III. 23 Sep 77 U S S R NATIONAL AFFAIRS SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS

This document is a compilation of TASS reports from September 23, 1977, detailing scientific and unusual events in the USSR. The first report covers the launch of the Prognoz-6 automatic space station, designed to study solar radiation and its influence on the earth's magnetosphere. The second report describes an 'unusual' natural phenomenon observed in Petrozavodsk on September 20, 1977. At approximately 0400, a large object described as a 'medusa' appeared, moving slowly toward the city and showering it with fine rays. The object later turned into a bright semicircle before moving toward Lake Onega. The phenomenon lasted 10-12 minutes. Yu. Gromov, director of the Petrozavodsk hydrometeorological observatory, confirmed that weather observation posts recorded no atmospheric deviations and that no technical experiments were being conducted. He noted that the event was witnessed by many people and that it could not be described as a mirage, as there was no material evidence left behind. The final report notes that the flagship of Aeroflot, an IL-62 jet, set two world records for distance and average speed on a closed route.