UFO Navigator - No 049 - 2003

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO Navigator," a Russian ufological digest, dated January 2003 (Issue 49), focuses on a variety of unexplained phenomena and astronomical news. The cover features a quote from N. Gumilev and highlights key topics: the 'Clone Race' controversy involving Severino Antinori and Claude Vorilhon, alleged UFOs captured by the SOHO probe, and the investigation of UFO crash rumors.

SOHO Probe Images: Cosmic UFOs?

The lead article discusses sensational images captured by the SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) spacecraft, which appear to show unidentified flying objects resembling flying saucers. These objects were reportedly seen moving in controlled trajectories, leading ufologists to believe they were intelligently operated. NASA's official response was dismissive, attributing the images to camera malfunctions. However, ufologists and the public expressed significant interest. Mike Murray, founder of the UFOlogists group 'EuroSETI,' called the images a 'sensation,' suggesting they prove the existence of extraterrestrial life beyond Earth's atmosphere. Similar reports were published by 'Ananova' and the BBC. Graham Birdsall, editor of 'UFO Magazine,' described the images as 'irrefutable' and reminiscent of spacecraft from science fiction films. Conversely, Professor George Symnett of Birmingham University, who was involved in developing SOHO's equipment, explained that the images were merely overexposed photographs of planets in the Solar System, calling the resulting media buzz 'absurd.' He elaborated that digital technology in the SOHO camera, similar to consumer digital cameras, can cause bright spots to elongate when overexposed, creating the illusion of 'flying saucers.' NASA also provided detailed explanations on the SOHO website about the onboard camera's characteristics. The European Space Agency confirmed that the images showed planets or random cosmic ray 'marks,' not UFOs.

Warning: A Wave of UFO Sightings is Coming!

Donald Johnson, a ufologist and archivist at the Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies, predicted a global wave of UFO sightings peaking between March 15-25, 2003. He anticipated this wave would affect Northern Europe, the Pacific region (including Japan and Hawaii), and possibly the Aleutian Islands. Johnson urged people to remain vigilant. Reports from the UK seemed to support this prediction, with the British UFO Studies Centre receiving over twenty sightings in the Runcorn area alone, including 'black, cylindrical UFOs with wings.' These were observed for nearly a week. Some speculated these could be tests of unmanned reconnaissance aircraft by the British Royal Air Force. Other sightings included 'flying crosses.' The 'Inverness Courier' reported UFO sightings over Loch Ness, with a mysterious light observed and videotaped in Drumndrochit. The witness described the object as rotating, changing shape, and appearing bright blue, though it appeared green on video. The object was described as composed of two black parts with colored lights in between. The RAF base at Lossiemouth reported their radar was not functioning at the time. Astronomers ruled out the possibility of a bright planet distorted by zoom and atmospheric interference. Maarten de Vries of the Highlands Astronomical Society could not identify the object, suggesting it was likely an artificial object too low to be a celestial body, but not necessarily an alien craft due to a lack of evidence.

From the Pacific: Intriguing News

Intriguing reports also emerged from the Pacific. The 'Post-Courier' newspaper in Papua New Guinea published an article about police receiving constant reports of mysterious flying and underwater objects in the southwest of the island, particularly near the Fly River. These were described as silver spheres and discs seen during the day, and brightly glowing objects at night. Fishermen also reported fast-moving underwater objects resembling submarines without conning towers. Police officer John Marru admitted he could not explain these occurrences and sought assistance from Australian authorities.

'Saucer' over the United Arab Emirates

The Arabic newspaper 'Alkhaleej' reported that witnesses filmed a UFO over Al-Harir, a satellite city of Dubai. The object was filmed from two different locations simultaneously. Security cameras at a store also captured strange 'writings' on their monitors after observing an anomaly.

Orange Spheres over South Africa and Brazil

In Pretoria, South Africa, witnesses reported seeing a round, orange UFO flying silently at an altitude of about 500 meters on January 6, 2003. The object pulsed its light before disappearing behind hills. Another witness described the object moving rapidly away from a hilltop. South African authorities, including the police and air force, declined to confirm the incident. A similar object was reported over Curitiba, Brazil, on January 18, 2003. Witnesses described a spherical object glowing with yellow-green light, moving erratically before suddenly shifting direction and descending rapidly.

