ALSACAT:

CARSPACH (68) 11/12/2008

SUMMARY

Short observation by a motorist of the downward curve of a green light with a cone-shaped trail: probable atmospheric re-entry

DESCRIPTION

On November 12, 2008 at approximately 10:40 p.m., a motorist observed the downward curve of a green light followed by a cone-shaped trail. The sighting only lasted a few seconds.

The testimony is consistent and the phenomenon is corroborated by two other independent witnesses (found on a web board) and very distant, even by a radio recording (see the report of the investigation).

This observation corresponds well, as the witness predicted after some research, to the re-entry into the atmosphere of a meteor. In reality, it comes from the "North" Taurid swarm which produces beautiful, fairly slow fireballs. The day also corresponds to the maximum activity of this swarm which, observed elsewhere, was active at that time. Two testimonies from the Bordeaux region, compatible in time, description and trajectory confirm, given the distance separating Bordeaux from Carspach, that the UAP was necessarily at high altitude. This further reinforces the hypothesis adopted.

Consequently the GEIPAN classifies the case as A: meteoroid reentry.

WITNESS

DATE OF THE OBSERVATION	11/12/2008
GENDER	F

CONDITION

ENVIRONMENT GROUND OCCUPATION	Artificialized territories - Urban areas - Discountinuous urban terrain
WEATHER CONDITIONS	Very cloudy or overcast
LOCAL DATE AND TIME	11/12/2008 10:40:00 p.m.
REFERENCE FRAME	Contry Landscape
DISTANCE BETWEEN PHENOMENON AND WITNESS	impossible to determine impossible to determine
START OF THE OBSERVATION	Conditions of appearance provoked by the phenomenon
END OF THE OBSERVATION	Conditions of disappearance provoked by the phenomenon

LOCALIZATION

ANGLE OF SITE ELEVATION	0.00 0.00
HORIZONTAL DIRECTION OF OBSERVATION	0.00 0.00
HEADING	left to right left to right
NATURE OF THE OBSERVATION OR DESCRIPTIVE TERMS	Descriptive terms (lights, shape, etc.)
CHARACTERISTIC OF THE OBSERVATION	Trail, tail; Luminous Halo(s)
GLOBAL SHAPEE	1D - Beam, line ; 3D - 1 axis of symmetry - Droplet
COLOR	Green
APPARENT SIZE	1/2 Moon
APPARENT SPEED	Very fast
NOISE	_Unknown; None, Total silence
NUMBER OF OBSERVED PHENOMENA	1

Message

Page 1 / 1

From: Geipan
Sent: Tuesday November 18, 2008 11:00
To: []
Object: RE: questionnaire

Hello,

we have received the questionnaire relating to your observation of November 12, 2008 and we thank you for it; your testimony will be taken into consideration.

Later on, we invite you to connect to the website, under the heading "Search"

http://www.geipan.fr/geipan/recherche.html where your testimony will appear when it is treated.

Best regards,
GEIPAN
Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales

-----Original message-----

From: [-]
Sent: Thursday November 13, 2008 01:46
To: Geipan
Object: questionnaire

Hello,

See attached questionnaire.

Best regards

cnes
NATIONAL CENTER FOR SPATIAL STUDIES

ASSISTANT MANAGEMENT OF THE TOULOUSE SPACE CENTER

STUDY AND INFORMATION GROUP ON THE
UNIDENTIFIED AEROSPACE PHENOMENA

Head: J. Patenet geipan@cnes.fr

FOREWORD

As part of CNES's activity of expertise in unidentified aerospace phenomena, GEIPAN works to collect, analyze and rigorously study the testimonies collected during UFO sightings, while guaranteeing the witnesses the level of discretion they want. The rigor of the scientific approach requires us to gather the most precise, complete and detailed information possible, with a minimum of intermediaries. This means that the best information document is the one that is freely written by the witness himself. This is why we have established the attached questionnaire so that the witness can fill it independently.

This questionnaire begins with a free narration of the observation and continues with a list of more specific questions. It is important to begin by freely writing down all the memories preserved during this observation and this, before reading the questionnaire. Then, you will have to fill it in as completely as possible (you can, however, skip the questions that you could not or would not like to answer). The questionnaire may have brought back memories or inspired comments. We invite you to fill in the final pages provided for this purpose.

The questionnaire that you will send back to us, after having filled it, will then be studied with the other documents dealing with the same phenomenon. When the work is completed, we will let you know the conclusions that we may have been able to draw. We thank you in advance for your contribution to our work.

The head of GEIPAN
J.PATENET

NATIONAL SPACE STUDIES CENTER

Headquarters
2 place Maurice Quentin - 75039 Paris Cedex 01
Phone: 01 44 76 75 00 / Fax: 01 44 76 76 76

Center of Toulouse
18, avenue Edouard Belin - 31401 Toulouse Cedex 9
Phone: 05 61 27 31 31 / Fax: 05 61 27 31 79

Website: http\\www.cnes.fr
RCS PARIS B 775 665 912 – SIRET 775 665 912 000 82 / CODE APE 731 Z
VAT identification number: FR 49 775 665 912

This page and the following are intended to be used to independently write the narrative of your observation.

