UFO Navigator - No 054 - 2003

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Navigator
Publisher: Российский уфологический дайджест (Russian Ufological Digest)
Issue Date: April 2003
Issue Number: 54
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Main Cover Headline

Mass UFO Sightings Over Leningrad Region

Cover Quote

"Military intelligence recently stated that the subject of 'unidentified flying objects' and 'unidentified atmospheric phenomena', also known as 'flying discs', 'flying saucers', and 'fireballs', is considered top secret by army intelligence officers and the Air Force intelligence service." - Declassified FBI memo on UFOs, 1949.

Key Themes of the Issue

• Mass UFO Sightings Over Leningrad Region
• The Mystery of 'Wandering Lights': Corsica and Australia
• Plesetsk Cosmodrome Launches Mistaken for UFOs

News Briefs

The news section covers a variety of UFO-related incidents and topics:

• Mass UFO Sightings Over Leningrad Region: A detailed account of sightings on March 28, 2003.
• The Mystery of Wandering Lights Solved?: An investigation into the 'Mins-min lights'.
• 'Saucers' on the American-Iraqi Front: Reports of UFO sightings related to the conflict.
• 40 People Saw a Large UFO in Poland: An account of a sighting in Poland.
• Daytime UFO Sightings Over the Capital of Chile: Observations in Chile.
• Black Helicopters No Longer a Mystery: Discussion of 'black helicopters' in New York.
• Caution, Pseudoufological Jokes!: A warning about hoaxes and fake UFO toys.
• Space News: Updates on satellite launches and astronomical discoveries.
• Following Up on Our Publications: Updates on previous articles.

Mass UFO Sightings Over Leningrad Region

The issue details a significant event on March 28, 2003, where multiple UFOs were observed in the Leningrad region. The sightings were so bright they were visible up to 150 kilometers away.

Eyewitness Account (Mikhail Petrovich):

On March 28th, around 20:30, while driving on the Priozersk highway, four people observed a bright, unusual object hovering over the forest at a 60-degree angle. The object resembled a saucer on its edge, composed of numerous shimmering lights like mirrored Christmas balls. It was large and stationary. After about five minutes, a glowing sphere approached at high speed, merged with the object, and then disappeared. This was repeated with two more spheres. The object then appeared to rotate, resembling a spinning top, and flew towards Lake Ladoga, its lights dimming until it vanished.

Petrovich, a former member of the Air Defense Forces (PVO), stated that the glowing lights could not have been surface-to-air missiles and suggested they might have been targets or illumination bombs.

Further Eyewitness Accounts:

• Georg: Reported seeing similar lights on skis near Korobitsino on the same date.
• Yuri Matveev: Traveling by train from Ukhta to St. Petersburg, he witnessed a cluster of lights resembling a 'fireball' hanging in the sky near Volkhov. A glowing point then merged with the cluster.
• New Ladoga: Similar phenomena were reportedly observed.
• Galina Ivanovna Panfilova and her family: Observed a triangular object made of yellowish-orange lights from their apartment on Engels Avenue in St. Petersburg. Two spheres merged into the object, which then ascended.
• Sergey and Oksana Kosenko: Provided video recordings that corroborated the eyewitness accounts.

Detailed Account from Ivan Leontevich Nezdajminov (Retired Lieutenant Colonel):

Nezdajminov, a former instructor at the Mozhaysky Military Space Academy, provided a detailed report of a sighting on March 28th, between 20:30 and 20:45, near Toksovo-Lekhtusi-Matoksa-Leskolovo. He described an object with the shape of an equilateral triangle, composed of about 20 blinking elements (like portholes), creating the appearance of a flying saucer. The object remained stationary for 15 minutes. He noted that a smaller, glowing element (a 'mini-ship') circled the main object four times before rejoining it. The object then dimmed and disappeared.

Other Witnesses:

• Yulia Alexandrovna Pospelova: Saw a strange object resembling a triangle with a smaller point nearby, which slowly moved to the right before disappearing.
• Ilze Denisova: Claimed the object had angular dimensions of 3/4 of the lunar disk.
• Nikolai Viktorovich Kovalev: Reported seeing a UFO near Vyborg on March 28th and 29th, describing it as a red circle with a halo and lights. A smaller object detached and circled the main object.