'Clone Race' Continues

The article discusses the controversy surrounding the 'Clonaid' organization and the Raelian sect. After claiming to have produced the first cloned human, 'Eve,' Clonaid announced the birth of a third clone. Severino Antinori also claimed to have produced the first true clone, with DNA analysis reportedly showing complete genetic identity with the 'original sample.' However, the RBN agency reported that Antinori would only announce the birth after 5-6 months, to ensure the clone had no developmental abnormalities. The article also touches upon the Raelian movement's history, including accusations of being a sect of 'fascist perverts' and their leader Claude Vorilhon's relocation to Canada. The movement has been accused of using legal action against journalists and organizations critical of them, with several publications allegedly forced to issue retractions or pay fines.

The First Victim of the 'Clone Race'

The article reports that a 15-year-old boy from Romania, Konstantin Buchumanu, committed suicide, reportedly driven by his fascination with life and death and the belief that he could be reborn through cloning. A geneticist suggested that recent reports on cloning successes may have influenced his actions.

Italy: The Return of the Ice Fall

In January 2003, large pieces of ice fell from the sky in northern Italy, damaging the roof of a house. This event revived interest in similar incidents that occurred three years prior, including a 750-gram ice chunk falling on a worker in Ancona in January 2001. Ice falls were also reported in Milan, L'Aquila, and Avellino, and spread to Spain. Traditional explanations like frozen aircraft toilet waste or comet fragments were dismissed after analysis. The article notes that these 'ice falls' occurred against a backdrop of significant UFO activity in northern Italy.

What Exploded on the Moon?

This section revisits a mysterious flash on the Moon recorded half a century ago. Astronomer Leon Stewart's 1953 photograph captured a bright spot on the Moon's surface, indicating an energy release equivalent to about 500 kilotons. Astronomer Bonnie Buratti suggested this could be caused by the impact of a 20-meter diameter asteroid. If true, such impacts might occur more frequently than previously thought, possibly every 500 years on the Moon and every 30 years on Earth. While any resulting crater would be too small to be seen from Earth, images from the Clementine spacecraft in 1994 revealed a 'fresh' impact crater in the area, with ejecta suggesting a young age. Some scientists maintain that the phenomenon was a 'stationary meteor,' a rare event where a meteor's trajectory aligns with the observer's line of sight, causing a brief flash. However, Buratti argues that Stewart was an experienced observer and that the Clementine images support her theory, especially given the location's susceptibility to meteorite impacts. The presence of a young crater, she contends, confirms the event.

New Moons of Neptune

A team of Canadian and American astronomers discovered three new moons orbiting Neptune, bringing the total count to eleven. These are the first Neptunian moons discovered since the Voyager II probe passed the planet in 1989. The moons were detected using a technique of multiple sky photography, where images were combined to highlight faint celestial bodies. The press release from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics noted that the moons' small size (30-40 km in diameter) and faintness made them undetectable by Voyager II. Two of the previously known largest moons, Triton and Nereid, are irregular satellites.

Space News

Astronomers have identified Rho Cassiopeiae, a massive star relatively close to Earth, as a potential supernova candidate. In 2000, the star ejected a significant amount of gas and particles. The article also reports on the discovery of the most distant planet found outside our Solar System, named OGLE-TR-56b, located 5,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius. This exoplanet, roughly the size of Jupiter, orbits its star very closely, resulting in extremely high surface temperatures. Additionally, a Dutch company, 'Pavlov Media,' created an eight-minute animated film intended for extraterrestrials, to be sent into space on a satellite in 2007.

Regarding Our Publications

This section addresses ongoing criticism of experiments by E. Fomalont and S. Kopeikin regarding the measurement of gravitational velocity. Clifford Will, an expert in relativity theory, stated that Kopeikin's methodology was flawed. Kopeikin, however, defended his approach, suggesting Will incorrectly used a static approximation for Jupiter's gravitational field and that his own dynamic description of gravity, proposed in 1999, would be more appropriate. Will reiterated his stance that the experiments did not measure gravitational velocity.

'Mysterious' Bodies Seen in Video of Su-27 Crash

The article discusses 'mysterious bodies' observed in video footage of a Su-27 crash in Sknyliv, Ukraine. While some suggested these were 'darts' (insects or small objects), Ukrainian officials, including the Ombudsman for Human Rights, Nina Koropachova, raised the possibility that the crash could have been caused by a collision with an unknown object. Experts noted that such encounters could lead to the failure of all aircraft systems. The magazine suggests this incident might be exploited for political purposes, though the immediate cause of the crash was attributed to the pilot's low-altitude maneuver.