You are entirely free to choose the form, content and duration of your story (you can add additional pages if necessary).

However, if you believe you have already made such a narration in writing (in a previous correspondence, for example), report it and proceed immediately to the questionnaire.

---

Hello, this evening I made an observation in the sky and I would like to share it with you, firstly to help your research and secondly to satisfy my curiosity.

The sighting took place at approximately 10:40 p.m.; I was driving on the main road in Altkirch and Carspach (dept 68). Straight ahead of me (thus guessing south of my position) I suddenly saw a green light. My first thought was that it was fireworks, because the light was similar to the green of fireworks. But the problem is that instead of going up the light went down; it followed a straight line to the right and down (it was actually falling). I was also surprised by the size of the light. The sighting only lasted a few seconds, hard to estimate the size, but relative to the occupied size in the sky, I'd say 1/2 moon if that makes sense to you. Other information, there was a cone-shaped trail (I believe) on the back, about twice the length of the light. Everything went very quickly, on the one hand because I was driving and was hampered by the trees, on the other hand because everything moved very quickly. That's all for the observation.

My friend and I being quite interested in celestial phenomena and UFOs, we did some quick research on the Internet. I saw 1 video of a meteorite crossing the sky, the color and speed of which was approaching my observation, which leads me to think that this may be what I saw.

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

We ask you to provide us with a certain amount of information on the circumstances and content of your observation, by answering the following questionnaire.

This is for you to report what you personally did, saw, heard, smelled, felt, etc., regardless of what other people (whether or not they participated in the same observation) have may have said or suggested to you, then or later.

If some questions seem inappropriate or embarrass you for one reason or another, you can of course not answer them. In any case, CNES is committed to respecting the level of discretion you desire.

INFORMATION ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SIGHTING

INDICATIONS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

• Indicate the exact date and time of the beginning of your observation.
  indicate if necessary, whether it is civilian time, solar time, astronomical or other time... Give the precision of the indications provided (for example "to one day", or "7 p.m. to 15 min", etc..

10:40 p.m. to within 3 minutes (Paris winter time), November 12, 2008

• Where were you at the time of the sighting? Be as specific as possible. If you moved during the observation, indicate the position at the start of the observation, the type of movement (on foot, by plane, by car, etc.), the direction and the approximate speed of your movement, if there were several phases of travel (repeated stops and starts, ...):

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

D432 road, between Altkirch and Carspach, direction Carspach, just about when entering this village. I was driving, probably around 60 km/h

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

• Indicate the meteorological conditions at the time of the observation: presence of clouds (description), wind (strength), temperature (with what precision), precipitation (light snow, driving rain, etc.), possible thunderstorm, etc. If there was a change in these weather conditions shortly before, during or shortly after the observation, indicate it:

It was dark and cold (about 5°C), no rain. Didn't pay attention to the wind. Overcast weather.

• Indicate the mode of relief (mountainous, hilly, for example) where you were and the type of soil (sandy, rocky, or other...), the type of habitat (in town, in a field near a village, near an isolated farm or far from any dwelling,...):

Hill to my left with houses, The Ill [river] to my right and below. Presence of trees in my field of vision which quickly obscured my visibility of the phenomenon.

• Indicate, if applicable, the presence of constructions or installations with a technical function: for example production of energy (electric, thermal, nuclear or other power station, etc.) or of raw materials (mine, quarry, etc.) ), transport of energy (low, medium or high voltage power lines) or of materials (SNCF lines, airports, major roads, rivers, canals, etc.), or energy consumption (factory of this or that type, etc.) ) or any other element that would seem useful to point out. Indicate where this installation was located in relation to your place of observation and if it was in operation:

N/A (no idea of the distance of the phenomenon from my position)

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

VIEWING CONDITIONS

• Was there good visibility in the area of your sighting? For example, report if you were in a house, or in front of high mountains near, far or surrounded by buildings, or any other reason that could have limited your visibility in direction or in depth:

Presence of tall trees in front and to my right, behind which the light disappeared

• Was there, at the time of your observation, one or more known phenomena (natural or artificial) in a direction close to that of the unidentified phenomenon (for example: the sun, the moon, stars, planets , meteorites, planes, helicopters, cars, or others...). If yes, indicate which ones and the relative position of the unidentified phenomenon in relation to them:

I did not meet a car during the time I was on this stretch of road. Nothing more to say.

• Were there any known noise sources at the time of the sighting? (For example, conversations, aircraft or car engines, electric motors, etc.). Were these noises intense, permanent?:

no

• Was any information used at the time of the sighting? (For example: did you observe visually behind glass, possibly tinted – what colour? -, did you wear glasses – what type? -, do you usually wear them?, do you

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

• used an optical instrument? (binoculars, astronomical telescope,...) or a shooting instrument (camera, video camera,...)?:

I was wearing my contact lenses!

