UFO Navigator - No 047 - 2002

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO Navigator," the Russian Ufological Digest, dated December 2002 (Issue N 47), focuses on contemporary UFO-related news and investigations. The cover prominently features the headline "Putin Did Not Answer About 'Little Green Men' on Live Broadcast," alongside other key topics such as Saddam Hussein's alleged possession of a crashed UFO and the mystery of 'Martha's Fire.' The issue includes a quote from J. Allen Hynek, emphasizing the reality of the UFO phenomenon.

Vladimir Putin's Silence on UFOs

The lead story details the public's anticipation for Russian President Vladimir Putin's response to questions about UFOs during a live broadcast on December 19, 2002. The question, posed by Nikolai Subbotin of the Perm ufological organization RUFORS, inquired about Russia's official stance on UFOs, the declassification of related documents, and the potential for public disclosure of research programs like "Setka-AN" and "Gorizont." Tomsk ufologists, represented by Eduard Gozhin, supported this initiative, highlighting the sensitive nature of UFO information as a state secret and arguing for the public's right to know. The media, including the electronic newspaper YTPO.RU, covered the event with a degree of skepticism, framing it as a potentially politically motivated spectacle.

Despite the public's interest, Putin did not address the UFO question during the broadcast, leading to speculation about whether the RUFORS appeal was a genuine initiative or a PR stunt. The article contrasts this with Bill Clinton's willingness to discuss UFOs, noting Putin's decision to avoid the topic.

Debunking the 'Moon Child' Myth

This section addresses a sensational news report originating from South Africa, claiming that geologist Richard Call possessed a piece of lunar rock containing a human fetus. The report, widely circulated by media outlets like YTPO.RU, suggested the fetus was approximately 200,000 years old and evidence of extraterrestrial human hybridization. However, the article traces the origin of this story to the sensationalist American tabloid "Weekly World News," dismissing it as a fabrication. It also critiques another report from the newspaper "Mir Zerkaliya" about lunar rock samples containing fragments of an unknown meteorite type, pointing out the scientific inconsistencies in the claims.

Saddam Hussein and a Crashed UFO?

Ufologist D. Trainor is cited in "UFO Roundup" suggesting a possible link between aliens and Saddam Hussein due to a UFO incident four years prior. A video from Operation Desert Fox reportedly showed a UFO over Baghdad. Jack Sarfatti claimed that a UFO crashed in Iraq years ago, and the US was allegedly seeking to prevent Saddam from acquiring its technology. While some Iraqi sources reported rumors of aliens, they denied any knowledge of a crash. The article speculates that a remote fortress, Qalat-e-Yulundi, might be a landing site for extraterrestrials, possibly protected by genetically engineered giant scorpions.

UFO Downed Over Saudi Arabia?

This section recounts a story from a "high-ranking source" (later identified as Russian Colonel Petrokov) claiming that a US Air Force F-16 shot down a UFO over Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. The source described the craft as circular, made of an unknown material, and approximately 15 feet in diameter, with three small seats suggesting alien occupants around three feet tall. The article expresses skepticism about this account, noting the shifting identity of the source and the lack of corroborating details, ultimately classifying it as a dubious rumor.

Rendlesham Forest Incident: Penniston's Testimony

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the Rendlesham Forest incident of December 26, 1980. Former US Air Force Sergeant James Penniston provides a detailed account of his encounter with a triangular, luminous object in the forest near Bentwaters and Woodbridge air bases. He describes the object as silent, hovering, and exhibiting unusual lights. Penniston recounts examining the object, noting its smooth, dark surface with symbols, and its warmth. He also mentions radio interference and the object's eventual ascent and rapid disappearance. Penniston's testimony, including his notes and photographs (which were not declassified), was taken under oath and later subjected to a debriefing involving "truth serum" and hypnosis, which the article suggests may have compromised the results.

UFO Sightings in Three Mexican States

The digest reports on recent UFO sightings in Mexico. On December 3, a luminous object was filmed over Cuernavaca, Morelos. On December 6, police officers in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, observed a bright white object. On December 11, a UFO video lasting seven minutes was recorded over Polanco, witnessed by numerous people.