Reports from the Field

New UFO Videos in Bishkek and Khabarovsk: Kolbek Ryspayev of Bishkek filmed strange objects in the Kyrgyz sky with a home video camera. Journalists described them as two bright, unidentified flying objects resembling classic flying saucers. Ryspayev captured the objects around 3 AM on January 13, 2003, near the Tya-Ashu mountain pass. He initially mistook them for lights from military aircraft but then began filming. He could not determine their size or speed, noting they moved silently and performed unusual maneuvers. The article includes details from the newspaper 'Vecheriy Bishkek,' mentioning the use of a Sony CCD-TRV 99E camera with 220x zoom. The objects were reportedly seen near Sosnovka. Ryspayev described them as pulsating lights, not associated with aircraft. His mother had also reportedly seen UFOs near Kara-Balta. Separately, Eduard Gozhin from Tomsk reported a UFO sighting over Khabarovsk on January 6, 2003. He filmed a 10-second video of an object moving on a trajectory consistent with a controlled flight, estimated to be moving at 300-400 km/h at an altitude of less than 1 km. The object was silent and moved on a descending path. The article notes the limited details make definitive identification difficult.

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

This section lists historical UFO-related events: a strange fiery ball in Akron (1903), two UFOs over Cannon Air Force Base (1976), spherical objects in Novosibirsk (1979), and luminous phenomena over Vladivostok (1992).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings, alleged extraterrestrial encounters, and unexplained aerial phenomena from around the world. It often presents skeptical viewpoints alongside eyewitness accounts and ufological theories, particularly in the SOHO images and cloning controversy sections. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, while also acknowledging and presenting scientific explanations or debunking efforts. There's a recurring theme of government or official bodies being slow to acknowledge or investigate UFOs. The magazine also covers related topics such as cloning and astronomical discoveries, linking them to broader questions about humanity's place in the universe and the possibility of life beyond Earth.

Title: Техника - Молодежи (Technology - Youth)
Issue: 11
Year: 1979
Publisher: Molodaya Gvardiya
Country: USSR
Price: 50 kopecks

This issue of "Tekhnika-Molodezhi" features a collection of articles and reports on unidentified flying objects (UFOs), historical sightings, and investigations into potential crash incidents. The content spans various decades and locations, offering a glimpse into the study and public perception of UFO phenomena in the Soviet Union and beyond.

Strange Fiery Ball in Akron. 1903

The issue begins with a report from the "Akron Beacon Journal" dated January 22, 1903. It describes a mysterious "fiery ball" that was seen low in the night sky near Manson's Hollow, Ohio. The object reportedly instilled fear in residents and remained stationary until approached, after which it would disappear and reappear when people moved away. The newspaper noted that people considered it a "supernatural thing," while the police speculated it was the work of mischievous boys. The report includes a reference to a historical account by Russ Musarra.

Two UFOs Over Cannon Air Force Base. 1976

This section details a report obtained through the Freedom of Information Act concerning a UFO sighting at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico on January 21, 1976. A memorandum from the National Military Command Center, based on information from the Air Force Operations Center, describes two UFOs observed near the runway. Police guards reported the UFOs as golden or silver spheres, about 25 yards in diameter, with a blue light on top and a red light underneath. The Air Force confirmed the radar data and investigated meteorological inversions.

Spherical Objects in Novosibirsk. 1979

This report from January 16, 1979, describes an observation in Novosibirsk, USSR. The witness, V. I. Sanarov, reported that his son Stepan and a friend observed a spherical object, described as "slightly smaller than the Moon," with a blue body and a red cone at the rear. The object was seen in the south at an altitude of approximately 600 meters. It moved rapidly in an anti-clockwise spiral, with the lower coil diameter being about 15 times the UFO's diameter. After several coils, the object appeared directly overhead, hovered briefly, and then moved northeast for about two minutes. It then moved east for another three minutes before changing direction sharply. The witness noted that the object was illuminated and appeared to be a cigarette-sized, bright white front with a yellowish rear.

Later, the witness's mother, Zemfira Ivanus, reported seeing a rotating, yellow, lamp-like object outside her window on January 19, 1979, around 2:00 AM in Novosibirsk. The object emitted sparkling light and a buzzing sound. She later compared it to the illuminated cable lines seen on a map of Moscow.