• Were measuring and/or recording instruments, to your knowledge, in operation at the time of the observation? (radar, magnetic detector, radio, etc.). Did they detect anything abnormal at the time of the observation (some time before, during or some time after)?:

SITUATION OF THE WITNESS IN RELATION TO THE OBSERVATION

This part of the questionnaire is intended to help better understand the circumstances in which the observation was made, the state of preparation or unpreparedness of the witness vis-à-vis his observation.

• Age:

27

• Profession (if you have (had) several successive professions, indicate them):

Communication Officer

• What type of training did you have during your studies (for example: primary, secondary, higher education, in letters, in languages, in physical sciences, chemistry, in medicine, or other...)?:

Bac ES (with honors) – BTS commerce – IUP multimedia communication

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

• What was your occupation at the precise moment of the beginning of your observation? (For example: were you alone? Did you walk after eating? Did you go to work? Alone in your car? Or, accompanied by a colleague, were you chatting? On what subject? Or any other possibility...) . Be as specific and detailed as possible:

See answers above.

• What was your first reaction to the start of the observation? (For example, curiosity, fear, surprise,...) If your reactions have changed during the observation, detail them:

"oh cool a firework!, but it's weird because the light is coming down... a distress flare? no, it's too big..." in short, a bit of a surprise but nothing more, I didn't stop driving. Needless to say, there was nothing to do. I tried to see more when I turned towards the center of the village, but nothing.

• What was your FIRST idea as to the nature of what you were observing? Did you think of a known phenomenon? If yes which one? When and why did you abandon this interpretation?

See answer above. Of course, I imagined an extra-terrestrial phenomenon for a moment, but the usual observations show something that is stable, or vertical, not falling.

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

• Before your observation, what interest did you have in this kind of (unidentified) phenomena? Did you have a specific opinion on this? Which one? What were you basing it on?

Moderate interest (observing the stars and the sky with the naked eye)

I have already done some quick research on the asteroid apophis which must pass close to the earth. The question doesn't really concern me

• Was this opinion changed by your observation? If so, how would you phrase it now?

same

• Who did you first tell about your sighting? How did your interlocutors react?

To my friend, who was watching reports on the b2 and the haarp project... he had no particular reaction, and we looked together for possible solutions.

• If someone doubted the reality of your observation, what would you say?

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

• What type of extra-professional activity do you like to do? (For example: DIY, gardening, sport – which one -, reading, music or other...)?

• What type of books do you prefer to read (for example: adventure novels, romance novels, detective novels, or philosophical essays, popular science books, etc.)?

Badminton – cooking – reading (mystery novels, science fiction novels)

• Were these extra-professional activities or readings modified by your observation?

?

• Do you think that the existence of extra-terrestrial civilizations would be incompatible with commonly accepted ideas about the destiny of man and his role on Earth?

• Do you think it is incompatible with the teaching of the Churches, with the role of God in the creation of the world?

Doesn't concern me

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

• Do you think Science will allow us to fully understand the Universe? If you don't think so, explain why. Do you think Science will be able to explain your observation? Can it, in your opinion, explain all the unidentified aerospace phenomena?

No (too hard to explain at this time, sorry...)

INFORMATION ON THE CONTENT OF THE OBSERVATION

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE BEGINNING AND END OF THE OBSERVATION

• How did you realize the presence of the phenomenon? (For example: a noise caught your attention, or a light appeared in your field of vision, or you accidentally turned around and saw the light, or other circumstance(s):

Light in my field of vision

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

• What was the initial direction in which the phenomenon was located? If possible, indicate this direction in relation to North on the graph below. Otherwise, indicate this direction in relation to fixed objects (village, house, crossroads, etc.) in the landscape. If your recollection is not very precise about this, indicate the imprecision (for example: probably towards the North-East):

Route D432 towards carspach, so I was going roughly south. Phenomenon in front of me, which moved to the right (east)

• Do you remember how high in the sky the phenomenon was initially? If possible, indicate this height on the attached graph: between 60° and 30° (approximately)

• Has the phenomenon manifested itself at any time in front of a known object, a known distance away from you: for example, in front of a house, trees, hills, mountains or

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

• other...?
  If so, how far away was this known object?

-

• What was the minimum distance separating you from the phenomenon during your observation? How accurate is your estimate? (For example: minimum distance between 100 and 200 meters,...):

Impossible to say

• What was the estimated duration of your sighting? How accurate do you think this estimate is? (For example: 10 minutes to 3 minutes,...):

10 seconds

• What stopped your observation? And, how was the phenomenon when you stopped observing it? Be as specific as possible: for example "I continued my journey while the phenomenon remained motionless in such direction, at such approximate distance", or else "the phenomenon moved quickly in such direction while fading in the 'darkness and when it disappeared, I went to bed', or else the luminous phenomenon suddenly went out”, or any other description of the circumstances:

See answers above

DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE PHENOMENON

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

Some phenomena are complex and give rise to the observation of several visible forms, either simultaneously or successively. The visible shapes can either be of the same type or of different types. The questionnaire is designed to describe separately and in detail each type of visible form, to indicate how many visible forms of each type have been observed, and then to describe the relative evolutions in time and space of these forms.

