UAP Classification Guide
A data-driven reference for interpreting multi-spectral UAP observations captured in near-Earth environments.
Skywatcher Discovery Framework
New
Our proposed model for responsible UAP engagement, civilian access to data, and long-term transparency.
View Paper
Skywatcher Discovery Framework
New
Our proposed model for responsible UAP engagement, civilian access to data, and long-term transparency.
View Paper
UAP Classification Guide
A data-driven reference for interpreting multi-spectral UAP observations captured in near-Earth environments.
Skywatcher Discovery Framework
New
Our proposed model for responsible UAP engagement, civilian access to data, and long-term transparency.
View Paper
Nine Observed UAP Classes
These categories represent the most consistently observed patterns in UAP behavior, shape, and sensor signature across multiple collection efforts.
Nine Observed UAP Classes
These categories represent the most consistently observed patterns in UAP behavior, shape, and sensor signature across multiple collection efforts.
The classification system presented below is a living taxonomy—subject to ongoing revision as new data is captured and analyzed by the Skywatcher team. The hypotheses associated with each class are exploratory in nature and should not be interpreted as conclusive scientific fact. This framework is intended to provide a foundational structure for the collection, analysis, and categorization of UAP data across multiple sensor domains.
Tetra
Class I
Preliminary Classification
Description
Tetrahedron shaped UAP which tumbles on multiple axes while on a stable flight path. Often appears in groups of 3-20+.
Visual Profile
Black with intermittent white vapor bursts. Exhibits strobing effect on electro-optical (EO) sensors several times per second.
Size
1.5 - 2 meters
Flight Behavior
Appears to tumble at high speed across multiple axes while maintaining a stable overall flight path. Typically descends from high altitude to below ~2,000 ft AGL.
View Details
Tetra
Class I
Preliminary Classification
Description
Tetrahedron shaped UAP which tumbles on multiple axes while on a stable flight path. Often appears in groups of 3-20+.
Visual Profile
Black with intermittent white vapor bursts. Exhibits strobing effect on electro-optical (EO) sensors several times per second.
Size
1.5 - 2 meters
Flight Behavior
Appears to tumble at high speed across multiple axes while maintaining a stable overall flight path. Typically descends from high altitude to below ~2,000 ft AGL.
View Details
Tetra
Class I
Preliminary Classification
Description
Tetrahedron shaped UAP which tumbles on multiple axes while on a stable flight path. Often appears in groups of 3-20+.
Visual Profile
Black with intermittent white vapor bursts. Exhibits strobing effect on electro-optical (EO) sensors several times per second.
Size
1.5 - 2 meters
Flight Behavior
Appears to tumble at high speed across multiple axes while maintaining a stable overall flight path. Typically descends from high altitude to below ~2,000 ft AGL.
View Details
Tic Tac
Class II
Preliminary Classification
Description
Cylindrical UAP that hovers. Elongates during stable flight and has an area effect on electronics and aircraft. Seen in groups of 1 to 3. Observed with the Manta Ray in proximity.
Visual Profile
Bright white cylindrical craft that shifts shape during flight. Observed to elongate horizontally and shift color from white to purple to pink during transitions. Easily observable on IR.
Size
9 - 12 meters
Flight Behavior
Capable of vertical hovering with oscillation, rapid descent from high altitudes, assessed as 60,000+ feet and Mach 1.5+, and abrupt arrest of motion mid-air. Frequently tumbles while descending and then stabilizes before resuming flight. Uses terrain masking and performs independent, unsynchronized maneuvers in proximity to other craft.
View Details
Tic Tac
Class II
Preliminary Classification
Description
Cylindrical UAP that hovers. Elongates during stable flight and has an area effect on electronics and aircraft. Seen in groups of 1 to 3. Observed with the Manta Ray in proximity.
Visual Profile
Bright white cylindrical craft that shifts shape during flight. Observed to elongate horizontally and shift color from white to purple to pink during transitions. Easily observable on IR.
Size
9 - 12 meters
Flight Behavior
Capable of vertical hovering with oscillation, rapid descent from high altitudes, assessed as 60,000+ feet and Mach 1.5+, and abrupt arrest of motion mid-air. Frequently tumbles while descending and then stabilizes before resuming flight. Uses terrain masking and performs independent, unsynchronized maneuvers in proximity to other craft.
View Details
Tic Tac
Class II
Preliminary Classification
Description
Cylindrical UAP that hovers. Elongates during stable flight and has an area effect on electronics and aircraft. Seen in groups of 1 to 3. Observed with the Manta Ray in proximity.
