ALSACAT-2015-07-05-DIDENHEIM-1
The "Groupe d'Etude et d'Informations sur les Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non Identifiés" (GEIPAN) in France, officially in charge of explaining and informing about observations of "Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena", received the testimony that follows, written using their form, about a sighting that reportedly took place in Didenheim in the Haut-Rhin on July 5, 2015 at 10:30 p.m.
The witness, a teenage girl between the ages of 15 and 18, wrote the account of her sighting as follows:
"I was watching television, lying on the sofa in the living room facing the bay window around 10:30 p.m. - 11 p.m., I suddenly saw a yellow dot of light in the sky in front of me. This dot became bigger and bigger and coming in my direction. I went out on the terrace thinking it was a meteorite or a very low plane."
"The dot suddenly changed direction, it left slowly as if it saw that I was watching it, it started to flash quickly while moving slowly. A few thousandths of a second after the light was getting weaker and weaker until it disappeared."
"Then this big yellow dot reappeared in the sky while moving very quickly from right to left and up and down. Suddenly it took off at full speed and disappeared into the sky, I thought it passed on the other side of the house but when arriving at the front door the dot had completely disappeared. It was a flying saucer I saw it with my own eyes, I was very scared. I didn't hear any noise it was only visual."
"This dot did not reappear overnight."
Through the questionnaire, the witness gave an observation duration of 5 minutes, without other witnesses. She says she was paralyzed when "the yellow dot suddenly disappeared in the sky", and even that she had been very scared, "I was shaking and I was terrified. When the sphere disappeared I was shocked and did not know anymore what to think."
The object, she said, was "round like a sphere", "yellow like the sun". without trail or halo. The object was in the Southeast, at an elevation of 45°, it travelled across a quarter of the sky.
She drew the object like this:
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However, the drawing did not match in any way to what appears on the video (visible below in this file) she took:
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She had also taken a photo, at 10:44 p.m., here reduced to 25% by me for readability:
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She specified that she was wearing her glasses, that it was dark, that the sky was clear with weak wind, that there were few stars in the sky, that she could not see the moon from her position, that the television was on with a small light in the living room, and that the street lamps were on.
She had spoken about it the next morning to her parents and her older sister, they were understanding "because they believe in this kind of phenomenon." For her, it was "a UFO"; she had watched shows about this kind of phenomenon before "and it was exactly the same".
When asked about her conclusion, she said:
"I was reluctant on the topic, but having experienced this, I know that we are not alone and that there are other inhabitants than us in space."
The GEIPAN notes that in the video, one sees flashing, and that the phenomenon resembles an airplane preparing for a landing: "The apparent disappearance of the phenomenon corresponds to the change of heading of the airplane which is then no more facing the witness."
GEIPAN notes that the witness is located 20 km from the Basel Mulhouse airport with heavy traffic, and 10 km from the Mulhouse-Habsheim leisure aerodrome. They regret not having been able to process the case quickly enough to be able to determine which airplane would have been involved in this sighting, and they classify the case as "B", as "probable sighting of an airplane preparing to land."
