J. Allen Hynek

Early Life and Education: J. Allen Hynek was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1910. He attended the University of Chicago and earned a Ph.D. in astrophysics in 1935. [6]

Work with the US Government: Hynek worked as a scientific consultant for the United States Air Force's Project Sign (1947–1949), Project Grudge (1949–1952), and Project Blue Book (1952–1969), which investigated UFO sightings. [1]

Emergence as a Ufologist: Despite initially being skeptical about UFO sightings, Hynek's work with the US government and exposure to witness testimony convinced him of their reality. In 1973, he founded the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS), which continues to investigate UFO sightings and promote research on the topic. [6]

The Close Encounter Classification System: Hynek developed the Close Encounter Classification System, which classified UFO sightings based on the proximity of the object to the witness. This system remains widely used in ufology today. [6]

The Hynek Scale: In 1966, Hynek proposed the Hynek Scale, which classifies UFO sightings based on their perceived credibility. The scale ranges from "Nocturnal Lights" (least credible) to "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (most credible). [5]

Legacy: Hynek's work as a ufologist and advocate for scientific investigation of UFO sightings continues to influence the field today. His books, including "The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry" and "The Hynek UFO Report," remain popular among enthusiasts and researchers. [6]