Paranormal Glossary

Established by the US Department of Defense in 2022, AARO is the primary body responsible for detecting, identifying, and attributing unidentified anomalous phenomena in all domains — air, space, land, sea, and undersea.

A classified Pentagon program that ran from 2007 to 2012, investigating UAPs at the direction of Senator Harry Reid. Its existence was confirmed publicly in 2017.

A secret DIA program from 2007–2012 funded with $22 million to study UAP and exotic phenomena. Ran concurrently with AATIP and investigated Skinwalker Ranch among other sites.

A ghostly or spectral figure of a dead person. Apparitions are categorized as crisis apparitions (seen at the moment of death), post-mortem apparitions, and reciprocal apparitions (where both parties report the experience).

The alleged paranormal transportation of objects through space. An object that appears in a location it was not placed is called an apport. Common in reports of poltergeist activity.

A large, hairy, bipedal hominid reported primarily across North America. Thousands of sightings have been reported since the 18th century. The famous Patterson-Gimlin film (1967) remains debated by researchers.

The USAF's third study of UFOs, running from 1952 to 1969. It investigated 12,618 sightings and concluded 701 were "unidentified." Shut down following the Condon Report, which recommended no further investigation.

An animal whose existence is suggested but not proven by scientific evidence. Examples include Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, the Chupacabra, and the Mothman. The study of cryptids is called cryptozoology.

Electromagnetic radiation associated with electrically charged objects. Paranormal investigators use EMF detectors based on theories that ghosts or UAPs may produce measurable electromagnetic disturbances.

Sounds found on electronic recordings interpreted as spirit voices. Researchers use audio recorders in purportedly haunted locations to capture voices not audible at the time of recording.

Thermal imaging camera system used on military aircraft. Several famous UAP videos (Nimitz "Tic Tac," Gimbal, GoFast) were captured using FLIR systems and subsequently declassified by the Pentagon.

The transitional state between wakefulness and sleep, often accompanied by vivid imagery, sensory experiences, and hallucinations. Frequently cited as an explanation for alien abduction experiences and shadow figure sightings.

Hypothetical alignments of geographical locations of spiritual significance. First proposed by Alfred Watkins in 1921. Some researchers claim paranormal activity clusters along ley lines, though no scientific evidence supports this.

An alleged secret committee of scientists, military leaders, and government officials formed in 1947 to investigate recovered UAPs. No verified documentation has confirmed MJ-12's existence; the FBI has stated the documents are fraudulent.

Mysterious individuals, often described as wearing black suits and driving black cars, who allegedly intimidate UFO witnesses into silence. Reports date from the 1950s and have been documented by UFO researchers and investigators.

Spherical anomalies captured in photographs, often interpreted as manifestations of spiritual energy. Skeptics generally attribute photographic orbs to dust particles, moisture, or lens flare — though some cases remain unexplained.

A psychological phenomenon in which the mind perceives a familiar pattern where none exists — such as seeing faces in clouds or hearing words in random noise. Often cited as an explanation for EVP and apparition sightings.

A type of ghost or spirit characterized by physical disturbances — objects moving, noises, physical attacks. The word derives from German, meaning "noisy ghost." Often associated with adolescent subjects in scientific literature.

The alleged ability to influence physical objects with the mind alone, without any physical interaction. Studied in laboratory settings at institutions like the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) lab.

A practice in which a person (the viewer) attempts to perceive information about a distant location or event using extrasensory perception. Studied under the CIA's Project Stargate program from 1972–1995.

A temporary inability to move or speak that occurs when waking up or falling asleep. Often accompanied by hallucinations. Many abduction and haunting accounts share characteristics consistent with documented sleep paralysis episodes.

Marks, sores, or sensations of pain corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ. Over 300 cases have been documented in Catholic tradition. Some cases have been examined medically with inconclusive results.

The official US government term (replacing "UFO") for observed aerial objects that cannot be immediately identified. UAP is used by DoD, Congress, and AARO in official communications.

A popular term for any aerial object that cannot be identified by the observer. While largely replaced by "UAP" in official contexts, UFO remains widely used in public and media discourse.