Ufology-News - Annual Bulletin - 2018

Magazine Overview

Title: НОВОСТИ УФОЛОГИИ (Ufology News)
Issue: Бюллетень за 2018 год (Bulletin for 2018)
Date: 2018

This issue of 'Novosti Ufologii' focuses on the project's activities and research in 2018, presenting a comprehensive overview of its mission, contributors, and key findings. The project aims to provide accurate information and a platform for discussion regarding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and Anomalous Aerospace Phenomena (AAP), emphasizing a scientific approach.

Project Founders and Editorial Team

The project was founded by Igor Kalytyuk, who holds two degrees in economics and informatization and resides in Rivne. He serves as the editor, rewriter, journalist, historian, and manages communications. Andrey Chvartkovsky, with a higher veterinary education from Lviv, is responsible for the website as webmaster and administrator, and also contributes as a journalist.

The expert council includes Mikhail Gershtein (Senior Expert, St. Petersburg), Sergey Efimov (Senior Expert, Almaty), Artem Bilyk (Senior Expert, Kyiv), Sergey Shpakovskiy (Expert, Toronto), and Gennady Semenov (Expert, Kharkiv).

Past Publications and Archives

The bulletin lists numerous past issues of the 'Old Bulletin of the Project' and 'Special Bulletin of the Project,' dating from July 2011 to December 2016. It also provides a catalog of 'UFO Bulletins for Collectors' from 2012 to 2017, and a series of volumes on 'Incoming Correspondence and Expertise of Received Materials' (Parts 1-11), as well as 'TOP-5: Best Documentary Films about UFOs' (Parts 1-2).

UFO Identification Database

A significant portion of the bulletin is dedicated to the 'Mass of UFO Identifications,' which utilizes the ABCD classification system developed by GEIPAN. This system categorizes sightings based on the certainty of identification: A (identified), B (probably identified), C (insufficient data), and D (unidentified). The bulletin lists numerous classified sightings from various locations, including Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Portugal, Germany, Georgia, Italy, Estonia, and Israel, spanning from 2012 to 2018. Each entry includes the date, location, and often a link to further details.

Exclusive Interview: Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo Andres Bravo Garrido

This section features an in-depth interview with Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo Andres Bravo Garrido, an external advisor to Chile's Committee for the Study of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena (CEFAA) since 2007. He is also the author of two books on ufology: "Ufología Aeronáutica" (2010) and "Los Extraterrestres han Muerto" (Tomo I) (2017).

Interest in UAP: Garrido's interest in UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) began when he was required to write a dissertation on 'Introduction to UFO Phenomena and Air Safety' as part of his military pilot training.

Progress in UAP Research: After defending his dissertation in 2001, he took a break from active involvement until 2007, when he was invited to a conference in Washington, USA. He then became an external advisor to CEFAA and participated in various ufological congresses. His first book, published in 2010, analyzed 26 UAP reports from 1949 to 2007. He emphasizes the importance of the 'human factor' in UAP investigations. His two-volume work, "Los Extraterrestres han Muerto," analyzes the extraterrestrial hypothesis, concluding that there is no convincing evidence of UFOs being extraterrestrial spacecraft.

Case Study: Lan Chile 045 Incident (1988): Garrido details a significant incident on June 1, 1988, near Puerto Montt, Chile. Pilots of a Boeing 737 (Lan Chile 045) encountered a UAP while approaching for landing. The UAP, described as an object with flashing green and red lights and a powerful white central light, approximately 60 meters in diameter, moved towards the aircraft at high speed. The pilots had to perform an evasive maneuver to avoid a collision. Air traffic control also observed the object, noting its changing colors and bright lights. The incident was later officially classified as a serious event involving a near-collision, attributed to defective procedures or non-compliance, and a failure in ground services.

Methodological Errors in Ufology: Garrido identifies several issues in UAP research:

• Mythological Burden: The long-standing association of UFOs with extraterrestrial beings, despite a lack of evidence, creates prejudice.
• Lack of Scientific Method: Ufology is often treated as a pseudoscience, lacking a rigorous scientific method for investigation.
• Subjectivity: The interpretation of phenomena can be subjective, hindering objective analysis.

