and suggests that the claims may be based on misinterpretations or coincidences.

Natural Explanations for Aerial Phenomena

The magazine explores natural phenomena that might be mistaken for UFOs:

• Lenticular Clouds: These clouds, often found near mountains, can take on unusual shapes like discs, torpedoes, or even resemble alien spacecraft. They remain stationary due to air currents and are well-known to meteorologists.
• Cloud Flags: Similar to lenticular clouds, these form when moist air cools over mountain peaks, creating a flag-like appearance.
• Rocket Launches: The visual effects of rocket launches, including bright lights, expanding gas clouds, and trails, are described in detail. The magazine presents a step-by-step breakdown of the phases of a rocket launch as observed from a distance, suggesting that some UFO sightings, particularly those involving bright, expanding lights and trails, could be misidentified rocket launches.

Other Sections

• "Our Calendar": This section briefly lists historical dates related to UFO sightings and aerial phenomena, including reports from Delaware (1796, 1881), a mysterious dirigible (1931), and UFO transformations (1991, 1993).
• "Our Dictionary": This issue defines terms such as "Discoplans" (disk-shaped aircraft), "Dissociative states" (psychological conditions), and "Daytime Discs" (a classification of UFOs observed during the day).
• Book Reviews: The magazine reviews "UFO. They Are Already Here..." by Lollia Zamoisky, criticizing it for plagiarism and lack of originality, while acknowledging a few original witness accounts.
• Announcements: An announcement for the presentation of Mikhail Gershteyn's book "Beyond the UFO" is included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of unexplained aerial phenomena with historical accounts, witness testimony, and scientific inquiry. There is a clear editorial stance favoring critical analysis and the search for rational explanations, as evidenced by the detailed debunking of the Dogon tribe's astronomical claims and the explanation of rocket launch phenomena. While not dismissing the possibility of genuine UFOs entirely, the magazine emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and the need to differentiate between actual anomalies and misidentified natural or man-made objects. The recurring theme is the human fascination with the unknown and the ongoing effort to understand mysterious events in the sky.

This document appears to be a scanned issue of a Russian-language publication, likely a magazine or newsletter, dated October 14, 2002. It covers a variety of topics, including a mysterious underwater discovery, a new scientific instrument, and a study on hygiene.

Article 1: What Lies at the Bottom of the Lake?

The first section discusses a recent discovery at the bottom of Lake Ilmen, where divers from a Novgorod expedition found a magnetic anomaly and dozens of metallic objects. The exact age of these objects is yet to be determined, but they are clearly not from modern times. The find has reportedly turned a local history expedition into a UFO investigation, with a Moscow newspaper, "Nashi Kontinent," reporting on September 19th of the same year that divers used instruments to locate a large metallic object at a depth of four meters. Attempts to excavate this object were unsuccessful due to sand covering the site, and the divers lacked the equipment for large-scale underwater excavation. The article speculates that the object is ancient and possibly not of earthly origin, given the historical context of the "Varangians to the Greeks" route. It also suggests a more mundane explanation, such as a plane shot down during the war that crashed into the water and seabed.

Article 2: "Nikhrenometr" or Scientific Discovery?

This section introduces a new device called the "Nikhrenometr" (though the name is presented with a degree of skepticism, indicated by the exclamation marks). Developed by scientists at the St. Petersburg Institute of Precision Mechanics and Optics, this instrument is designed for studying biological fields. According to a report by SPB-TASS in early October, its serial production has begun at a major enterprise of the former military-industrial complex. Konstantin Korotkov, head of the bioelectrography laboratory at the institute, explains that the device can objectively assess a patient's physical and psychological state within 10 minutes in clinical settings. It can also reliably evaluate the energetic properties of drinking water. The device has reportedly passed clinical trials and received certification from the Russian Ministry of Health. Specialists in physical culture have developed special methodologies using this invention to assess an athlete's readiness for competition. The article suggests that this device likely utilizes the Kirlian effect, as Korotkov has written two books on the subject, and "bioelectrography" is presented as the scientific name for this phenomenon.

Article 3: Computers are Dirtier Than Toilets, Containing Bacteria and Contamination

This brief section questions whether the "Nikhrenometr" is a genuine scientific breakthrough or another pseudoscientific gadget, and wonders about the stance of the Russian Academy of Sciences Commission on Combating Pseudoscience. It then presents findings from a study by microbiologist Chuck Gerba, a professor at the University of Arizona. The study indicates that computer workstations are significantly dirtier than toilets. Gerba's research found that an average workstation carries 400 times more bacteria than a typical toilet. The study also noted that office restrooms had the fewest bacteria, while telephone handsets were identified as the dirtiest office accessory, followed by computers and keyboards.

Publication Details

The issue was completed at 8 AM on October 14, 2002, and was compiled and prepared by Mikhail Gerstein from St. Petersburg.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The publication seems to adopt a critical yet curious stance towards scientific claims, particularly those bordering on the extraordinary or pseudoscientific. It questions the nature of the "Nikhrenometr," contrasting it with potential pseudoscientific devices, and highlights the skepticism surrounding the Lake Ilmen discovery by referencing the Russian Academy of Sciences Commission on Pseudoscience. The inclusion of the computer hygiene study adds a practical, research-based element. The overall tone suggests an interest in unusual phenomena and scientific advancements, while maintaining a degree of journalistic skepticism and a commitment to reporting on verifiable research.