| Date: | July 5, 2015 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 10:44 p.m. |
| Duration: | 5 minutes. |
| First known report date: | ? |
| Reporting delay: | Days, 3 years. |
| Department: | Haut-Rhin |
|---|---|
| City: | Didenheim |
| Place: | From window bay then outside of home. |
| Latitude: | 47.714 |
| Longitude: | 7.302 |
| Uncertainty radius: | 1 km. |
| Number of alleged witnesses: | 1 |
|---|---|
| Number of known witnesses: | 1 |
| Number of named witnesses: | 1 |
| Witness(es) ages: | 15 to 18 |
| Witness(es) types: | Girl. |
| Reporting channel: | To GEIPAN by form. |
|---|---|
| Type of location: | From window bay then outside of home. |
| Visibility conditions: | Night. |
| UFO observed: | Yes. |
| UFO arrival observed: | No. |
| UFO departure observed: | ? |
| Entities: | No |
| Photographs: | Yes. |
| Sketch(s) by witness(es): | Yes. |
| Sketch(es) approved by witness(es): | Yes. |
| Witness(es) feelings: | Frightened. |
| Witnesses interpretation: | Extraterrestrial craft. |
| Hynek: | NL |
|---|---|
| ALSACAT: | Unidentified, possible plane. |
[Ref. gei1:] GROUPE D'ETUDES ET D'INFORMATIONS SUR LES PHENOMENES AEROSPATIAUX NON IDENTIFIES (G.E.I.P.A.N.):
| DIDENHEIM (68) 07/05/2015 | |
| Observed on: | 07/05/2015 |
| Region: | Alsace |
| Department: | Rhin (Haut) |
| Class: | B |
| Summary: | DIDENHEIM (68) 07/05/2015. Night observation of the displacement of a luminous dot with low altitude flashing in the sky: probable observation of a plane preparing to land. |
| Description: |
On July 5, 2015, at 10:30 p.m. a witness observes, through its bay window, a yellow luminous dot coming in his direction. He then goes out on his terrace and sees the object veering, flashing rapidly, before disappearing at full speed. The witness films his observation: we see in the distance street lamps and the light dot on the move. No other testimony was collected. This powerful yellow light (see photo), which is observed blinking (see video), which moves slowly down the horizon, evokes a plane preparing for landing. The apparent disappearance of the phenomenon corresponds to the change of course of the aircraft which is no longer facing the witness. In this configuration, an airplane is visible more than 20 km away. The witness is located 20 km from the Basel Mulhouse airport with significant traffic, and 10 km from the leisure airport of Mulhouse-Habsheim. GEIPAN did not handle this case quickly enough to determine which aircraft would have been involved in this observation. The GEIPAN classifies this case "B": probable observation of a plane preparing to land. Wind from South West to West in Mulhouse: see Météociel. |
| Report: | None. |
| Details of the testimony | |
| Witness | |
| Date of the observation | 07/05/2015 |
| Document number | |
| Age | Teenager (from 13 to 18) |
| Profession | |
| Sex | Female |
| Raaction | |
| Credibility | |
| Conditions | |
| Environment | Urban landscape |
| Weather conditions | Scattered clouds |
| Hour of the observation | Numbered: 10 p.m. 00 a.m. |
| Reference frame | Urban landscape (houses, trees, street lig |
| Distance between the phenomenon and the witness | |
| Start of the observation | Start of observation by phenomenon |
| End of the observation | End of the observation by phenomenon |
| Localization | |
| Angle od the site | Middle of the sky |
| Direction of observation | South-East |
| Heading | |
| Trajectory | With change of direction |
| Nature of the observation | Object |
| Characteristic of the observation | |
| Global shape | Round, circular, ball |
| Color | Yellow |
| Apparent size | Plate, ball, moon |
| Apparent speed | |
| Noise | Silent |
| Effect on the enviroement | |
| Number | 1 |
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Madam, Sir,
You were a direct witness, on French territory, of an aerospace phenomenon that intrigued you and you want to understand what you saw.
In order to be able to answer your questions, the National Center for Space Studies and its specialized service GEIPAN offer you a two-step approach:
- The questionnaire is individual and must be completed by the direct witness
- The questionnaire should relate to only one observation at a time
Your testimony is crucial and perhaps unique. It will consist of writing a story about your observation, answering specific questions, making drawings and sketches or attaching photographs to further refine your description.
It is imperative that you follow the instructions mentioned at each stage so that we can gather as much information as possible about the observed phenomenon. You shouldn't be afraid to tell us about it, nor feel ridiculous, we are used to collecting this type of testimonies.
The conclusions of our investigation will be sent to you personally. Once anonymized, your testimony will be published on our website (www.geipan.fr), "Case search" tab in the menu bar.
We thank you in advance for your contribution to our work.
The head of GEIPAN
ACCORDING TO LAW N° 78-17 OF JANUARY 6, 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE N° 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CONTROL AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - CONTACT DETAILS ON THE LAST PAGE
V3-8/JANUARY 2015
page: 1
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We will ask you to provide as much information as possible about your observation. The most important thing is not to omit anything: it is often the details that solve the investigations. Do not hesitate to give as much information as possible, even if your memories are incomplete or certain elements seem unimportant to you. If you are not sure of this or that detail, let us know your doubts, but, once again, do not omit anything. We must be able to visualize everything you have seen, as if to remake the film of your observation.