Recommendations for Improvement:

• Methodological Doubt: Adopting a skeptical approach, questioning everything, and focusing on objective investigation of the phenomenon itself.
• Application of Method: Utilizing defined and clear rules for research to ensure accurate conclusions and progress.
• Interdisciplinary Dialogues: Encouraging collaboration between different scientific disciplines (e.g., aeronautics, astronomy, meteorology) to gain a comprehensive understanding of UAP.

Articles

"The Global Archive" Project and its Relationship with the "Heritage" Project - Part 1: This article details the origins and development of the 'Global Archive' project, which began on January 30, 2011, as part of the International Scientific Research Center 'EIBC' (ETBI). It evolved through various versions, with a significant update in 2014. The project aims to preserve the history of subcultures related to ufology, UFO identification, debunking, AAP research, 'contactees,' and SETI. The 'Global Archive' is described as a vast online repository accessible to a limited number of researchers. However, due to its partially pirated nature, public access is restricted.

Figure 1: A photograph of the 'Heritage' project archive from a central state repository, described as guarded and classified.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a scientific and objective approach to the study of UFOs and UAP, distinguishing itself from sensationalism. It emphasizes critical thinking, interdisciplinary research, and the importance of rigorous methodology. The editorial stance is skeptical of extraterrestrial explanations without concrete evidence, while acknowledging the reality and potential dangers of UAP, particularly in aviation contexts. The project actively collects and analyzes reports, aiming to build a comprehensive database and foster a more scientific understanding of these phenomena. The recurring theme is the need to approach Ufology with scientific rigor, avoiding pseudoscientific claims and biases.

This issue of The New York Times, dated December 16, 2017, features a prominent article titled "Glowing Auras and 'Black Money': The Pentagon's Mysterious U.F.O. Program." The content also includes extensive Russian-language material detailing archival work on anomalous phenomena and analysis of specific UFO sightings.

Pentagon's U.F.O. Program (AATIP)

The New York Times article, authored by Helene Cooper, Ralph Blumenthal, and Leslie Kean, discusses the Pentagon's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). It notes that such a program, aimed at investigating potential threats from new weapons or unidentified aerial phenomena, is not entirely surprising for a major country. The article highlights the statement by former AATIP head Luis Elizondo, who, along with government colleagues, concluded that the phenomena studied did not appear to originate from any specific country. However, the article cautions that this is Elizondo's personal opinion and not necessarily official Pentagon policy. Christopher Mellon, a colleague of Elizondo, is quoted stating that military departments often treat such incidents as isolated events rather than part of a larger phenomenon requiring serious investigation. The article suggests that Elizondo, having resigned, may not have had access to all relevant information.

Internal Russian-Language Content: Archival Work and Case Studies

Archival Project 'Nasledie' and UNTSA 'Zond'

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the work of UNTSA 'Zond' and its related projects. The 'Nasledie' project, under the guidance of Candidate of Technical Sciences A.S. Bilyk, focuses on systematizing and cataloging paper archival materials concerning anomalous phenomena. Key volunteers mentioned are I.M. Kalytyuk (coordinator) and S.O. Petrov (plenipotentiary representative). The issue details the transfer of the archive of researcher V.V. Rubtsov, facilitated by Kalytyuk and Petrov. Following the passing of V.V. Rubtsov's wife, N. Kamyantseva, the archive transfer was completed with E. Rubtsova. S.O. Petrov also copied the electronic archive from V.V. Rubtsov's personal computer. Part of the English-language archive is slated for transfer to the organization AFU in Sweden, with K. Svan representing them. The text expresses gratitude to S.O. Petrov for his operational actions. A protocol from November 16, 2016, outlines the agreement for the archive's transfer and storage.

Transfer of V.V. Rubtsov's Archive

Photographs illustrate the process of moving V.V. Rubtsov's archive. Figure 3 shows a stack of archive materials temporarily stored by S.O. Petrov. Figure 4 depicts S.O. Petrov with the packed archive. Figure 5 shows the archive being transported in A.S. Bilyk's personal vehicle. A resolution from a meeting on November 4-6, 2016, states the intention to conduct a preliminary analysis of the materials and honor V.V. Rubtsov as a dedicated researcher. Gratitude is extended to I. Kalytyuk and S. Petrov for their work. Condolences are offered to the relatives of Natalia Kamyantseva.

