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ALSACAT:

ALSACAT is my comprehensive catalog of UFO sighting reports in Alsace, the region is the North-East of France, whether they are "explained" or "unexplained".

The ALSACAT catalog is made of case files with a case number, summary, quantitative information (date, location, number of witnesses...), classifications, all sources mentioning the case with their references, a discussion of the case in order to evaluate its causes, and a history of the changes made to the file. A general index and thematic sub-catalogs give access to these Alsatian case files.

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Case of Huttenheim, on July 16, 2010:

Case number:

ALSACAT-2010-07-16-HUTTENHEIM-1

Summary:

A 41-year-old man, professional firefighter paramedic, reported to GEIPAN on August 13, 2010, using their testimony form, his observation at his home in Huttenheim on July 16, 2010.

He indicated that around 11:30 p.m., he was in the swimming pool in his garden, in the company of his wife, observing the starry sky, when he saw a white glow resembling a very bright star, moving from the south–east to the north-west, at a speed higher than that observed for planes flying very high, but slower than for a shooting star.

After a minute, the glow faded and disappeared.

He was intrigued and went into his house to get a pair of binoculars.

About 5 minutes later, while he was back in the pool, he observed the same type of phenomenon again, taking the same route, and his wife observed it as well.

He used the DR-1025 10x25 mm Field 5.8° binoculars and then saw that it was a circular object, the edges of which had a small bulge "like a red blood cell observed under a microscope". The object was luminous, sparkling, its color varied from white to pale blue. The object advanced by presenting accelerations by jerks, and oscillated from right to left on its axis.

This time again, as the object moved away, it became more and more difficult to observe and eventually disappeared.

The couple stayed in the pool for another quarter of an hour and then came back.

In his answers to the questionnaire, he indicates a dark and starry sky, with a thin strip of cloud to the east of the observation, a half-moon behind them, no change in the state of the sky before, during and after the observation. There was no sound attributed to the objects, they were in a quiet area with the distant traffic noises from the 4 lane road about 500 meters away, where there was little traffic at that time.

With good reason, he did not want to give a distance between them and the phenomenon, explaining that he did not know its size. He specified that he did not wear his glasses, which corrected a slight astigmatism and a slight myopia, during the observation.

The bright spots looked like "a big, much brighter star."

The GEIPAN wrote an analysis of the case, visible in this file, and found that the observation was of relatively low strangeness, and had many characteristics of a passage of satellites; but for lack of precise information, in particular an absence of the satellite overpass bulletin for 2010, they classified the case in "C", code for cases not resolved for lack of information.

Data:

Temporal data:

Date: July 16, 2010
Time: 11:30 p.m.
Duration: 1 minute.
First known report date: August 13, 2008
Reporting delay: 1 month.

Geographical data:

Department: Bas-Rhin
City: Huttenheim
Place: From the inflatable swimming pool in the home garden.
Latitude: 48.358
Longitude: 7.577
Uncertainty radius: 1 km.

Witnesses data:

Number of alleged witnesses: 2
Number of known witnesses: 1
Number of named witnesses: 0
Witness(es) ages: 41, adult.
Witness(es) types: Resident couple.

Ufology data:

Reporting channel: To the GEIPAN.
Type of location: From the inflatable swimming pool in the home garden.
Visibility conditions: Quiet starry night.
UFO observed: Yes.
UFO arrival observed: Yes.
UFO departure observed: Yes.
Entities: No
Photographs: No.
Sketch(s) by witness(es): No.
Sketch(es) approved by witness(es): No.
Witness(es) feelings: Puzzled.
Witnesses interpretation: Not a meteor, not a plane.

Classifications:

Hynek: NL
ALSACAT: Probable satellites.

Sources:

[Ref. gei1:] GROUPE D'ETUDES ET D'INFORMATIONS SUR LES PHENOMENES AEROSPATIAUX NON IDENTIFIES (G.E.I.P.A.N.):

HUTTENHEIM (67) 07/16/2010

Observed on: 07/16/2010
Region: Alsace
Department: Rhin (Bas)
Class: C
Summary: Observation by a witness of the movement of a white glow in the sky then of another luminous object: lack of information.
Description:

On the evening of July 16, 2010 at 11:30 p.m., two people observed the passage of two luminous phenomena in the sky. A single witness reported seeing a very bright white glow similar to a large star and moving rapidly northwest. After a minute, it faded and eventually disappeared. Intrigued, this witness decided to go get binoculars and on his return, he again observes the movement of a circular luminous phenomenon. Accelerations and oscillations are observed as the object moves away and disappears.

