UFO Navigator - No 043 - 2002

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Navigator
Issue: No. 43 (0043)
Date: October 2002
Publisher: Russian Ufological Digest

This issue of "UFO Navigator" is dedicated to various UFO-related news and incidents from around the world, with a special focus on the 75th birthday of prominent ufologist Vladimir Ajazha. The publication includes reports on sightings, investigations, and expert opinions, aiming to inform readers about the ongoing mysteries of unidentified flying objects.

Key Articles and Reports

Vladimir Ajazha Turns 75

The issue marks the 75th birthday of Vladimir Georgievich Ajazha, a renowned ufologist. The event coincided with a conference organized by the International UFO Association and the Academy of Informational and Applied Ufology in Moscow on October 26-27. The magazine extends its congratulations and promises a detailed report in the next issue, with editor Mikhail Gerstein representing "UFO Navigator" at the forum.

The 'Bodajbo Meteorite' Remains Unfound

Efforts to locate the object that fell near Bodajbo (reported in issue 42) have been hampered by heavy snowfall in the taiga, making the area difficult to search. Eyewitness accounts from locals, including Roman Ledkov and Valentina Leontieva, describe a large, bright object falling from the sky, followed by an explosion. However, the US Department of Defense later released information suggesting that reconnaissance satellites detected a glowing object at high altitude over the Bodajbo region, which exploded at 30 km. The event's energy was estimated at 200 tons of TNT. Svetlana Kuzina, citing "Komsomolskaya Pravda," concluded that the object was likely a meteorite, not a UFO.

'Flying Coffin' Captured on Camera

A surveillance camera at Kota Kinabalu Airport in Malaysia recorded an object resembling a coffin flying through the air. An airport security officer confirmed seeing the object, which moved at high speed without making any sound. Radar showed no unusual objects, only a 'marker' from a departing Malaysia Airlines flight. A street security guard also corroborated the sighting.

Chilean 'Alyoshenka'?

A family vacationing in Concepción, Chile, found a strange creature measuring 7.2 cm with a large skull and human-like features, reminiscent of the 'Alyoshenka' case. The creature was reportedly alive for at least eight days. Specialists from the Chilean University suggested it might be a miscarried fetus of a local feline species, but could not confirm. Ufologist Mario Dussell and other experts believe it is not a human or animal fetus, and DNA analysis is recommended for a definitive conclusion.

Rectangular Objects Over California

An amateur astronomer in Wheeler Springs, California, using an astronomical camera, observed an object consisting of four to five connected rectangles, possibly linked by wires. The object, estimated to be about 1 degree in length, flew at an altitude within the atmosphere, moving at a speed comparable to an airplane. The astronomer could not determine if the object was self-illuminated or reflecting light.

New UFO Poll in the USA

A poll commissioned by the 'SCI FI Channel' revealed that 72% of Americans believe the government is concealing information about UFOs, and 68% suspect authorities know more about extraterrestrial life. Bonnie Hammer, director of the channel, attributed this public interest to the popularity of science fiction films.

Strange Hole in a Ufologist's Yard

Larry Hatch, a well-known American ufologist, reported discovering a peculiar hole in his yard in Redwood City, California. The hole, about two feet deep and two inches in diameter, was not vertical and could not be filled with water. Hatch noted the absence of typical animal burrowing signs and speculated about its origin, leaving the mystery unresolved.

Death in Argentina: Aliens or Satanists?

In Cordoba, Argentina, the bodies of an elderly woman and her two dogs were found with injuries similar to those seen in mysteriously killed livestock. Police are investigating the death of 72-year-old Sara Margarita Priano. The article notes that 27 cases of 'livestock slaughter' have occurred in the rural areas around Cordoba since April, leading ufologists to consider the possibility of the first human death caused by aliens, or a ritualistic killing by satanists.

400,000 People Gather to See UFOs?