Recognition and International Cooperation

Figure 6 shows I. Kalytyuk receiving commendation at a Coordination Council meeting in Kiev on May 31, 2017. Figure 7 illustrates the handover of the first batch of materials to an intermediary for AFU in Sweden. The text indicates that further details on the scanning and processing of archives will be covered in a subsequent part.

Analysis of a UFO Sighting from Krivoy Rog (July 2012)

The issue presents an analysis of a video recorded in July 2012 in Vilnoye, near Krivoy Rog, Ukraine. The object was recorded on a Panasonic NV-A1EN VHS-C camcorder and stabilized using VirtualDub and Deshaker software. The video was digitized by S. Petrov from a VHS-C tape originally filmed by A. Svistelnikov. The expert council reviewed the expedition's report and agreed on the object's reality but disagreed on its distance from the camera, proposing several hypotheses:

1. Object across the river / 'Flying Platform' Hypothesis (S. Petrov, A. Bilyk, G. Semenov): This suggests the object could be a load suspended from a helicopter, an inflatable structure, or a part of a structure. It might have disappeared behind the horizon, with the observer possibly missing a helicopter due to wind carrying sound away. G. Semenov notes that the object initially appears rectangular and then develops protruding parts, suggesting it might rotate.
2. Object across the river / 'Flying Platform' Hypothesis (M. Gerstein): This hypothesis describes a strange object where a person appears to be standing vertically on a 'flying platform.' The 'pipe' is noted as not being perfectly straight.
3. Object in front of the camera / 'Bolt on a String' Hypothesis (A. Chvartkovsky, M. de-Mort): This theory proposes that the object is a small, possibly metallic bolt with a slotted head, suspended on a thin string or fishing line. The object's shape is deemed unsuitable for flight, and its apparent rotation is attributed to the thread. The analysis suggests that the video might be a hoax created by A. Chvartkovsky using simple materials.

Critiques and Doubts Regarding the Video Evidence

Commentary from M. de-Mort points out that apparent video artifacts like splices and lines are likely due to the digitization process from an old VHS tape, not original filming issues. A. Chvartkovsky highlights significant discrepancies between the witness's account and the video evidence, including the object's size, proportions, and rotation. He suggests that the video could be a fabricated 'fake' using common materials.

Expert Opinion on the Pentagon Videos

S. Efimov, an astronomer, suggests that the Pentagon videos, while released by the Department of Defense, are not sufficiently informative to prove the existence of unknown aerial objects. He argues that for scientific verification, details like date, time, location, and observational conditions are crucial, which are missing from the Pentagon's releases. He posits that the videos could be computer simulations, fragments of training films, or misidentified conventional aircraft. Efimov believes that the current hype surrounding these videos might be part of a marketing campaign by the private firm TTSA.

Potential Global Threat and Scientific Recommendations

If the Pentagon genuinely believes these objects are non-terrestrial, they could pose a global threat. The article suggests that TTSA is too small an organization to handle such global threats and recommends that military bodies share their data with scientists worldwide. This would allow for more reliable verification and study of such phenomena, potentially benefiting humanity by revealing state secrets.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue presents a dual focus: the official U.S. government's engagement with UAP phenomena through AATIP, as reported by The New York Times, and a more grassroots, archival-focused approach to anomalous phenomena in the Russian-speaking community. The editorial stance, particularly in the Russian-language sections, is cautious and analytical, emphasizing the need for empirical data, rigorous verification, and questioning the authenticity of evidence, especially when potential hoaxes are involved. There's a clear skepticism towards sensationalism and a preference for methodical research and transparency, while acknowledging the importance of preserving historical records of anomalous events. The article from The New York Times, while reporting on the Pentagon's program, also reflects a degree of journalistic caution regarding official statements and the interpretation of evidence.

This issue of "Novosti Ufologii" (Ufology News) from July-August 2017, identified as issue number 4, delves into various aspects of UFO research and related phenomena. The cover prominently features headlines related to civil aviation safety and security, alongside an image of a woman with luggage at an airport.