Of relatively low strangeness, this case of observation has many characteristics of a passage of satellites. However, due to a lack of precise information (precise time, archives of the satellite overpass bulletin for 2010) to validate this hypothesis, this case is classified C.

Report: investigation report.pdf

Details of the testimony
Witness
Date of the observation 07/16/2010
Document number
Age Adult (more than 18)
Profession Employees, Workers
Sex Male
Reaction Active Curiosity
Credibility
Conditions
Environment Home
Weather conditions Clear sky
Hour of the observation Numbered: 10 p.m. 00 p.m.
Reference frame Sky or clouds
Distance between phenomenon and witness No estimate possible
Start of the observation Start of observation by witness
End of the observation End of observation by phenomenon
Localization
Angle of site Not-specified
Direction of observation South-East
Heading Geographical landmarks (Name of city, village, numbered, etc.)
Trajectory Not-specified;Ascending;Ascending
Nature of the observation Descriptive terms (lights, etc)
Characteristic of the observation Multiple of different shapes
Global shape Other shape (comparison)
Color White (light);Blue
Apparent size LArge, big, important
Apparent speed Slow, steady
Noise No noise
Effect on the environment None
Number 2

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cnes
NATIONAL CENTER FOR SPATIAL STUDIES

geipan

ASSISTANT MANAGEMENT OF THE TOULOUSE SPACE CENTER
GROUP FOR STUDY AND INFORMATION ON UNIDENTIFIED AEROSPACE PHENOMENA

Telephone: 05 61 27 48 01
Mail: geipan@cnes.fr
Website: www.cnes-geipan.fr

FOREWORD

Observation questionnaire

Standard Testimonial

Madam, Sir,

As part of CNES's activity of expertise in unidentified aerospace phenomena, GEIPAN works to collect, analyze and rigorously study the testimonies collected during observations of Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UNP) while guaranteeing witnesses absolute discretion.

The rigor of the scientific approach requires us to gather the most precise and complete information possible, without intermediaries. The best information document is therefore one that is freely written by the witness himself. This is the purpose of the questionnaire that we are proposing to you and which must be individual and be completed separately by each of the witnesses to the observation. It is structured in several parts:

This questionnaire will be studied with the other documents dealing with the same phenomenon. When the work is completed, we will let you know the conclusions we have reached. These conclusions, the attachments and this questionnaire will be published anonymously on the GEIPAN website.

We thank you in advance for your contribution to our work.

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THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS

Witness information sheet

Name: [-] .......... First name: [-] .......

Date of birth: 17/11/1969................... Gender: F (x)M

Home address: [-] ....

City: [-] Zip: [-] ......................

Email: [-]. Tel address:

Mobile phone: Office phone: ...................

Professional activity: Nurse Professional firefighter....

Training level: BAC + 3.....

Have you ever testified? If so, from:

Police
Squad: .................

GEIPAN
Name:.......................

Private investigator(s)
Name: .....................

Ufologist(s)
Name: .......................

Journalist(s)
Name: .......................

Internet (Forum)
Website:..................

Other(s): Name: ................

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 2

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................
................

Observed phenomenon

Place of observation of the phenomenon: HUTTENHEIM..........

Precise address: [-] .....

City: [-]. CP [-]

Date of sighting: July 16, 2010........Age at time of sighting: 40 years old

Time of the start of the observation: 11:30 p.m. Duration of the observation: 10 min...............

Did other witnesses see the same phenomenon, if so how many: 1

Can you indicate using the Google Map site (http://maps.google.fr) the location of the observation, by placing in pencil the phenomenon and yourself.

  1. Print the map from Google Map
  2. Indicate your position, and that of the sighting

When you have completed the questionnaire, tick the documents you have attached or completed:

[X] Free narration ......
[X] Quiz .......
[X] Photographs of the environment (number: 6.......) .....................
[ ] Sketch of the observed phenomenon (number: .........) .....................
[X] Maps or Google Maps (number: 3.......) .....................
[ ] Photographs of the sighting (number: 0.......) .....................
[ ] Videos of the sighting (number: 0.......) .....................
Other:...................

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 3

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Free storytelling: part 1

This page and the following are intended to be used to independently write the story of your observation.
You are completely free of the form, content and duration of your story (you can add additional pages if necessary).

I was in the swimming pool in my garden, with my wife. Around 11:30 p.m., floating lying on a "fry", observing the starry sky, I saw a white glow resembling a very luminous star, moving from the southeast to the northwest, at a higher speed than that which observed for planes flying very high, but slower than for a shooting star.