Over 400,000 people congregated in northeastern Thailand to witness a phenomenon of colorful 'Naga fireballs' rising from the Mekong River. This annual event, occurring during the first full moon of October, has puzzled scientists, prompting the Thai government to order an official investigation. Theories suggest the balls are self-igniting natural gas. The event caused significant traffic congestion and required extensive crowd control measures.

'Flying Triangles' Over Russia

Reports from Russia indicate sightings of black triangular objects. In Rzhev, ufologist Dmitry Belousov observed three synchronized 'stars' that turned out to be a triangular object with a high brightness. The object moved silently and was estimated to be the size of a football field. Similar sightings have been reported in the Tver region. Additionally, four triangular UFOs were seen over Northampton, England, and a glowing triangular object was observed in Slovakia.

American Science Fiction Writer on UFOs

Science fiction writer Ben Bova expressed his belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life but remains skeptical about UFOs being alien spacecraft. He suggests that most UFO sightings are misidentified natural phenomena or man-made objects. Bova argues that if aliens were visiting Earth, governments would not be able to keep such a secret for decades, citing the Watergate scandal as an example. He also references the debunking of the Roswell incident, where debris was identified as part of the 'Mogul' project. Bova concludes that while he hopes for evidence of alien visitation, he doubts the current claims.

Space News

The SETI@home project is facing financial difficulties, as the processing of astronomical data requires powerful radio telescopes. The University of Berkeley may withdraw as the project's distribution center due to the high volume of data. In Russia, a Soyuz rocket carrying the 'Photon-13' research satellite exploded 29 seconds after launch, causing a loss of scientific equipment and potential financial penalties for Western partners. Scientists in St. Petersburg announced a solar eclipse visible on May 31, 2003, with the Moon covering approximately 84% of the Sun's disk. The city plans to host an international conference for scientific observations of this event. Researchers have also discovered the first planet in a system with two stars, challenging existing theories of planet formation.

Follow-up on Previous Publications

Vadym Chernobrov claims to have found 'Alyoshenka' and obtained a tissue sample for DNA analysis.

Local Reports

Jerusalem: The Wailing Wall reportedly 'cried' again, a phenomenon interpreted by some as a sign of the Messiah's imminent arrival.

India: Reports of UFO attacks on people and livestock continue, including a beam of light from an object that burned animals and injured a young girl.

NASA: The mysterious object J002E3 has been identified as the third stage of a Saturn V rocket that launched the Apollo 12 lunar mission.

Local Sightings:

• 'Flying Saucer' over Rostov-on-Don: Several residents reported seeing an unidentified flying object, described as a large, silver disc with illuminated windows, hovering near the TV tower.
• Mysterious 'Dot' over Moscow-Simferopol Highway: Four young people from Kursk reported seeing a red light in the sky that moved slowly before disappearing. Their car's radio stopped working during the sighting and resumed after the object vanished.

Our Calendar (Events from X years ago)

• UFO sighting over Norilsk and Talnakh (1979).
• UFO over Brazil (1988).
• Signs in the sky over Khutor Kokichev (1990).
• Unusual phenomenon in Kazakhstan.

UFO Sighting over Norilsk and Talnakh, 1979

Pilot Vl. Dubtsov and his crew observed a large, stationary UFO hovering at an altitude of 100-200 meters above the ground near Norilsk Airport. The object was described as being about 100 meters high and 300 meters in diameter, resembling a giant spaceship, with a cone of light descending towards the ground. The UFO then moved away rapidly and disappeared. Another witness, V. V. Sergiychik, reported a similar sighting. The article notes that such sightings have become frequent in the area and speculates that the phenomenon might be related to the launch of the "Cosmos-1142" satellite from the Plesetsk cosmodrome.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "UFO Navigator" include unexplained aerial phenomena, alleged alien encounters, and the ongoing debate about the nature and origin of UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various reports and eyewitness accounts while also incorporating scientific skepticism and analysis. The magazine highlights both sensational claims and more grounded investigations, encouraging readers to consider different perspectives on the UFO phenomenon. There is a clear emphasis on documenting sightings and fostering discussion within the ufological community.

