UFO Navigator - No 071 - 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Navigator
Issue: February 2004, No. 3 (0071)
Publisher: Russian ufological digest

This issue of "UFO Navigator" delves into various UFO-related phenomena, featuring a prominent quote from Jacques Vallee on the scientific possibility of UFOs being extraterrestrial craft. The main themes highlighted on the cover include the resolution of Barnaul UFO sightings, the analysis of mysterious digital photographs, and the connection between UFOs, the US military, and government secrecy.

Sightings and Investigations

Barnaul UFO Sightings

The magazine extensively covers UFO sightings reported in Barnaul, Russia. On February 5, 2004, residents observed a UFO with six beams of light near the cardiocenter, visible for about half an hour. Ivan Ogarkov described a small, fiery sphere moving from west to east, followed by a faster, star-like object. While airport radar and synoptic probes detected nothing unusual, this was noted as the second such incident in a short period. A more detailed account from "Evening Barnaul" by Mikhail Zimogor describes an observation on January 29, 2004, in Zudilovo village. A witness saw a bright, elongated object, estimated to be the size of a medium aircraft, emitting wide blue beams and ascending parabolically before disappearing. The object's speed was compared to an airliner on takeoff. Another witness, Oksana Yurkova, reported a disc-shaped object flying silently at low altitude over Barnaul on January 29, 2004, which disappeared and left a cloud from which a bright star emerged. Valery Bobylev suggested a possible connection to a "Progress" spacecraft launch from Baikonur on the same day, noting that the rocket's exhaust might resemble the observed phenomenon.

Mysterious Photographs from the UK and Australia

The issue presents alleged UFO photographs from Plymouth, UK, and Beveridge, Australia. A port worker in Plymouth captured images of a classic "flying saucer" shape. Specialists from the "The Evening Herald" and British BBC expressed interest in examining the photos, with local ufologist Bob Boyd considering them among the best he had seen in 25 years. However, "Daily Record" picture editor Stuart Nicol expressed skepticism, noting the UFO appeared sharper than the surrounding landscape. The report on the Australian sighting mentions an engineer, Roland Rosario, photographing an unexplained object in Beveridge. The local municipality submitted the images to aviation authorities and defense research councils for study.

Other Global Reports

• Nigeria Air Crash: Rescue teams near Lagos, Nigeria, found no wreckage or passengers after a reported plane crash. Aviation authorities classified the incident as an unidentified flying object.
• Mexico Encounter: In Monterrey, Mexico, a police officer, Leonardo Samaniego, claimed to be attacked by a black, female-like entity that descended and struck his patrol car.
• Kachkanar 'UFO' Phenomenon: Residents of Kachkanar, Russia, reported observing a bright, glowing sphere. The magazine explains this phenomenon as likely being the planets Venus and Mars, which are prominent during this period.
• Italy Poltergeist: A town in Sicily, Canneto di Caronia, experienced numerous cases of spontaneous combustion of furniture and appliances, leading to speculation about supernatural or energetic causes.
• New Zealand Icefall: A large chunk of ice reportedly penetrated the roof of a house in Meadowbank, New Zealand, during summer, suggesting it might be from an aircraft.
• Cosmopoisk Experiment: The organization "Cosmopoisk" conducted an experiment in Moscow simulating a UFO using a helium balloon with a lamp to gauge public reaction.

Space and Science News

Space Launches

The issue details several rocket launches on February 18, 2004: a "Molniya-M" rocket carrying a military satellite, an "RS-18" intercontinental ballistic missile launch from Baikonur, a launch from the Barents Sea, and a "Topol" intercontinental ballistic missile test.

Mars Rover "Spirit"

The Mars rover "Spirit" set a new distance record, covering 21.6 meters in a day and surpassing the previous record set by the "Sojourner" rover.

Debunking NASA Image Alteration Claims

An article addresses accusations that NASA intentionally altered Mars images to hide evidence of vegetation. The magazine explains that the rover's cameras use CCD matrices which produce black-and-white images. The colorization process involves combining images taken through different filters, and the perceived color variations are due to the technical nature of the sensors and filters used, not intentional manipulation.