Use the end of this page to recount your sighting and continue on free paper as much as you wish:
I was watching television, lying on the sofa in the living room facing the bay window around 10:30 p.m. - 11 p.m., I suddenly saw a yellow dot of light in the sky in front of me. This dot was getting bigger and bigger and coming in my direction. I went outside on the terrace thinking it was a meteorite or a very low plane.
The dot suddenly changed direction, it left slowly as if it saw me watching it, it started to blink rapidly while moving slowly. A few thousandths of a second later the light became weaker and weaker until it disappeared.
Then this big yellow dot reappeared in the sky while moving very quickly from right to left and up and down. Suddenly it left at full speed and disappeared in the sky, I thought he had gone to the other side of the house but when i arrived at the front door the point had completely disappeared. It was a flying saucer I saw it with my own eyes, I was very scared. I did not hear any noise it was only visual.
This dot did not reappear overnight.
ACCORDING TO LAW N° 78-17 OF JANUARY 6, 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE N° 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CONTROL AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - CONTACT DETAILS ON THE LAST PAGE
V3-8/JANUARY 2015
page: 3
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Please provide all the information requested.
What were your occupations just before your sighting?
I was watching TV.
Precise address of the place of observation (street, town, etc.):
[-] 68350 DIDENHEIM (ALSACE)
Where exactly were you? (Please indicate if you were in a building and on what floor, if you were looking through a window, and how fast you were driving if you were in a vehicle.)
I was in the living room of my house and I was looking out of the bay window.
Date of sighting: 07/05/2015 Precise start time (in local time): 10:30 p.m.
Duration of observation or end time (in hours, minutes, seconds): 5 Minutes
Did other witnesses see the same phenomenon as you? If yes, how many? NO
If necessary, please ask them to contact us using the contact details given on the last page of this document.
What relationship do you have with these people (parents, friends, colleagues, neighbours)?
The observation was made in a way: continuous
If the observation was made discontinuously, specify why it was interrupted and resumed:
How did this sighting end?
I was paralyzed, the yellow dot suddenly disappeared in the sky.
ACCORDING TO LAW N° 78-17 OF JANUARY 6, 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE N° 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CONTROL AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - CONTACT DETAILS ON THE LAST PAGE
V3-8/JANUARY 2015
page: 4
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Did you see the phenomenon directly with your eyes? YES
Was the phenomenon observed through an instrument (spectacles or sunglasses, binoculars, camera, camera, telescope, etc.)? If yes, please specify the model:
Yes, my glasses
Weather conditions (clear sky, clouds, wind, thunderstorm, haze, fog, rain, snow, change of conditions during observation):
It was dark, the sky was clear with a weak wind.
Astronomical conditions (remember the position of the Moon, the Sun, the presence or absence of stars or planets, etc.):
There were few stars in the sky, I couldn't see the moon from the terrace.
Equipment switched on or active during the observation (headlights, radio, TV, lights, etc.):
The television was on with a small light in the living room. The streetlights were also on.
Noise during observation (TV or radio on, passing vehicles, aircraft engine, thunder...):
There was the television set that was on.
ACCORDING TO LAW N° 78-17 OF JANUARY 6, 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE N° 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CONTROL AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - CONTACT DETAILS ON THE LAST PAGE
V3-8/JANUARY 2015
page: 5
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In your descriptions, do not hesitate to make comparisons with known objects.
Number of phenomena (single, multiple or single then splits...):
Unique
Shape:
Round like a sphere.
Color:
Yellow like the sun.
Brightness (compared to known stars like Venus and the Moon, or the lighting of: street lamps, car lights, house lights, etc.):
In the distance there was a village lit by streetlights. The sky was clear.
Presence of a trail or a halo? If so, what color?
There was no streak, no halo
Apparent size (express the dimensions of the phenomenon in relation to a familiar object and/or in millimeters counted on a graduated ruler carried at arm's length):
In the distance the ball was the size of a tennis ball.
Noise coming from the phenomenon (hissing, buzzing, detonation, comparison with a known noise...):
No noise.