Analysis of a UFO Video Recording

The magazine presents a detailed analysis of a video recording of a potential UFO. The initial section describes a DIY experiment to simulate a UFO using a bolt, fishing line, and a smartphone camera. The experimenter details the process of filming and editing, noting that the illusion of movement was created by camera movement rather than the object itself. They suggest improvements for future attempts, such as using a rusty, larger bolt with a specific type of head and suspending it closer to the window.

Following this, a commentary by M. de-Mort assesses the credibility of a witness who provided a video. The commentator believes the witness was truthful, noting their non-verbal cues and initial uncertainty about the object's size. The witness estimated the object to be 30-50 meters wide and 15 meters high, or about the size of a pack of cigarettes or a fist when viewed at arm's length. The commentator suggests that the time elapsed since the sighting might have affected the witness's memory. They also note the witness's lack of interest in ufology and their professional background, which makes them unlikely to fabricate a story.

Further comments from I. Kalytyuk and A. Chvartkovsky discuss the witness's certainty about the object's dimensions, with Chvartkovsky mentioning the witness's background as a former tank crew member skilled in estimating distances. The commentary also raises the question of the witness's motives, given that the video was recorded in 2012, six years prior to the discussion.

Space Exploration and "Star of Humanity"

Another section reports on the successful launch of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket on February 7th, carrying Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster into space as its payload. The car, with a mannequin in a spacesuit at the wheel and a "Don't Panic" sign on the dashboard, is equipped with cameras that transmitted footage for 12 hours. The Roadster is expected to remain in orbit for hundreds of millions of years. The article also notes that two of the three boosters successfully landed, while the third missed its target.

A separate piece describes the "Star of Humanity," a geodesic mirror sphere approximately 1 meter in diameter, launched by Rocket Lab's Electron rocket. This sphere is intended to serve as a symbol of humanity's place in the universe. Its brightness is comparable to that of "Iridium flares," and it is expected to burn up in the atmosphere within ten months.

UFO Archives and Data Analysis

The magazine details the extensive archives of UFO sightings and anomalous aerospace phenomena (AAPs) compiled by the "Novosti Ufologii" project. These archives, developed by experts like Sergey O. Petrov, Igor Kalytyuk, and Mikhail Gershtein, are systematically organized and digitized. The project aims to provide accurate information and promote a scientific approach to ufology.

Several pages are dedicated to listing the contents of these archives, including "Global Archive of UFO Identifications and AAP Research" and various supplementary additions (Дополнение №1 to №16). These lists provide the size of the data in gigabytes and the number of countries covered for each addition. The archives span numerous countries across Eurasia, North America, South America, Australia, and Oceania, with significant data from Russia, Ukraine, France, and the USA. The developers offer access to these files through a feedback form, suggesting an exchange of materials or postal delivery for financial and technical costs.

GEIPAN Documentation

The issue also features information on the GEIPAN (Group for the Study of Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena) project, a French government commission under CNES. It presents new documentation packages from GEIPAN for May and June 2018, focusing on cases that could not be identified despite high-quality data (categories D, D1, D2). These cases are plotted on a chart illustrating 'Consistance' versus 'Etrangeté'.

Collaboration with Other Media

There's a mention of a positive interaction with SKY Magazine, a Kazakhstani publication. "Novosti Ufologii" provided expert commentary for an article on UFOs in civil aviation, with contributions from Sergey Efimov and Mikhail Gershtein. The magazine notes that the text was translated into Kazakh and English, marking a positive international experience in disseminating UFO information.

Methodological Approaches

A section titled "Methodology of Radar Observation of Anomalous Objects" discusses the challenges and techniques involved in identifying anomalous objects using radar. It explains how radar operators often encounter unidentified targets and the importance of documenting these observations. The text outlines criteria for identifying anomalous objects, such as unusual trajectories, high speeds, and abnormal changes in speed and altitude. It also mentions the phenomenon of "angel echoes" and the conditions under which anomalous objects are most frequently observed (e.g., at night, in clear weather, and often in the latter half of the year).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the systematic collection and analysis of UFO data, the credibility of witness accounts, the role of technology in observation (video, radar), and international collaboration in ufological research. The editorial stance appears to favor a scientific and evidence-based approach, emphasizing the importance of rigorous analysis and documentation. The project "Novosti Ufologii" positions itself as a source of accurate and unbiased information on UFOs and AAPs, distinguishing itself from other media by promoting a scientific methodology and encouraging critical thinking among its readers.