Each type of visible form must therefore first be described in detail as if it were alone. In particular, if there is a change in appearance, each phase of the change will first be described independently of those that follow or precede.

1st type of visible shape

• Description of the trajectory (for example: stationary with a sudden departure, or straight, or in a spiral going up towards the South, or in a circle, vertically above a given village). We can possibly use the graph below to draw the evolution:

cf. answers above

• Types of speed (for example: regular, or with rapid accelerations, or with sudden changes, or others...):

regular

• Specify the type of sharpness of the outline (for example: very sharp outline, or blurred, vague, or other...):

Fuzzy contours, like fireworks (light with halo

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

• Type of transparency (for example: transparent or translucent shape, or opaque, or other...):

• Type of shape: e.g. regular shape (compared to a simple geometric shape) or complex (be detailed but if you are unsure or if your memories are not precise enough, say so: e.g. , memory too imprecise, or I'm not sure). Optionally, make a drawing:

Round with a streak

• Describe the color (green, blue, red, ochre, white,...) if there are several colors in the same shape, specify them by indicating their relative positions and intensities. If necessary, use a sketch:

See. answers above

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

• Indicate the luminosity (for example: intense luminosity, or as bright as the sun, or low contrast against the background of the sky, or other...) Indicate, if you have noticed it, whether this luminosity created a shadow or not:

Firework type or distress flare

• If you noticed it, indicate if this visible shape made noise (for example, luminous shape silent or accompanied by a shrill noise, or I don't remember,...):

• In the phase being described, did the phenomenon resemble a known object? If yes which? Was it a little or a lot like it? (For example, looked a bit like the Moon, or a lot like a rugby ball,...):

• Did you discern any detail around the visible shape? If yes, which ones? (For example: no discernible external details, or there were rays or light beams towards the ground or down to the ground, or a light trail, or other...) If necessary, help yourself with a drawing:

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

• Did you discern any details ON the visible form? If yes, which ones? (For example, no precise details, or there were parallel dark strips between them, or there were four round or square spots of light yellow color regularly spaced, or other...) Eventually, help yourself of a drawing:

• Can you estimate the size of this visible shape by pointing to a known object and indicating how far away it would be the same size as the visible shape? (for example, a car at 100m, or a tennis ball at 10m, or another comparison...):

Impossible to estimate distance and therefore size

• Were there during the observation, several forms of the same type as the one just described? If yes, how much?:

no

_ full_questionnaire.doc /

You can contact me, talk about my testimony, but I don't think it's useful to make myself known and mention my name for an observation of this type. Do not mention or distribute my contact details

cnes
NATIONAL CENTER
FOR SPATIAL STUDIES

Geipan

Deputy Director of Orbital Systems
Group for Studies and Information on Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena

Toulouse, 04/16/2018
DSO/DA//GP

INVESTIGATION REPORT

CARSPACH (68) 12.11.2008
CASE OF OBSERVATION

1 – CONTEXT

On 11/13/2008, the GEIPAN received a questionnaire spontaneously transmitted by the only witness to this observation. He acknowledges receipt on 18/11 and invites the witness to keep informed of the follow-up via the GEIPAN website. The description of the case showing a slight strangeness and suggesting a prosaic identification of the observed phenomenon, no investigation is immediately undertaken. The case is re-opened in 2017 in order to finalize the classification of the case.

2 - CASE DESCRIPTION

The spontaneous account provided by the witness summarizes the facts very well:

"Hello, this evening I made an observation in the sky and I would like to share it with you, firstly to advance your research and secondly to perhaps satisfy my curiosity. The sighting took place at around 10:40 p.m., I was driving on the main road in Altkirch and Carspach (dept 68) Straight ahead of me (so guessing south of my position) I suddenly saw a green light. My first thought was that it was fireworks, because the light was similar to the green of fireworks, but the problem is that instead of going up the light went down, it followed a rectilinear trajectory to the right and down (it was actually falling). I was also surprised by the size of the light. The observation having lasted only a few seconds, difficult to estimate the size, but compared at the height occupied in the sky, I would say ½ moon if that makes sense to you. Other info, there was a cone-shaped trail (I believe) at the back, about twice the lumen in length. Everything went very quickly, on the one hand because I was driving and was hampered by the trees, on the other hand because everything moved very quickly. That's it for observation. My friend and I being quite interested in celestial phenomena and UFOs, we did some quick research on the Internet. I saw 1 video of a meteorite crossing the sky, the color and speed of which was approaching my sighting, which leads me to believe that this may be what I saw." (SIC)

2/15

It is therefore a nocturnal observation lasting only a few seconds, carried out by a single witness, located in a moving vehicle and who did not expect to see this phenomenon. In addition, the description evokes that of a "fireball" which seems to be the explanation favored by the witness himself.