Visual Profile
Bright white cylindrical craft that shifts shape during flight. Observed to elongate horizontally and shift color from white to purple to pink during transitions. Easily observable on IR.
Size
9 - 12 meters
Flight Behavior
Capable of vertical hovering with oscillation, rapid descent from high altitudes, assessed as 60,000+ feet and Mach 1.5+, and abrupt arrest of motion mid-air. Frequently tumbles while descending and then stabilizes before resuming flight. Uses terrain masking and performs independent, unsynchronized maneuvers in proximity to other craft.
View Details
Blob
Class III
Preliminary Classification
Description
Orb-shaped UAP that exhibits pulsing internal light, horizontal oscillation, and erratic point-to-point movement. Capable of extreme speed and rapid flare-driven expansion. Observed exclusively as singletons.
Visual Profile
Red cloud-like orb with a pulsing, light-bodied core. The central element flares in size and brightness, at times expanding into a large red amorphous form. No visible propulsion observed. Easily detected on IR with strong heat signature.
Size
3 - 5 meters
Flight Behavior
Exhibits rapid, near-instantaneous jumps between positions with no observable transition or acceleration. Movement is generally erratic but often includes lateral oscillation. During motion or flare events, the form expands significantly, appearing to pulse or distort in size.
View Details
Blob
Class III
Preliminary Classification
Description
Orb-shaped UAP that exhibits pulsing internal light, horizontal oscillation, and erratic point-to-point movement. Capable of extreme speed and rapid flare-driven expansion. Observed exclusively as singletons.
Visual Profile
Red cloud-like orb with a pulsing, light-bodied core. The central element flares in size and brightness, at times expanding into a large red amorphous form. No visible propulsion observed. Easily detected on IR with strong heat signature.
Size
3 - 5 meters
Flight Behavior
Exhibits rapid, near-instantaneous jumps between positions with no observable transition or acceleration. Movement is generally erratic but often includes lateral oscillation. During motion or flare events, the form expands significantly, appearing to pulse or distort in size.
View Details
Blob
Class III
Preliminary Classification
Description
Orb-shaped UAP that exhibits pulsing internal light, horizontal oscillation, and erratic point-to-point movement. Capable of extreme speed and rapid flare-driven expansion. Observed exclusively as singletons.
Visual Profile
Red cloud-like orb with a pulsing, light-bodied core. The central element flares in size and brightness, at times expanding into a large red amorphous form. No visible propulsion observed. Easily detected on IR with strong heat signature.
Size
3 - 5 meters
Flight Behavior
Exhibits rapid, near-instantaneous jumps between positions with no observable transition or acceleration. Movement is generally erratic but often includes lateral oscillation. During motion or flare events, the form expands significantly, appearing to pulse or distort in size.
View Details
Beam
Class IV
Preliminary Classification
Description
IR-only orb-shaped UAP that vibrates while in a stable flight path. Hovers in place for hours at a time. Seen in pairs.
Visual Profile
Not visible in EO spectrum; only observable on IR. Presents as a stable, orb-shaped UAP with a strong heat signature and no off-gassing or visible propulsion.
Size
Unknown
Flight Behavior
Exhibits prolonged hovering, often remaining motionless for over an hour. Movement, when observed, is slow and deliberate. Vibrates laterally while maintaining a generally stable flight path.
View Details
Beam
Class IV
Preliminary Classification
Description
IR-only orb-shaped UAP that vibrates while in a stable flight path. Hovers in place for hours at a time. Seen in pairs.
Visual Profile
Not visible in EO spectrum; only observable on IR. Presents as a stable, orb-shaped UAP with a strong heat signature and no off-gassing or visible propulsion.
Size
Unknown
Flight Behavior
Exhibits prolonged hovering, often remaining motionless for over an hour. Movement, when observed, is slow and deliberate. Vibrates laterally while maintaining a generally stable flight path.
View Details
Beam
Class IV
Preliminary Classification
Description
IR-only orb-shaped UAP that vibrates while in a stable flight path. Hovers in place for hours at a time. Seen in pairs.
Visual Profile
Not visible in EO spectrum; only observable on IR. Presents as a stable, orb-shaped UAP with a strong heat signature and no off-gassing or visible propulsion.
Size
Unknown
Flight Behavior
Exhibits prolonged hovering, often remaining motionless for over an hour. Movement, when observed, is slow and deliberate. Vibrates laterally while maintaining a generally stable flight path.
View Details
Manta Ray
Class V
Preliminary Classification
Description
Manta-ray shaped UAP that tumbles on multiple axes. Rarely seen; observed in proximity to Tic Tacs.
