UFO Navigator - No 048 - 2003

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO Navigator: Russian Ufological Digest" from January 2003 (Issue 48) focuses on a range of paranormal and unexplained phenomena, with a strong emphasis on recent controversial events and ongoing mysteries. The cover features a quote from American researcher Jim Marrs stating, "Discussion about whether UFOs exist is over. UFOs exist." The main topics highlighted on the cover include the Raëlian sect's cloning claims, the 'Alyoshenka' case from Puerto Rico, and a mysterious video recording from Zheleznodovsk.

Raëlians Clone a Child?

The lead story details the sensational announcement by the Raëlian sect, known for their worship of "flying saucers," that they had successfully cloned the first human baby, a girl named Eve, in their laboratory before the New Year. Claude Vorilhon, the sect's leader, stated that Eve's real name would be kept secret for now to give her a chance at a normal life, but independent experts would be allowed access to verify the claim under the condition of maintaining family secrecy. Vorilhon described this as the first step in a plan to accelerate cell growth, enabling the birth of cloned children in hours and eventually transferring consciousness to younger bodies for immortality.

He recounted a personal encounter 29 years prior with extraterrestrials who claimed to have initiated the human race 15,000 years ago and predicted humans would eventually achieve god-like status and immortality. However, the promised scientific evidence for Eve's cloning did not materialize at a press conference, with Brigitte Boisselier, head of the Raëlian research firm Clonaid, stating that no expert examinations would be conducted for the time being. The delay was attributed to the parents' fear of a lawsuit from a Miami lawyer, Bernard Siegel, who sought to revoke their parental rights if the child was indeed a clone, which is illegal in the US.

The scientific community reacted with skepticism. Harry Griffin, the scientist behind Dolly the sheep, expressed doubts, citing the health issues of Dolly and the general difficulty of cloning, even monkeys. He stated there was no basis to believe the Raëlians' claims, as serious laboratories had not yet succeeded in cloning even primates. Advertising specialists, however, praised the Raëlians' marketing strategy, which generated significant global media attention during the holiday season with minimal cost.

Clonaid announced a second cloned baby girl on January 4th, born to two Dutch lesbians, with plans for two or three more clones in February. Vyacheslav Tarantul, deputy director of the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, suggested that DNA analysis of Eve and her mother could easily verify the claim within days. Evgeny Platonov, deputy director of the Research Institute of General Genetics, dismissed the cloning claims as "99 percent bluff," citing the immaturity of cloning technology and the Raëlians' lack of scientific credibility. He suggested the children were likely born naturally but expressed concern for their health if they were indeed clones.

An agency report indicated Eve's birth was by Cesarean section, potentially suggesting difficulties. Details about Eve and her mother remain scarce. The Raëlian cult reportedly has 55,000 followers worldwide, with its center in Quebec, Canada, where they established a theme park called "UFOland."

News Briefs

This section covers several brief news items:

• Puerto Rico Incident: On January 1st, an unidentified object crashed in Puerto Rico, leaving a scorched area and a sulfurous smell. Investigations by the Arecibo Observatory and environmental council suggested the object originated from beyond Earth's atmosphere, but its nature (satellite debris or alien artifact) remains unclear.
• UFO over Baku: A mysterious object was filmed over Baku, Azerbaijan, on January 2nd and shown on local TV, causing a stir.
• Chilean General's Interview: Retired Chilean Air Force General Hernán Gabriels Rojas claimed to have encountered a giant, "10 to 15 aircraft carrier-sized" object in 1978. He described it as a deformed, cigar-shaped object emitting smoke, which flew parallel to his fighter jet before accelerating away at incredible speed.
• Mysterious Projectile: Linda Moore of Wilmington, North Carolina, reported that a small, dark object, described as "walnut-sized," struck her car on January 29th. The object was reportedly moving at high speed and caused a loud impact sound.
• Explosions in India: For six months, unexplained explosions have been occurring in Rajkot, Gujarat, India, leading to fears of an impending earthquake. The explosions have caused houses to collapse, and seismologists have been unable to determine their cause.
• "Ice Hole" in Minnesota: A large, unexplained hole, approximately two acres wide, appeared in North Long Lake, Minnesota. The hole has already claimed one life. While similar phenomena on Minnesota lakes are usually attributed to hot springs, the cause here remains a mystery. Infrared cameras detected warmer water, and the hole is growing, but sensors have found no unusual activity.

"Zone 51" Above the Law

US President George W. Bush has exempted the highly classified "Zone 51" military base in Nevada from federal environmental laws. The stated reason is that environmental data could reveal highly secret information about the base's activities. This move further limits the chances of former employees seeking compensation for health issues allegedly caused by their work at the base.

