ALSACAT-2013-06-21-MURBACH-1
On June 22, 2013, a participant in a ufology forum on the web published his sighting report of his observation on June 21, 2013, at 10:36 p.m. exactly, lasting a few seconds, at most 5 seconds.
This law student was with two friends on the terrace of a chalet in Murbach, and watched the stars in the clear sky, when suddenly, from the South, a large white very bright ball crossed the sky going to the East-North-East. (This direction was later corrected after a look at his sketch).
It was not possible to give an approximate speed to the object, but it went much faster than a fighter jet plane. Very bright initially, after a few seconds, the ball just went off. There was no trail. The object was rather low in the atmosphere - or at a low elevation angle.
They had the impression of watching a very big star cross the sky.
Witnesses first thought it was the fall of a small meteorite, given the size, but dismissed it as not only there was no trail, but the object was not "in fire." The reporting witness said he then thought of a satellite, "which would fit also with the fact that the light disappeared instantly."
Observations analysts on the forum, after considering several possibilities, were able to show that it was the "flash" of the Iridium 19 satellite, and the witness fully agreed.
| Date: | June 21, 2013 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 10:36 p.m. |
| Duration: | A few seconds, 5 seconds maximum. |
| First known report date: | June 22, 2013 |
| Reporting delay: | 1 day. |
| Department: | Haut-Rhin |
|---|---|
| City: | Murbach |
| Place: | From a chalet's terrace in Murbach, UFO in the sky. |
| Latitude: | 47.923 |
| Longitude: | 7.156 |
| Uncertainty radius: | 500 m |
| Number of alleged witnesses: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Number of known witnesses: | 1 |
| Number of named witnesses: | 0 |
| Witness(es) ages: | Adults. |
| Witness(es) types: | A male law student and two friends. |
| Reporting channel: | On the web to ufology forum "Les Mystères des OVNIS". |
|---|---|
| Type of location: | From a chalet's terrace, UFO in the sky. |
| Visibility conditions: | Night |
| UFO observed: | Yes |
| UFO arrival observed: | Uncertain |
| UFO departure observed: | Uncertain |
| Entities: | No |
| Photographs: | No. |
| Sketch(s) by witness(es): | No. |
| Sketch(es) approved by witness(es): | No. |
| Witness(es) feelings: | Puzzled. |
| Witnesses interpretation: | Maybe a satellite. |
| Hynek: | NL |
|---|---|
| ALSACAT: | Satellite flash. |
[Ref. myo1:] FORUM "LES MYSTERES DES OVNIS":
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BosondeHiggs67 |
Subject: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Sat Jun 22, 2013, 09:16 p.m. 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Firstname or pseudo: BosondeHiggs67 City: Murbach Department: Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Region: Alsace launch a call to witnesses: http://www.lalsace.fr Pays: France Date: 21/06/2013 Hour of the beginning of the observation: 10:36 p.m. Duration of the observation: a few seconds ( 5 at the most) Weather conditions: clear sky Number of witnesses: 3 Type of phenomenon: Luminous balls Official report: not specified Complete observation report: The sighting took place on Friday, June 21, 2013, at 10:36 p.m. exactly. We were staying with two friends sitting on the terrace of a chalet in Murbach (see attached photo) watching the stars because the sky was very clear. Suddenly, from the South, a big bright ball crossed the sky from east / northeast. Impossible to give an approximate speed but the object was much faster than a jet fighter plane. Very bright at the start, after a few seconds the ball quite simply went off. There was no trail. The observed object was quite low in the atmosphere. We initially thought it was the fall of a small meteorite considering its size but this hypothesis does not fit with our observation since not only there was no trail behind its passage but the object was not flaming. It was more like watching a very big star, given its brightness, crossing the sky. I then thought of a satellite, which also would fit with the fact that the light disappeared instantly The observation itself was very brief, a few seconds at most. The image that matches the most in size and brightness is the one with the D2 code Precise description: Color: Size of the phenomenon: Behavior: Trajectory: south - NNE precised Specific noise: No Specific odor: No Direction of objet relative to the wind: not specified Presence of installations: not specified Similar photo: D2 Table: ball E9 Attached documents (photos, videos, map): Approximate position during the observation Field investigation requested: to be specified Investigator in charge of the file: I certify on my honnor the truthfulness of all tje information communicated and the authenticity of the attached documents. I do not know how to identify this phenomenon thanks in advance for your answers. to be specified Regards BosondeHiggs67 |
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BosondeHiggs67 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Sat June 22, 2013, 09:19 p.m. http://imageshack.us/a/img268/4732/ia78.png http://imageshack.us/a/img153/9790/kx0.png I post again the images, they did not get through in my previous message |
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wacapou |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Sat June 22, 2013, 09:49 p.m. Good evening BosondeHiggs67 BosondeHiggs67 wrote: "a large very bright ball crossed the sky going to the East/ North-East" Size and luminosity = D2 What was the elevation angle of site (vertical elevation, 0 _ 90°) did you observe the object at the beginning and at the end? |