This section also references V. I. Sanarov's controversial article on UFOs and 'enonauts' in "Sovetskaya Etnografiya" and its reprint in "Tekhnika-Molodezhi."

Luminous Phenomena Over Vladivostok. 1992

During January-February 1992, residents of Vladivostok observed bright, silver beams or columns in the southern sky. Witnesses described three bright and one faint beam, parallel to each other. On January 20, 1992, bright orange flashes were seen near Tigrovy village, occurring at intervals. Similar reports came from Svetlana Sergeeva in Tigrovy village, who observed unexplained luminous effects over Pigorev Pad.

Investigation: UFO Crash - Identifying Signs of Authenticity

This extensive section, presented as a report by Mikhail Gerstein to a ufological conference on November 28, 2002, focuses on the investigation of UFO crash incidents. It aims to establish criteria for assessing the authenticity of such reports.

1. Witness Testimony

The article categorizes witness testimony based on its credibility, distinguishing between anonymous accounts, those with indirect corroboration, and cases with multiple witnesses. It emphasizes that independent testimony from civilians and official sources carries more weight than that of relatives or acquaintances. Testimony given before media coverage is considered more reliable.

2. Official Confirmation of Object's Flight and Military Interest

This part discusses cases where the flight of an object was officially confirmed, along with military involvement. Examples include a 1967 incident in Shag Bay, Canada, and a 1962 event in Nevada, where a UFO was officially explained as a bright meteor but declassified documents suggested otherwise.

3. Official Documentary Confirmation of UFO Crashes and/or Extraterrestrial Origin

This section notes the lack of declassified documents from US agencies (RUMO, Air Force, CIA, NSA) that simultaneously confirm a crash and its extraterrestrial origin. Most documents leave the origin open or suggest conventional explanations. It also warns against unofficial documents and alleged "Majestic-12" papers as potentially fraudulent.

4. Media Coverage of UFO Crashes

Timely media investigation is seen as a way to prevent authorities from concealing facts, as in the 1962 Nevada incident. However, delayed media involvement can lead to witnesses "adjusting" their accounts to match published information.

5. Material Evidence of UFO Crashes

This section discusses physical evidence, such as scorch marks, craters, broken trees, wreckage, or even alien bodies. It points out that much of this evidence, like alleged UFO debris or alien bodies, is reportedly in military hands and inaccessible for independent research. Recovered debris often lacks distinctive features to confirm extraterrestrial origin.

6. Incident Investigation Level

British ufologist Jenny Randles' classification system for incident investigation is presented: A (thorough on-site investigation), B (interviews by ufologists), C (standard report by witness), D (letter or written statement), E (reports based on newspapers or second-hand information).

Methodology for Assessing Credibility

The article proposes a scale for assessing the credibility and investigational level of UFO crash reports. This scale considers factors like the number of witnesses, their anonymity, the time and nature of their testimony, official confirmations or refutations, indirect evidence, and the availability of documentation. A specific example of the 1962 Nevada UFO crash is analyzed using this methodology, resulting in a credibility index of A6.5.

Cited Literature

A list of references is provided, including books and articles by Kevin Randle, Patty Wilson, Jim Stalmaker, Jerome Clark, Frank Edwards, and others.

Our Glossary

This section briefly defines terms related to UFOs, including "Sound Effects of UFOs," "Green Men," "Earthquakes and UFOs," and "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers."

Sound Effects of UFOs

Witnesses report two main types of strong noises associated with UFOs: instantaneous explosive sounds (like a shockwave) and prolonged humming or buzzing sounds, often compared to bees or transformers. These sounds are sometimes attributed to electromagnetic radiation perceived directly by the brain.

Green Men (or "Little Green Men")

This is described as a popular, ironic term for UFO observers, rarely referring to the actual color of the beings. It's suggested the term originated from a 1946-47 story in "Amazing Stories" magazine.

Earthquakes and UFOs

Research suggests a possible link between UFO phenomena and earthquakes, though findings are conflicting. Some studies indicate UFOs appear before earthquakes, while others suggest they appear during periods of seismic calm.

"Earth vs. the Flying Saucers"

A brief description of the 1956 science fiction film about an alien invasion, noting its special effects by Ray Harryhausen and a plot involving a misunderstanding between humans and aliens.

Criticism and Bibliography

This section reviews current ufological periodicals and books, offering a rating system from [+] (discard) to [+++++] (highly recommended).

