UFO vokryg nas - No 1 - 1990

Magazine Overview

This issue, titled "НЛО вокруг нас" (UFOs Around Us), is the first release (Выпуск № 1) from the Chelyabinsk Oblast Organization of the "Znanie" Society. It is presented as a methodological resource for lecturers, members of the Scientific Methodological Council for the promotion of natural science knowledge, students, and pupils. The publication aims to provide answers to questions concerning unidentified flying objects (UFOs) that are of interest to the residents of the Southern Urals.

The magazine highlights the growing public interest in UFOs, partly attributed to the era of glasnost and pluralism, which has lifted previous restrictions on discussing such topics. It asserts that UFOs are not a product of pure psychological activity but a significant phenomenon that demands deep and comprehensive understanding. The issue suggests that serious research into UFOs could offer a perspective for future breakthroughs.

Content Overview

Introduction by A. Buluchevsky

The introductory section by A. Buluchevsky emphasizes the aim of the publication to address the concerns of many Southern Ural residents regarding UFOs. It references recent meetings with ufologists like E. F. Bachurin and TV host A. S. Kuzovkin, indicating a high level of public interest. The author connects this interest to the societal changes brought about by perestroika, leading to a more open discussion of topics previously considered highly classified. Buluchevsky notes that decades of evidence have been accumulated globally regarding UFOs, suggesting they represent something more significant than mere myth or psychological phenomena. He posits that understanding UFOs could lead to profound shifts in human consciousness and worldview, potentially ushering in a new era of knowledge. He quotes American ufologist J. Allen Hynek, who stated that a serious study of the UFO phenomenon would offer a tempting prospect for breaking through into the future.

The publication plans to cover the history of UFO observations from Seneca to the present day, explore the nature of UFOs, and provide recommendations for observers.

"From the Times of Seneca" by V. Goltz

This section delves into the historical documentation of luminous aerial phenomena. It begins with observations by the Roman philosopher Seneca (d. 65 AD), who described objects like flaming pillars and shields, and other luminous phenomena that appeared even during the day. Roman writer Julius Obsequens also recorded 'wonders' in his manuscripts, documenting various phenomena not explained by meteorology or astronomy at the time.

The article references historians and philosophers like Titus Livy, Pliny the Elder, and Plutarch, who provided accounts of aerial phenomena during the peak of Greek and Roman civilizations. Pliny the Elder's work "Natural History" describes celestial phenomena referred to by Romans as 'hairy stars,' many of which were later identified as comets. However, certain types of 'hairy stars' that defied scientific explanation attracted the attention of ufologists:

1. 'Hipsis': Short or elongated comets with a pointed tail, characterized by faintness and sometimes a 'sword-like gleam.'
2. 'Discoids': Disc-shaped objects, typically amber in color, emitting a small amount of light from their edges.
3. 'Pitomy': Barrel-shaped or round objects emitting strong light from their sides.
4. 'Sorati': Horn-shaped objects.
5. 'Lampadi': Torch-like objects burning brightly.

The text then lists specific historical sightings:

• 480 BC: A 'crescent horn' shaped object observed during the Battle of Salamis.
• 395 BC: Large fiery 'logs' seen after the defeat of the Spartans.
• 218-217 BC: Fiery phenomena observed over Rome during the Second Punic War.
• 217 BC: 'Shields' that glowed like the sun seen in Arpi.
• 169 BC: A flaming torch observed in Lavanium.
• 142 BC: 'Flags' falling from the sky in Preneste and on the island of Kefalonia.
• April 4, 34 AD: A 'wandering star' the size of the Moon, surrounded by smaller stars, observed in China.
• May 21, 70 AD: Historian Josephus Flavius described a demonic phantom in Jerusalem, with 'troops and soldiers' appearing in the sky before dawn.
• 394 AD: A phantom resembling a woman appeared in Antioch at night, making whistling sounds.
• 398 AD: A bright shining ball moved over Istanbul, accompanied by a 'sword-like object.'
• 577 AD: A fiery ball the size of the Moon moved across the sky in China, making noise.
• September 8, 811 AD: Mysterious 'light beams' changed shape in Japan.
• 814 AD: A bright star rose from the ground in China, illuminating the area and shedding small stars.
• 817 AD: A ball of light, like a flaming torch, moved slowly across the sky, producing a humming sound.
• April 20, 900 AD: A large green 'star' resembling a boat was observed in China.
• 920 AD: Two phenomena, shining as brightly as the sun, moved rapidly across the sky in France.
• 957 AD: Two sun-like objects appeared in Nice, causing public consternation.
• August 3, 989 AD: Three round, luminous objects were observed in Japan, which merged into one object.

