Mufon: hynek ufo sighting classifications and rating system.

 
THE HYNEK RATING SYSTEM
-----------------------

S: Strangeness
The "Strangeness" factor of a case description shall be rated from 1 to
5 as follows:

    1 - Explained or Explainable
    2 - Probably Explainable, with more data
    3 - Possibly Explainable, but with elements of strangeness
    4 - Strange; Does not conform with known principles
    5 - Highly Strange; Definitely indicative of intelligent guidance

Examples:
    S1 - Aircraft, meteor, etc.
    S2 - Experimental aircraft; planet or star
    S3 - Slow, low flying objects in formation
    S4 - BOL (Ball of Light Phenomena); physical traces
    S5 - Close Encounters, Abductions, etc.

P: Probability
The "Probability" factor of a case relates to the credibility, number
and separation of witnesses and/or the soundness of evidence gathered.
It shall be rated from 1 to 5 as follows:

    1 - Not Credible or Sound
    2 - Unreliable; Smacks of Hoax
    3 - Somewhat credible or indeterminate
    4 - Credible; Sound
    5 - Highly Credible, leaving almost no doubt

Examples:
    P1 - Known Hoaxer or UFO "Flake"; Hoax Photo
    P2 - Repeat Witness; Conflicting Testimony
    P3 - Standard, first-time witness; slight radiation reading
    P4 - Multiple witnesses; pilot; clear photo
    P5 - National Figure; Multiple independent witnesses; videotape

The composite Hynek Rating of a case shall consist of the combined S &
P factors, stated as Sn/Pn, e.g. S3/P5; except that cases with an S
factor of 1 shall simply be stated as S1.

Examples using recent or famous cases:
    S1 - Wickenburg, AZ, July 10 (explanation:Mars)
    S5/P1 - Billy Meier
    S2/P5 - X-shaped UFO, Petaluma, CA  May 28
    S4/P5 - Brazilian "Ping Pong Balls"
    S5/P4 - Betty & Barney Hill
    S4/P4 - Lubbock Lights
    S5/P5 - MedEvac Helicopter ("Coyne" Case)
    S3/P2 - Delphos
    S4/P2 - Anything published in SAUCER SMEAR

Discussion:
I believe this rating system will be a useful tool to investigators who
wish to narrow their focus to the most promising cases. It is not my
intention that any one group "stake a claim" to this system; rather,
I'd like to see several groups or investigators rate cases according to
their own view, merely using this system as a standard.

The rating of a particular case may, indeed perhaps should, change from time to
time as new evidence is gathered.


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