Space News

• Tenth Planet: Scientists from the UK and Argentina have found evidence suggesting the existence of a tenth planet in our solar system, located beyond Pluto's orbit at a distance of 600 million miles. This hypothetical "Planet X" is believed to be Earth-sized and orbits in a plane rarely studied, possibly explaining why it hasn't been observed.
• Speed of Gravity: American scientists have reportedly measured the speed of gravitational forces, finding it to be approximately the speed of light. This finding, published in "New Scientist," is seen as further confirmation of Einstein's theory of relativity. The experiment involved observing how Jupiter's gravity distorted the radio signals from a distant quasar.

UFO Sightings and Analysis

• St. Petersburg UFO Video: A previously reported UFO video from St. Petersburg was analyzed and identified as the planet Jupiter, not an unidentified object. The analysis, conducted by the author using astronomical software, confirmed Jupiter's position and brightness at the time of the recording.
• Zheleznodovsk UFO Video: A viewer named Dmitry from Zheleznodovsk, Russia, submitted a video of a brightly glowing, stationary sphere observed on January 6th. The author acknowledges the potential for anomalous phenomena but suggests that such sightings in winter are often bright planets like Venus or Jupiter. Further analysis would require precise measurements.

Letters from the Field

• Zheleznodovsk: Dmitry describes filming a stationary, brightly glowing sphere. He initially thought it might be a falling aircraft but noted the lack of sound and its prolonged presence. He also mentions that other witnesses saw a similar object over Mount Beshtau.

• Contact of the Sixth Kind: A letter from Svetlana describes an alleged pregnancy by an extraterrestrial. She recounts a strange episode where her room filled with bright light and she felt men around her. After discovering she was pregnant, she recalled this incident. She later gave birth to a child with unusually adult-like eyes. Three months later, her baby was allegedly abducted. Svetlana has since researched similar cases and sought psychological help.

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

This section briefly lists historical UFO-related events:

• 1910: "Mysterious Dirigible" over Chattanooga, USA.
• 1963: "Fiery Drop" over the village of Krasnaya, Russia.
• 1975: "Ellipsoid" dived towards witnesses.
• 1990: UFO in the sky over East Kazakhstan region.

"Mysterious Dirigible" over Chattanooga, 1910

This article elaborates on the 1910 Chattanooga UFO sightings, referencing reports from the "New York Tribune." Multiple witnesses observed a "flying ship" or "white dirigible" at high altitude, with some hearing engine "puffing." The object's speed and trajectory suggested it was not a contemporary dirigible.

"Fiery Drop" over Krasnaya Village, 1963

This piece details a sighting from 1963 or 1964 by Larisa Dormidonova and others near the village of Krasnaya, Russia. They observed an object shaped like an elongated drop with a brightly glowing, pointed end, moving at low altitude and making sharp turns. The object was described as yellowish-red and appeared to be a material body.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of cutting-edge science (cloning, gravity) with unexplained phenomena (UFOs, alien encounters). The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, presenting claims and witness accounts while also incorporating scientific skepticism and analysis. There's a clear interest in controversial topics like human cloning and alleged alien interactions, balanced with efforts to debunk or provide rational explanations for sightings, such as the St. Petersburg video. The magazine aims to inform readers about both the latest developments in ufology and related scientific fields, encouraging critical thinking.

This issue of "UFO" magazine, dated 1990, focuses on reports of unidentified aerial phenomena and alleged extraterrestrial encounters, primarily from the late 20th century. It includes detailed accounts from Kazakhstan, Sweden, and Puerto Rico, alongside an investigation into the Bigfoot hoax and a glossary of UFO-related terms.

Reports of UFO Sightings

UFO in East Kazakhstan Oblast, 1990

The issue begins with a report from January 3, 1990, detailing a sighting by meteorologists N. and V. from the village of Urupkhayka in the East Kazakhstan Oblast. At 23:30 local time, they observed an object in the sky that resembled a large moon descending towards Markakol Lake. A light was visible from the lake's depths where the object disappeared. The report notes unusual temperature fluctuations around the time of the sighting. A local neighbor also reported seeing half the moon with spheres on its sides the previous night.

Ellipsoid Dives at Witnesses, 1975

This section recounts an incident from January 17, 1975, near Okersberg, Sweden. Witness Hans Brüggener reported seeing a small red dot approaching rapidly. As it neared, the object turned, revealing a dark side, and then plunged downwards. Brüggener's companion fell to the ground in fear. Brüggener estimated the object to be about 5 meters in diameter, shaped like an American football, with a light-colored top and dark bottom. He noted the absence of wings, antennas, or exhaust. The object hovered, then accelerated rapidly and disappeared behind trees. The entire event lasted about 30-35 seconds. Brüggener described a feeling of lightness and a desire to look at the sky, along with a sensation of flying. He also reported a strong "gust of wind" and a strange, sharp, unpleasant smell that lingered for hours, along with the sound of cracking branches.