Analysis and Observations:

• The objects were described as silent, without engine noise or searchlight beams.
• The smaller 'mini-ship' circling the main object was observed to dock with it.
• The main object then rotated and flew away.
• Video recordings of the event were obtained.
• Radar stations at Pulkovo Airport and the Leningrad Military District did not detect the UFOs.
• The Leningrad Military District stated that no exercises were conducted on March 28th, and no launches from Plesetsk were scheduled for that date.

The Mystery of Wandering Lights Solved?

Australian scientist Jack Pettigrew announced that he had deciphered the mystery of the 'Mins-min lights', phenomena observed for decades in Western Queensland. He claims to have reproduced the effect.

Pettigrew's Theory:

Pettigrew's research suggests that the 'Mins-min lights' are an optical illusion, possibly caused by the reflection of car headlights on atmospheric layers, creating a 'tunnel effect' where light travels without scattering.

He conducted an experiment on a hot day followed by a cool, windless evening. Six participants observed the lights, which Pettigrew attributes to the interaction of headlights with atmospheric conditions.

Historical Context:

The article also references similar phenomena observed in the early 20th century in Büssò, Corsica. A report from the May 19, 1913, issue of the journal 'Rebus' details observations of a mysterious light in Büssò, which was described as a strange, fleeting fire that disappeared upon approach. Local legends attributed it to the soul of a deceased count.

Observations in Büssò (1912-1913):

• The light was described as bluish, sharp, and close to the ground, with a rotating motion.
• It was often seen in clear weather but disappeared when the moon rose.
• Attempts to analyze rock samples from the area yielded no unusual results.
• Dr. Lauthier noted that the phenomenon was invisible from its origin point but visible from a distance of 1500-1800 meters.
• The phenomenon was reportedly observed for about 30 years, starting around 1882.

An experiment involving igniting four Bengal flares at the corners of a field did not definitively explain the origin of the lights.

'Saucers' on the American-Iraqi Front

Reports emerged of UFO sightings related to the American-Iraqi conflict.

• March 27, 2003: An elongated, glowing object was sighted over Najaf, Iraq. A photograph published by "Euronews" showed a US soldier pointing at the object, but the accompanying text did not mention a UFO. The photo was later removed from the website.
• April 3, 2003: Small UFOs resembling 'pipes with rotating spirals' were observed flying over Baghdad.

40 People Saw a Large UFO in Poland

On March 20, 2003, around 2 AM, approximately forty people in Kolbiele, Poland, witnessed a huge object from which a spherical body detached. The object descended, appearing as a red circle with a halo and numerous lights, and was believed to be of non-terrestrial origin.

Daytime UFO Sightings Over the Capital of Chile

On March 21, 2003, near noon, dozens of people in Providencia (a suburb of Santiago) observed a group of lights surrounding a large, brightly shining circular object. Approximately seven lights were seen around the main object.

Black Helicopters No Longer a Mystery

The article addresses the persistent myth of 'black helicopters' without identification marks, often associated with UFO sightings and alleged cattle mutilations.

New York City Sightings:

It is stated that these are real US government aircraft patrolling the airspace of New York City to prevent terrorist attacks. These 'Black Hawk' helicopters are equipped with radar capable of detecting aircraft up to 400 kilometers away. Their primary weapon is a powerful searchlight called 'Night Sun', which can cause skin burns at a distance of 15 meters. The searchlight is intended to force aircraft to change course or to be intercepted by fighter jets.

On April 2nd, these helicopters conducted demonstration flights over the city, flying at low altitudes near landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty.

Caution, Pseudoufological Jokes!

This section warns readers about 'UFO toys' – glowing balloons that can be mistaken for actual UFOs. These toys, initially using open flames, were banned in Germany due to fire hazards and concerns from pilots.

Modern 'UFO Toys':

More recently, companies have produced helium balloons with electric lighting. The article describes a method for creating a 'mini-Mongol sphere' using a garbage bag, wire, and a fuel tablet, which can ascend and resemble a UFO. The author of this section, Leonid, suggests this is a cheap and effective way to create the illusion of a UFO.