This issue of "UFO Navigator" (Volume 1, Issue 1, dated 1990) delves into various UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings and investigations, spanning from 1988 to 2002. The publication aims to gather information and explain these mysterious phenomena.

UFOs Over Brazil. 1988

The issue begins with a report from the Soviet Union Telegraph Agency (TASS) dated October 29, 1988, concerning the growing concern in Brazil's Ministry of Aviation over Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). In that year alone, five official sightings were registered, observed by both ground personnel and pilots. Consequently, all aviators were instructed to immediately report any "flying saucer" appearances with full details to flight control centers. The most recent sighting mentioned occurred on October 3, 1988, when pilots from three commercial airliners observed a UFO between 20:30 and 20:50. A pilot named Robert Costa described a bright white disc, twice the diameter of the moon, that emerged from behind the horizon, hovered, and then disappeared as suddenly as it appeared. He stated it was unlike any comet, meteor, planet, or star he had ever seen. This report was published on October 30, 1988, in newspapers such as "Sovetskaya Latviya," "Krymskaya Pravda," and "Leningradskaya Pravda."

Signs in the Sky Above Kokichev Khutor. 1990

On October 24, 1990, at 21:15, four bright squares with flames inside appeared in the sky above the khutor (small village) of Kokichev and the nearby stanitsa (village) of Krasnodonetskaya. These squares seemed to project beams of light, forming a black cross. The objects were estimated to be at an altitude of about 100 meters. Nearby, the numbers "2001" appeared, separated by a small burning circle, along with question marks. The article notes that 2001 has passed without any unusual events, questioning the meaning of this phenomenon.

Unusual Phenomenon in Kazakhstan

In the evening of October 28, 1991, residents of the village of Volodarskoye in Kokchetav Oblast witnessed large, bright red spots moving slowly across the dark evening sky. Initially, speculation ranged from UFOs to the glow from a rocket launch. However, a local newspaper reported that the phenomenon was attributed to "mother-of-pearl" clouds, known for their unusual transparency and play of light from the moon and ground lights. Tatyana Pavlovna Marinicheva, a meteorologist at the local weather station, stated that this was a rare occurrence, having observed such beauty only three times in her 15 years of service. The article concludes that regardless of the explanation, the event was noteworthy enough for publication.

Investigation: UFO over Tatarstan

This section, written by Ravil' Iskhakov for "UFO Navigator," discusses the slow but steady scientific acceptance of UFOs. The author posits that UFOs exhibit intelligent, perhaps super-intelligent, activity. A key event detailed is a television report on "Efirs" (Kazan) on July 20, 2002, about a UFO sighting over Kazan on the night of July 16, 2002. The report stated that residents saw a UFO moving over Dekabristov Street. Iskhakov initiated an investigation, interviewing witnesses.

Witness Testimony: Gul'nara Ibragimova

On the evening of July 16, around 21:30, Gul'nara Ibragimova and her husband were on their balcony. She noticed a blinking light, initially thinking it was a landing aircraft, but then realized there was no airport nearby. Minutes later, a bright, slowly moving ball appeared between two buildings. She identified it as a UFO and called her sister.

Witness Testimony: Lyutsiya

Lyutsiya, who was inside with her child, heard her sister's excited call. She grabbed her video camera and went to the balcony. She saw a bright spot moving from right to left. While trying to film it, the object moved behind a building. It reappeared shortly after, moving slowly. Filming was difficult due to the object's unpredictable movements and the need to hold her child. She managed to capture a brief recording. Upon closer inspection through a telescopic device, the object appeared disc-shaped with four lights on its rim: two steady front and rear lights, and two blinking side lights. The object moved back and forth for about an hour and a half. During its flight over the houses, the streetlights and lights in nearby buildings went out for 10-15 minutes.

Witness Testimony: Lyaysan (age 6)

Lyaysan, upon seeing the UFO, exclaimed that an alien had arrived. She described it as a white ball with a garland of three lights, one in the center and two on the sides.

