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Imeteorological phenomena like small tornadoes, were collected into a
category called OTHER. A separate category for the uncommon natural
phenomena associated with light reflections or refractions, such as mirages, Isun dogs, inversion-layer images, and distortions caused by airborne ic.e,
was established with the title of LIGHT PHENOMENON. Categories for
INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION, PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS, and IUNKNOWN were provided for the sightings that could not be fitted into the
preceding identifications. An explanation of their use follows: I
INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION - This identification category
was assigned to a report when, upon final con Isideration, there was some essential item of
information missing, or there was enough
doubt abou._t what data were available to disallow I• identification as a common object or some
natural phenomenon. It is emphasized that this Icategory of identification was not used as a
convenient way to dispose of what might be
called "poor unknowns", but as a category for Ireports that, perhaps, could have been one of
several known objects or natural phenomena.
No reports identified as INSUFFICIENT INFORMA ITION contain authenticated facts or impressions
concerning the sighting that would prevent its Ibeing identified as a known object or phenomenon;
PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS - This identification Icategory was assigned to a report when,
although it was well established that the ob Iserver had seen something, it was also
obvious that the description of the sighting
had been overdrawn. Religious fanaticism, a Idesire for publicity, or an over-active imagi
nation were the most common mental aber
rations causing this type of report; I
UNKNOWN - This designation in the identification code was Iassigned to those reports of sightings wherein
the description of the object and its maneuvers
could not be fitted to the pattern of any known Iobject or phenomenon.
IFor the purposes of this study, two groups of identifications were
recognized, the KNOWNS (including all identification categories except the
UNKNOWNS) and the UNKNOWNS. I
All possible identifications provided in the code system, except
INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION and UNKNOWN, could be assigned accord Iing to two degrees of certainty, designated "Certain" and "Doubtful".
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