UFO Classification Systems

HYNEK CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM  [return]
A system used to categorize the various types of UFO sightings invented by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. 

CATEGORIES:

NOCTURNAL LIGHT: 

• Any anomalous light(s) seen in the night sky whose description rules out the possibilities of aircraft lights, stars, meteors and the like. 

DAYLIGHT DISK UFOs: 

• Seen in the distant daytime sky. The UFOs classed in this category can be other shapes as well, like cigars, eggs and ovals. 

RADAR-VISUALS: 

• Where UFOs are tracked on radar and can be seen at the place illustrated at the same time. 

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: [return]

• OF THE FIRST KIND (CEI) 
  A UFO in close proximity (within approx 500 feet) of the witness. 

• OF THE SECOND KIND (CEII) 
  A UFO that leaves markings on the ground, causes burns or paralysis to humans, frightens animals, interferes with car engines or TV and radio reception. 

• OF THE THIRD KIND (CEIII) 
  A CEI or CEII which have visible occupants. 
  There are also two more unofficial classes of Close Encounter... 

• OF THE FOURTH KIND (CEIV) 
  Abduction cases. 

• OF THE FIFTH KIND (CEV) 
  Communication occurs between a person and an alien. 
  

SOURCE: Third I over Iowa http://www.yawp.com/3rd-i/rsrc/gloss/h/hynek.html 

VALLÉE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM:  [return]
A system used to categorize the various types of UFO and paranormal experiences invented by Dr. Jacques Vallée and is now used more often instead of the HYNEK CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM since it gives the reader a more detailed summary of a case. 

CATEGORIES: 

AN RATING: 
Classifies any anomalous behavior. 

• AN1 Anomalies which have no lasting physical effects. i.e. amorphous lights, unexplained explosions. 
• AN2 Anomalies which do have lasting physical effects. i.e. poltergeists, materialized objects, areas of flattened grass, corn circles. 
• AN3 Anomalies with associated entities. i.e. ghosts, yetis, spirits, elves and other mythical/legendary entities. 
• AN4 Witness interaction with the AN3 entities. i.e. near-death experiences, religious miracles and visions, OBEs (out-of-body experiences). 
• AN5 Anomalous reports of injuries and deaths. i.e. SHC (spontaneous human combustion), unexplained wounds as well as permanent healing that results from a paranormal experience. 

MA RATING: 
Describes behavior of a UFO. 
It is analogous to the Nocturnal Light, Daylight Disk and Radar Visual Hynek classifications. 

• MA1 A UFO has been observed which travels in a discontinuous trajectory. i.e. vertical drops, maneuvers or loops. 
• MA2 MA1 plus any physical effects caused by the UFO. 
• MA3 MA1 plus any entities observed on board. i.e. the airship cases of the late nineteenth century. 
• MA4 Maneuvers accompanied by a sense of reality transformation for the observer. 
• MA5 A maneuver that results in a permanent injury or death of the witness. 

FB RATING: 
Fly-by rating. 

• FB1 A simple sighting of a UFO traveling in a straight line across the sky. 
• FB2 FB1 accompanied by physical evidence. 
• FB3 A fly-by where entities are observed on board (rare). 
• FB4 A fly-by where the witness experienced a transformation of reality into the object or its occupants. 
• FB5 A fly-by which the witness would suffer permanent injuries or even death. i.e. CASH/LANDRUM CASE. 

CE RATING: [return]
Close Encounter rating. Similar to the Hynek Close Encounter ratings. 

• CE1 UFO comes within 500 feet of the witness, but no after effects are suffered by the witness or the surrounding area. 
• CE2 A CE1 that leaves landing traces or injuries to the witness. 
• CE3 Entities have been observed on the UFO. 
• CE4 The witness has been abducted. 
• CE5 CE4 which results in permanent psychological injuries or death. 

SVP RATING: 
The all-important credibility rating. 

"Marks" out of four are given for the three categories of source reliability (first digit), site visit (second digit) and possible explanations (third digit). A rating of 222 or higher indicates the case was reported by a reliable source, the site has been visited and a natural explanation would require a major alteration of at least one parameter. 

SOURCE RELIABILITY RATING 

• 0 Unknown or unreliable source. 
• 1 Report attributed to a known source of unknown or un-calibrated reliability. 
• 2 Reliable source, secondhand. 
• 3 Reliable source, firsthand. 
• 4 Firsthand personal interview with the witness by a source of proven reliability. 

SITE VISIT RATING 

• 0 No site visit, or answer unknown. 
• 1 Site visit by a casual person not familiar with the phenomena. 
• 2 Site visited by persons familiar with the phenomena. 
• 3 Site visit by a reliable investigator with some experience. 
• 4 Site visit by a skilled analyst. 

POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS RATING 

• 0 Data consistent with one or more natural causes. 
• 1 Natural explanation requires only slight modification of the data. 
• 2 Natural explanation requires major alteration of one parameter. 
• 3 Natural explanation requires major alteration of several parameters. 
• 4 No natural explanation possible, given the evidence. 

SOURCE: Third I over Iowa http://www.yawp.com/3rd-i/rsrc/gloss/v/vallee.html