3 - PROCEDURE OF THE INVESTIGATION

In view of the description and the time that has elapsed since the observation, it was agreed to carry out a remote investigation aimed at trying to verify the hypothesis of a meteor.

The objective is therefore to find, on the one hand, whether the astronomical context favors the vision of a meteor from a known swarm and, on the other hand, whether there are still traces of testimonies or recordings of such a meteor, possibly of the "sporadic" type.

Failing this, carry out a search in the ufological archives in order to extract other unusual testimonies that are spatially and temporally compatible in order to compare the characteristics reported.

First, contact with the witness seems necessary in order to better specify (if possible) the location of the vehicle at the time of the observation. Indeed, the road is not straight, an error in estimating the location can taint the apparent trajectory of the phenomenon.

An email contact is attempted but does not receive a response despite a positive delivery acknowledgement. The email address still seems to be operational but may no longer be consulted.

The witness being found (with high probability) through his profession and the Linkedln network, contact is attempted via this professional social network. No further response.

A final attempt is made from information gleaned from the "white pages".

The name having changed but the first name remaining the same, contact is therefore attempted by post with the person currently residing at the address initially mentioned by the witness, in the questionnaire: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The contact is finally established and it turns out that it is the same person:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Thanks to the possibilities offered by the Street-view option of GoogleMaps, the witness can further specify the location of his vehicle at the time of the observation as well as the environment elements allowing him to better locate the position of the phenomenon (almost 10 years after the sighting).

These elements make it possible to determine the global direction of observation, namely the direction of the road, i.e. the azimuth 203°/NG. The disappearance of the PAN having taken place slightly beyond this azimuth.

Geographical location of the sighting:

3/15

Carspach, a small town in Alsace (Grand-Est region and Haut-Rhin department), has just over 2,000 inhabitants. Its average altitude is around 300m.

The observation took place on the outskirts of the village, the witness driving on the D432 road in the Altkirch-Carspach direction, i.e. generally from the northeast to the southwest. The vehicle was in the small straight line circled in red on the map below:

On this aerial view (Google-Maps) a vehicle occupies substantially the position of that of the witness. The yellow arrow indicates approximately the final direction of observation and the area colored in pink materializes the probable field of observation of the UAP.

4/15

GoogleMaps 3D view showing vehicle position and probable sighting area.

GoogleStreetView view produced by the witness who specifies that the phenomenon disappeared hidden by the trees located to the right of the white house, itself located to the right, beyond the intersection.

5/15

Astronomical background:

In parallel with this research with the witness, a verification of the celestial activity at the level of the meteors easily reveals that at the beginning of November, two well-known swarms are active. These are that of the Taurids and that of the Leonids. These two swarms are rightly known to produce superb fireballs.

For the second, whose maximum activity is around 11/17, the radian was in the vicinity of the star Regulus (main star of the constellation of Leo), i.e. at azimuth ~ 53°11 ' and at ~ -14°27' high, so below the horizon and behind the witness. A fireball coming from this region of the sky could not have had a trajectory compatible with the observation.

On the other hand, for the first, one of the activity maxima corresponds to 12/11, i.e. precisely the day of the observation! In addition, its radian, located near the star Alcyone (? Taurus), was at the time of observation at ~120° azimuth and ~55° altitude.

To be easily observable by the witness who was heading generally towards the south-south-west by car (therefore with a privileged field of observation limited to the windshield), a meteor produced by this swarm should have moved from its left to its right with a high probability of descent.

Exactly what the witness describes!!

Let us specify that the Taurid swarm (from comet 2P/Encke) is composed of two sub-swarms (North and South) but that 12/11 corresponds to the maximum of the North swarm (maximum on 10/ 10 for the southern swarm).

The shooting stars or fireballs produced are slow: 29km/s for the North and 27km/s for the South (the speed of the meteors generally being between 12 and 72 km/s). This relative slowness facilitates observation by increasing the duration of visibility of the phenomenon. The strangeness felt is also amplified.

See Annex 1 - Astronomical situation
The Stellarium simulation indicates the respective positions of the two radians of the Taurids.

At this stage, the hypothesis favored by the witness already seems largely confirmed by the astronomical context, but it remains to verify the meteorological situation in order to know if the cloud cover could have prevented the observation of meteors.

Because of the age of the observation, an Internet search seemed sufficient at first and could, if necessary, be deepened later.

Recall that according to the witness: "It was dark and cold (approx. 5°C), no rain. Didn't pay attention to the wind. Overcast weather." (SIC)

See Annex 2 - Weather situation

Media background:

The observation in question did not have any media coverage. On the one hand because the witness did not publicly report his observation but had the good reflex to quickly file his testimony with the GEIPAN.

The hypothesis that the witness observed the passage of a meteor implies a high probability that this meteor was observed by many witnesses, spread over a large territory. However, it should be remembered that the sky was very largely overcast over France and neighboring countries, which could explain the apparent absence of press articles mentioning a similar observation, as is generally the case in this area. In some areas, however, the sky was clearer, which opens up possibilities.