Space News

• New Moon of Saturn: Astronomers at the University of Hawaii discovered a new moon of Saturn, designated S/2003 S1, making it Saturn's 31st moon. It has a highly elliptical orbit.
• Planet Moon Counts: Jupiter leads with 60 moons, followed by Saturn (31), Uranus (21), Neptune (11), Mars (2), and Earth and Pluto (1 each).
• US Meteor Sighting: Witnesses in Texas reported seeing a bright 'green fireball' that left a trail of smoke and appeared to change trajectory.

Following Up on Our Publications

Vitim Bolide Expedition: An expedition returned from Siberia after investigating the 'Vitim bolide' impact. Scientists collected snow samples at high altitudes, which may contain particles from the cosmic body. They also found numerous trees with fresh damage.

Plesetsk Satellite Launch Misidentification: The launch of the 'Molniya-1-92' satellite from the Plesetsk cosmodrome on April 2, 2003, was mistaken for a UFO by observers in Petrozavodsk. The event was described as a 'fiery spectacle' and a 'silvery snake' with a pulsating ball.

'Flying Saucer' Over Estonia: A witness in Estonia reported seeing numerous meteors and artificial satellites, including a circular object with illuminated edges.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and related mysteries. It attempts to provide eyewitness accounts, scientific explanations where available (like Pettigrew's theory on 'Mins-min lights'), and also debunks potential hoaxes or misidentifications (such as satellite launches being mistaken for UFOs). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, while also maintaining a critical perspective and seeking rational explanations when possible. The recurring theme is the persistent presence of unexplained aerial objects and lights across various locations and contexts, from military intelligence reports to civilian observations.

This issue of "НЛО" (UFO) magazine delves into a variety of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings and related phenomena, spanning historical accounts from the early 1900s to more recent observations in the early 2000s. The publication appears to be a compilation of witness testimonies, news reports, and some preliminary scientific investigations.

Witness Accounts and Sightings

The magazine opens with a personal account from Estonia, where a witness describes an oval-shaped UFO with powerful, alternating white and yellow lights, moving rapidly towards a forest. The experience was so striking that the witness shared it with ufologists.

Spheroids in the Skies of Belarus

Alexander Tsyplakov from Molodechno, Belarus, reports two distinct sightings of bright white UFOs in December 2002. The objects were described as large, star-like, and observed for several seconds before disappearing. The sightings occurred on consecutive Saturdays at similar times and locations, with the objects moving from south to north.

Thermal Effect from a Disc-Shaped Object (1978)

An engineer-economist, Yulia Ershova, recounts an experience in April 1978 where she felt a warm wave and observed a dim, orange-colored disc-shaped object in the sky. The object appeared as a flat, ideal disc with clear contours, estimated to be the size of a full moon. It remained stationary, and the witness felt a gentle, soft heat emanating from it.

UFO Crash or Magnesium Meteorite? (1989)

This section details a significant event reported by Hadassah Arbel, an Israeli ufologist. In April 1989, a couple witnessed a powerful light in the sky over the sea near Haifa. The object descended, changed into a column of fire, and landed on the beach. The object, approximately 20 meters long and 6 meters wide, emitted intense heat. Samples of the material were collected and sent for analysis, which revealed a composition including iron, zinc, niobium, and other elements, notably technetium, which is rare in Earth's crust. Further analysis suggested the material might be a product of magnesium combustion but with an unusual structure.

Mysterious Ball Erased Recordings (1990)

This report from the "Voroshilovgradskaya Pravda" newspaper describes a tractor driver who saw a large red ball over a forest. Later, a factory worker named Anatoly S. reported a large, fiery ball with a circular hoop, which slowly moved south and then disappeared. Following this, magnetic tapes in the vicinity had their recordings erased. Anatoly claimed to have seen the ball multiple times and described a crystalline substance that could erase magnetic tape.

Danish Fighters Chased a "Battleship-Sized" UFO (1998)

This news report from the "Advertizer" describes the British Royal Air Force (RAF) tracking a massive, "battleship-sized" UFO over the North Sea. The object, described as triangular, flew at extremely high speeds, reaching up to 38,000 km/h, before heading towards the Atlantic. Danish F-16 fighters were unable to intercept it.