Distance between you and the UAP (the observed phenomenon), roughly estimated (specify if the object passed in front of or behind an element of the landscape):
The object was lower than an airplane, it did not pass in front of or behind an element of the landscape, it always remained at approximately the same height.
ACCORDING TO LAW N° 78-17 OF JANUARY 6, 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE N° 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CONTROL AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - CONTACT DETAILS ON THE LAST PAGE
V3-8/JANUARY 2015
page: 6
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Initial position of the UAP in the sky (start of observation):
Indicate a cardinal point (North, South, etc.), or an azimuth in degrees from North, or a local visual or geographical landmark (building, village)
South - East of the house
Indicate a height in degrees from the horizon, or from an element of the landscape (e.g.: twice as high as the church tower)
Final position of UAP in the sky (end of observation):
Indicate a cardinal point (North, South, etc.), or an azimuth in degrees from North, or a local visual or geographical landmark (building, village)
South - East of the house
Indicate a height in degrees from the horizon, or from an element of the landscape (eg: 2 times higher than the church tower)
45°
Trajectory of the phenomenon (straight line, rising, falling, with or without change of direction, curve, etc.):
Straight line, change of direction, up, down.
Portion of the sky covered by the UAP during the observation (ex: a quarter of the sky or 30° to 40°' from the horizon, etc.):
A quarter of the sky.
Effect(s) on the environment (trace(s} on the ground, effect(s} on living beings or material):
No effect on the environment.
ACCORDING TO LAW N° 78-17 OF JANUARY 6, 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE N° 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CONTROL AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - CONTACT DETAILS ON THE LAST PAGE
V3-8/JANUARY 2015
page: 7
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In order for us to reconstruct the "movie" of your sighting, we must have as much information as possible. Concretely, this implies that we understand everything, from the beginning to the end of your observation, and that we know the direction of movement of the phenomenon as well as its altitude. This step is crucial.
We offer three complementary methods:
How to "dress up" a photo or card with your comments?
If you are used to using drawing or image editing software (Photoshop, GIMP, Illustrator, etc.), we advise you to use these tools, then to send a file in jpg, png or pdf format.
If you cannot access this type of equipment, print a map of the location and/or a photo, draw over it and attach it to the paper file; or scan or photograph the result and send it to us in jpg, png or pdf format.
ACCORDING TO LAW N° 78-17 OF JANUARY 6, 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE N° 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CONTROL AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - CONTACT DETAILS ON THE LAST PAGE
V3-8/JANUARY 2015
page: 8
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Use this page to draw your observation.
You are completely free to draw this sketch
ACCORDING TO LAW N° 78-17 OF JANUARY 6, 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE N° 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CONTROL AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - CONTACT DETAILS ON THE LAST PAGE
V3-8/JANUARY 2015
page: 9
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Describe the emotions you felt during and after the observation:
During the observation I was very scared, I was shaking and I was terrified. When the sphere disappeared I was shocked and didn't know what to think.
What did you do after your sighting? Did you talk about it? How did your interlocutors react? Did you do any research to understand what you saw?
After the sighting I continued to search for the sphere in the sky but to no avail. I talked about it the next morning to my parents and my older sister. My family was understanding because they believe in this kind of phenomenon.
I searched the internet to understand what happened and tried to find photos identical to mine.
How do you interpret what you observed? Did you think of a known phenomenon? What are the elements that support your interpretation? If you don't know, did you give up trying to understand? If so, when and why?
It was a UFO, I've watched shows about this kind of phenomenon before and it was exactly the same. I filmed what I saw with my own eyes.
Before your observation, what interest did you have in strange aerospace phenomena? Did you have a specific opinion on the topic? Which one? What did you base it on?
I was reluctant on the topic, but having experienced this, I know that we are not alone and that there are other inhabitants than us in space.
Did this observation change your opinion on unidentified aerospace phenomena? If so, explain what you think now:
It changed my view on unidentified aerospace phenomena, now I'm sure we're not alone.
Do you think science will provide an explanation for your observation?
Yes I hope so.