Historical Sightings (Calendar)

This section revisits past UFO reports:

• Odesa, 1978: A turquoise object resembling an inverted saucer was observed.
• Ivanovo Oblast, 1979: A bright red, egg-shaped object was seen moving across the sky.
• Lithuania, 1985: A red, pulsating sphere was observed near the Moon.
• Leningrad Oblast, 1989: A cloud-like object with a dark spot and a tail was witnessed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The "UFO Navigator" consistently reports on alleged UFO sightings worldwide, often presenting witness testimonies alongside scientific or skeptical analyses. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives from ufologists, scientists, and skeptics. There's a recurring theme of attempting to find rational explanations for sightings, such as rocket launches or planetary observations, while also acknowledging the possibility of genuinely unexplained phenomena. The magazine also engages in debunking sensationalist claims, as seen in the analysis of NASA's Mars rover images.

This issue of UFO magazine, dated February 3, 1989, focuses on UFO sightings and alleged government cover-ups. It includes detailed witness testimonies of sightings in Russia and explores various incidents involving military aircraft and UFOs in the United States, often highlighting official secrecy and the challenges faced by researchers.

Witness Testimonies of UFO Sightings

The magazine begins with three detailed accounts from February 3, 1989, concerning an unusual aerial phenomenon observed over Vasilievsky Island, near Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia. The witnesses, including engineers from the Scientific Production Association 'Comintern' Association and a student, described a glowing, elongated object.

First Testimony (Georgy Stepanovich Spiridonov):
Observed around 17:00, the object was a luminous formation, elongated horizontally, with a glow resembling sunlight. A solid body, possibly a plane's fuselage, was visible at the front. The object's shape pulsated, and it remained stationary relative to the ground, unlike conventional aircraft.

Second Testimony (Viktor Vasilievich Nikitin):
Witnessed at 17:03 Moscow time, the object was described as a white cloud of a strict geometric shape, resembling two symmetrical trapezoids or two plates joined at their bases. It was observed at an altitude of 2-5 km, approximately 2-4 km away. The object hovered for at least two minutes against a strong westerly wind before moving west, gradually shrinking and disappearing. Nikitin initially thought it was a plane's contrail but realized its behavior was anomalous.

Third Testimony (Sergey Khorta):
Observed around 17:00, the object was a luminous, oblong area in the sky, similar to the other descriptions. It was noted to be stationary and its glow resembled sunlight.

Investigation into UFOs and Government Secrecy

The magazine then shifts to an article by Raymond E. Fowler, titled "American Military, UFOs, and the Politics of Secrecy." This section delves into the US government's handling of UFO reports, particularly after the closure of Project 'Blue Book' in December 1969.

Project 'Blue Book' and its Aftermath:
Fowler notes that after 'Blue Book' was closed due to its negative conclusions, the US Air Force (USAF) continued to investigate UFO reports, focusing on those from government-controlled sources. The article highlights correspondence between a member of NICAP (National Committee for Aerial Phenomena Research) and the USAF, indicating that the Aerospace Defense Command was responsible for investigating anomalous atmospheric phenomena, as outlined in JANAP-146.

JANAP-146 and Secrecy:
Fowler obtained a copy of JANAP-146, which details procedures for reporting significant reconnaissance observations. The document includes a strict warning about secrecy, stating that unauthorized disclosure of CIRVIS (Communication Instructions for Reporting Vital Intelligence Sightings) reports, which concern national defense, is prohibited and punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

Commercial Pilots and UFO Reports:
The article discusses how, in the early days of the UFO era, airline pilots regularly reported sightings. However, after the CIA-convened Robertson Panel, the USAF extended JANAP-146 to all pilots. A 1954 meeting between the USAF and airline companies aimed to expedite the reporting of UFO sightings. Pilots were instructed to report immediately while in the air, rather than after landing, to allow for quicker military response. Despite these instructions, many pilots protested the censorship and secrecy surrounding UFO reports, with some signing petitions against the gag orders.

Military Aircraft Incidents and UFOs

The magazine presents several cases where military aircraft were involved in incidents related to UFOs:

Disappearance of an F-89C Interceptor (June 1953):
This case, investigated by retired staff sergeant Clarence O. Dargy, involved an F-94C jet fighter that reportedly lost engine power and had its electronic equipment shut down at 1,500 feet. The pilot and radar operator ejected. Despite the aircraft's trajectory suggesting a crash into Buzzards Bay, no wreckage was ever found. Dargy suggests the aircraft and its operator may have "vanished into some form of oblivion."

Disappearance of an F-89C Interceptor (November 1953):
Another incident occurred near Kinross, Michigan, where an F-89C was scrambled to intercept a UFO detected by radar over Lake Superior. The radar showed the F-89 approaching the UFO, after which both signals merged and disappeared. The USAF's explanation was that the F-89 had identified the UFO as a friendly Canadian C-47, but this was contradicted by information from the Royal Canadian Air Force. NICAP's investigation found no record of a Canadian C-47 in the area at that time.