The author concludes that despite the loss of many historical documents, the available records suggest that phenomena observed in ancient times are analogous to those seen today and referred to as UFOs.

"The UFO Phenomenon" by V. Goltz

This section compiles numerous newspaper clippings from various countries reporting UFO sightings. Examples include sightings over Brazil, Switzerland, Jakarta, England, and Africa, described as 'flying saucers,' 'flying lamps,' 'mysterious balls,' and 'objects on film.' A recent report from Belgium describes a large orange flying saucer appearing during a football match.

The article notes that UFOs are also observed in Russia, mentioning recent events in Khabarovsk, Voronezh, Serpukhov, and Petrozavodsk. It cites a Brussels newspaper report about a large orange flying saucer appearing during a football match in Ostend, which vanished instantly when the referee stopped the game.

"What is a UFO?" (Author not explicitly stated, but likely part of the introductory material)

This section addresses the question of whether UFOs are mere fabrications, mass psychosis, or 'hoaxes' spread by sensationalist journalists, or if they represent a reality that challenges our understanding of Earth and the cosmos. It aims to systematize scattered observations and provide a framework for understanding this complex phenomenon.

The term 'UFO' (Unidentified Flying Object) was officially adopted in the late 1940s in the US. The Soviet Union used terms like 'AY' (anomalous phenomenon) and 'AAY' (atmospheric anomalous phenomenon). Synonyms for UFOs included 'flying saucers,' 'dishes,' 'pots,' and 'lamps,' used by eyewitnesses to describe objects whose nature they could not determine. The field of study is called ufology.

The article recounts the famous Kenneth Arnold sighting on June 14, 1947, near Mount Rainier, where he observed multiple objects flying at high speed without wings or tails. Arnold described them as flat, like saucers, reflecting sunlight, and moving in a chain formation about 5 miles long. He estimated their speed at 1200 miles per hour, far exceeding any known aircraft of the time. This sighting popularized the term 'flying saucer.'

It is noted that Arnold was not the first to see such phenomena. During World War II, pilots reported being accompanied by strange, disc-shaped, hovering objects, which aircrews called 'devilish apparitions.' These objects, described as crystal balls the size of basketballs, were often seen near Munich and Vienna, flying in formation with the aircraft.

An incident from February 26, 1942, is mentioned, where the Los Angeles anti-aircraft batteries fired 1430 rounds at 15 unidentified targets flying over the city at altitudes of 3 to 6 thousand meters.

Another account from the mid-1920s by Nikolai Roerich describes observing a large, spheroidal object moving rapidly across the sky in Central Asia.

Cosmonaut P. R. Popovich is quoted as recalling an incident where a triangular object overtook his aircraft over Cuba, and another where a round, very bright object approached his Yak-40 aircraft, but ascended just before impact.

"The Moscow Incident: Did Yu. V. Andropov See a UFO Over Moscow?" by S. Nevolina

This article interviews Professor V. P. Beloborodko, director of the Experimental Center for Independent Expertise of Anomalous Phenomena (ECINEAP). Beloborodko advocates for the establishment of a Soviet equivalent to the American 'Majestic-12' project.

He discusses the incident of a UFO crash near Roswell, USA, in 1947, suggesting it is based on real facts, referencing the film 'Angar-18.'

Beloborodko then details a mysterious event on May 14, 1981, when a brightly shining spherical object hovered over Vnukovo Airport in Moscow. The UFO bypassed electronic surveillance and was observed by military command, who declared a state of 'extreme readiness.' The object emitted a blinding flash of light, forming what was later called a 'solar corona.' A black square appeared at the center of the sphere, crossed by luminescent bands forming a cross-like pattern. The object then departed, leaving the black square visible for a time. Eyewitnesses were interviewed by a special commission that included cosmonauts V. A. Azhazha, Kh. Khrunov, and G. Nazarov. Despite the investigation concluding in 1982, its findings have not been published by the Soviet press.

According to foreign press reports, the incident prompted a high-level response, involving the KGB. It is rumored that Yuri V. Andropov, then Chairman of the KGB, was an eyewitness and personally ordered the KGB's involvement. The staff at Vnukovo experienced significant distress, fearing nuclear war. Interceptors were scrambled but only observed the UFO.

NASA reportedly became aware of the object's passage over Soviet territory, likely through satellite surveillance.

