by Mark Cashman
from
TheTemporalDoorway Website
recovered through
WayBackMachine Website
Vallee’s Original
Classification System
[1]
This is the final form of Jacques Vallee’s original
classification system. It still remains one of the best and most
descriptive classification systems, particularly when the subtypes
are used.
Class Name Description
Type - I (a,b,c,d)
Observation of an unusual object,
spherical discoidal, or more complex in form, on or close to the
ground (no higher than tree height), which may be associated
with traces - physical effects of a thermal, luminous, or
mechanical order.
a - On or near ground
b - Near or over body of water
c - Occupants displaying interest in witnesses by
gestures or luminous signals
d - Scouting a terrestrial vehicle
Type - II (a,b,c)
Observation of an unusual object
with vertical cylindrical formation in the sky, associated with
a diffuse cloud. This phenomenon has been given various names
such as cloud-cigar or cloud-sphere.
a - Moving
erratically through the sky
b - Object is
stationary and gives rise to secondary objects
c - Object surrounded by secondary objects
Type - III (a,b,c,d,e)
Observation of an unusual object of
spherical, discoidal or elliptical shape stationary in the sky.
a - Hovering between
two periods of motion with "dead-leaf" descent, up and
down, or pendular motion
b - Interruption of continuous flight to hover
and then continue motion
c - Alters appearance while hovering - i.e.
change of luminosity, generation of secondary object,
etc.
d - "Dog-fights" or swarming among several
objects.
e - Trajectory altered during continuous flight
to fly slowly above a certain area, circle, or suddenly
change course
Type IV (a,b,c,d)
Observation of an unusual object in
continuous flight.
a - Continuous flight
b - Trajectory affected by nearby conventional
aircraft
c - Formation flight
d - Wave or zig-zag trajectory
Type V (a,b,c)
Observation of an unusual object of
less definite appearance, appearing not fully material or solid
in structure
a - Extended apparent
diameter, non-point source luminous objects
b - Starlike objects, motionless for extended
periods
c - Starlike objects rapidly crossing the sky,
possible with peculiar trajectories
Hynek
Classification System
[2]
Possibly the most famous UFO classification system, this is a system
which does not classify reports based on the nature or behavior of
the observed object, but instead simply on the visibility or
proximity of the object. As such, it is significantly less useful
than either of the Vallee classification systems.
Class Name Description
-
NL (Nocturnal Light) Point or
extended luminous source observed at night.
-
DD (Daylight Disc) Metallic or
whitish object seen in the day.
-
RV (Radar / Visual) Observation
supplemented with radar.
-
CE-I (Close Encounter I)
Observation of an object in close proximity to the witness
(i.e. within 500’)
-
CE-II (Close Encounter II)
Observation of an object in close proximity to the witness,
where physical traces (impression, burn, medical effect,
etc.) are left or (electrical effect, heat) are felt
-
CE-III (Close Encounter III)
Close observation with animate beings associated with the
object.
-
CE-IV (Close Encounter IV)
[3] Abduction of
the witness or other direct contact
Current Vallee
Classification System
[4]
This is Vallee’s attempt to unify his classification system
with Hynek’s, and to incorporate those "psychic" or otherwise
anomalous reports which he believes have a connection with the
UFO phenomenon, and to regularize the classification system.
Class Name |
1
Sighting |
2
Physical Effect |
3
Beings |
4
Reality Transformation |
5
Injury or Death |
AN
Anomaly |
Amorphous lights,
mystery explosions |
Poltergeist,
materialized objects, areas of flattened grass
(i.e. crop circles) |
Anomalies with
entities (ghosts, yetis, cryptozoological
beings, elves, spirits) |
Near Death
Experience (NDE), religious visions and
miracles, Out Of Body Experience (OOBE) |
Anomalous injuries
or death, including spontaneous combustion and
unexplained wounds |
FB
Flyby |
Continuous
trajectory |
With physical
evidence |
Beings observed |
Witness sense of
reality change (such as landscape alteration,
telepathy, etc) |
Result of fly-by is
injury or death |
MA
Maneuvers |
Discontinuous
trajectory |
With physical
evidence |
Beings observed
|
Witness sense of
reality change (such as landscape alteration,
telepathy, etc) |
Result of maneuver
is injury or death |
CE
Close Encounter |
Close approach
(within 500’) |
With physical
evidence |
Beings observed |
Abduction |
Injury or death |
|
Footnotes
1. Jacques and Janine Vallee:
Challenge To Science: The UFO Enigma, LC# 66-25843
2. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, The UFO Experience, ISBN
0-345-27361-3,
3. This category was not explicitly approved by Dr. Hynek,
but is in wide use.
4. Jacques Vallee, Confrontations, ISBN 0-345-36501-1
|