Contactees Miss the Mark Again

This section discusses an attempt by a contactee, identified only by the initials M. A. M. (likely Mark Avramovich Milkhiker), to provide information about the "Washington sniper" through "automatic writing." The description provided by M. A. M. was significantly different from the actual perpetrator, who was a 41-year-old African American with a different background and military training.

Space News: CONTOUR Probe Lost

The issue reports on the loss of the American CONTOUR space probe, launched on July 3, 2002, to study comets. After failing to respond to commands on August 15, the probe was declared lost. Three fragments were observed, suggesting the probe disintegrated during its engine burn. NASA plans to build a replacement probe for a 2006 launch. The article also mentions a planned message to extraterrestrial civilizations to be sent in February 2003 from Ukraine, funded by private American citizens.

Other News Items

Briefly mentioned are the launch of six satellites by a Russian "Dnepr-1" rocket from Baikonur, including an American lunar craft mock-up and Italian, Argentinian, and German satellites. A meteorite was reported to have fallen in the garden of Nina Veselova in the Novgorod region. Engineers are reportedly preparing to repair the Western Wall in Jerusalem, with warnings of potential collapse and chaos if the repairs fail.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing mystery surrounding UFOs, the role of government secrecy in obscuring information, and the public's desire for transparency. The magazine presents various accounts of alleged UFO encounters and incidents, often questioning official explanations and highlighting the efforts of ufological organizations to uncover the truth. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards sensationalist reporting while actively pursuing and presenting evidence and testimonies related to unexplained aerial phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on investigative journalism within the ufological community, with a focus on challenging official narratives and encouraging public awareness.

This issue of "UFO Navigator" from December 2002 focuses on recent and historical UFO sightings, with a particular emphasis on cases from Russia and the United States. The magazine presents witness testimonies, photographic and video evidence, and attempts to provide explanations, ranging from scientific to folkloric.

Recent Sightings

Blagoveshchensk and Omsk, Russia

The issue begins with a report from November 17th about an orange, spherical object observed for half an hour near the Blagoveshchensk customs. The object was described as having real outlines and lighting, visible through binoculars. Military and surveillance services reportedly saw nothing, leading to suspicion that Venus might have been mistaken for a UFO due to its bright appearance.

Another sighting occurred on November 26th in Podgorodka, Omsk region. Khasan Sharipov, a forest protection inspector, reported seeing a giant shadow and then a UFO hovering about four kilometers high. He described it as a disc-shaped object surrounded by mist, resembling Saturn with its rings. The object suddenly ascended vertically. Sharipov's family also witnessed the event, noting that three smaller 'stars' detached from the main object, with two disappearing and one landing nearby.

Dneprodzerzhinsk, Ukraine

In December, hundreds of people in Dneprodzerzhinsk reportedly observed a UFO for two hours over the central streets. The description mentions a large object, about fifty meters in diameter, moving slowly over Syrtsov Street, with a bright circle in the center and pulsating lights on its outer contour.

St. Petersburg, Russia: The Video Case

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a video recording of a UFO made on December 17th near St. Petersburg by Alexey Sajin. Sajin, returning from a night shift, noticed a bright object in the sky that he initially thought was a star. Using a camera with a 40x zoom, he filmed what appeared to be a pumpkin-shaped screen with changing 'human-like' figures. The object approached his window, causing him fear and eye discomfort. The filming lasted about half an hour.

Journalist Nina Glazkova of "Petersburg-Express" requested a comment from M. Gershtein of "UFO Navigator." Glazkova's initial analysis, published in the newspaper, suggested that the object was Venus. The magazine's editor, Gershtein, strongly supports this explanation. He argues that any bright point object can be distorted by excessive zoom, and that winter conditions (snow, frost) can add further distortions. He states that Venus, visible in the morning sky, could easily be mistaken for a UFO, especially when viewed through a camera lens with a drop of moisture or condensation, creating a 'second lens' effect. He notes that the object's appearance, including the 'faces,' could be a result of Rorschach-like interpretation of visual distortions.

Eugeniy Sidorov from Riga corroborates this, stating that Venus is often mistaken for a UFO due to its brightness in the early morning sky. He advises checking the azimuth and direction of Venus to confirm sightings.