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BosondeHiggs67 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Sat June 22, 2013, 09:57 p.m. Good evening Wacapou, I was on a very slopy area at the time of the observation, I would say about 40°. To specify about the images I posted, the second one corresponds to the approximate location where I was at the time of observation. The first is a streetview image that is below the point of observation at the end of the Muchental path shown on the first image, at the kind of small parking lot surrounded by 3 houses. This streetview photo's sole purpose is to show the direction of the object that was above the trees thicket that can be seen on the right. |
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BosondeHiggs67 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Sat June 22, 2013, 10:44 p.m. here is another image to specify the terrain of the place of observation. |
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wacapou |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Sun June 23, 2013, 08:35 p.m. Good evening BosondeHiggs67 You say the observed object resembled the one on the D2 photo; which seems quite big. To get an idea what size compared to the full moon did your object have in the sky ( = full moon, = 1/2 full moon, etc.)? Bonne soirée |
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BosondeHiggs67 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Sun June 23, 2013, 08:37 p.m. Good evening, Difficult to say, the observation having been so brief. I would say a 1/4 of a full moon, maybe 1/6th but without being sure... |
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wacapou |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Mon June 24, 2013, 02:15 p.m. Hello BosondeHiggs67 After having cogitated I see only one "natural" explanation which seems possible to me. There is not always a trail in the case of observations of meteors and appearance can change dramatically depending on the followed path. To get a trail there must be a sufficient air density so that its ionization becomes luminous and rises the temperature sufficiently to vaporize the constituents of the fireball. This is what happens when the fireball trajectory making it hit the Earth. But ... you can still have the case of a celestial body animated with sufficient speed to warm up on the upper layers of the atmosphere and the trajectory does not encounter the Earth. After flirting with our planet it continues its journey into space. |
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BosondeHiggs67 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Mon Jun 24, 2013, 02:46 p.m. Thanks for your explanations Wacapou. What puzzles him [me] is that the object was not far from my viewing position. Specifically it was up to the thicket I referred in my drawings. I note that there was no noise despite the proximity of the apparition. The object seemed to "radiate" and suddenly went off. |
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Polyèdre57 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Mon June 24, 2013, 03:09 p.m. Just a possibility to study ... Not being aware of all the websites listing the transit of celestial bodies in the atmosphere (if we stay on this assumption) it is likely that it was also observed elsewhere (Germany being close) so if you know of astronomical websites (or German ufology websites such as GEP), have a look there ... A small digression ... if you're on vacation soon in the area, do not hesitate to get in this beautiful valley to visit among other things the Murbach Abbey |
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wacapou |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Mon June 24, 2013, 03:33 p.m. BosondeHiggs67 wrote: "it's that the object was not far from my observation spt" Did you see the object against the mountain's background? In this case you could estimate a distance but if it was over as you pointed out (40 ° above the horizon) it was on the sky background. In the absence of reference it is impossible to guess how far away it is. It would have had to mask something, eg clouds. You need to see the top of the mountain at an angle of about 12 ° to the horizontal (distance 3400 m, 688 m and 1400 m for you to the summit of the mountain). |
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BosondeHiggs67 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Mon June 24, 2013, 08:18 p.m. No it was really on the background of the sky, but I felt it was roughly at the level of the mountain in front of me. But as I said, in the night it is difficult to judge distances ... Polyèdre 57: Unfortunately, although Alsatian, I do not speak one word of German. If a German person passes by.....:) And yes, the Abbey makes this little village proud and it deserves a visit |
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Polyèdre57 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Mon June 24, 2013, 09:15 p.m. I just checked at the Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO - Phänomens e.V., the last updates are of June 11. Let me say something silly... could the Calsky software (which I don't know how to use extensively) be able to spot a potential celestial body given a certain size (quite big) anywhere in the world by setting up the place, date and time wanted? This would be excellent, unfortunately I guess it's just wishful thinking...:-) @+ |
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wacapou |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Tue June 25, 2013, 10:21 a.m. Polyèdre57 wrote: "... could the Calsky software (which I don't know how to use extensively) be able to spot a potential celestial body ..." Yes it can ... http://www.calsky.com/cs.cgi The website is quite easy to use, Unfortunately, with the date, time and location indicated by the witness I find nothing that can match an observation. The "meteor" hypothesis is dying ... All celestial bodies that could harm to the fleet of satellites which is above our heads are tracked |