UFOs and Missile Defense Systems:
The article touches upon reports of UFOs being sighted over Minuteman and Titan missile sites in 1966 and 1967. It mentions electromagnetic interference affecting strategic equipment and radar systems, suggesting that UFOs may have the capability to disrupt military technology. One specific incident described by Dr. J. A. Hynek involved a missile battery in North Dakota experiencing radio interference and radar detecting a UFO at 100,000 feet, which then landed and took off.

The 'Bielleville Incident' (March 1968):
This case involved a young boy, Georg L. Wells, who was allegedly hit by a beam of light from an oval-shaped UFO. The incident caused burns to his arm, ignited his jacket, and reportedly caused a nearby street light to go out and a television to experience electromagnetic interference. The sheriff's investigation found no explanation, and laboratory analysis of the scorched jacket revealed no radioactivity.

Analysis of UFO Behavior and Potential Threat

The magazine includes excerpts from an Air Force Academy textbook discussing the nature of UFOs and potential reasons for a lack of contact. It posits that humans might be subjects of study, or that aliens might perceive humans as too primitive or dangerous for direct contact. The textbook also notes that historical encounters with perceived 'aliens' have often been met with fear and aggression, suggesting a possible reason for caution on the part of extraterrestrial visitors.

The article concludes by questioning the nature and intentions of UFOs, suggesting that if they are indeed extraterrestrial craft, their ability to penetrate airspace undetected and their advanced technology imply a significant potential threat. The author emphasizes the lack of adequate defense against such a possibility and criticizes the government's tendency to classify information related to UFOs, suggesting that this secrecy is maintained for national security and potentially for the development of new technologies based on UFO data.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently highlights the theme of government secrecy and alleged cover-ups regarding UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards official explanations and a belief that UFOs represent a genuine, unexplained phenomenon, possibly of extraterrestrial origin. The magazine emphasizes the importance of witness testimony and independent research in uncovering the truth, often contrasting it with official, classified military reports. The recurring incidents of military aircraft being lost or malfunctioning during UFO encounters underscore a perceived threat and the military's struggle to understand or counter these phenomena.

This issue of NEXUS magazine, identified as issue 3 (71) and dated February 29, 2004, is a Russian publication focusing on ufology and unexplained phenomena. It includes a glossary of terms and covers various intriguing cases and reports.

Glossary

The glossary defines key terms relevant to the articles: "Crop Circles" are described as mysterious formations that appear on surfaces, altering vegetation. "UFO Crashes" refer to incidents where UFOs allegedly crashed and were recovered. "Winged Creatures" is a cross-reference to "Flying Man," "Mothman," and "Chupacabra." "Crimean Humanoid" refers to an encounter in Crimea, and "Quaroble Incident" details a specific case in France.

Crop Circles (Crop Circles)

This section provides a detailed description of crop circles, defining them as enigmatic formations that appear on surfaces, often in grain fields. The vegetation within these circles is flattened and exhibits altered physical properties, while neighboring plants remain upright. Key characteristics include their appearance on various crops (wheat, barley, oats, corn, tobacco, mustard, sugar beet) and even on sand, ice, mud, and snow. The stalks within the circles are bent at nearly a 90-degree angle, with cells showing swelling indicative of microwave radiation. Witnesses sometimes report hearing whistling, vibrating, chirping, or creaking sounds before or during the appearance of a circle. Black, silent objects obscuring stars and flickering lights, unrelated to aircraft, have also been observed. Several instances of silver objects moving over fields and suddenly disappearing have been recorded on video. Electronic equipment like TV cameras, radio receivers, and tape recorders often malfunction within crop circles; a BBC camera worth $80,000 reportedly required extensive repair after being brought into a circle. Signals at 5.2 kilohertz have been recorded by receivers brought into circles, abruptly stopping when removed. The stalks can be laid in multiple layers, sometimes up to five, with different directions of laying. The center of a circle may feature intertwined stalks or a single upright stalk. Some circles appear to 'grow' or develop appendages days after their initial formation, with additional circles appearing later.