Vladimir Serebrennikov (Specialist in Space Technology)

Serebrennikov observed a real "flying saucer" for over an hour. He estimated its size to be enormous and that it made about seven "trips" between Victory Park and the "Orgsintez" plant, each trip taking approximately 15 minutes one way. He observed four white lights on the rim of the disc and a large, bright light in the center. He noted the underside of the disc and was able to discern details without binoculars due to his good eyesight and farsightedness. He and his wife and grandson witnessed the event and contacted the police.

Witness Testimony: Alyosha (age 8)

Alyosha described seeing a "flying thing" made of three black squares (not cubes), each with a light in the middle. The edges had dim yellowish lights, and the center had a bright blinking light. He recalled the lights in the opposite buildings going out simultaneously, suspecting the UFO was drawing power from the city's electrical grid. He noted that the UFO did not turn like an airplane but simply stopped and reversed direction, concluding that humans do not build such flying apparatuses.

#### Preliminary Expert Conclusions

Based on the accounts of six witnesses and an 8-minute video, preliminary conclusions were drawn:

1. The UFO followed a curved, elongated trajectory over three districts of Kazan (Novosavinovsky, Moskovsky, Aviastroitel'ny). The trajectory extended from near Victory Park to the village of Karavaevo. The average speed was 120 km/h, with no hovering recorded.
2. The object's shape was not clearly discernible on the video due to the camera's limitations, but the arrangement of lights suggested a disc shape.
3. At a significant distance, the UFO appeared as a bright white ball or a bright, fat dot.
4. Assuming a disc diameter of 30 meters, the object flew at an altitude of approximately 150 meters, descending to 50 meters at times. The closest approach to observers was 2-3 km.
5. During straight horizontal flight, the disc was parallel to the ground. During turns, it banked like an aircraft, adhering to known aerodynamic principles.
6. The trajectory suggested the pilot, if living, was right-handed.
7. The object had five light sources: four symmetrically placed on the disc's contour and one in the center. Two side lights blinked at a frequency of one hertz.
8. Three colored lights (white, red, green) were observed, possibly for air navigation.
9. The UFO left no visible exhaust trail.

Following the publication of this information in "Zhizn," "Kazanskiye Vedomosti," and "Respublika Tatarstan," more witnesses came forward. Official requests were made to various city and republic services to determine any effects of the "aerial visitor" on people, animals, energy systems, infrastructure, or the environment.

Witness Testimony: Natal'ya Berdnikova

Natal'ya Berdnikova, seeing the newspaper ad, called to report her sighting. On July 16, with about 20 friends at a dacha near Kazan (platform "807-km"), she saw a UFO between 22:00 and 23:00. It hovered for a few seconds over the northeastern outskirts of the Aviastroitel'ny district. The disc-shaped object was about 5 km away and had colorful lights (white, blue) running along its side. It then moved slowly and silently away.

Witness Testimony: Filipp Volkov

On the evening of July 16, around 22:00, Filipp Volkov was driving with three others. Near the "Daurkskaya" tram stop, he saw bright lights of a strange object that did not resemble an airplane. It was a triangular object (with the blunt end pointing up), appearing like a three-dimensional pyramid. It had blinking white lights on its lower corners and colored lights in between. The object maneuvered high above the clouds, sometimes seeming to hide behind them. Its flight path was not smooth but jerky, with sharp descents and ascents, resembling a reckless driver. It moved in a zig-zag pattern towards Victory Park. A haze was visible on top of the "saucer," like an aura. He also noticed the number "2" against the backdrop of the flying triangle. That evening, lights went out in the Gorki area, and trams stopped.

Later, around 23:00, while driving on Yamashev Avenue, they stopped at the intersection of Adoratsky Street. The traffic light was out, and a traffic controller was overwhelmed. The witness saw another UFO flying south towards the Kazan Kremlin, but much lower than before. The disc-shaped object made a turn over the Kazanka River and headed north. The four occupants watched this captivating scene. The witness experienced a headache and a sense of unclear informational flow, with a feeling that a humanoid creature was inside the craft.