Investigation: The Puerto Rican "Alexeshenka": Myths, Facts, Details

This extensive investigation by Jorge Martin delves into the controversial case of an alleged alien corpse found in Puerto Rico. The story begins with Martin being shown four photographs of a deceased, strange-looking creature by a student. The creature was described as having features similar to 'grays,' with sunken eyes, minimal nose, a lipless mouth, and hands with four webbed fingers ending in sharp claws.

Martin traced the photos back to a rancher who, around 1980-81, experienced mysterious livestock deaths. The rancher and two friends set a trap and encountered four small creatures carrying a young cow. The rancher shot one creature, which fell, and the cow also dropped. The other creatures attempted to help the injured one. The rancher then shot again, killing the injured creature. The remaining creatures fled.

The story continues with accounts of the creature's body being preserved. Initially in formaldehyde, it was later frozen. The owner was hesitant to reveal the body due to fear of authorities. Photographs were taken by a relative. Martin recounts hearing a different version of the story involving a military base and a creature killed by a man nicknamed 'Chino' in the hills near Santiago.

Martin's investigation involved speaking with Alfredo Zeis, who claimed to have heard the story from Adas Zeis, the wife of a police officer named Oswaldo Santiago. Santiago had reportedly taken possession of the body for investigation. Adas Zeis described the creature as being no more than 12 inches tall, with a large skull, and believed it was not a human embryo or monkey. She mentioned her husband took the body to the police station.

Further details emerge from conversations with businessman Rafael Baerg, who claimed to possess 22 color photographs of the deceased alien from Salinas. Baerg recounted the story as told by Adas Zeis and 'Chino.' 'Chino' reportedly killed the creature in the hills near Santiago. The body was preserved in alcohol, then formaldehyde. Professor Calisto Perez, a chemistry professor, examined the body and confirmed it was not a monkey or human embryo, noting its humanoid form, large head, disproportionately long arms with four webbed fingers, large almond-shaped eye sockets, and lack of a visible nose.

Information about the case reached a TV program, but police officer Oswaldo Santiago confiscated the body. Professor Perez also claimed to have obtained the body and intended to write a book about it. Perez requested photos from Baerg, who provided some but not all.

Martin's analysis of the photos revealed a creature with a head too large for its body, long arms, four-fingered hands with claws, large eye sockets, and a facial structure unlike humans. A veterinarian and medical professors were unable to identify the creature.

Later, Elizabeth Zeis, the sister of 'Chino,' recounted her brother's story. She described the creature's skin as olive-green and mentioned seeing multiple small creatures in a cave, accompanied by glowing orbs. She also described the creature's hair falling out and its eyes having vertical pupils. The body was preserved in a container by a funeral director. Officer Santiago took the container, and later, men identifying themselves as being from NASA confiscated it, stating it would be sent to a lab in Ponce and then to the USA. A man later assaulted 'Chino.'

Residents near the Kavay hills reported seeing silent, yellow-orange lights in the sky, some larger than car headlights. Miguel Solayven reported seeing a metallic disc with a dome and lights, and a silent triangle with powerful lights. Military activity, including convoys and helicopters, is frequent in the area, often following UFO sightings.

Commentary on the Puerto Rican Case

A commentary section questions the reliability of Elizabeth Zeis's testimony, noting inconsistencies and potential fabrications, such as her claim that her brother obtained formaldehyde from a funeral director and her description of the creature's reproductive organs, which are not visible in photographs. The commentary suggests that American intelligence agencies might have been involved, possibly mistaking NASA for NSA. The reluctance to mention Professor Perez is also highlighted, as 'Chino' had sold him the rights to the corpse.

Bigfoot Hoax

This section details the debunking of the Bigfoot phenomenon, attributed to Ray Wallace. Wallace, who died at 84, was the first to report finding Bigfoot tracks in 1958. The story claims he and a friend carved large footprints from wood and walked around a bulldozer to create the tracks. Wallace continued to perpetuate the hoax with blurry photos and sound recordings. A famous film of a female Bigfoot was allegedly fabricated by Wallace's wife, who wore a fur suit and mask. The commentary notes that the film was actually made by Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin, and Soviet scientists were not as easily fooled as the article suggests.