This document presents two distinct sections, one detailing GEIPAN's documentation package for August 2018 and another for November 2018. Both sections focus on unidentified cases that could not be identified despite excellent qualitative and quantitative data, categorized as D, D1, and D2. The magazine also includes content related to a Cosmobiology seminar and expert analysis of UFO materials.

GEIPAN Documentation - August 2018

The August 2018 section highlights a new package of documents from the State Commission GEIPAN, part of the French Space Agency CNES. It lists several unidentified cases with their dates and locations:

• 1981.01.08 Trans-en-Provence (re-uploaded)
• 1984.01.05 Montpellier
• 1993.11.15 Equilly
• 1998.06.28 Saint-Mathieu-de-Tréviers

A note emphasizes that the full scan reports in PDF format, including drawings, photographs, and diagrams, are available via links. Other cases are listed by update date, including categories A, B, and C.

GEIPAN Documentation - November 2018

Similarly, the November 2018 section presents a new package of documents from GEIPAN/CNES. It lists one unidentified case:

• 1989.09.04 Bertr

Again, a note indicates that full scan reports in PDF format are available via links, containing various visual and schematic materials. Other cases are listed by update date, including categories A, B, and C.

Incoming Correspondence and Expertise on UFO Materials

This section, titled "Eleventh part of incoming correspondence and expertise of received materials," covers incoming UFO reports and the results of their expert analysis from September 2017 to June 2018. The magazine thanks the experts for their analysis and the eyewitnesses for their interaction. A link is provided to download a PDF file of the report (7.46 MB). Communication with the organization is facilitated through electronic mail and official forums.

A list of related articles is provided, including "Tenth part of incoming correspondence and expertise of received materials" down to "First part of incoming correspondence and expertise of received materials."

Lectures: Video Presentations from the II Cosmobiology Seminar in Zhytomyr 2018

This section details video presentations from the II Cosmobiology Seminar held at ZhDU named after I. Franko on March 17, 2018. The seminar featured scientific reports on various topics:

• I. Khomyak (ZhDU): "Cosmobiology and the Fermi Paradox"
• O. Garbar (ZhDU): "Evolution of the Earth's Biosphere – A Series of Great Extinctions."
• E. Kovalenko (NTUU "KPI"): "Development of Nanosatellites in Ukraine and their use for Aerospace Monitoring and Research"
• O. Kirichenko (UNDTSA "Zond"): "Anomalous Aerospace Phenomena: Nature and Origin"
• A. Bilyk (UNDTSA "Zond"): "Development and Interaction of Civilizations in the Context of Studying Anomalous Phenomena"
• M. Debely (UNDTSA "Zond"): "Biochemical Methods of Research in Anomalistics" (via Skype from Switzerland)

Discussions also covered aerospace anomalies, interstellar travel, ecosystem theories, and the influence of cosmophysical factors on terrestrial and hypothetical extraterrestrial life. The seminar aimed to identify paths for future cooperation.

Video recordings of the reports are available on the YouTube channel of UNDTSA "Zond," including multiple parts for some presentations like O. Garbar's and A. Bilyk's.

Video Interview with Artem Bilyk on TV-7 "Ukraine of the Future"

An interview with Artem Bilyk, a researcher of anomalous phenomena and head of UNDTSA "Zond," was published on February 8th. The interview, produced by "TB-7 production," was conducted by journalist, writer, and host of the TV program "Ukraine of the Future," Tala Prutkova.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the documentation and investigation of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) by GEIPAN, the scientific analysis of such phenomena, and related fields like cosmobiology and astrobiology. The magazine appears to maintain an open stance towards the study of anomalous phenomena, presenting expert analyses and research findings. The inclusion of detailed case files from GEIPAN and reports from scientific seminars suggests a focus on evidence-based investigation and the dissemination of research in these specialized areas. The editorial stance seems to be one of promoting scientific inquiry and discussion within the fields of ufology and cosmobiology.