Historical Cases

Oslofjord, Norway (1943)

In December 1943, four witnesses reported seeing a light in Oslofjord. Their cars stopped when they approached the UFO, which resembled a dull orange bell. They heard a whistling sound, and the object ascended rapidly, turning a deep blue before disappearing. A crater-like indentation was found in the snow nearby.

Caspian Sea (1967)

A report from December 18, 1967, describes an object seen over the Caspian Sea between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM. The object was described as a star of the first magnitude, visible despite daylight. Calculations estimated its altitude at 12,000 kilometers, with a flight time of 30 minutes. The object's movement was consistent with wind direction.

Finland (1992)

On December 21, 1992, a lawyer named V. Miroshnikov observed a bright, stationary object over the Gulf of Finland. He later photographed it. Another object appeared in the western direction, and a third one appeared from the direction of Vasilievsky Island and moved towards Kronstadt. This case was reported by UFOlogist Nikolai Lebedev.

False Suns (1475)

In 1475, Grigory Perushkov, a hunter, witnessed two suns in the sky. One sun moved on its path, while the other was unusual, shining brightly during the day with rays that did not originate from it. Other witnesses also reported seeing a large star with a bright, thick ray that expanded like a bird's tail.

The Marfa Lights

West Texas, USA

The magazine dedicates a substantial section to the "Marfa Lights," mysterious luminous phenomena observed in West Texas. Numerous witness accounts are presented, describing orbs of various colors (green, red, yellow, blue, orange) that hover, change color, merge, and separate. Sightings are reported in areas like Shefter, Redford, and between Paso Laitas and San Carlos.

Explanations and Theories

Various explanations are discussed, including:

• Atmospheric Phenomena: The "New Earth Effect" (a type of atmospheric lensing), "tunnel effect," and mirages are suggested. The theory of car headlights combined with atmospheric effects is also mentioned.
• Geological Phenomena: Triboluminescence (light emitted from friction of crystalline rocks) and piezoelectricity are proposed, suggesting that quartz in the area could generate electricity that ionizes the air or ignites flammable gases from sedimentary rocks.
• Gas Emissions: The "cienaga" (swamp) area near the Chinati Mountains is noted for potential natural gas emissions that could ignite.
• Other Theories: Static electricity, combustible dust, bat guano, St. Elmo's fire, solar activity, bioluminescence, and even glowing rabbits are mentioned, though many are dismissed as unsuitable for the West Texas environment.

Folklore and Supernatural Explanations

Local folklore associates the lights with "brujas" (witches) who fly at night, or with La Llorona, a spirit searching for lost children. Some believe the lights are messengers of Satan or are linked to UFOs and hidden alien bases.

Scientific Investigation

Physicists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Robert Criss, Edson Hendryx, and Irvin Vader, are mentioned as having installed sensitive electronic equipment to measure signals, radio frequencies, and electromagnetic fields related to the lights. They aim to find correlations between solar activity, electromagnetic activity, and the Marfa Lights.

Personal Accounts and Skepticism

Witnesses like Jeff Brady describe being physically affected by the lights, experiencing being lifted and thrown. Others, like photographer Frank Tolbert, report that the lights disappear when they try to photograph them. Some locals, like Veronica H. Perez Ramirez, a dentist, express skepticism, preferring scientific explanations.

Glossary and Appendices

Glossary

The issue includes a glossary defining terms such as "Salzburg Parallelipiped" (a metallic object found in Austria, possibly of extraterrestrial origin), "Law on Freedom of Information" (FOIA), "UFO Smells" (various odors attributed to UFOs), and "Launch Effects" (phenomena caused by rocket launches that can be mistaken for UFOs).

Launch Effects

This section explains how rocket launches from cosmodromes like Plesetsk, Kapustin Yar, and Baikonur can create phenomena resembling UFOs. The rocket engine's exhaust plume (torch) can be visible for long distances, appearing as a bright 'star with a tail.' The gas-aerosol cloud formed behind the rocket can also create illusions, especially when illuminated by the sun at dawn or dusk. The shape of the trail (shleif) can vary depending on the rocket's trajectory, sometimes resembling a 'fish' or a 'jellyfish.' The separation of the rocket from its plume can be mistaken for a smaller UFO detaching from a larger one.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "UFO Navigator" consistently explores the unexplained, presenting a range of sightings and attempting to provide explanations. While acknowledging the mystery, the magazine leans towards scientific and rational explanations, as seen in the detailed analysis of the St. Petersburg video case and the extensive discussion of potential causes for the Marfa Lights. The inclusion of a glossary and detailed explanations of phenomena like rocket launch effects suggests an editorial stance that favors critical investigation and demystification, while still leaving room for the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena.