Glossary

This issue includes a glossary of UFO-related terms:

• "Invaders": A 1967-68 ABC television series about aliens attempting to invade Earth, featuring flying saucers similar to Adamski's.
• Walk-ins: Individuals who believe an extraterrestrial entity has possessed their body and is acting through them.
• Star Maps: Strange star charts shown to abductees that they cannot understand.
• "Starlight" Project: A private UFO observatory near Austin, Texas, equipped with cameras, a magnetometer, and other instruments.

Criticism and Bibliography

This section reviews UFO periodicals and books, offering a rating system from [+] (discard) to [+++++] (highly recommended). It highlights David Alexander's book "Conspiracies and Cover-Ups," which discusses UFOs and the Roswell incident, concluding that governments are hiding information about UFOs.

Announcements

Announcements include a catalog of UFO sightings in Ukraine and articles on "Snowman" in the USA and the film "The Matrix."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, presenting witness testimonies, investigative reports, and analyses of UFO phenomena. There is a clear interest in alleged physical evidence, such as alien corpses, and a tendency to question official explanations, suggesting government secrecy and potential cover-ups. The Bigfoot hoax debunking highlights the magazine's critical approach to sensational claims, while the detailed investigation into the Puerto Rican case suggests a belief in the possibility of genuine extraterrestrial encounters, albeit with a cautious approach to evidence and testimony. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, with a focus on presenting diverse accounts and investigative findings. The magazine also engages with related topics like cryptozoology and conspiracy theories.

Title: UFO Navigator
Issue: issue 43
Issue Date: January 14, 2002
Country of Publication: Russia
Original Language: Russian

This issue of UFO Navigator delves into a variety of topics, including a detailed biomechanical analysis of a film subject, a compilation of cryptozoological sightings from 2002, and an exploration of Steven Wolfram's computational theory of the universe.

Film Analysis: The "Object" in the Film

The issue begins with an in-depth analysis of a film featuring an unknown creature. The initial approach considered creating a mechanical puppet or a mechanical doll, with the latter costing approximately 10 million dollars. However, the author suggests that the real possibilities made falsification highly unlikely. Further study of the film, including its examination in England and by Soviet enthusiasts, led to the involvement of D. D. Donskoy, a biomechanics specialist. Donskoy attempted to train athletes in the creature's movements, but this proved unsuccessful, casting doubt on the 'fake' theory.

The analysis then moved to a more advanced stage using a computer. Key frames of the film were digitized, with each image composed of 266,144 squares, each with 256 brightness levels. The computer enhanced fragments, highlighting the object of interest. By smoothing the pixelated image, the computer generated a more realistic representation and identified subtle differences in brightness, creating "isophotes"—lines connecting areas of equal brightness. Corrections were made for sunlight to distinguish between natural light effects and the object's actual relief. These processed images were then compared with anatomical charts of human and ape musculature.

The analysis revealed distinct primate muscles, such as the deltoid, biceps femoris, biceps, and gastrocnemius. Notably, the buttocks were described as significantly protruding and hanging, characteristic of female apes during periods of heightened sexual hormone activity. The object also exhibited large mammary glands that hung down to the abdomen, suggesting a similar physiological state. The overall arrangement of muscles and organs indicated a highly organized primate.

Further examination focused on the creature's movement. Its legs were never fully straightened, unlike an ape's. The hands had a significant inward bend, a trait of anthropoids. The creature swung its arms widely when walking, a characteristic shared with modern humans, though with a lesser amplitude. A blurred image of the left hand allowed for an estimation of its length (15-20 cm for a creature about 2 meters tall). This led to a calculation of the hand's movement speed at 5.4-7.2 m/s, significantly faster than the 2-2.5 m/s for a human walking at 6 km/h. The creature's walking speed was estimated at around 10 km/h, with intensive arm swinging.

The conclusion was that the "object" occupied a unique position between humans and apes, confirming that it was not an actor captured on film. The author notes that the research methods used were not available in 1967 when the film was made, implying that any biological details missed then could now be identified.

"The Matrix": Film Becomes Reality?

The issue then shifts to a discussion of physicist Steven Wolfram's "computationalist" idea about the universe's origin, presented at the Comdex Fall 2002 exhibition. Wolfram challenges the traditional view of the universe being filled with particles and waves, proposing instead that it functions through myriad programs or algorithms. These algorithms, he suggests, govern all phenomena, creating complex physical and fundamental aspects like the cosmos, space, and humans.

Wolfram's theory, detailed in his book "A New Kind of Science," was met with skepticism from many scientists accustomed to traditional mathematical calculations. However, those familiar with high-tech advancements believe his idea has merit. Wolfram hopes that experts in high technology will eventually decipher these "algorithms" and apply them to practical tasks.

