Ufology News - No 29 - July August 2016

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Novosti Ufologii" (UFOlogy News), dated July-August 2016, marks the 5th anniversary of the website "Novosti Ufologii," which was founded in July 2011 by Igor Kalytyuk and Andrey Chvartkovsky. The magazine is presented as an independent, non-commercial, international project aimed at objectively reporting ufological news, providing information on UFOs and Anomalous Aerospace Phenomena (AAPs), and promoting a scientific approach to the study of these phenomena. It serves as an alternative media platform for critical thinkers interested in the subject, with the primary goal of enlightenment.

Website Achievements and Content

Over its five years, the website has published a significant volume of content, including 56 materials in the "Document of the Day" section, 100 in "Declassified" (featuring 2493 documents from various organizations like Sette-AN, VSNTO, Goskomgidromet, MGA, and the BBC), 179 announcements from ufological organizations, 31 interviews (with notable figures such as Jacques Vallée, Xavier Pasot, Nick Pope, Massimo Teodorani, Richard Hains, Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, Vladimir Rubtsov, Mikhail Gerstein, Sergey Efimov, and Klas Svahn), 4 articles by I. Kalytyuk in the "Methodology" section, approximately 240 notes and articles by A. Chvartkovsky in the "Media Review" section (covering astrobiology, astronomy, spaceflight, and physics), and 340 other UFO news items, including debunking of fake photos and videos.

The website has received 500,000 visitors over its entire period of operation, with daily readership ranging from 100 to 15,000 users, averaging 100-150 users per day. Initially, publications were mirrored on social media, but in 2014, the site created its own forum. In 2015, an Expert Council was established, with Mikhail Gerstein and Sergey Efimov as honorary experts. Sergey Shpakovsky joined the training program, and 11 other candidates received a free training course, while 14 did not pass the test.

Incoming Correspondence and Expert Analysis

As of the publication date, 133 letters had been received via the website's feedback form and email. Mikhail Gerstein performed 41 expert analyses, Sergey Efimov 17, Sergey Shpakovsky 14, Igor Kalytyuk 12, and Andrey Chvartkovsky 10. The best analyses are classified on the "Array" page. Future plans include releasing a "UFO-Skeptic" bulletin, more declassified documents, extensive archives of UFO press scans, and more materials in the "Methodology" section, including field tests, new interviews, and debunking of fakes.

Case Studies and Photo Analysis

"Disk-shaped object" on a photo - an ordinary insect

On June 10, 2016, a letter was received from Artem A. requesting identification of an object in a photograph. The photo, taken on May 28, 2016, in Kemerovo, Russia, showed a disk-shaped object in the sky. After analysis, including reviewing additional photos and an interview with the witness, the object was identified by administrator Andrey Chvartkovsky as an insect, classified as Class "A" based on the images alone. The reason given was that the object in the photo was an insect.

"UFO in Solnechnogorsk" - a blurred image of a bird

On August 1, 2016, a photograph taken in Solnechnogorsk, Russia, was submitted for identification. The photographer, Maxim E., reported seeing a UFO during a series of shots, with the object appearing on the third frame. The analysis, involving administrators Andrey Chvartkovsky and Igor Kalytyuk, and expert Sergey Shpakovsky, concluded that the object was a bird in flight. The analysis considered the EXIF data of the photos, which indicated they were processed in Photoshop, but noted this could be due to standard import processes. Sergey Shpakovsky stated definitively, "This is unequivocally a bird in flight. I have no other options." Igor Kalytyuk agreed, providing a link to an image illustrating motion blur in photography. Expert Sergey Efimov provided a detailed analysis of the object's apparent movement and blur, suggesting that a bird, such as a swallow, could account for the visual evidence, estimating a 60% confidence in this identification.