A search on the Internet is therefore necessary in order to seek possible corroboration that would have left a trace, even if it was discreet.

6/15

This search took some effort but was ultimately crowned with success since a fireball is mentioned on the forum: http://meteorites.superforum.fr/t2174-meteorite

Here is an excerpt:

Author	Message
Guest Guest	Subject: Meteorite?? Thu 13 Nov - 20:06 Good evening, I saw last night, around 10:40 p.m., above Bordeaux, a shooting star that turned into a big ball, like fireworks. Probably very high, because no audible noise. Direction North to South roughly, quite a long phenomenon, probably more than a second. I'm thinking of a weather balloon because of the "explosion", if anyone has an idea??? If it was a meteorite, I can't find any reference to its fall, however spectacular.... See you soon.
.../...
stivel Regular Member	Subject: Re: Meteorite?? Thu 13 Nov - 22:22 Good evening Jeannot, I also saw the phenomenon last night, I confirm for the hour 10:40 p.m. I made a big "Wow" seeing it, beautiful. For me the duration was about 2 seconds and I listened if detonation but nothing. The trail had several colors: from green to blue and red it seems to me. Stivel
Guest Guest	Subject: Re: Meteorite?? Fri 14 Nov - 22:17 Hello everyone! Thank you for posting this topic it proves to me that I was not hallucinating Wednesday night. I was on the A63 2O min from Bordeaux (I was going there). I confirm the time of 10:40 p.m. Personally, I first saw a large white flash illuminating a large part of the sky, then as has been said, a rather green light left the origin of the flash with a long trail. It lasted between 1 and 2 seconds. The direction was roughly northeast (knowing that I had north in front and the moon on my right was like 40° to the right of north (the moon being roughly 90°)) to the south west. I'm not a star connoisseur so I don't have more details but if there is any info I really want to know what it was because it was downright beautiful from beau!!
stivel Regular Member	Subject: Re: Meteorite?? Fri 14 Nov - 23:13 Hello everyone. For my part, after checking, I find about 100° (to the right of North) for the beginning of the phenomenon and 47° (to the right of North) for the point of fall by replacing myself at the place of observation. The distance is not too easy to estimate (I would venture to say between 4 and 10 km from my observation point). The trajectory was slightly curved. I started working this evening on Google Earth and defined a "reasonable" prospecting area for this weekend.
.../...
Guest Guest	Subject: Re: Meteorite?? Sun 16 Nov 2008, 1:27 pm 1) Lagoueyte Bastien

7/15

2) 10:40 p.m. on Nov 12, 2008 3) A 63 around Marcheprime 4) Clear and bright sky because of the moon, only the brightest stars could be seen 5) 7)b I don't have any of the sizes or the altitude since I have no point of comparison, especially in the middle of the night, I don't know how you can estimate a distance or an altitude 6) Indeed I hadn't noticed that the A63 is no longer at all to the North at this point so I would say roughly like Stivelentre 90° and 100° to the right in relation to the North 7) a Slightly curved but leaning more towards the horizontal than the vertical I would say 30° to 40° inclination 8) 1 big second at least 9) Unless you stop in the middle of the highway no 10) Very high brightness especially the flash (by the way why was there a flash??) 11) Shiny Green Head Trail 12) Trail visible on almost the entire trajectory very long compared to the shooting stars that can be seen in summer 13) No, I don't think there was any fragmentation 14) Between medium and fast 15) 16) No idea I had the radio and by car it's closed anyway 17) No, it stopped in the air quite high anyway 18) petitbusy@hotmail.fr 19) No Sorry I'm not very precise but I really don't know anything about coordinates and everything. But it's weird that only three of us saw it because it was really seeing, especially the flash... What caused this flash??

It appears that despite a bad orientation of the trajectory (later corrected) of the first speaker (Guest), the two testimonies from the Bordeaux region are consistent with the present testimony. The time, duration, aspect and trajectory correspond, which cannot be the result of chance.

In addition, the discussion between the members of the forum shows that:

- there was a nice meteoric activity that evening (normal since maximum of the Northern Taurids),

- the hypothesis of a Taurids is proposed by Vivien Pic (occasional collaborator of GEIPAN),

- many fireballs were recorded by radio detection that evening, especially between 10:32 p.m. and 10:48 p.m. (LT). One of them, whose spectrogram was recorded at 10:43:50 p.m., could well match. Source: Laurent Duval (pseudo: "itestoo") – Former Geipan IPN.

Note: the witness indicates: “10:40 p.m. to within 3 min (Paris winter time)”

As the graph below shows on a map of France, if we place (in pink) the field of observation of the fireball indicated by the Bordeaux witness ("stivel") and overlaid by a orange arrow the overall direction indicated by the indicator located on the A63 near Marcheprime (33380), this points towards the northeast and therefore towards Carspach.