His presentation, which included abstract concepts like spatial distortion, generated significant interest. Wolfram believes his ideas will be relevant for future generations and may serve as a starting point for understanding the universe. He asserts that his theory better explains the world's origin and functioning than current mathematical systems.

Wolfram states that in a world governed by programs, simple rules can lead to complex outcomes. He believes this perspective can help solve various global problems, citing economists' reliance on algorithms and the human visual system's use of complex algorithms for image perception. He suggests these algorithms could be used to create computer vision and aid in the creation of transplants in medicine.

The idea of a computational universe arose from Wolfram's attempts to solve complex cosmic riddles, such as the cause of asymmetry and the formation of structures. He believes he has found a rational explanation, where simple rules and algorithms can produce unpredictable chaos. The next step for cosmology, he argues, is to understand and identify these underlying rules and algorithms.

The article concludes by questioning if the creators of the film "The Matrix" were right, linking Wolfram's theory to the film's premise. A link to an Mignews.com article is provided.

Best Cryptid Stories of 2002

The magazine then presents a list of the best cryptid stories of 2002, as reported by Loren Coleman. The list includes both sensational reports and apparent hoaxes:

1. Monster of Dalverton Lake, Tasmania: A creature resembling "Nessie" was reported in a lake that had been dry for 14 years, leading to local skepticism and suggestions it was a tourist attraction.
2. Black Panther in Great Britain: A 49-year-old man reported seeing a black panther in Shoebury, Essex, an area where such animals are not native. Reports of "big cats" continued throughout the year.
3. Monsters of Pinatubo, Philippines: Five large black creatures, described as 7 feet long and 3 feet wide, were seen swimming in the Tikis River. Local residents reported the sightings, but the creatures' heads and tails were not seen.
4. "Mole Man" of West Virginia: The issue references the film "Prophecies of the Mole Man" starring Richard Gere, based on events in the late 1960s. Visitors to Point Pleasant, where the monster was reportedly seen, did not have any new sightings.
5. Mysterious "Cats" in the USA: Since February 2002, animals from the cat family, not native to the area, have been reported in Michigan. Local hunters examined tracks and scat, with similar reports coming from other states.
6. Bigfoot Tracks in Pennsylvania: Hundreds of strange, 15-inch-long "anthropoid" footprints were discovered near the Waynesboro Reservoir in February 2002. It remains unclear if this was a prank.
7. Debate over "Khting Vor": Scientists are debating whether the "Khting Vor" from Cambodia is an unknown species of even-toed ungulate or a deformed variety of a known species. DNA analysis results are contradictory.
8. Giant Turtles of Vietnam: A giant turtle, weighing up to 220 kg, was observed for 15 minutes in Hoan Kiem Lake near Hanoi on March 2, 2002.
9. South African Coelacanths: In April 2002, divers reportedly saw a pregnant coelacanth, an ancient fish thought to be a contemporary of dinosaurs.
10. Bigfoot on the Pacific Coast of the USA: A sighting occurred on June 10 in Clallam County, Washington. The witness contacted the police, but the chief stated they were unable to "find, identify, or capture the snow man."
11. New Whale Species: The journal "Marine Mammal Science" reported the discovery of two new whale species in July 2002.
12. "Ape-Man" from India: A mysterious ape-like creature that attacked people in India was a widely reported news item.
13. "River Dinosaur" in Colorado: Reports emerged of a strange creature in the Cortez and Yellow Jacket areas (Colorado) that was about a meter tall and moved on its hind legs. Cryptozoologist Nick Suzick was investigating.
14. Andean Parrot: Ornithologists Jorge Velasquez and Alonzo Quevedo reportedly saw a living "indigo-winged parrot," a bird believed to have been extinct for 90 years.
15. Great Black Antelope of Angola: This animal (Hippotragus niger valiani), not seen since 1972, was reportedly rediscovered by an expedition led by Professor Wouter van Hooven.
16. "Orang Pendek" of Sumatra: This Indonesian island's version of an anthropoid, similar to the "snow man," had its tracks and fur examined. Australian specialists confirmed the fur belonged to an unknown species.
17. "Giant Bird" in Alaska: Witnesses in Togiak and Manokotak reported seeing a bird "the size of a small airplane."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the intersection of science and the unexplained, the analysis of anomalous phenomena through scientific methods (biomechanics, computer analysis), and the cataloging of cryptid sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and reports, from the scientific analysis of film subjects to the more speculative realm of cryptozoology and cosmological theories. There is an underlying interest in exploring the boundaries of known science and considering alternative explanations for unexplained events, particularly those that echo themes found in popular culture like "The Matrix."