The observation lasts about 1 minute, then the glow fades and disappears.

Intrigued, I go into the house to get a pair of binoculars.

A few moments later, when I was again in the pool, I again observed the same type of phenomenon, taking the same route.

My wife also observes it.

I take the binoculars and then I see a circular object, the edges of which have a small bulge (like a red blood cell observed under a microscope). The object was luminous, scintillating. The color varied from white to a pale blue). The object was advancing with jerky accelerations.

It oscillated from right to left on its axis.

As the object moved away, it became increasingly difficult to observe and eventually disappeared.

During this time, my wife observed the same luminous object with the naked eye.

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 4

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Free storytelling: part 2

............... [etc.]

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 5

Free narration pages 6, 7 and 8 are also empty.

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SIGHTING ENVIRONMENT INFORMATION

This part is about knowing the physical environment in which you were at the time of the observation. Be as specific as possible with as many figures as possible. Always indicate the margin of uncertainty in the figures you provide.

Weather conditions at the time of observation

1.1 Indicate the color of the sky:

Darkness, starry sky......

1.2 Indicate the weather conditions at the time of the observation, try to give as many details as possible even those which do not seem interesting to you, describe if there were any developments or changes before, during and after the observation.

The sky was clear, except for a thin band of cloud to the right of the observation (east). The (half) moon was behind us. No change in the state of the sky between before, during and after the observation...................

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 9

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1.3 Indicate the presence of stars in the sky:

[ ] No stars visible

[ ] Few stars

[X] Starry Sky

[ ] Extraordinarily starry sky

[ ] I didn't notice

[ ] An obstacle prevented me from observing them

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 10

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Description of the environment

1.4 Describe the environment you were in at the time of the observation. Give as many details as possible, even those which do not seem important to you, such as the nature of the ground, the lights etc.

Freestanding swimming pool, surrounded on two sides by a shrubby hedge, on one side by a lawn, and on one side by a vegetable garden, adjoining a stone slab terrace. The land (580 m2) is located in a subdivision bordering a cornfield. No lights on my property, but a streetlight on the roadway about 20 meters to the right of the swimming pool...

1.5 Were you moving? [ ] Yes [X] No

1.6 Were you in a vehicle? [ ] Yes [X] No

[ ] Bike [ ] Car [ ] Bus [ ] Train [ ] Hot air balloon [ ] Hang-glider [ ] Microlight [ ] Passenger plane [ ] Commercial plane [ ] Helicopter [ ] Boat [ ] Other ........ .................

Model and identification: ..........

1.7 Were you in a building? [] Yes [x] No

Nature of the building and observation room(s): .................

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 11

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1.8 Devices on or active:

[X] Radio (frequency: digital fire department transceiver)
[ ] Headlights (number:0)
[ ] Interior lights (number:0........)
[ ] Television (channel:0.............)
[ ] Engine
[X] Telephone GSM Telephone
[ ] Radar
[X] Other: selective call receiver for firefighters....

1.9 Did you see the phenomenon directly with your eyes? [X] Yes [ ] No

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 12

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1.10 Indicate the presence of facilities within a radius of 20 km:

If you can, position these facilities on a map or on a Google Map image.

[ ] Power Plant
[ ] Disco
[X] Commercial Area
[ ] Military zone
[ ] Nuclear power plant
[ ] Stadium
[X] Highway
[ ] Radio antennas
[ ] Solar power plant
[X] Airport
[ ] Harbor, Lighthouse
[X] Telephone Antennas
[ ] Wind turbine
[X] Power Line
[X] SNCF [railway] Line
[ ] Industrial area
[ ] Factory.

Specify the type(s) of associated activity(ies): ...............

Property or castle receiving events (weddings, parties): ..................

Other, specify:..................

Additional details on the facilities, if necessary: .....................

1.11 Were there known sources of noise at the time of the observation, were these noises intense, permanent: (conversations, aircraft engines, cars, electric motors, television, radio):

distant traffic noises (4-lane road about 500m away, but little traffic at this time), no other noises (quiet housing estate, late hour)............ ..

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 13

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Viewing conditions

Try to take one or more photos of your observation locations. Photos are a great help for investigations.

1.12 What was your visibility at the time of the sighting?

good...........

1.13 Were objects placed between you and the phenomenon during the observation?

[ ] Camera
[ ] Glass
[ ] Tinted glass
[ ] Window with mist
[ ] Video device
[ ] Glasses
[X] Binoculars
[ ] Telescope
[ ] Other ..........

If you used an optical device, specify the model, its main characteristics. If you were behind a tinted window specify its color, etc.:

First observation with the naked eye.