Technical Analysis of Photographic Evidence

The magazine delves into the technical aspects of analyzing photographic and video evidence of UFOs. A section titled "BLURFOS: Birds/Bugs passing through the focal field of the video cam are not UFOs" explains how fast-moving small objects, like birds or insects, can appear distorted, elongated, or blurred in freeze frames from video recordings due to the nature of video tape technology and camera settings. It highlights the difference between film frames and video freeze frames, emphasizing that video freeze frames are composites of microseconds of time, not single moments. The article warns against "intellectual dishonesty" in submitting UFO freeze frames, suggesting that selective editing can make mundane objects appear anomalous. The analysis of the Solnechnogorsk case, in particular, uses diagrams and explanations to illustrate how a bird in flight could create the observed visual effects.

Catalog of UFO Bulletins and Software

The issue also features a catalog of 587 UFO bulletin titles for collectors, specifically for the year 2016. It provides instructions on how to obtain these bulletins from an electronic archive by contacting a specific email address. Previous years' catalogs (2012, 2013, 2014) are also mentioned. Additionally, the magazine announces that the cosmic simulator "Space Engine" version 0.9.8.0 is available for download, with a list of changes published on the developers' official website.

GEIPAN and COBEPS Documentation

New documentation packages from the French commission GEIPAN (under CNES) and the Belgian committee COBEPS (successor to SOBEPS) are presented. GEIPAN's August 2016 package includes unidentified cases from categories D, D1, and D2, specifically mentioning incidents in Шуази-ле-Руа (May 21, 2012) and Волькс (August 8, 2012). COBEPS's August 2016 package includes a new documentation of category D, specifically a case in Брен-ле-Конт (July 12, 2015). The magazine also lists other available materials from IPACO, GEIPAN, and COBEPS by category.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the objective investigation of UFO phenomena, the debunking of hoaxes and misidentifications, and the promotion of scientific methodology in ufology. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of critical thinking and evidence-based analysis, distinguishing between genuine anomalies and natural phenomena or photographic artifacts. The magazine emphasizes the importance of expert analysis and the technical understanding of photographic and video evidence. The anniversary of the website highlights its commitment to providing a platform for such rigorous investigation and discussion within the ufological community.

Title: Новости Уфологии
Issue Date: August 16, 2016
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of "Novosti Ufologii" presents an investigation into two separate anomalous phenomena reported by readers. The primary focus is on photographic and video evidence, with expert analysis attempting to provide rational explanations.

Article 1: «Фото плазмоидов и энергии» - блики в линзах (Photos of Plasmoids and Energy - Lens Flares)

This section details an inquiry from Marina B. regarding photographs taken in the Krasnodar Krai, Russia, specifically in the "Guam Gorge" area, in 2016. Marina B. submitted four images, asking for an explanation of the "circles or spheres with cores of different types," some described as having a cross, others like an egg with yolks, and some as blue objects without form.

Expert Analysis (Sergey Shpakovsky - СШ):
Sergey Shpakovsky, identified as an expert, immediately concluded that the phenomena were "definitely lens flares." He provided a link to a video demonstrating lens flares in real-time and also shared his own photos of flares.

Administrator's Input (Igor Kalytyuk - ИК):
Igor Kalytyuk, the administrator, supported the lens flare theory, explaining that it's an optical effect caused by parasitic illumination reflecting within the lens system. He noted that flares appear as bright spots due to light reflecting multiple times off optical elements before reaching the sensor. He suggested using a lens hood to minimize flares and provided a link for examples.

Reader's Rebuttal (Marina B. - МБ):
Marina B. disagreed with the experts' assessment, insisting that the objects were not optical illusions but clearly defined shapes like circles or spheres with distinct cores, some resembling eggs. She expressed frustration with the explanations provided.