Visual Profile
Black, manta-ray shaped craft. Emits colored vapor or light from multiple points, including pink, green, teal, and translucent/white hues. Plumage appears to radiate from the top surface.
Size
2 - 3 meters
Flight Behavior
Observed tumbling and rotating on multiple axes. Capable of hovering in place and rapidly shifting altitude. Movements include both wind-assisted and wind-opposed trajectories at varying speeds.
View Details
Manta Ray
Class V
Preliminary Classification
Description
Manta-ray shaped UAP that tumbles on multiple axes. Rarely seen; observed in proximity to Tic Tacs.
Visual Profile
Black, manta-ray shaped craft. Emits colored vapor or light from multiple points, including pink, green, teal, and translucent/white hues. Plumage appears to radiate from the top surface.
Size
2 - 3 meters
Flight Behavior
Observed tumbling and rotating on multiple axes. Capable of hovering in place and rapidly shifting altitude. Movements include both wind-assisted and wind-opposed trajectories at varying speeds.
View Details
Manta Ray
Class V
Preliminary Classification
Description
Manta-ray shaped UAP that tumbles on multiple axes. Rarely seen; observed in proximity to Tic Tacs.
Visual Profile
Black, manta-ray shaped craft. Emits colored vapor or light from multiple points, including pink, green, teal, and translucent/white hues. Plumage appears to radiate from the top surface.
Size
2 - 3 meters
Flight Behavior
Observed tumbling and rotating on multiple axes. Capable of hovering in place and rapidly shifting altitude. Movements include both wind-assisted and wind-opposed trajectories at varying speeds.
View Details
Bright Star
Class VI
Preliminary Classification
Description
Reflective, tetrahedron-shaped UAP that oscillates horizontally, flashing light. Team has experienced sensor disruption apparently caused by directed energy.
Visual Profile
Reflective, tetrahedron-shaped craft that flashes in teal, green, blue, red, and white light spectrums. Appears to shimmer across its surface in EO view. Endpoints of the craft are less opaque, possibly due to active plumage or light-based extension effects.
Size
1.5 - 3 meters
Flight Behavior
Exhibits rapid horizontal oscillation, fast enough to produce radar artifacts resembling a spinning propeller. Movement is erratic and high-frequency, but contained within a lateral plane.
View Details
Bright Star
Class VI
Preliminary Classification
Description
Reflective, tetrahedron-shaped UAP that oscillates horizontally, flashing light. Team has experienced sensor disruption apparently caused by directed energy.
Visual Profile
Reflective, tetrahedron-shaped craft that flashes in teal, green, blue, red, and white light spectrums. Appears to shimmer across its surface in EO view. Endpoints of the craft are less opaque, possibly due to active plumage or light-based extension effects.
Size
1.5 - 3 meters
Flight Behavior
Exhibits rapid horizontal oscillation, fast enough to produce radar artifacts resembling a spinning propeller. Movement is erratic and high-frequency, but contained within a lateral plane.
View Details
Bright Star
Class VI
Preliminary Classification
Description
Reflective, tetrahedron-shaped UAP that oscillates horizontally, flashing light. Team has experienced sensor disruption apparently caused by directed energy.
Visual Profile
Reflective, tetrahedron-shaped craft that flashes in teal, green, blue, red, and white light spectrums. Appears to shimmer across its surface in EO view. Endpoints of the craft are less opaque, possibly due to active plumage or light-based extension effects.
Size
1.5 - 3 meters
Flight Behavior
Exhibits rapid horizontal oscillation, fast enough to produce radar artifacts resembling a spinning propeller. Movement is erratic and high-frequency, but contained within a lateral plane.
View Details
Jellyfish
Class VII
Preliminary Classification
Description
Jellyfish-shaped UAP with "seeking" head motion and trailing tentacles. Exhibits a localized area effect on electronics, independent of specific targeting or interaction with sensors.
Visual Profile
White, jellyfish-shaped craft with a bulbous head and trailing tentacle-like appendages. The head comprises roughly 1/5 of the overall length, while the tail extends downward and appears to move independently of wind conditions. Observable on both EO and IR.
Size
2 meters (head), 3 - 5 meters (tentacles)
Flight Behavior
Exhibits winding, snake-like movement along deliberate flight paths. The craft often moves from point to point in a meandering, serpentine motion.
View Details
Jellyfish
Class VII
Preliminary Classification
Description
Jellyfish-shaped UAP with "seeking" head motion and trailing tentacles. Exhibits a localized area effect on electronics, independent of specific targeting or interaction with sensors.