Further details on crop circles include findings of elevated concentrations of magnetic particles, possibly of meteoritic origin, and magnetic and electrical anomalies. Biolocation studies have detected powerful energy fields that abruptly cease at the edges of the circles. Stalks within the circles exhibit electrical charges, and the degree of bending is proportional to the charge. Plants grown from seeds taken from within circles sometimes show abnormal growth. Newer circles exhibit mathematical interrelationships, with one even depicting the Mandelbrot formula. The 'creators' of many English circles seem to leave 'signatures,' with different 'artists' associated with specific regions. Energies within the circles can affect people, causing nausea, headaches, or disorientation, while others experience heightened moods, with symptoms disappearing after leaving the circle. Animals tend to avoid these areas. Approximately 90% of crop circle reports originate from England, though they have been found worldwide. It is estimated that 30-90% of circles are hoaxes, but these cannot replicate all the observed anomalies. Attempts have been made to use portable microwave emitters and metallic powder charges. Circles typically form at night, between 23:30 and 4:00 AM.

UFO Crashes

This section discusses incidents where UFOs allegedly crashed or were destroyed, with some being recovered by humans or self-destructing. Enthusiast lists contain over 300 mentions of such incidents, but many are dismissed as misinterpretations of original sources, misidentifications of aircraft, satellites, or meteors, or simply fabrications. Cross-references are provided to related topics like Aztec, Hangar 18, Angar 18, Anfalov, Anton, Varginha incident, Height 611, Dalnegorsk, Zhitkur, Kalahari, Majestic-12, UFO Debris, Reverse Engineering, Peropava incident, Roswell incident, and Ubatuba wreckage.

Winged Creatures

This is a cross-reference to "Flying Man," "Mothman," and "Chupacabra."

Crimean Humanoid

This article recounts an encounter with a humanoid that occurred in the village of Dalekoe, Crimea, and was reported by Galina Neiman to the newspaper "Anomaliya." On November 18, 1998, four schoolboys (Eldar Islamov, Anton Kireychev, Server Devlyatov, and Alesha Alyabiev) went behind the school workshop and heard a strange, guttural sound. They saw a human-like creature, about 1.70 meters tall, climbing over a fence. The creature, described as having a large head disproportionate to its body, two large red eyes, a square torso, and long arms ending in three black, clawed fingers, approached them, emitting the same sound. Its body was semi-transparent and smoky, with no visible hair, mouth, ears, or nose. The boys nicknamed it "slug." The creature placed a hand on one boy's shoulder, which felt neither heavy nor painful. The boy tried to shake it off, and the others noticed a device with a button near the creature's elbow joint. The creature then pressed the button with its clawed finger, and the boy was pulled into the wall of the building, leaving only his red eyes on the wall. The boy felt no pain or burning where touched, only redness that quickly faded. The boys ran to class, and the teacher, L. V. Skryagina, had difficulty calming them. The boy who touched the creature stuttered for days. The creature was reportedly seen again near the school, with red eyes shining in a tree and looking into a classroom window. Pensioner E. Ya. Shamrai also reported seeing a large blue sphere rise and disappear on November 23. On November 26, the entire village was illuminated by a bright flash of light at 5:30 AM. The boy Alesha Alyabiev suffered daily headaches for over a month, and his arm ached. Another boy experienced tingling in his fingers after contact. The incident was reported in the newspapers "Krymskaya Pravda" (December 11) and "Chernomorskaya Zarya" (December 23, 1998).

Quaroble (Quaroble), Incident in

This section details an encounter with humanoids that occurred on September 10, 1954, near Valenciennes, France. Mario Devild, a 34-year-old metallurgist, was in his yard when he heard his dog barking. He saw a dark mass on the railway tracks and then two beings, no more than 3 meters away, approaching the mass. One of the beings turned towards him, and a beam of light reflected off what appeared to be a helmet or a face shield, giving Devild the impression of a diving helmet. Both beings wore full suits, similar to divers, and were short (less than 1 meter) but broad-shouldered. Their helmets appeared enormous, and their legs seemed small for their weight. Devild could not discern if they had hands. After the initial shock, he tried to intercept them but was blinded by a light similar to a magnesium flash emanating from a square opening in the dark mass on the road. He was paralyzed and unable to move. He heard footsteps receding. The dark mass then rose vertically like a helicopter, emitting a hissing sound from its base, and flew east towards Anzen. The object ascended about 30 meters before disappearing after glowing red. Devild, after recovering, alerted his wife and neighbor, then went to the police. His agitated state led the police to initially consider him drunk. He then went to the police department, where Commissioner Gushe took the report seriously due to Devild's genuine fear. The next morning, police, military, and security forces re-interviewed Devild to confirm his account. They concluded it was not a fabrication. On September 13, investigators returned to the site. Their initial hypothesis was an unknown helicopter carrying contraband, but the presence of telegraph wires made landing difficult. They searched the area around the tracks for two days but found no evidence to support the witness's account, though the ground was firm. Along the tracks, they found square imprints, 5.5 cm on each side, on three wooden sleepers. These imprints were fresh and sharply defined, suggesting significant pressure. Three imprints were in a row, 46 cm apart, and two others were positioned 71 cm from the first set. A police officer suggested these could be from a machine landing on 'legs' rather than wheels. The imprints were symmetrical. The sleepers seemed to have undergone strong pressure. The gravel near the supposed landing site was brittle, as if exposed to high temperatures, and several bluish traces were found. Proponents of the UFO theory believe these details support the explosive release of smoke seen by Devild. Investigators gathered corroborating observations from five people in two neighboring villages. Mrs. Edion Overlo and Hublar in Onnain (6 miles south) saw a red light moving in the sky from Quaroble around 22:30 on September 10, coinciding with Devild's sighting. Three young men returning from a dance in Vicque also saw a similar light in the same direction.

