How would you define a close encounter?

With regards to UFO's and UFOlogy, a Close Encounter simply means to witness an Unidentified Flying Object.

Well, it seems as with everything in the world of UFOlogy that there are conflicting points of view regarding, “Close Encounters.” The, “Old school” train of thought relies wholly on Hynek's interpretation and recognises only the original three types of, “Close Encounter.” While some recognise these as well as a Close Encounter of the fourth, fifth and sixth kind, with some recognizing all 6 along with the sub-types.

The original terminology and the system used to qualify and classify these encounters was first proposed and introduced by UFO researcher and astronomer, “J. Allen Hynek.” It was in contained in his book, “The UFO Experience : A Scientific Study,” which was originally released way back in 1972.

Here's what I found out:

Close Encounter Of The First Kind: Aerial objects that are not attributable to human technology and/or a sighting of one or more unidentified flying objects; these include flying saucers, orbs, balls of light, cylinders etc.

Close Encounter Of The Second Kind: An observation of a UFO and associated physical effects from the UFO. 3-D physical tracings, or remnants, of something apparently not of this world/dimension , it would appear that Crop Circles would fall into this category, BUT only if the crop circle is found in the vicinity of a UFO sighting.

Also included in a Close Encounter of the Second kind is any damage to the terrain, interference to televisions, radios and internal combustion engines, frightened or panicked animals, heat, radiation, human paralysis etc.

Close Encounter Of The Third Kind: The Third kind is when you not only encounter a UFO, but when you can also see the entities inside the UFO. Hynek was very careful to label this encounter as one which observed, “Animate beings,” within the UFO, note how he doesn't reference aliens or extraterrestrial, this was in conjunction with his own beliefs, and he further states that they are included because Hynek felt a scientific obligation to include them, due solely to the amount of reports of this type of UFO encounter rather than because of a personal belief.

Close Encounter Of The Fourth Kind: Abductees (BUT not contactees) so a Close Encounter Of The Fourth Kind is when a human is abducted by a UFO or its occupants.

Close Encounter Of The Fifth Kind: This one was introduced and named by Steven M. Greer's CSETI group. This is the category under which most contactees fall, if you initiate contact, contact does indeed happen, (of any of the previously mentioned first to fourth kinds) this is an encounter of the fifth kind, i.e. b ilateral contact events produced through the conscious, voluntary and proactive human-initiated or cooperative communication with Extraterrestrial intelligence.

Close Encounter Of The Sixth Kind: Direct injury and or death as of a result of encounter with a U.F.O, extraterrestrials or abduction by E.T's.

It's also worth noting that UFO sightings more than 500 feet from the witness are classified as "Daylight Discs", "Nocturnal Lights" or "Radar/Visual Reports". Sightings within about 500 feet are sub-classified as various types of "close encounter."

I know personally, I've only experienced the First kind. Seeing peculiar lights in the night sky. Nothing more. I certainly wouldn't want to experience the encounter of the sixth kind or even any leading up to it from three. Would be too freaky.

What close encounters have you had in relation from those descriptions and what encounters on the scale would you be happy with? How would you define a close encounter and have you had any that you would like to share?

Gee, when I was a kid there were only three kinds!

How time moves on without us eh??

Close encounters of the 6th kind seem a little bit dodgy, hope I never have one of those!

Have had 1st kind and 2nd kind so far, possible 3rd but I am not really sure that I believe in 'aliens' per se. It just seems too unlikely that they would present themselves here in a physical form to see little old me.

I have had no encounters at all myself. But things like the Disclosure Project have made me believe they exist, as well as the NASA UFO investigation video and the many sightings all over the planet that cannot be balloons or anything natural because of the way they move.

So Im one of the guys who have looked at the entire picture and come to the conclusion that they are very real.

Of course you have people saying that all sightings are ice crystals, optical illusions and balloons, but there will always be hardcore skeptics. And thats fine, I wouldnt have it any other way.



[edit on 7-10-2007 by Copernicus]

Doesn't a CE1 have to be within 200 yards or something to count as a close encounter?Also, If I saw a craft and got a photo is that a CE1 or a CE2, 'cos there's obviously a trace in my photo?And, if someone got an implant from a CE4, would that make it a CE6, if there's a mark or object left behind?Maybe these are what you call "grey" areas, lol.

[edit on 7-10-2007 by wigit]

Encounters are defined by the amount of grey matter involved. If it uses all of your grey matter, you probably believe you've seen one.

I’m going to have to say I’ve had ‘Close Encounter Of The Fifth and Sixth kind, sadly enough…..mostly the sixth…..it sucks it be me……lol