Investigation: History of UFO Sightings: 1900-1939

This section, authored by Jerome Clark, provides a historical overview of early UFO reports.

Early 20th Century Sightings

• 1900: A 14-year-old in Wisconsin saw a large, black, dirigible-shaped object flying low over trees.
• 1901: Reports from Michigan and New Mexico described "flying machines" and "airships," with one account mentioning a photograph taken.
• 1901 (Summer): In Bournebrook, England, a boy encountered a box-shaped craft and two small, human-like beings.
• 1903: Sightings in Ohio and Indiana described large, glowing, cigar-shaped objects.
• 1909: Reports from the UK (Peterborough, Lambourn) described powerful lights and fast-moving objects, some described as "torpedo-shaped."
• 1909-1910: A wave of sightings occurred in Britain, Wales, and Ireland, with objects described as "airships" and "dirigibles," often accompanied by searchlights and unusual maneuvers. Concerns about German spies were prevalent.
• 1908-1909: New Zealand reported sightings of "powerful searchlights" and "airships."
• 1909 (July 31): A farmer in Greenwell, Australia, reported a "loud buzzing sound" from a 150-foot long, boat-shaped object.
• 1909 (August): Reports from New England described "airships" with engines and bright lights.
• 1910 (January): A "cigar-shaped machine" was reported over Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Huntsville, Alabama.
• 1910 (January): A witness in Michigan recalled seeing a "flying saucer" in 1910.
• 1910 (October): A "flying saucer" was seen over Arkansas.
• 1912 (October 14): An "unknown aircraft" or its sound puzzled residents in Sheerness, England. The military minister stated the government had no information about it.
• 1913 (January): A surge in "dirigible" sightings occurred in Britain, with reports of objects maneuvering in the sky and emitting bright lights.
• 1913 (January 25): Two "dirigibles" were reported over Liverpool and Wales.
• 1913 (February): More "dirigible" sightings were reported in Cardiff and other locations.
• 1914-1916: Norwegian soldiers reported seeing "dirigibles with searchlights."
• 1916 (December 17): British soldiers on the Western Front saw an object resembling a "zeppelin" that ascended vertically at high speed.
• 1918 (Early): Soldiers in Texas reported a large, cigar-shaped object flying low.
• 1920 (June 8): Two hundred people witnessed a large cylindrical object flying low between Kansas and Missouri.

Post-1947 Style Sightings

• Circa 1900: In Perthshire, Scotland, two children saw a light moving in a zig-zag trajectory at extremely high speed.
• 1906 (November): In Oklahoma, USA, witnesses saw a burning cylindrical object that descended and then flew away.
• 1909 (October): In Indiana, USA, a large object resembling two cups joined together with a chain of lights was seen.
• 1910 (June): A witness in Michigan described a "phosphorescent" object with "tentacles" descending from it.
• 1912 (Late): In California, three teenagers saw "three round objects" flying in formation.
• 1919 (June): In Iowa, USA, siblings observed a brown-grey object with a "severe"-looking humanoid figure.
• 1920 (June 3): In Iowa, USA, a man fishing saw a silent, blue object land near him.
• 1920 (Late): In Texas, USA, a fisherman saw a disc-shaped object followed by three others.
• 1928 (November): In North Dakota, USA, two brothers saw a metallic, "soup bowl"-shaped object flying low with lights and a humming sound.
• 1915 (Summer): British naval intelligence officers investigated reports of a large white light ascending from the ground.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on a wide range of aerial phenomena, often described as "flying machines," "airships," "dirigibles," and later, "UFOs" or "discs." A recurring theme is the high speed and unusual maneuverability of these objects, often exceeding known technological capabilities of the time. Witness accounts frequently emphasize the silent operation or unusual sounds emitted by the craft. The presence of lights, heat, and sometimes physical traces (like scorch marks or unusual materials) are also common elements. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into these unexplained phenomena, presenting witness reports and investigative details without immediate dismissal, and encouraging further research and analysis, as seen in the detailed breakdown of the Haifa incident's material analysis.

Title: UFO Navigator
Issue: 15
Date: March 28 (year not specified, but content suggests 2003)
Language: Russian

This issue of "UFO Navigator" presents a collection of articles and reports related to UFO phenomena, historical sightings, alleged alien encounters, and controversial theories.