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BosondeHiggs67 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Tue June 25, 2013, 10:37 a.m. I just thought of a detail. It was the music festival that day. Maybe we should consider fireworks which could take the form of a large luminous ball ... In addition it would explain the fact that the light suddenly extinguished. The only problem is that the place is very isolated and at the mountain in front of my position there is no home. Also we heard no noise ... |
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wacapou |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Tue June 25, 2013, 11:08 a.m. Plausible hypothesis, a non-explosive fireworks mortar ball. The mountain (1400 m) above which you saw the luminous ball emerge has a site and access roads. It is accessible in Google Earth in "Streetview" mode |
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Polyèdre57 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Tue June 25, 2013, 11:16 a.m. This is a detail, but ... What was the color of the luminous sphere? We only have its brightness, it is mentioned nowhere unless I do not know how to read between the lines ... The mountain (1400 m) above which you saw the luminous ball emerge has a site and access roads. It is accessible in Google Earth "Streetview" mode @+ |
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Julien.B |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Wed June 26, 2013, 11:10 a.m. Hi, about the satellite you thought of, apparently it can be discarded... |
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wacapou |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Wed June 26, 2013, 11:21 a.m. Polyèdre57 wrote: "What was the color of this luminous sphere?" The witness says what he observed resembled image "D2" given as a sample with the report form. |
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Pat41 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Tue July 02, 2013, 06:16 p.m. Hello BosondeHiggs67 You note in your testimony: Path: South - NNE specified and your sketch shows a trajectory WNW -> ESE. Could you specify the path precisely? Good evening Regards Pat |
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wacapou |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Sun July 07, 2013, 10:25 p.m. Hello BosondeHiggs I spent quite some time looking in the local Press dor some festive events --> nothing. You specify the following points: - Clear sky As noted by Pat41 there is a big problem between the position indicated by your drawing and your testimony (WNW -> ESE instead of south - north north east) path. Your observation is much like an iridium satellite [flare], one has the impression that it is close when it is far away in the sky. If I consult the tables of passing satellites I find: - Satellite Iridium 19 Map below: Have a nice day |
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BosondeHiggs67 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Mon July 08, 2013, 10:19 p.m. Hello all, Excuse me for being absent these last days, I was quite busy. Oddly I did not receive message answers notifications from this thread although I still receive them by email from other threads I'm in:/ To answer in the order: - Polyhèdre57: The light was of a very bright white. - Pat41: indeed there is a discrepancy. The correct trajectory is S-NNE, i did check it immediately with my cellphone compass. - Wacapou: Thank you very much for your research. I had not thought of an iridium flash. However, after watching some videos on youtube about it, I feel it's not that similar to what I observed. Is the D2 image picture of an iridium flash? |
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Pat41 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Tue July 09 2013, 10:16 a.m. BosondeHiggs67 wrote: "- Polyhèdre57: The light was of a very bright white." "- Pat41: indeed there is a discrepancy. The correct trajectory is S-NNE, i did check it immediatly with my cellphone compass." "- Wacapou: Thank you very much for your research. I had not thought of an iridium flash. However, after watching some videos on youtube about it, I feel it's not that similar to what I observed. Is the D2 image picture of an iridium flash?" Hello bosondehiggs67 All these answers do point to the iridium satellite, as D2 really does resemble the flash of such a satellite Good day |
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Pat41 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Tue July 09, 2013, 10:21 a.m. ...you can check it out yourself if you have some time. Here is Heavens above link about Iridium satellites above the city of Strasbourg http://www.heavens-above.com/IridiumFlares.aspx?lat=48.58333&lng=7.75&loc=Strasbourg&alt=140&tz=CET Regards Pat |
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BosondeHiggs67 |
Subject: Re: 2013: on 06/21 at 10:36 p.m. - Luminous balls - Murbach - Haut-Rhin (dep.68) Tue July 09 2013, 00:05 p.m. Thanks Wacapou and Pat41 for your investigations:) From your data, there is no doubt that what I observed is a nice iridium flash. Very impressive indeed!! What should I do to move this topic to the relevant IFO section? Good day to all and thanks again for all these enlightments ( no joke intended:) ) !! |
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The investigation by the forum participants gives the explanation.
Satellite flash.
* = 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 |
| Editeur: | Patrick Gross |
| Version: | Create/changed by: | Date: | Description: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | Patrick Gross | March 26, 2014 | Creation, [myo1]. |
| 1.0 | Patrick Gross | March 26, 2014 | First published. |
