UNSOLVED MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE, or What is Silenced by Astronomers
Moscow: Veche, 2004. -- 432 p., 65 ill., in Russian, ISBN 5-94538-446-1
Space anomalies are unusual and rare astronomical phenomena which
are not yet included in the paradigm of contemporary science, and are
thus excluded from the attention of the astronomical majority. However,
it is precisely such space anomalies that are promising material in the
search for "space wonders" - possible manifestations of extra-
terrestrial intelligence. This book is a collection of the author's
reviews on potentially interesting but disgraced phenomena.
The systematisation of diverse publications, which are as a rule from
recognized scientific sources, in overview present several complexes
of empirical facts, which seem to correspond to interpretations of
possibly great significance in the search for extraterrestrial
intelligence. Although other explanations are not excluded, the SETI
aspects are interesting as important POSSIBILITIES. The ignoring of
such possibilities is illogical and insecure from the perspectives of
culture and the freedom of scientific inquiry, as well that of military
security.
Two-thirds of the book, twenty chapters, is occupied by analytical
reviews of different aspects of non-classical or non-signal SETI:
the search for traces of interstellar migrations; the danger of
military conflicts between space civilisations; the possibility of
a secret presence of ETI in our Solar System; the state of
archaeological reconnaissance on the Moon and Mars; the discussion
on the status, strategies and methodology of modern SETI; and an
overview of the SETI organisations which are involved in non-signal
SETI. More recent results and more publications are taken into account
here than were in the preceding book by this author (Selenites; Moscow:
Novation, 1998).
In addition to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, the
reader will find another eleven chapters on ignored astronomical
phenomena such as the danger of superflashes of the Sun; unpredicted
solar darkenings; ghost-comets; anomalous meteors; dust clouds and
night lights on Mercury; mysteries of Venus and Jupiter; and some
ethno- and archaeo-astronomical riddles. Even some cryptozoological
problems are touched upon in the last chapter.
This various material illustrates the main conclusions of the
book:
- there is the tendency to ignore unexplained empirical facts in modern
science;
- this tendency leads to a new form of Index Expurgatorius, i.e. a list
of rejected subjects which are closed for discussion among respectable
scientists;
- according to the history of science, such prohibitions and
intentional ignorance have repeatedly led to the loss of valuable data,
time and methods, and to confusion and expensive re-discoveries;
- therefore, it is reasonable to study unexplained phenomena and ignored
possibilities. Only investigation, unlike rejection a priori, can find a
truth.
The book is provided with an extensive and detailed bibliography.
This is a unique handbook in the field of forbidden astronomy. Amateurs
and professionals alike will find in the book original ideas and interesting
material from little known and rare sources.
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