8/15

It is clear that the whole takes on its full coherence, especially since the three witnesses mention the green color which is generally only described for certain meteors.

Note: the indications provided by the Marcheprime witness are approximate and confusing, but this is explained by the fact that he is driving a car and that the overall orientation such as taking precise landmarks are rendered very random. However, he seems to confirm the directions given by "stivel" and the city of Bordeaux constitutes for him a landmark pointing very clearly towards the northeast.

3.1. SUMMARY OF COLLECTED ELEMENTS

WITNESS #1

3	QUESTION	ANSWER (AFTER INVESTIGATION)
A1.	Commune and witness observation department (ex: Paris (75))	CARSPACH (68)
A2.	(opt) if town unknown (during a trip): Town of start of trip; End of move municipality	N/A
A3.	(opt) if during a trip: name of Boat, Route or Flight / aircraft number	N/A
Observation conditions of the phenomenon (for each witness)
B1.	Occupation of the witness before the sighting	Routes
B2.	Precise location of the place of observation	Lat. 47.6104350000 Lon. 7.2245360000
B3.	Description of the place of observation	Artificialized territories - Urbanized areas - Discontinuous urban fabric Rural landscape
B4.	Observation date (DD/MM/YYYY)	12/11/2008
B5.	Observation start time (HH:MM:SS)~	22:40:00
B6.	Duration of observation (s) or End time (HH:MM:SS)	10s
B7.	Other witnesses? If yes, how much?	No
B8.	(opt) If yes, what is the link with other cookies?	---
B9.	Continuous or discontinuous observation?	Continue
B10.	If discontinuous, why did the observation stop?	N/A
B11.	What caused the observation to end?	Hidden by trees almost on the horizon
B12.	Phenomenon directly observed?	No
B13.	UAP observed with an instrument? (which one?)	No (but windscreen lenses)
B14.	Weather	Very cloudy or overcast
B15.	Astronomical conditions	Weak / Few stars or A few stars or Few visible (the stars)
B16.	Equipment on or active	car headlights
B17.	Known external noise sources	Car engine
Description of the perceived phenomenon
C1.	Number of phenomena observed?	1
C2.	Shape?	1D - Beam, Line; 3D - 1 axis of symmetry - Drop
C3.	Color?	Green
C4.	Brightness?	Intensity - Strong or bright, ex: bulb (mag. -15 to -10)
C5.	Trail or halo?	drag
C6.	Apparent size? (maximum)	~0.25°
C7.	Noise coming from the phenomenon?	Unknown; None, Total Silence
C8.	Estimated distance?	Unknown
C9.	Azimuth of appearance of the UAP (°)	0.00
C10.	UAP appearance height (°)	0.00
C11.	Azimuth of disappearance of the UAP (°)	0.00
C12.	Height of disappearance of the UAP (°)	0.00
C13.	Trajectory of the phenomenon	Linear or Rectilinear; Descending; Without change direction

10/15

C14.	Portion du ciel parcourue par le PAN (°)	SSE à SSW
C15.	Effet(s) sur l'environnement	...
Pour les éléments suivants, veuillez reporter les réponses du témoin ou sinon indiquez simplement si ce dernier a répondu à ces questions
E1.	Quelles sont les émotions ressenties par le témoin pendant et après l'observation?	Étonnement puis curiosité
E2.	Qu'a fait le témoin après l'observation?	Mon ami et moi étant assez intéressés par les phénomènes célestes et ovnis, nous avons fait quelques rapides recherches sur Internet.
E3.	Quelle interprétation donne-t-il à ce qu'il a observé?	J’ai vu 1 vidéo d’une météorite traversant le ciel, dont la couleur et la vitesse étaient approchant de mon observation, ce qui m’amène à penser que c’est peut-être ce que j’ai vu.
E4.	Avant son observation, quel intérêt le témoin portait aux PAN?	Intérêt partagé avec son ami pour les phénomènes célestes et ovnis.
E5.	L'observation a-t-elle changé l'avis du témoin sur les PAN?	Non
E6.	Le témoin pense-t-il que la science donnera une explication aux PAN?	.
E7./td>	Pense-t-il que l'expérience vécue a modifié quelque chose dans sa vie? Quel est son ressenti?	Non
Documents et pièces jointes
D1.	Y-a-t-il eu reconstitution sur plan ou photo/croquis de l'observation?	Oui

C14.	Portion of the sky covered by the PAN (°)	SSE to SSW
C15.	Effect(s) on the environment	...
For the following items, please report the witness's answers or otherwise simply indicate whether the witness answered these questions
E1.	What are the emotions felt by the witness during and after the observation?	Amazement then curiosity
E2.	What did the witness do after the sighting?	My friend and I being quite interested in celestial phenomena and UFOs, we did some quick research on the Internet.
E3.	How does he interpret what he observed?	I saw 1 video of a meteorite crossing the sky, the color and speed of which was approaching my sighting, leading me to believe that may be what I saw.
E4.	Before his observation, what interest did the witness have in UAPs?	Shared interest with his friend in celestial phenomena and UFOs.
E5.	Did the sighting change the witness's opinion of UAPs?	No
E6.	Does the witness think science will explain UAPs?	.
E7./td>	Does he think the experience changed anything in his life? How does he feel?	No
Documents and attachments
D1.	Has there been reconstruction on plan or photo/sketch of the observation?	Yes