Further Expert Input (Sergey Shpakovsky - СШ & Sergey Efimov - CE):
Sergey Shpakovsky inquired if the possibility of light flares had been considered and what the difference was if they were not considered flares. Sergey Efimov, another expert, agreed that the objects strongly resembled flares but noted some strangeness given the camera's capabilities. He suggested a potential defect in the lens or an out-of-focus object. To further investigate, he requested additional photos taken in backlight conditions, with the sun at the edge of the frame, and against a dark background, using the same camera settings.

Technical Details and Further Discussion:
Igor Kalytyuk identified the camera used as a Nikon D3100 based on EXIF data. Sergey Shpakovsky provided further examples of flares caused by dust particles and water droplets, linking to Flickr albums. Marina B. firmly rejected these explanations, stating her photos were different and ending the discussion.

Conclusion for Incident 1:
The most probable cause identified for the Krasnodar Krai photos is lens flares.

Article 2: «НЛО в Чурилово» - САБ и сигнальные огни (UFO in Churilovo - SAB and Signal Lights)

This section reports on an event near Chelyabinsk, Russia, where a resident filmed lights in the night sky. The report was submitted by Ural researcher of anomalous phenomena, Andrey Lyubushkin.

The Sighting:
On the night of May 16-17, 2016, a resident of the outskirts of Chelyabinsk filmed bright yellow lights hovering in the night sky, away from the city. The video was posted on VKontakte and featured in a regional TV program about emergencies.

Location and Context:
An accompanying map indicates the location is near the "Safakulevo" training ground, which is used by the Ministry of Defense for testing aviation weapons and conducting training exercises. The report notes that Su-25 attack aircraft crews from the Kant airbase in Kyrgyzstan had been training there in May 2016.

Analysis of the Video (Igor Kalytyuk - ИК):
Igor Kalytyuk analyzed the video, noting that the first objects were visible for over 3 minutes, appearing as a "chandelier" of 2-3 or more lights. He stated that a signal visible for over a minute in the air is not a hand-held flare. The duration of visibility (2-8.5 minutes) suggested illumination munitions used by artillery (illumination shells and mines) and aviation (SAB - Svetovaya Aviatsionnaya Bomba, or illumination bombs). These can be visible from over 100 km away.

• Object Descriptions:
• First Objects: Visible for over 3 minutes, appearing as a chandelier of 2-3 or more lights. These could be illumination bombs dropped from 9 km altitude, which begin to glow at 6 km. Aircraft use these for targeting by missile fire reacting to thermal radiation.
• Second Object: Described as resembling an illumination parachute flare, white-yellow in color, burning for 27 seconds. This could be a 40-mm ROPUD or 50-mm ROPDD. Its characteristics include a white or yellow-white glow, light intensity of 200,000-400,000 candela, a burn time of 20-35 seconds, a descent speed of 3-5 m/sec, and a signal altitude of 200-600 meters. The movement was described as "slow," "frozen," or "floating."

Military Exercise Connection:
Andrey Lyubushkin discovered that the observed objects' azimuth pointed towards the Ministry of Defense's training ground. He learned that during May 2016, crews of Su-25 attack-bombers conducted exercises at the "Safakulevo" polygon. These exercises involved live-fire launches of guided "air-to-surface" missiles targeting simulated enemy bases, depots, and vehicle convoys. Some of these exercises were conducted at night, which is likely what the resident of Chelyabinsk witnessed.

Conclusion for Incident 2:
The most probable cause for the lights filmed near Chelyabinsk is military exercises involving illumination parachute flares and SAB 250-200 illumination bombs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Novosti Ufologii" demonstrates a commitment to investigating reader-submitted reports of anomalous phenomena. The editorial stance appears to favor rational explanations, particularly those involving known optical effects (like lens flares) or conventional activities (like military exercises), over supernatural or extraterrestrial interpretations. The magazine relies on expert analysis and technical data (like EXIF information) to debunk or explain sightings. While acknowledging the reader's perspective, the publication prioritizes evidence-based conclusions. The use of multiple experts and detailed explanations suggests a methodical approach to analyzing UFO/UAP reports.