Section · Phenomena
Browse by what was observed.
A Hynek-style taxonomy across every case in the archive. Every case can carry multiple phenomenon types; totals reflect all overlapping classifications.
16 phenomenon types, 154 case-phenomenon classifications across the corpus. Diagnostic labels only. Classification does not imply endorsement of an exotic interpretation.
Cases with a named or documented aircrew witness. Aircrew observations carry weight in AARO and Blue Book adjudication because pilots are trained observers.
Three or more independent witnesses. Corroboration across observers is a filter against individual misperception.
Infrared or thermal video is the primary sensor product. Includes ATFLIR, MWIR, and SWIR variants across DoD platforms.
Not a phenomenon: congressional letters, adopted amendments, executive-branch directives, statutory reports.
Part of a documented cluster or wave (1947 summer, 1952 Washington DC, 1973 US, 1989-1990 Belgian, 2019 Roosevelt).
Cases where radar or instrumented detection is the primary evidentiary channel, with or without corroborating visual reporting.
Disc / saucer morphology, the archetypal 1947-onward shape category.
Cases with ground marks, plant damage, residue, or physical alteration attributed to the encounter.
Reports involving described occupants, including claimed abductions and close-encounter Category 3 events (Hynek).
Observed near nuclear-weapons infrastructure: Pantex, Los Alamos, Sandia, Malmstrom, Cheyenne Mountain, Kirtland, etc.
Object observed transitioning between air, water, or vacuum. A category that draws particular attention in modern DoD reporting.
Cases where the object appeared to affect vehicle electronics, aircraft avionics, ignition systems, or communications.
Triangle or delta shapes. Belgian Wave 1989-1990, Phoenix Lights 1997, Hudson Valley 1983-1986.
Orb, sphere, or point-source-light observations.
The elongated capsule / oval / football morphology. Nimitz 2004 is the canonical modern reference.
Retrospectively identified as classified US or allied technology (U-2, A-12 OXCART, SR-71, drone testing).