Criticism and Bibliography

This section offers reviews and ratings of current ufological periodicals and new books. The rating system ranges from [+] (immediately discard) to [+++++] (highly recommended). This issue reviews "Forbidden Archaeology" by Michael Baigent (M., "EKSMO", 2004, 317 pages, 5000 copies). The review notes that the book covers mysteries of evolution, human origin, and ancient history, with parts comparable to works by Krem and Thompson, and cryptozoology sections worthy of B. Eivelmans. It also discusses Atlantis, pyramids, and reincarnation, but questions the compilation of these diverse topics. The author's quote, "We are too often mistaken in thinking that we know everything about this world. This book collects information that reminds us that we do not know everything," is highlighted. The book receives a [++++] rating.

Announcements

An announcement is made about the upcoming Russian edition of NEXUS magazine. It is described as a major international journal covering alternative perspectives on science, politics, medicine, religion, anomalous phenomena, and UFOs, published in eight languages across 10 countries with a total circulation of about 700,000 copies. The first issue will include material from the Australian editorial team and exclusive Russian articles. The magazine is published bimonthly, with each issue containing 70-100 pages. More details can be found at http://www.nexusmagazine.ru.

Mikhail Gerstein's Report at the Geographical Society

On March 25, 2004, at 6:00 PM, Mikhail Gerstein will give a presentation at the Russian Geographical Society in Saint Petersburg on the topic "Ufological News of the Current Year." The address is provided: Saint Petersburg, Grivtsova lane, building 10 (near Sennaya Square metro station). Admission is free.

Miscellaneous

Ritualistic Killing in Peru

Peruvians were shocked to learn that human sacrifices to gods are still being performed in remote areas. Residents of an unnamed village in the Andes found the body of a sacrificed one-year-old child with its head severed and heart removed. Sergeant Juan Felipe Quispe stated that this was undoubtedly a ritual sacrifice and that he had never seen anything like it before, despite hearing stories of unmarked graves of people sacrificed to gods of harvest, sun, and moon. The heart was found 300 meters from the body, and the site was strewn with flower petals. The ritual involved 43 plastic bottles of rum and chicha (homemade strong beer) and a jar of clotted blood, indicating that despite centuries of enforced Christianity, people continue to worship ancient gods in their former, barbaric, and cruel form. This report is cited from "La Republica" (Lima, February 5) and "UFO Roundup" (February 11, 2004).

Chinese "Birdfall"

Over 10,000 birds mysteriously died in the eastern Chinese province of Zhiangtsu, falling from the sky like "rain." Farmers in Sangongdian village, near Taizhuz city, were stunned on February 3, 2004, to see "entire flocks of birds falling from the sky." Most birds died on impact, while some were injured. The birds were small, resembling sparrows. Officials from the local anti-epidemic center immediately went to the scene and collected birds for analysis. Experts from the Provincial Department of Agriculture stated that the mass death could be due to contamination of their food, water, or environment. The connection between this "birdfall" and the avian flu epidemic in Asia, which has claimed 17 lives, is currently unknown. This is reported by "Beijing Youth Daily" (February 5) and cited in "UFO Roundup" (February 18, 2004).

Conclusion

The issue was completed at 10 PM on February 29, 2004. Compiled and prepared by Mikhail Gerstein (Saint Petersburg).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of NEXUS magazine consistently explores unexplained phenomena, with a strong focus on UFOs, alien encounters, and mysterious events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting detailed accounts and evidence, while also acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes and misinterpretations, as seen in the crop circle and UFO crash sections. The magazine aims to provide readers with information that challenges conventional understanding of the world, encouraging critical thinking about anomalies and the unknown.