Second observation with DR-1025 10x25 mm Field 5.8° binoculars.

1.14 What was the minimum distance separating you from the observed phenomenon? Try to justify this assessment.

No idea, since I don't know the size of the object!...........

1.15 Describe anything that could be disturbing to the observation.

1st observation with the naked eye: I did not have my glasses (slight astigmatism, slight myopia)...........

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 13

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2nd observation with binoculars: no discomfort........

1.16 Was the observation carried out continuously or discontinuously?

[] Continuous [X] Discontinuous (two distinct appearances, the 1st observed with the naked eye, the 2nd with binoculars)

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 14

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PHENOMENON

In this part of the questionnaire, the aim is to precisely describe the appearance of the phenomenon based on its shape, size, color, luminosity, noise, trajectory, etc. … Remember that every detail is important.

Description of the phenomenon

2.1 Describe the phenomenon observed by giving as much detail as possible, indicate the dominant color(s), its size, its luminosity, its noise, the number.

Shape of the phenomenon.

(Feel free to compare the overall shape to a known object)

Circular object with widened edges and a recess in the center, resembling a red blood cell observed under a microscope

Very bright, sparkling color, varying from white to pale blue

No perceived noise

Two distinct objects observed about 5 minutes apart..........

Apparent size of the phenomenon

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 15

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(The size of the phenomenon when it seemed closest to you. Try comparing it to an object of known size and distance. For example, the moon, a €1 coin held at arm's length, your thumb, landmarks in the landscape, etc. )

To the naked eye: appearance of a much brighter large star.

Using binoculars, object the size of a 10 cts coin

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 16

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Your observation in different sequences

Each sequence corresponds to an episode of your observation. Each notable modification of behavior, activity, form or trajectory of the phenomenon will have to be described by a different sequence.

Time
(Start time, end time, duration)
Viewing location
(where exactly were you?)
viewing direction Speed
(encrypted or otherwise)
Movement direction of the phenomenon
(he was going in the direction of, nature of the movements)
Size ; Form ; Brightness; Colors; Noises and other details
Horizontal (cardinal points, geographical landmarks or numbered) Vertical (between the horizon and the zenith or numbered)
11:30 p.m. In the pool From south east to north west Easy climbing Faster than an airplane flying at cruising altitude but slower than a shooting star. Headed northwest Shape of a very bright large star, no noise
11:35 p.m. In the pool (after fetching binoculars) From south east to north west Easy climbing Observable with binoculars for about a minute Headed northwest Circular object seen through binoculars the size of a 10 ct coin, shimmering white-blue, noiseless, thickened edges, concave center

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 17

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ADDITIONAL WITNESS INFORMATION

Information about you

3.1 What were your occupations before your observation?

Swimmed in the pool with my wife. We let ourselves float silently while observing the stars......................

3.2 What caused the end of the observation?

The phenomenon [X] Yourself [ ]

Specify: the phenomenon recedes until it is no longer visible.......

3.3 What did you do after your sighting?

Continued swimming for a quarter of an hour, then we went to bed.

3.4 What interpretations do you give to what you have observed?

None! I saw an object that I cannot define......................

3.5 Did this observation change your opinion on unidentified aerospace phenomena?

No, I have never ruled out the idea that phenomena can manifest themselves that our knowledge cannot define..............

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 20

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3.6 Describe the emotions you felt during and after the observation.

Interest, curiosity

DRAWINGS, PLANS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF OBSERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT

In order to produce a restitution of the observed phenomenon, we must have as much information as possible. This last step is very important for the investigation

4.1. Make a sketch of what you saw

OR

4.2. Make a reconstruction of your observation on one or more shots.

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 21

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If you can, present your observation with a top view. To do this, you can print a Google Map of your place of observation on which you will report your different positions and directions of observation. You can also note the number of the previously detailed sequences.

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.00 Page | 22

(The two pages for sketches and photos are empty. One page shows a road map with a marker on the municipality of Huttenheim.)

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The next page shows the location of the witness's home.

The following page shows the location on the map of the railway, the commercial area, a GSM antenna, the highway, the secondary road, and the direction of the airport.

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cnes
NATIONAL CENTER FOR SPATIAL STUDIES

geipan

ASSISTANT MANAGEMENT OF THE TOULOUSE SPACE CENTER GROUP FOR STUDY AND INFORMATION ON UNIDENTIFIED AEROSPACE PHENOMENA

Toulouse, December 12, 2012
DCT/DA/GEIPAN

INVESTIGATION REPORT
HUTTENHEIM (67) 16.07.2010

1 – CONTEXT

On August 13, 2010 the GEIPAN received by email a Terrestrial Questionnaire (QT) completed by a witness of an observation made on July 16, 2010 at 11:30 p.m. of the successive passage of two lights in the sky. The observation lasts 10 minutes.

