A close encounter is a UFO sighting in which the object is close enough to the observer to be seen in detail. There are three types of close encounters, according to astronomer and UFO researcher J. Allen Hynek:
- Close encounter of the first kind: A sighting of a UFO at close range, typically within a few hundred feet. The object may be seen in detail, but there is no physical evidence left behind.
- Close encounter of the second kind: A sighting of a UFO accompanied by physical evidence, such as scorched earth, electrical interference, or unusual effects on animals or plants.
- Close encounter of the third kind: A sighting of a UFO accompanied by the presence of an intelligent being or beings. This may include seeing occupants of the UFO, or seeing evidence of intelligent activity, such as the UFO landing or taking off.
Close encounters are relatively rare, but they are the most convincing type of UFO sighting. When a witness to a close encounter is able to provide detailed and credible information, it is difficult to dismiss their sighting as a hoax or misidentification.
Close encounters have been reported all over the world, and by people from all walks of life. Some of the most famous close encounters include the Roswell incident, the Nimitz UFO encounter, and the Phoenix Lights incident.
While close encounters do not provide definitive proof of the existence of extraterrestrial life, they do suggest that there is something more to UFOs than can be explained by conventional science.