UFO Classifications
By Barry Taylor
UFO Researcher (Aust)

This Classification system is simply divided into the main categories used to describe and report most UFO sightings. There should be nothing new here, just the standard terminology and descriptions that should continue to be used. New comers to UFOlogy should familiarize themselves with this terminology and use these specific terms when describing, reporting or writing about the subject. Using a standard form of terminology will make learning and sharing of information much easier. If we all speak the same language we all know what is being reported or described.

Term Single Object Description
Disc Any object or illumination shaped like a double convex lens.
Cylinder Any Drum shaped solid looking UFO with long axis horizontal or vertical.
Cigar Large cigar shaped (cylinder) of Mother ship size.
Orb A 'Ball' shaped illuminated UFO not appearing solid or metallic.
Sphere A 'Ball' shaped solid looking UFO either glowing or metallic.
Triangle Three sided solid looking craft flying horizontally.
Pyramid A 3D pyramid shaped object with flat sides and definite pointed corners.
Cone A 3D cone shaped object with flat base & rounded cone end not pyramidal.
Plasma Illuminated object not appearing solid, almost translucent and flexible.
Boomerang Craft Individual solid craft typical Boomerang shape flying long edge forward.
Rectangle A rectangle shaped object or illumination long edge horizontal. Longer than high.
Structured Craft Structured craft need individual specific descriptions recorded in reports on the sighting, due to the variety seen. A true vehicle with features.
Undetermined Shape Shape undetermined due to brightness of illuminated object, distance from observer or other uncertainties about shape.
Manta Craft Solid craft shaped like the Manta Ray.
Bird Shaped Any UFO shaped like a bird not more accurately described above.
Diamond Looking like two inverted cones or pyramids joined at the base.
Humanoid A UFO flying yet appears to have Human form likes arms, head & legs.
Shape Shifter Any UFO in clear view that appears to alter shape beyond a 3D form.
Morpher When a single object splits into other similar objects of similar shape.
Domed Disc Basic Disc shaped solid craft with features like portholes and surface mechanical apparatus etc. Has tiered Dome or secondary level.
UFO Any object or illumination not readily identifiable as natural of man made.
Term Multiple Object Descriptions
Single Object Single object only. Not associated with other objects in the sighting event.
Double UFO Two individual UFO appearing to be joined and moving as one object.
Dumb Bell Two 'Spheres' or 'Orbs' joined by something obviously solid.
Triangle Formation Three single objects not physically joined yet flying as one formation in a triangle shape. Either one leading, two trailing or visa versa.
Group Formation Multiple objects spaced out forming random patterns. Some changing position yet maintaining similar speed and direction.
Group Closer group of objects often changing position and flying as a group.
Cluster Multiple objects with no obvious space between them & rolling around one another within the cluster and moving as one.
Line Cluster Orbs A line of similar Orbs as seen in the Clusters. Almost touching one another and showing similar rolling movement.
'V' Formation UFO objects lined up to form a typical 'V' formation. 5 - 7 objects.
Vee Formation Usually more objects (15-20) in more random less strict Formation.
Boomerang Formation Multiple objects staggered positioning to form a slightly bent Boomerang shaped formation. These 'V' & Boomerang are well-organised formations.
Other Configuration Describe any other multi object group or formation not specified here, yet use the listed above as a comparison, attempting conform of description.

