Ufology News - No 08 - June 2012

Magazine Overview

Title: НОВОСТИ УФОЛОГИИ (Ufology News)
Issue: #8
Date: June 2012
Publisher: Исследовательского Центра EIBC (EIBC Research Center)
Country: Russia
Language: Russian

This issue of 'Ufology News' delves into various aspects of ufology, featuring technological advancements, conference reports, scientific findings, and historical case studies.

Diffraction Gratings for UFO Research

The main article introduces two models of diffraction gratings developed by the French ufological organization "UFO-SCIENCE." These gratings are designed to enhance the analysis of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) by enabling spectroscopic examination. The article explains that by analyzing the light emitted by UFOs, their physical and chemical properties can be determined. The "SpectroKit®" gratings are available for camera lenses and mobile phone cameras. The "Hessdalen Project" in Norway is highlighted with a photograph of spectral "lights" recorded in September 2007, showing an object moving rapidly over a significant distance. The "UFO-SCIENCE" organization is offering these diffraction gratings for free to enthusiasts worldwide, with users only responsible for shipping costs.

UFO Conferences and Events

The magazine reports on several significant ufological conferences:

• BUFORA's 50th Anniversary: Held in London, England, this conference celebrated fifty years of the British UFO Research Association. Speakers included D. Randles, K. Swan, V.-X. Ballester-Olmos, and others, with topics ranging from BUFORA's history and UFO realities to the influence of UFOs on society and specific case studies like the Rendlesham incident and UFO abductions.
• AMMACH 2012 Conference: Scheduled for August 31 - September 2, this conference focused on Anomalous Mind Management and Abductee Contactee Helpline.
• Birmingham UFO Group Seminar: Held on July 18th, this seminar featured talks on "Beyond The Illusion: A Time Of Awakening," discussing out-of-body experiences and UFO encounters, including accounts from police officers.
• EIBC Expeditionary-Search Group Protocol No. 17: This protocol, from a meeting in Kharkiv, Ukraine, details investigations into unidentified cases, including a "flying false rod" over New Orleans and an excursion into the Kharkiv underground.

Scientific Developments and UFO-Related Research

• Automated UFO Detection Systems: The issue showcases the "UFOCatch" system, a theodolite equipped with a spectrometer, camera, and video recorder for detecting and registering UFOs. While it aids in identifying objects, it also notes that many UFOs can be easily identified as known phenomena.
• Space Missions and Astrobiology: The "Bion" spacecraft mission is discussed, which will simulate meteorite impacts with microbes on Earth to study the origins of life and test the panspermia theory. The experiments involve exposing various microorganisms to space conditions.
• SETI and Radio Astronomy: Astronomers are using interferometers for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), employing a very-long-baseline radio interferometry technique to detect radio signals from alien civilizations.

Scientific News and Anomalies

• CERN Neutrino Experiments: A press release from CERN on June 8, 2012, confirms that neutrinos sent from CERN to Gran Sasso respect the cosmic speed limit. This refutes earlier claims of faster-than-light neutrinos, attributing the anomaly to a faulty timing system in the OPERA experiment. The appearance of a second tau-neutrino in the CERN muon-neutrino beam is also noted as significant for understanding neutrino oscillations.
• Asteroid Threats: The article "Threat from Space" discusses the potential danger posed by asteroids, mentioning "Asclepius" which passed Earth in 1989 and the upcoming close approach of "Apophis" in 2036. Boris Shustov, director of the Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, highlights the difficulty in detecting smaller celestial bodies and the importance of tracking potentially hazardous objects. Russian scientists are developing a plan to send a radio beacon to Apophis to monitor its trajectory.
• "Baltic Anomaly": Swedish treasure hunters from "Ocean X Team" discovered a large, anomalous object on the Baltic Sea floor, described as resembling an alien spacecraft or Stonehenge. Subsequent expeditions allowed for closer examination and filming of the object.
• Unidentified Cases: The magazine lists several unidentified cases with high-quality data, categorized as D, D1, and D2, including reports from USAF Base #3532, Thuir, Prémessac, Saint-Étienne-de-Saint-Geoirs, Givet, and Montauban. Links to PDF reports with scans, drawings, and photographs are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the importance of scientific methods and technological advancements in ufological research, such as spectroscopy and automated detection systems. There's a focus on international collaboration in space monitoring and research. The magazine also highlights historical UFO cases and conferences, suggesting a continued interest in both the unexplained phenomena and the organizations dedicated to their study. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting scientific findings alongside anecdotal evidence and ongoing research efforts in the field of ufology.

This issue of "UFO" from 1980, with a cover headline "Погоня за НЛО в Арекипа" (Chasing a UFO in Arequipa), delves into two primary themes: the escalating problem of space debris and a detailed account of a UFO encounter in Peru.

Space Debris Threat

The magazine opens with a stark warning about the growing volume of space debris orbiting Earth. It highlights that beyond meteorites, old satellites, spent rocket stages, and their fragments pose a significant danger to operational spacecraft like the International Space Station (ISS). The article recounts a near-miss in March 2009 where the ISS had to evacuate its crew to a Soyuz spacecraft due to the risk of collision with debris from an old satellite. Cosmonaut Fedor Yurchikhin emphasizes the danger, stating that even a small hole from space junk could lead to oxygen leaks. He also describes a personal experience of inspecting the ISS hull after a collision with an unknown object, which left a micro-meteorite mark.