Reviews of Books

• "Ghosts of a Living Planet" by Igor and Irina Tsarev (2002): This is described as a revised and expanded version of an earlier book. It focuses on UFOs and aims to make readers ponder the phenomenon's origin, but lacks citations.
• "Alphabet of the Universe" by Vladimir Makarevich and Alexander Klaf (2002): This compilation is criticized for its low quality, poor organization of information, and alleged plagiarism from other sources, including non-existent publications. The illustrations are attributed to Matthew Hurley's collection of historical artwork.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, crash investigations, and related phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, attempting to analyze reports, establish credibility, and distinguish between factual accounts and speculation or hoaxes. There's a clear interest in historical cases and the scientific investigation of UFOs, while also acknowledging the speculative and sometimes sensationalist nature of the topic. The inclusion of a methodology for assessing evidence suggests a desire for a more rigorous approach to ufology. The magazine also touches upon the cultural impact of UFOs, as seen in the film review and the discussion of the term "Green Men."

This document is a scanned page from the Russian newspaper "Труд-7" (Trud-7), dated January 23, 2003. The issue contains reports on paranormal and unexplained phenomena, including UFOs, the Tunguska meteorite, and cryptids like the Yeti and alleged vampires.

Announcements

New information on UFOs and the Tunguska Meteorite

Two lectures are announced to be held at the Russian Geographical Society in St. Petersburg:

• February 19: O. S. Timinsky will present on "Constant and temporary factors in UFO observations, affecting their reliability."
• February 20: K. K. Khazanovich, chairman of the commission of planetology, will speak on "The trajectory of the Tunguska bolide."

The lectures are open to the public and will take place at the Geographical Society's address: St. Petersburg, Grivtsova Street, Building 10 (near Sennaya Square metro station), starting at 18:00.

Various Topics

Rumors of Vampires

The first article, titled "Rumors of Vampires," reports on a widespread panic in Malawi that began in October of the previous year. The country is reportedly plagued by stories of blood-sucking creatures, leading to national hysteria. The ITAR-TASS news agency reports that President Bakili Muluzi has officially ordered the arrest of individuals spreading these rumors. One radio journalist was arrested for broadcasting an interview with a supposed victim of vampire attacks. The President suspects that these reports are part of a conspiracy by opposition political groups aiming to destabilize his government by claiming that the administration supplies international charitable organizations with human blood in exchange for food.

Fearful Malawians are reportedly attacking humanitarian centers, believing they are hiding "blood-suckers." Official representatives and clergy are also being targeted. Authorities are attempting to calm the population by issuing statements that the fears are unfounded and that there is "no evidence" of vampires operating in the country. Despite efforts by scientists and doctors, the situation remains unresolved, with innocent blood being shed and attributed to vampires.

The "Snow Man" Again

The second article, "The 'Snow Man' Again," details a new encounter in the Pakistani mountain village of Haripur. Local newspapers cite the testimony of a 20-year-old resident named Raju. Raju reported hearing "strange sounds" from nearby bushes after leaving his home. A creature, described as approximately 120 cm tall, covered in thick black fur, and with a "monkey-like face," emerged and growled at him. Raju described the "snow man" as being of male gender, with a very strong build despite its short stature. The creature allegedly attacked and scratched Raju, who then screamed and ran back into his house.

Following the incident, villagers armed with torches searched the surrounding area. The creature reportedly fled from an apple orchard. Witnesses claim the "snow man" emitted high-pitched and sharp cries as it ran away.

Historical Accounts and Similar Cases

Elderly villagers reportedly claim that in the past, they frequently saw similar beings descending from the mountains, especially during winter months when they would come to villages in search of food. The article notes that this story bears a strong resemblance to some cases of "ape-man" attacks on residents in India, as reported in "Trud-7" on January 23, 2003.

Issue Completion

The issue was completed at 18:00 on January 30, 2003. It was compiled and prepared by Mikhail Gerstein from St. Petersburg.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation and reporting of unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs and cryptids. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting these reports as news items, often with a degree of skepticism or by referencing official statements that downplay the events (as seen in the Malawi vampire report). The inclusion of lectures on UFOs and the Tunguska event suggests an interest in scientific and historical aspects of these phenomena. The comparison of the "snow man" sighting to previous "ape-man" reports indicates a pattern of documenting and connecting similar unexplained encounters.