CLOSE ENCOUNTERS
Within 500ft from UFO
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 (including electromagnetic effects, ground traces, radiation, animal excitement).
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. These entities are sometimes called UFOnauts.
As well as entities seen inside a craft, entities have been described as sampling soil, rocks and plants or might communicate with the witness.
These witnesses are sometimes referred to as contactees. As well as communication, the witness may report that they were invited on board a craft or even taken for a trip.
Although included with UFOs, when dealing with contactees the researcher is dealing with a case of something clearly identified by the witness as some form of craft (without specifying the origin of that craft). Strictly speaking the object is no longer unidentified.
Close Encounters of the third kind (CE3, CEIII)
A visual sighting of an occupant or entity associated with a UFO. These entities are sometimes called UFOnauts. Hynek’s CE3 specifically avoided describing them as “aliens” or “extraterrestrials,” contending that there was not enough evidence to determine if beings associated with UFOs had an objective physical reality, let alone to confirm their origins or motives. An analysis by Hynek of 650 reports found only 1% to be CE3.
As well as entities seen inside a craft, entities have been described as sampling soil, rocks and plants or might communicate with the witness.
These witnesses are sometimes referred to as contactees. As well as communication, the witness may report that they were invited on board a craft or even taken for a trip.
Although included with UFOs, when dealing with contactees the researcher is dealing with a case of something clearly identified by the witness as some form of craft (without specifying the origin of that craft). Strictly speaking the object is no longer unidentified.
The UFO researcher Ted Bloecher proposed six subtypes for the close encounters of the third kind in the Hynek’s scale.
A: An entity is observed only inside the UFO
B: An entity is observed inside and outside the UFO
C: An entity is observed near to a UFO, but not going in or out.
D: An entity is observed. No UFOs are seen by the observer, but UFO activity has been reported in the area at about the same time
E: An entity is observed. But no UFOs are seen and no UFO activity has been reported in the area at that time
F: No entity or UFOs are observed, but the subject experiences some kind of “intelligent communication”
Close Encounters beyond the third kind are extensions to the basic Hynek system. Different authors have used the same designation to mean different things.