4- HYPOTHESES ENVISAGEES

1.1.1. 4.1. SYNTHESE DES HYPOTHESES

HYPOTHESE(S)			EVALUATION*
1. Bolide météorique			0.96
*Fiabilité de l’hypothèse estimée par l’enquêteur: certaine (100%) ; forte (>80%) ; moyenne (40% à 60%) ; faible (20% à 40%) ; très faible (<20%) ; nulle (0%)
1. Bolide météorique - Evaluation des éléments pour l’hypothèse
ITEM	ARGUMENTS POUR	ARGUMENTS CONTRE ou MARGE D’ERREUR	POUR/CONTRE
Forme	forme indéfinie aux contours flous		0.95
Couleur verte	Compatible avec l'hypothèse		1.00
Taille apparente 1/2 Lune	Compatible avec un beau bolide		0.95
Trajectoire ~rectiligne	Généralement observée pour les bolides		1.00
Vitesse apparente ~6°/s	Vitesse classique pour un bolide assez lent		0.90
Impression de chute	C'est effectivement la réalité même si ce n'est qu'une affaire de perspective		1.00
Date du 12/11	Maximum d'activité de l'essaim "Nord" des Taurides		1.00
Heure	Compatible avec d'autres témoins indépendants radio-enregistrements		1.00
Provenance	Totalement compatible avec le radian des Taurides "Nord"		1.00
Trainée lumineuse	Caractéristique de ce type de phénomène		1.00

4- ASSUMPTIONS CONSIDERED

1.1.1. 4.1. SUMMARY OF ASSUMPTIONS

HYPOTHESIS(S)			ASSESSMENT*
1. Meteor Bolide			0.96
*Reliability of the hypothesis estimated by the interviewer: certain (100%); strong (>80%); medium (40% to 60%); low (20% to 40%); very low (<20%); null (0%)
1. Meteor bolide - Evaluation of the elements for the hypothesis
ITEM	ARGUMENTS FOR	ARGUMENTS AGAINST or MARGIN OF ERROR	FOR/AGAINST
Shape	undefined shape with fuzzy outlines		0.95
Green color	Compatible with hypothesis		1.00
Apparent size 1/2 Moon	Compatible with a beautiful car		0.95
~straight path	Generally observed for speedsters		1.00
Apparent speed ~6°/s	Classic speed for a fairly slow car		0.90
Fall impression	It is indeed the reality even if it is only a matter of perspective		1.00
Date 12/11	Maximum activity of the "Northern" Taurid swarm		1.00
Time	Compatible with other independent witnesses radio-recordings		1.00
Origin	Completely compatible with the radian of the Taurids "North"		1.00
Light Trail	Characteristic of this type of phenomenon		1.00

11/15

5- CONCLUSION

The testimony is consistent and the phenomenon is corroborated by two other independent and very distant witnesses (found on a web forum), even by a radio recording.

This observation corresponds well, as the witness predicted after some research, to the re-entry into the atmosphere of a meteor. In reality, it comes from the "North" Taurid swarm which produces beautiful, fairly slow bolides. The day also corresponds to the maximum activity of this swarm which, observed elsewhere, was active at that time. Two testimonies from the Bordeaux region, compatible in time, description and trajectory confirm, given the distance separating Bordeaux from Carspach, that the UAP was necessarily at high altitude. This further reinforces the hypothesis adopted.

GEIPAN classifies the case as A: observation of a meteoroid.

5.1. RATING

[Chart.]

12/15

Appendix 1
Astronomical situation

Stellar panorama theoretically visible to the witness on a clear night. (Stellarium V0.17)

• The Moon is 97% full and very bright but high in the sky (~60° elevation) and largely to the left of the vehicle (azimuth 146° or 57° to the left of the axis followed by the car ). In addition, the sky was mostly overcast. The witness does not mention the Moon but there is nothing surprising in that.
• The two radians of the Taurids are visible to the left of the Moon, between it and the star Aldebaran (a Taurus).
• The yellow arrow simulates the possible trajectory of the meteor, the disappearance occurring substantially in the axis of the car (azimuth ~203/NG or the median axis of the image), in the constellation of the Sculptor.

Source: http://pgj.pagesperso-orange.fr/meteor-carte.htm#NTA

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Appendix 2
Weather situation

The "Weather underground" Website provides the following indications for Colmar (68), Mulhouse (86)-Bâle (Switzerland) and Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur (70)

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/LFSC/2008/11/12/DailyHistory.html?req_city=Colmar&req_state=68&req_statename=France&reqdb.zip=00000&reqdb.magic=134&reqdb.wmo=07197

[Data.]