The problem has been exacerbated by events such as the 2009 collision between the American satellite 'Iridium' and the Russian 'Cosmos' satellite, which generated a multitude of fragments. Further contributing to the issue were the 2007 tests where satellites were destroyed on orbit, creating thousands more pieces of debris. Gennady Raykunov warns that the rate of launches is increasing, and in the coming decades, this problem could become so severe that it might lead to the cessation of space activities.

A 'belt of debris' has formed around Earth, posing a barrier to space exploration and complicating launches to geostationary orbits. This poses a threat to navigation and communication satellites, and its impact is global, as information from orbit is used by all of humanity.

Vitaly Davydov of Roscosmos states that they are working on this issue within an inter-agency committee, and future spacecraft designs will incorporate aspects of combating space debris. In Russia, an expert group comprising scientists and representatives from Roscosmos, Rosatom, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the Ministry of Defense has been formed. Their plans include establishing a unified information-analytical center to counter threats from space and develop response algorithms. Cooperation with the UN, the International Astronomical Union, and inter-agency committees on space debris is ongoing.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin acknowledges that while the problem isn't critical now, it could become so in decades, stressing the need to lay the groundwork for international cooperation.

The article mentions the Russian optical-electronic complex 'Okno' in Tajikistan as a powerful tool for monitoring space, capable of identifying dangerous objects at altitudes of two to forty thousand kilometers. Observatories in Pulkovo, Zvenigorod, and Simeiz also monitor asteroids, meteorites, and space debris. However, to effectively counter space threats, more powerful telescopes and a global data exchange system are needed, as the threat is planetary in scale.

UFO Sighting in Arequipa, Peru

The issue then shifts to a detailed account of a UFO encounter, titled "COMBATE OVNI" (UFO Combat) and "Погоня за НЛО в Арекипа" (Chasing a UFO in Arequipa).

The Incident of April 11, 1980

Óscar Santa María Huertas, a pilot of the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) and a retired pilot, recounts the event that occurred on April 11, 1980, at 7:15 a.m. at the La Joya Air Base in Arequipa. He describes spotting a stationary object in the sky, resembling a 'ball of air,' about three miles away and 1,800 feet above sea level. The object reflected sunlight like a mirror. The commander ordered Huertas to intercept it, suspecting espionage.

Upon approaching the object in his Sukhoi 22 fighter jet, Huertas fired his 30-millimeter cannons. Some projectiles missed, while others seemed to be absorbed by the object without causing visible damage or ricocheting. The object then ascended rapidly and moved away from the base. At an altitude of 36,000 feet, the object abruptly stopped and turned vertically, evading Huertas's pursuit. He attempted to intercept it two more times, but the object consistently evaded his attacks.

At 63,000 feet, the object stopped again, and Huertas flew past it at a distance of 300 feet. He describes the object as being about 30 feet in diameter, with a mirror-like surface, a cream-colored dome on top, and a wide metal base. It had no visible exhaust, windows, or wings, and did not resemble an aircraft. Huertas realized it was a UFO.

With dwindling fuel, Huertas had to return to base, fearing the object might attack him. He spent 22 minutes in pursuit. After he landed, the UFO remained stationary in the sky for another two hours. The documentation of this encounter was later submitted to the US Department of Defense, titled "UFO Sighted in Peru."

Subsequent Sightings and US Documentation

The issue includes a declassified US Department of Defense document from June 3, 1980, detailing the UFO sighting near Mariano Melgar Air Base in Peru. The report confirms that the object was spotted on two different occasions: May 9, 1980, in the morning, and May 10, 1980, in the early evening.

On May 9, FAP officers spotted a round UFO hovering near the airfield. The Air Commander scrambled an SU-22 for an intercept. The pilot reportedly fired upon the vehicle at close range without causing apparent damage, and the UFO outran the SU-22.

The second sighting occurred during darkness on May 10. The lighted vehicle was again intercepted by an SU-22, but it once more outran the aircraft.

The report notes that the FAP attempted to intercept and destroy the UFO on both occasions but without success. The document also mentions that the source, an officer in the Peruvian Air Force, had reported reliably in the past.

First Contact and the Future

On June 17, 2012, during a teleconference between the Chinese CCTV and the Russian segment of the ISS crew, the topic of meeting extraterrestrials was discussed. Cosmonaut Gennady Padalka expressed his belief that humanity cannot be alone in the universe and will eventually meet "brothers in mind."

He also reminded viewers of a detailed UN instruction manual, developed with Chinese participation, for handling first contact scenarios.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's editorial stance appears to be one of serious concern regarding both the tangible threat of space debris and the potential reality of UFO phenomena. The publication aims to inform readers about the scientific and governmental efforts to address these issues, from international committees and expert groups to detailed incident reports and declassified documents. The inclusion of cosmonaut testimonies and official military reports suggests a commitment to presenting credible, albeit sometimes speculative, information on these topics. The overall tone is one of urgency and a call for global awareness and action, whether it concerns preserving the space environment or preparing for potential extraterrestrial encounters.