Term Illumination Descriptions
Dull Fuzzy Just visible even when close. Usually a 'fuzzy' white of yellow dull illumination either the UFO itself, or the surrounding air of the craft.
White Paper white either dull or bright reflective yet not as if reflecting mirror or chrome. Usually daytime observations this colour.
Silver White Like chrome or mirror reflection or bright 'Star' type illumination.
Golden Pure gold colouring like molten gold metal. Mainly close sighting.
Yellow-orange Like the traffic light orange.
Red-orange More toward rust red.
Pink-orange A light pinkish orange.
Pure red Bright true red like car taillight.
Metallic Like the metals Pewter, aluminum, carbon steel, or any solid metal type.
Pearl Surface luster of glazed white Pearl.
Plasma Surface illumination seemingly contained within the objects' perimeter.
Particle Plasma External radiating bright illumination likes 'spikes' of energy. Parallel dotted lines of particles surrounding object.
Pulsing Slow to medium paced fading on and off of illumination of object.
Strobing Faster flashing of illumination. Usually much brighter. Can remain off longer between strobes. Even strobes 2-3 times for a full crossing of sky.
Flash Very bright single flash of silver white light. May flash 2-3 times or once only when in visible sky range.
Flaring  Object slowly brightens up into a very bright 'Flare' then diminishes.
Fairy Lights Many small illuminations grouped closely together. May or may not form the shape of an object. May quickly randomly flash on and off or stay on.
Term Flight Descriptions
Satellite Speed Similar to satellite speed, yet appears much brighter and at lower altitude than a satellite.
Fast Satellite Brighter and lower than satellite yet much too fast to be satellite.
Slow Satellite At distance, yet appears lower than satellite and very slow moving.
Low Altitude Below cloud base, usually less than 4,000 feet altitude.
Medium Altitude An altitude between the top of cloud and altitude of high aircraft (35,000ft)
High Altitude Above 35,000ft to the edge of the atmosphere.
Satellite Height Appears the height of satellites. 100+ miles.
Steady Flight Smooth constant speed.
Erratic Flight Stops, starts and hesitations. Changes in speed and direction.
Swimming Constant variation in speed. Speeds up to then slow down. This is repeated during most or the entire sighting.
Tree Top Flying just above tree top height.
Ascending Noticeably increasing altitude.
Descending Noticeably decreasing altitude.
Hovering Remaining stationary at a constant altitude for a period of time.
Warp Speed Visible, then seen to speed off in the 'twinkling of an eye.'
Fade out Physical object fades to almost invisible, returns to normal before speeding off. Or, may fade out not to be seen again.
Wobble Object wobbles on its axis when rotating or spinning, stationary or moving.
Falling Leaf A gentle side-to-side drifting motion when descending slowly.
Right Angle Turn Sudden 90° turns while in motion along flight path.


Term Flight Path DescriptionWindow Area above a chosen location where the UFO can safely enter and leave the earth's atmosphere and gravity field. May congregate in these areas before moving to other locations. Large Cigar craft may be seen here.Corridor A wide flight path often used when flying from one location to another at low to high altitudes. May be 100's of klm wide. During 'waves' and 'flaps', the UFO flies any direction within these corridors.Flight path A more definite path frequently used by UFO's when active. Numerous sightings of UFO on such flight paths confirm this. Usually north to south or visa versa. Other paths intersecting these are also normal and are concentrated in some locations around the world. UFO Hot Spots Flight paths that cross or intersect within corridors result in concentrated UFO activity. These areas are called 'UFO Hot Spots.' Locations where 'Windows' are found, are often 'Hot Spots' also.Term Other Important DescriptionsFlap A concentration of UFO activity in one location for an extended period of time. Usually 1 to 3 days and nights. Rarely longer than this. During a 'Flap', UFO sightings can occur every 20-30 minutes.Wave After a 'Flap', there may be several months of spasmodic UFO activity; even years of 'Wave' activity may follow. A 'wave' can occur at any time without following a 'Flap'. A UFO 'Wave' may only last a few days. It varies. UFO sightings during a 'Wave' may occur each or alternate days or once or twice a week over the 'Wave' situation. Daytime sighting of UFO's is more likely during 'Flaps' and 'Waves.'Ionization This term is often used to describe the glowing air surrounding a UFO. It appears that the energy contained within the UFO is so powerful, that it effects the air surrounding the object causing it to glow. It is presumed that this energy is used for propulsion and the surrounding glow is a 'bi-product' of the propulsion energy. UFO's observed at altitudes beyond the Earth's atmosphere, do not display this Ionization effect. (no air) From my personal observation of 200+ UFO's in one large group, this effect may have a multiplying effect the more objects in the group. Hence creating a much larger glow than would be expected from such a group. Electro-magnetic Propulsion Because no visible or usually audible means of propulsion are associated with the UFO, it is presumed that an Electro-magnetic or similar Anti-gravity type of propulsion is used. The UFO has interfered with and disrupted electrical apparatus when is close proximity. And at other times does not. What type of propulsion the UFO uses does remain a mystery, no matter what theories you hear.