ACCORDING TO LAW N° 78-17 OF JANUARY 6, 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE N° 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CONTROL AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - CONTACT DETAILS ON THE LAST PAGE
V3-8/JANUARY 2015
page: 10
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If you already testified about this UAP, please let us know to which authority, organization or person by deleting or crossing out the unnecessary mentions in the list below, and by completing the information requested (several possible contacts):
We didn't tell anyone else because this is the first time this has happened to me
Do you allow us to publish this latest information? YES
(It may possibly allow you to be identified if your identity appears on that website)
Please specify in the list below the documents that you attached or completed. (check or remove unnecessary mentions)
ACCORDING TO LAW N° 78-17 OF JANUARY 6, 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE N° 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CONTROL AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - CONTACT DETAILS ON THE LAST PAGE
V3-8/JANUARY 2015
page: 11
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Didenheim is thus located in relation to the Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg airport and the Habsheim airfield:
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The Habsheim landing strip is 10 km away in a straight line, the Basel-Mulhouse landing strip is 19 km away in a straight line.
I lived in Brunstatt between 1994 and 2005; Didenheim and Brunstatt were so close that the two municipalities then merged. I therefore know the area very well and I am used to the air traffic in the area. I can therefore say that the fact that a plane passed there is perfectly ordinary, the planes bypass Mulhouse by the North or like here by the South-West to land in Basel Mulhouse.
Reducing the reduced photo to 25%, I get:
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The EXIF data indicates a shot on 7/5/2015 at 10:44 p.m. (not 10:30 p.m. as indicated in the testimony) with a Sony D6603 camera, focal length F/2, focal length 5 mm, exposure 1/8 second, no flash, ISO-12800 sensitivity.
The UFO, on the unreduced original, appears as follows:
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As for the video, it leaves me quite perplexed. It is in 1080p, 29 frames/seconds, without metadata. I see a fairly strong group of lights, symmetrical, but above, and on the right side, two other weaker and isolated lights.
Around second 15, I get:
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The top left light appears to be flickering, but I suspect it is a flickering video artifact. No other light flashes. In the main cluster of lights, there does not seem to be any flashing. The lower right light sometimes appears, then disappears, reappears, but not at the frequency of an airplane light flash (change of view angle?).
I tried to highlight the symmetry of the main group of lights; this seems to indicate that the top light is quite off-center from the axis of symmetry in green:
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I tried to highlight a mass carrying the lights by playing on the contrast and the luminosity, but in vain; if plane there was, the camera only captured the lights:
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Note that this is no proof that there was no carrying mass; it was just an attempt to check if such a mass was detected by the camera.
I tried to check whether a change in angular size and/or change in viewing angle occurred on the object between the start and the end of the video. I took a frame at 1 second, another at 45 seconds - the thing goes out of frame afterwards.
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In these 45 seconds of elapsed time, I cannot see any noticeable change with the naked eye either in the angular size of the whole thing or in the angle of view. Should we think that it was not a plane, but a helicopter? But how to explain, for a helicopter, both the large number of lights in the main group and the other two isolated lights that seem far away?
Another perplexing topic: the video does not include a sound track. It is not that silence reigned during the shooting, it is that the sound was removed. It is therefore impossible to recognize an airplane or a helicopter by their possible noise.
Airliner lights can look quite different depending on angle, distance, weather conditions, whether or not landing lights are on, etc. Sometimes it is a real "flying Christmas tree" that can be perceived.
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Typical airliner signal lights are (1), (2), flashing red above and below the plane, red (4) and green (3) flashing at the wingtips, and (3), (4), (5), (6); the landing lights are at (9). (7) and (8) are only visible from the front with the landing gear out, (10) are headlights allowing the pilots to check for possible accumulations of ice on the wings, which was not required in July in Alsace.
So at the moment I am somehow uncertain regarding the video. Thus I'm going to try to film planes passing under the same conditions in order to have elements of comparison.
I leave the case for the moment as an unidentified one, but which could have been a plane.
Unidentified, possible plane.
* = Source is available to me.
? = Source I am told about but could not get so far. Help needed.
| Main author: | Patrick Gross |
|---|---|
| Contributors: | None |
| Reviewers: | None |
| Editor: | Patrick Gross |
| Version: | Create/changed by: | Date: | Description: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | Patrick Gross | September 2, 2022 | Creation, [gei1]. |
| 1.0 | Patrick Gross | September 2, 2022 | First published. |