Dr. X

This section details an encounter by a doctor in southern France, who wished to remain anonymous to protect his reputation. On the night of November 1-2, 1968, after 4 AM, the doctor was awakened by his son's cries. He had injured his leg four days prior, resulting in a hematoma. He saw flashes of lightning outside, despite a heavy downpour and no thunder. The flashes came from the south side of the house. Opening a large window, he saw two horizontally oriented discs, silver-white on top and bright red below. He later recalled horizontal "whiskers" and vertical antennas on the upper parts of the discs, with cylindrical beams of light descending from them. The flashes occurred about once per second, momentarily increasing the brightness of both objects, and a light trail appeared between them. The objects moved left towards the center of his field of vision, appearing to merge. The more distant object disappeared behind the closer one when they aligned. They continued to approach each other, and their "whiskers" connected, the beams penetrated each other, the flashes stopped, and the two apparatuses merged into one.

Immediately after this event, the doctor meticulously recorded his observations and made sketches. He woke his wife, who noticed that his leg hematoma and wound had completely disappeared. The next day, the wound from the Algerian war was also gone. Émile Michel, a science popularizer, visited the doctor on November 8, six days after the sighting. The doctor appeared tired and concerned. He experienced spasms and abdominal pain, and a red triangle-shaped mark appeared around his navel. By November 17, this phenomenon persisted. A dermatologist found no issues, but was intrigued by the triangular pigmentation. The doctor, who had not mentioned the UFO sighting, asked for secrecy. On the night of November 13-14, the doctor dreamed of a triangle associated with a flying disc. About a day or two later, his son developed a similar triangle mark on his abdomen. The initial psychosomatic explanation became untenable. The researcher who studied the case noted that the war wound and leg injury never reappeared, but the triangular mark continued to appear and disappear on both father and son, visible for two to three days at a time. This occurred even when the son was visiting his grandmother, who was frightened by the mark. The triangle continued to appear annually, including in 1986, when it was photographed. The doctor's behavior also changed, becoming more mystical, and paranormal events began to occur around him, including telepathic coincidences and levitation. Clocks and electrical wiring in his house frequently malfunctioned.

Death Valley

This section briefly describes Death Valley in California, USA, known for its extreme heat and the phenomenon of moving stones, particularly at the dried lakebed of Racetrack Playa. Stones weighing up to 320 kg have been observed to move, leaving trails indicating their movement over sand. The article mentions that these stones move uphill on gentle slopes at speeds of several meters per second, leaving trails that persist for up to seven years. A hypothesis suggests that wind currents, influenced by the terrain, are responsible for the movement, not the stones' properties.

Paula Messina, a graduate student at New York University, studied this phenomenon in 1993. Using GPS and GIS technology, she mapped the tracks left by the stones. Over 10 days in 1996, she and her partner, Phil Stoffer, walked 100 km, documenting the tracks with a Trimble Pro-XL receiver. The data was processed with differential correction to achieve sub-meter accuracy. The stones were marked as points, and the tracks as linear objects for export to ArcView. Each of the 162 stones and their tracks were photographed, and their coordinates recorded. The longest track measured 900 meters, while the average track length was 200 meters. The GPS accuracy was about 30 cm. The processed files were exported to ArcView GIS, where point (stones) and line (tracks) themes were added to visualize spatial patterns. The analysis of the digital elevation model (DEM) from the U.S. Geological Survey, imported into ArcView Spatial Analyst, indicated two natural corridors for air mass influx that become turbulent in certain areas. Thus, the character of the tracks is determined by the surrounding terrain and the resulting air currents, rather than the properties of the stones themselves. The article concludes that without witnessing the stones move, the phenomenon remains a mystery.

Valley of Death (Kamchatka)

A small valley in the Kronotsky Nature Reserve in Kamchatka, near the Valley of Geysers, is known for periodic releases of carbon dioxide gas from underground, which kills all living things in its vicinity, including bears. The death zone typically extends 300 meters wide and 2 km long. No human deaths have been recorded.