Historical UFO Sightings (Pre-WWII)

The issue begins with accounts of early UFO sightings. One witness in 1924, while in a boat on Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada, observed a dim blue light and a pearl-silver body that descended, leveled its course, and then ascended rapidly. In June 1932, farmer Rayben Knight from Whitesburg, Pennsylvania, USA, witnessed a bright light that grew in size and approached him, revealing itself as a silver sphere about 14 feet in diameter emitting a bright blue light. It flew in a loop and disappeared into bushes. In July or August 1933, near the Hambag Valley and Butt Reservoir, teacher Paul M. Berry Jr. observed two spheroid-shaped objects with indistinct green luminescence, followed by a third identical object.

The article notes that, despite some terminological differences, pre-WWII sightings are largely consistent with modern UFO reports. The absence of established UFO stereotypes at the time is highlighted as making these older cases particularly valuable for understanding the phenomenon.

Soil Extraction Incidents

This section details incidents where UFOs are reported to have created unusually shaped holes by extracting soil. Three scenarios are presented:

1. Core Extraction: An object hovers over the ground and extracts soil in a core or hemisphere, then takes it.
2. Burn-out: An object hovers and uses an invisible beam to burn out a 'well' of any shape, vaporizing the soil, leaving only a slightly radioactive soot trace on the walls.
3. Submersion: An object submerges into the ground, dissolving or destroying the soil beneath it.

Several specific cases are described:

• October 1954, Po di Gnocca, Italy: A farmer saw a disc-shaped craft land and take off, leaving a 6-meter diameter crater with scorched poplars.
• June 1989, Nov Alexandrovsk, Stavropol Krai, Russia: A tractor fell into one of three perfectly round craters (5-7 meters in diameter) from which soil had been extracted to the clay layer.
• February 1990, near Geneva, Switzerland: A 10-meter diameter, 12-meter deep crater appeared over a subway tunnel, with 942 cubic meters of soil removed.
• September 1991, Petrozavodsk, Russia: A 1.5-meter diameter and depth crater appeared overnight with a 'crack and buzz'.
• Summer 1992, Nizhnekamsk District, Tatarstan, Russia: Three large craters, 1.5 meters deep, formed a triangle with 25-meter sides.
• May 1993, Izhmorsky District, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia: A 4-meter deep crater (1.45x1.55 meters) appeared, nearly causing a tractor accident.
• Winter 1997, Zaporozhye, Ukraine: A crater over 4 meters deep formed after an НЛО hovered nearby, causing a passerby to spend the night at its bottom.

The article mentions over three dozen such cases. A hypothesis by geophysicist V. N. Salnikov suggesting energy release from the Earth's interior is discussed but dismissed due to witness accounts of UFOs being present before and after the incidents.

'Ikal' Beings

This section describes 'Ikal' as dark-skinned, hairy dwarf-like beings mentioned in the mythology of the Tenejapa tribe of Mexico. According to anthropologist Brian Stross, they are said to arrive from another world, sometimes seen with rocket-like devices attached to their backs. The Tenejapa believe 'Ikal' occasionally abduct people. The Tsotsil tribe also claims 'Ikal' fly and sometimes abduct women, who then become unusually fertile. The children are taught the art of flying. Stross's informants reported seeing a mass appearance of 'Ikal' around 1947, coinciding with a significant UFO 'wave'. Some ufologists consider 'Ikal' to be ordinary humanoids from 'flying saucers'.

'Planet X'

This entry discusses the hypothesis of an unknown planet in the Solar System beyond Pluto's orbit. Astronomers have noted anomalies in the Kuiper Belt and comet orbits suggesting a massive body, but it remains undiscovered. The article mentions contactee Nancy Leader's claims that this planet, 'Nibiru', is heading towards Earth and will cause cataclysms in May 2003. It also references Zecharia Sitchin's theories about 'Planet X' (or 'Nibiru') entering the solar system every 3600 years. However, Sitchin himself reportedly stated that Nibiru's arrival is not yet imminent and Leader's claims are unrelated to his ideas.