The witness will send GEIPAN a series of 5 photographs of the environment of the place of observation.

No other testimony will be collected on this phenomenon.

2- CASE DESCRIPTION

Excerpt from QT page 2:

"I was in the pool in my backyard with my wife. Around 11:30 p.m., floating lying on a "fry", observing the starry sky, I saw a white glow resembling a very luminous star, moving from the southeast to the northwest, at a higher speed than that which observed for planes flying very high, but slower than for a shooting star. The observation lasts about 1 minute, then the glow fades and disappears. Intrigued, I go into the house to get a pair of binoculars.

A few moments later, when I am again in the pool, I again observe the same type of phenomenon, taking the same route.

My wife is also watching it.

I take the binoculars and then I see a circular object, the edges of which have a small bulge (like a red blood cell observed under a microscope). The object was luminous, scintillating. The color varied from white to a pale blue). The object advanced by presenting accelerations by jerks. It oscillated from right to left on its axis. As the object moved away, it became increasingly difficult to observe and eventually disappeared."

About ten minutes elapsed between the start of the first observation and the end of the second.

Headquarters: 2 place Maurice Quentin – 75039 Paris cedex 01 – Phone.: 33 (0)1 44 76 75 00 - www.cnes.fr
Direction of launchers: Rond Point de l’Espace – Courcouronnes – 91023 Evry cedex – Tel.: 33 (0)1 60 87 71 11
Toulouse Space Center: 18 avenue Edouard Belin – 31401 Toulouse cedex 9 – Tel.: 33 (0)5 61 27 31 31
Guiana Space Center: BP 726 – 97387 Kourou cedex – Tel.: 594 (0)5 94 33 51 11
RCS Paris B 775 665 912 Siret 775 665 912 000 82 code APE 731 Z VAT identification number FR 49 775 665 912

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3- ANALYSIS

3.1 GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION

The witness observes the phenomenon from the garden of his residence in Huttenheim, Bas-Rhin department, 25 km south of Strasbourg:

[Map.]

Source: Google Maps

The position of the witnesses is represented by the red circle, and the approximate trajectory followed by the UAP by the orange line.

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3.2 WEATHER SITUATION

The closest station with accessible archive for the date in question is that of Strasbourg-Entzheim airport, located 20 km north of the place of observation.

Source: infoclimat.fr

The more or less established westerly wind increases to 19km/h at the time of the observation.

3.3 ASTRONOMIC SITUATION

The witness mentions a half-moon "behind our backs" (QT p.9). It reached the western horizon at 11:27 p.m. (legal).

3.4 AERO AND ASTRONAUTICAL SITUATION

The witness does not mention any aircraft.

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4- HYPOTHESIS

Satellite pass:

The characteristics of the first observation (bright dot crossing the sky following a straight trajectory at constant speed, over a period of the order of a minute or a few minutes) evoke the passage of a satellite.

The trajectory oriented South West to North West is on the other hand more unusual: a large number of observation satellites circulate in a retrograde orbit (inclination between 90 and 110°) and can correspond to this type of trajectory, visible at that time, but they are not necessarily very visible (apparent magnitude between 3 and 4 or even more).

It should be noted that the direction indicated by the witness has not been verified, and that it is probably given with a large uncertainty.

The second UAP follows the same trajectory, but its appearance through 10x25 binoculars can only be explained if the witness did not take the time to focus (he reports a slight visual defect – cf .QT p.14).

The accelerations and oscillations can be the consequence of the lack of stabilization of the sight, a more difficult exercise when aiming at a high night object of 45° and more.

5- CONCLUSION

Of relatively low strangeness, this case of observation has many characteristics of a passage of satellites. However, due to a lack of precise information (precise time, archives of the satellite overpass bulletin for 2010) to validate this hypothesis, this case is classified C.

Discussion:

Map.

No comment necessary, GEIPAN said it all.

Evaluation:

Probable satellites.

Sources references:

* = Source is available to me.
? = Source I am told about but could not get so far. Help needed.

File history:

Authoring:

Main author: Patrick Gross
Contributors: None
Reviewers: None
Editeur: Patrick Gross

Changes history:

Version: Create/changed by: Date: Description:
0.1 Patrick Gross March 29, 2023 Creation, [gei1].
1.0 Patrick Gross March 29, 2023 First published.

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