Visual Profile
White, jellyfish-shaped craft with a bulbous head and trailing tentacle-like appendages. The head comprises roughly 1/5 of the overall length, while the tail extends downward and appears to move independently of wind conditions. Observable on both EO and IR.
Size
2 meters (head), 3 - 5 meters (tentacles)
Flight Behavior
Exhibits winding, snake-like movement along deliberate flight paths. The craft often moves from point to point in a meandering, serpentine motion.
View Details
Jellyfish
Class VII
Preliminary Classification
Description
Jellyfish-shaped UAP with "seeking" head motion and trailing tentacles. Exhibits a localized area effect on electronics, independent of specific targeting or interaction with sensors.
Visual Profile
White, jellyfish-shaped craft with a bulbous head and trailing tentacle-like appendages. The head comprises roughly 1/5 of the overall length, while the tail extends downward and appears to move independently of wind conditions. Observable on both EO and IR.
Size
2 meters (head), 3 - 5 meters (tentacles)
Flight Behavior
Exhibits winding, snake-like movement along deliberate flight paths. The craft often moves from point to point in a meandering, serpentine motion.
View Details
Hornet
Class VIII
Preliminary Classification
Description
Dual-body UAP with hanging tendrils and asynchronous rotation.
Visual Profile
Multi-part craft with purple, red, blue, and black coloration. Features a prominent “tail” that folds into a ball or extends in a stinger-like formation. The upper segment contains hanging tendrils, within which a secondary body appears to rest. Reflective flashes observed during flight.
Size
2 - 4 meters
Flight Behavior
Exhibits irregular motion and asynchronous rotation between upper and lower components. Rolls on both pitch and yaw axes while maneuvering.
View Details
Hornet
Class VIII
Preliminary Classification
Description
Dual-body UAP with hanging tendrils and asynchronous rotation.
Visual Profile
Multi-part craft with purple, red, blue, and black coloration. Features a prominent “tail” that folds into a ball or extends in a stinger-like formation. The upper segment contains hanging tendrils, within which a secondary body appears to rest. Reflective flashes observed during flight.
Size
2 - 4 meters
Flight Behavior
Exhibits irregular motion and asynchronous rotation between upper and lower components. Rolls on both pitch and yaw axes while maneuvering.
View Details
Hornet
Class VIII
Preliminary Classification
Description
Dual-body UAP with hanging tendrils and asynchronous rotation.
Visual Profile
Multi-part craft with purple, red, blue, and black coloration. Features a prominent “tail” that folds into a ball or extends in a stinger-like formation. The upper segment contains hanging tendrils, within which a secondary body appears to rest. Reflective flashes observed during flight.
Size
2 - 4 meters
Flight Behavior
Exhibits irregular motion and asynchronous rotation between upper and lower components. Rolls on both pitch and yaw axes while maneuvering.
View Details
Egg
Class IX
Preliminary Classification
Description
Off-white, egg-shaped UAP. Provisional class designation; no corroborated motion, structure, or spectral data.
Visual Profile
Off-white metallic, egg-shaped craft. Visual data is limited to a single, low-quality recording. No observable propulsion, vapor trails, or aerodynamic control surfaces. EO-visible; IR and other multi-spectral sensor coverage was unavailable during observation.
Size
Unknown
Flight Behavior
Undocumented. No verified pattern of motion has been established due to insufficient data. No radar tracking available during sightings to confirm flight behavior.
View Details
Egg
Class IX
Preliminary Classification
Description
Off-white, egg-shaped UAP. Provisional class designation; no corroborated motion, structure, or spectral data.
Visual Profile
Off-white metallic, egg-shaped craft. Visual data is limited to a single, low-quality recording. No observable propulsion, vapor trails, or aerodynamic control surfaces. EO-visible; IR and other multi-spectral sensor coverage was unavailable during observation.
Size
Unknown
Flight Behavior
Undocumented. No verified pattern of motion has been established due to insufficient data. No radar tracking available during sightings to confirm flight behavior.
View Details
Egg
Class IX
Preliminary Classification
Description
Off-white, egg-shaped UAP. Provisional class designation; no corroborated motion, structure, or spectral data.
Visual Profile
Off-white metallic, egg-shaped craft. Visual data is limited to a single, low-quality recording. No observable propulsion, vapor trails, or aerodynamic control surfaces. EO-visible; IR and other multi-spectral sensor coverage was unavailable during observation.
Size
Unknown
Flight Behavior
Undocumented. No verified pattern of motion has been established due to insufficient data. No radar tracking available during sightings to confirm flight behavior.
View Details