The commission's conclusions, as reported, were:
1. The object was not of human origin.
2. The 'light salvo' was intended to attract attention.
3. The object's presence over a military strategic hub indicated a specific interest from the 'enonauts' (UFO occupants).

Three smaller objects detached from the main craft and were observed by hundreds of people near the Tarasovka station in the Moscow region.

Regarding the scientific community's stance, Beloborodko notes that official science cannot refute such events. He also mentions alternative theories, including the possibility that 'enonauts' are not extraterrestrial but beings from a spiritual realm utilizing advanced technology. He suggests that the consequences of UFO encounters and the changes they induce in human psychology are of paramount importance.

"Will the Aliens Not Help?" (Source: "Аспект", No. 8, 1990)

This article recounts an encounter by an expedition led by Mikhail Yelsin and Nikolai Lebedev in July 1983 near the Pamir mountains. They reportedly made contact with an extraterrestrial civilization. The contact involved a large plasma sphere that communicated information about life on Earth. The entity explained that Earth is a living being that exchanges energy with the Sun and other planets, and is attempting to heal itself from human activity. It was revealed that time is a dimension unique to each planet, and that extraterrestrials do not possess conventional fuel but utilize the difference in planetary rotation times to achieve high speeds. However, they will not share their knowledge because humanity is too aggressive and would misuse such power, potentially leading to self-destruction and the destruction of other worlds.

"In the Night Sky Over the Urals..." by L. Surin

This piece details a sighting on the night of May 7-8, 1990, near Yuryuzan. Pensioner Evstolia Georgievna Popova observed a bright, glowing object moving in the sky from the north, emitting fan-shaped rays towards the ground. Her husband also witnessed the object. The report notes that this was not an isolated incident, as many residents in the Katav-Ivanovsk district also observed a similar phenomenon. The article references a report in the newspaper "Avangard" and a confirmation from V. A. Shemshuk, chairman of a commission on anomalous phenomena, who stated that an unusual luminous body was observed over Perm at 00:45 on May 7-8.

"UFO Over Miass" (Source: "Chelyabinsk Worker", August 30, 1990)

This article compiles several sightings from May 1990 near Miass. In the village of Bashkiria, residents attempting to approach a landed UFO on motorcycles found their engines stalled. The object then took off towards the east, in the direction of Miass. Later, near the village of Leninsk, gamekeeper V. Kalugin observed two objects flying parallel courses over the Ilmenskoye Reservoir. One object slowed down, illuminated the lake surface with light, and then rapidly accelerated towards Miass. Around 00:30-00:50, a UFO hovered over the center of Miass, visible from the suburb of Turgoyak. A photograph of this object was taken from a ninth-floor balcony. At 01:00, a UFO was observed landing in the Ilmensky Nature Reserve. Finally, at 01:25, a UFO ascended from the forest and headed towards Chelyabinsk.

"Brief Recommendations for Observers of Unusual Celestial Phenomena" by V. Ivanov and Yu. Raitarovsky

This section provides practical advice for individuals who witness unusual aerial phenomena. It urges observers to accurately record:

1. Date, time, and location of the event.
2. Object's position: Altitude above the horizon (in angular units) and azimuth. If orientation is difficult, use local landmarks (trees, towers, etc.) and note constellations for nighttime sightings. For daytime sightings, estimate the angular distance from the Sun.
3. Brightness: Compare its brightness to the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars. Note if the light is constant or pulsating, increasing or decreasing.
4. Color and its changes during observation.
5. Apparent size and speed: Compare its size to the Moon or Sun and estimate how many of its own dimensions it moves per second.
6. Movement characteristics: Uniform, jerky, or variable speed; direction of movement; changes in shape or size.
7. Residual phenomena: Any lingering effects and their duration.
8. Personal sensations: Feelings experienced (calmness, awe, fear) and any observed reactions from animals or birds.
9. Weather and sky conditions.

Observers are encouraged to send their reports to the Commission on Planetology of the Geographical Society of the USSR, with an address provided for Leningrad.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the historical and contemporary observation of UFOs, the growing scientific and public interest in the phenomenon, and the potential implications for humanity's understanding of the universe and its place within it. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry, moving beyond skepticism to acknowledge UFOs as a genuine phenomenon that warrants rigorous investigation. The publication advocates for the development of dedicated research projects, both nationally and internationally, and suggests that understanding UFOs could lead to profound shifts in human consciousness and worldview, potentially offering a path to future advancements.

The issue consistently frames UFOs not as mere speculation but as a subject of scientific and historical importance, urging readers to contribute to the collective knowledge base through careful observation and reporting.