Illusions

This section defines illusions in ufology as misinterpretations of real objects or phenomena, leading observers to perceive them as strange or supernatural (UFOs, aliens, ghosts). These differ from hallucinations, where there is no basis in reality. Illusions involve a distortion of a real image at some stage of perception. Examples include the 'moon illusion' (objects near the horizon appearing larger) and misidentifying bright planets as UFOs with visible occupants, which may indicate psychological or mental disorders.

Names

This part examines names of alleged extraterrestrial beings and their planets, often found in contactee accounts. It points out that many names are suspiciously similar to those found in science fiction books and films, such as 'Misliki' from Francis Carsac's novel or 'Gnetz-13' from a Kir Bulychev story. The planet 'Dessa' is linked to a film starring Oleg Dal. The article also notes earthly or artificial-sounding names for aliens and their planets, suggesting caution is needed when evaluating such claims due to the possibility of hoax or psychological issues.

Criticism and Bibliography

This section provides a review and rating of current ufological periodicals and books. The rating system ranges from [+] (discard immediately) to [+++++] (highly recommended). The issue highlights Pavel Odintsov's book "We Are All Zombies" as [++++].

Book Review: "We Are All Zombies" by Pavel Odintsov

This review praises Odintsov's book on psychotronic weapons for its serious approach and its author's 'outsider' perspective, avoiding the typical victim or conspiracy narrative. The author is credited with conducting a thorough investigation using mostly open-source materials, including NLP, hypnotic programming, and Erickson's hypnosis. The review confirms that work on 'apparatus' for such effects has been conducted, though the extent of success remains unknown. The book is recommended for making readers think.

Announcements

• Investigation of March 28 Events Continues: Readers are asked to provide information about UFO sightings in the Leningrad Oblast and surrounding regions on March 28 to the editor of "UFO Navigator".

Miscellaneous

• Ryazan Stonehenge: A sanctuary, built on the principles of Stonehenge and serving as an ancient observatory, was discovered in the Ryazan Oblast. Its pillars were oriented to mark astronomical events, and its age is estimated at four thousand years. Expedition leader Ilya Akhmedov noted its uniqueness and suggested possible influence from outside Eurasia.
• Searching for Bin Laden in the Bible: The article discusses Michael Drosnin's book "The Biblical Code," which claims to have found encoded prophecies in the Hebrew Bible. Drosnin's method, based on equidistant letter sequences, is described. Critics, like mathematician Brendan McKay, have demonstrated that similar patterns can be found in any sufficiently long text, including works of fiction like Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace." Despite these criticisms, the US Pentagon reportedly consulted Drosnin in an attempt to find Osama Bin Laden using the 'Biblical Code'. Israeli scientists are quoted expressing skepticism about the Pentagon's approach.

Who 'Left Traces' in Subbotikha?

On the morning of March 8, Alexei Kononov, a hunter from the village of Subbotikha, observed unusual tracks in his yard. Described as a narrow strip of 'bracket-like' footprints, they resembled those of a heron but were out of season. The tracks were described as 'meaningful' and not attributable to windblown debris. The local newspaper "Vyatsky nablyudatel" reported the incident, noting that the tracks were unclear in photographs. The article concludes that there are no known natural or ufological analogues to these tracks.

Appendix: Hebrew Text and Code

Page 7 displays a section of Hebrew text, identified as part of the Torah. Below this are two highlighted phrases: "Ицхак Рабин" (Yitzhak Rabin) and "Убийца который убьет" (The killer who will kill). This section appears to be related to the discussion of Michael Drosnin's "Biblical Code" theory, illustrating how specific phrases might be found within the text using equidistant letter sequences.

Image: Karst Funnel

Page 8 contains a photograph labeled "Karst funnel," showing a large, irregularly shaped hole in the ground, likely a natural geological formation, possibly included for comparison with the 'soil extraction' craters discussed earlier.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "UFO Navigator" consistently explores unexplained phenomena, historical anomalies, and controversial theories. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting various accounts and hypotheses while also offering skepticism and scientific critique, particularly regarding the "Biblical Code" and the interpretation of alleged alien encounters. The magazine aims to document and analyze UFO-related events and claims, encouraging reader participation in investigations. There is a clear emphasis on historical cases and the potential for misinterpretation or hoaxes in ufological claims.