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Terminology and Definitions Used in UFOlogy
2.00 Astronomical Units (A.U.)
An A.U. is a measurement of space. One A.U. is the distance from the earth to the sun.
2.01 a.a.v.
alt.alien.visitors One of the many Usenet discussion groups.
2.02 Close Encounters (CE) & Visual Sightings
The main classification of UFO reports in use is based upon one used by Dr J. Allan Hynek in his book "The UFO Experience" (Aberlard-Schuman 1972). It should be noted that many other classification systems have been devised by other researchers. Briefly the Hynek system is :
NL (nocturnal light) A simple visual sighting of a unidentified flying light seen at night.
ND (nocturnal disc) A simple visual sighting of a unidentified flying extended or structured light source seen at night. (This is an extension to Hynek's system).
DD (daylight disc) A simple visual sighting of a UFO with distinct shape seen during the day.
Radar Cases UFOs detected by Radar
Radar Visual Cases UFOs observed visually whilst being simulataneously on radar. From Hynek's study these make up 1 to 2% of reports.
Close Encounters of the first kind (CE1, CEI) As first defined by Hynek, a CE1 is an observation of a UFO within 150 yards.
Close Encounters of the second kind (CE2, CEII) A UFO which leaves some form of physical evidence Example: A burn where the UFO appeared to touch the ground or the finding of material of unknown makeup.
Close Encounters of the third kind (CE3, CEIII) A visual sighting of an occupant or entity associated with a UFO. An analysis by Hynek of 650 reports found only 1% to be CE3
(Close Encounters beyond the third kind are extensions to the basic Hynek system. Different authors have used the same designation to mean different things.)
Close Encounters of the forth kind (CE4, CEIV) An abduction of an individual by an alien being or race.
Close Encounters of the fifth kind (CE5, CEV) A direct contact or communication with alien being or race. Example: Billie Meier with the Pleiadians, U.S.Govt. with the Greys, or channeling.
Main Source: JLS19@psuvm.psu.edu (Janet Smith) rutkows@ccu.umanitoba.ca (Chris Rutkowski)
2.03 Marfa Lights
Marfa lights are balls of lights that appear, change different colors and dance around in the air. These lights where named after the town that they have been appearing in, Marfa Texas. They have also been sited in other areas. Some theories as to what they are include Ball lighting, Car headlights, and Alien space ships. The last current sighting I'm aware of was Marfa Texas on September 1 1992.A small booklet on the Marfa Lights has been written by Dennis Stacey, editor of the MUFON Journal, discussing many of the cases and the theories. For details contact the author or MUFON.
Main Source: Sightings, FOX Network airdate September 25, 1992
2.03 Men In Black (MIB)
These are a group of individuals who are said to wear black suits and drive and fly around in unmarked black cars and helicopters. They go about threatening people who have claimed to have seen UFOs into not talking about what they witnessed.The very first occurrence of MIB was traced to a man named Albert K. Bender. He was the editor of a flying saucer publication called the "Space Review" In the October 1953 issue he placed an announcement stating that he had come across information that would solve the flying saucer mystery but they could not print it because they were ordered not to. They then ended the announcement warning others in saucer work to be "very cautious" they then stopped their publications. Later in an interview Bender stated that "three men wearing dark suits" had ordered him to stop publishing flying saucer material, and that he had complied with the order because he had been "scared to death" of them. He later published a book called "Flying Saucers and the Three Men in Black"
Mains Source: "A Review of MIBS (Men In Black) : A History" ParaNet File Number: 00171 Published 1991 by ParaNet Information Service
Also see: Flying Saucers and the Three Men in Black by Albert K. Bender
2.05 Tectonic Strain Theory (TST)
A theory of electromagnetic effects upon the human brain and/or the physical environment, such that all Forteana including UFOs, ghosts, ESP, sasquatch, and religious fervour can be explained as being caused by seismic activity generating electromagnetic radiation which in turn makes people think they are witnesses to an anomalous event. Alternatively, the EMM radiation can luminesce so that it appears as a UFO. Chief proponent: Michael Persinger. A variant is the "Earth Lights" hypothesis described by Paul Devereux.Main Source: rutkows@ccu.UManitoba.CA (Chris Rutkowski)
UFO Unidentified Flying Object. Official term used by the Air Force. Something seen in the sky (or on the land, or expceptionally in the water, but thought capable of flight) which the witness could not identify and thought sufficently strange to report to either an offical or unoffical investigating body. The stimulus for a UFO report.
2.06 UFOnauts
A term used by the UFO community in reference to the alien abductors or extraterrestrials.
2.07 Unusual Ground Markings (UGM)
A broad term which includes crop circles, "tripod marks", saucer nests, burn marks, etc.Main Source: rutkows@ccu.UManitoba.CA (Chris Rutkowski)
2.08 USAF
United States Air Force
2.09 Zine
magazine or newsletter pertaining to a specific subject. circlezine - Crop Circle publication ufozine - UFO publication