Title: UFO Navigator
Issue Date: December 2002
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of "UFO Navigator" delves into various phenomena, from the visual spectacle of rocket launches to the intricacies of human perception and the world of science fiction. It aims to demystify common sightings and explore the boundaries between reality and illusion.

Rocket Launches and UFO Sightings

The magazine begins by explaining the visual effects produced by rocket launches, particularly those from Plesetsk and Baikonur. It details how the gas-aerosol trails, stage separations, and fuel dumps can create a variety of shapes and light phenomena, such as cones, "rays," "crosses," and shimmering "stars." These effects, especially when illuminated by the sun, can be mistaken for UFOs, with the article noting that the brightness of these illuminated clouds can far exceed that of the full moon.

It describes how different launch trajectories and rocket designs result in distinct visual displays. For instance, the separation of booster blocks can create a "cross" shape, while the jettisoning of stages can appear as bright, shimmering objects. The expansion of gases from solid-fuel engines can form spheres or concentric circles. The article emphasizes that these are optical illusions, where the perceived angular size changes, not the actual trajectory of the object.

Specific examples are given, such as the "dome" or "semi-sphere" effect seen from certain launch angles, and how these phenomena can be observed from different geographical locations, including Yakutia and Altai, where rocket stages are dropped.

Hypnagogic Hallucinations

Transitioning from external phenomena to internal experiences, the magazine explores "hypnagogic hallucinations." These are described as visions or sensations that occur in the liminal state between wakefulness and sleep. The article notes that these experiences, while sometimes dismissed, are common, with prevalence estimates ranging from 50 to 70 percent of the population. They can manifest as visual or auditory phenomena, accompanied by physical sensations like heat or cold, and can be quite vivid and unsettling.

The article suggests that some UFO abduction scenarios might be explained as a form of hypnagogic hallucination. It highlights common features such as the inability to move, a sense of a foreign presence, unusually bright imagery, and the conviction of the experiencer that it was not a dream.

Book Review: "UFO" by Nikolai Nepomnyashchy

The issue includes a critique of Nikolai Nepomnyashchy's encyclopedia "UFO" (published in 2002). The reviewer acknowledges the book's attempt to introduce children to the topic of UFOs but criticizes its lack of proper citation and the direct appropriation of text from other sources, including the reviewer's own work. Despite these flaws, the reviewer rates the book as "good" (++++), considering its target audience and the general quality of the content.

News and Announcements

Several brief news items are included:

• Geographical Society Events: Information is provided about upcoming meetings of the Ufological Commission of the Geographical Society, including a report on declassified documents related to UFOs from Great Britain and the USSR.
• Israeli Cosmonaut Correction: A correction is issued regarding the flight date of an Israeli cosmonaut, moving it from December 16 to January 16, 2003.
• "Cosmic Advertising" Controversy: The magazine reports on a dispute involving an advertisement for a "New Year's offer" that featured astronauts and the emblems of NASA and NPO "Zvezda." NASA and NPO "Zvezda" considered the unauthorized use of their symbols for commercial purposes to be piracy.

Film Review: "Signs" (with humor)

A humorous synopsis of the film "Signs" is presented, summarizing its plot in a concise manner. The review highlights the film's premise of an alien invasion and the protagonist's journey of rediscovering faith. It playfully recounts key scenes and dialogue, offering a lighthearted take on the movie.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the misinterpretation of natural and man-made phenomena as UFOs, the psychological aspects of perception and hallucination, and a critical yet accessible approach to ufological topics. The editorial stance appears to be one of rational inquiry, seeking to explain unusual sightings through scientific and psychological lenses while still acknowledging the enduring public fascination with the unexplained. The inclusion of a humorous film review and a critique of a popular science book suggests an effort to engage readers on multiple levels, blending serious investigation with lighter content.