Observation taxonomy
normalized vocabulary across the corpusRaw documents describe objects in inconsistent language. We map those descriptions onto a normalized vocabulary so they can be counted and compared — while preserving each original phrasing on the record page.
Reported shapes
Most-reported movements
high-speed76
hovering32
90-degree turn11
evasive7
launching sub-objects6
formation flight6
no sound6
instantaneous flash5
vertical ascent4
high-altitude3
directional flight northward3
circling3
stationary3
no trail3
tumbling3
rotating3
Sensor modalities
eyewitness156
visual56
infrared35
radar15
sigint1
eyewitness dominates the modern corpus, which is largely military targeting-pod video. Sensor modality reflects the collection platform, not necessarily the phenomenon.