Valley of Death (Karelian Isthmus)

A valley on the Karelian Isthmus where a Soviet division was defeated and destroyed during the Finnish War.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently highlights the unexplained nature of UFO phenomena and the ongoing efforts to investigate them. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging the collection of witness testimonies and scientific analysis. While acknowledging the mysterious and sometimes frightening aspects of these encounters, the publication aims to provide factual accounts and preliminary conclusions. There is an emphasis on the need for further research, specialized training in ufology, and public education to understand these phenomena as a significant aspect of 21st-century cosmology. The magazine also touches upon related unexplained phenomena like the moving stones in Death Valley, suggesting a broader interest in anomalies and mysteries.

This issue of UFO Magazine, dated October 2002, focuses on a range of paranormal and extraterrestrial phenomena, with a prominent feature on the HAARP system and its potential implications. The magazine includes reviews of books and articles, personal accounts of alleged encounters, and discussions of scientific and pseudoscientific theories.

Key Articles and Features

The "HAARP" System: A Global Danger?

The lead article discusses the American HAARP (High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program) system. It details concerns raised by Russian officials and scientists who believe HAARP could be used as a geophysical weapon. The article outlines the potential for HAARP to manipulate atmospheric conditions, cause natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, and disrupt global communication and electronic systems. It references statements from Russian State Duma deputies and mentions the system's potential to create 'artificial auroras' for missile defense. The article also touches upon the historical context of agreements on geophysical weapon development and the secrecy surrounding such research.

Book Reviews:

• "Earth Flying Saucers" by Sergey Aleksandrov and Vadim Chernobrov: This book is praised for its detailed account of real-world disk-shaped craft and unconventional aircraft, exploring future projects and the potential obsolescence of current aircraft and rockets. The reviewer highly recommends it for ufologists.
• "Universe, Gods, People" by Alexey Kirillov: This book presents a theory of human origins and extraterrestrial life within the Solar System, suggesting that intelligent life exists on Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. It posits that 'Monads' of intelligent beings originated around the Sun and later settled on various planets, with Venusians being the most advanced. The reviewer quotes an excerpt describing these beings and their potential interplanetary travel.

Personal Accounts and Cases:

• Kathie Davis (Debbie Tomi): This section details the alleged abductions of Kathie Davis, beginning at age six. Her experiences include having skin and blood samples taken, and later undergoing artificial insemination by aliens, resulting in the removal of a developed embryo. The case is described as complex and ongoing.
• Erich von Däniken: The article introduces Erich von Däniken as a founder of paleocontact theory. It mentions his popular books like "Memories of the Future" and "Chariots of the Gods," which propose that ancient Earth was visited by extraterrestrials who influenced human development. The article notes that while his theories are debated, he continues to gather evidence.

Miscellaneous Reports:

• Mysterious Location in the Vilyuy River Basin: A brief mention of a mysterious area in the Vilyuy River Basin, Yakutia, possibly containing paleocontact artifacts.
• Eileen Wuornos' Last Words: A brief, unusual quote from a condemned woman, Eileen Wuornos, who claimed she would return with Jesus in a large "mother ship."
• Ufological Conference: An announcement for a ufological conference to be held by the Russian Geographical Society in St. Petersburg.
• Giant Bird Sighting in Alaska: Reports from residents of Togiak and Manokotak, Alaska, describing sightings of a giant bird with a wingspan exceeding four meters, resembling a pterodactyl. Pilot John Booker also reported seeing the creature. While some local biologists suggest it might be a Steller's sea eagle, the descriptions of its size and behavior are extraordinary.
• Mysterious Man in Atacama Desert: A report about a Brazilian man found wandering in the Atacama Desert, Chile, with memory loss. Ufologists speculate about possible abduction or teleportation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of extraterrestrial contact, ancient civilizations, and the potential misuse of advanced technology. The editorial stance appears to be open to unconventional theories and reports of unexplained phenomena, while also critically examining scientific and political developments like the HAARP project. There is a clear interest in presenting a wide array of UFO-related topics, from alleged abductions to speculative theories about life on other planets and the implications of advanced technology.