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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 Haguenau, on May 9, 2018:

Case number:

ALSACAT-2018-05-09-HAGUENAU-1

Summary:

On May 10, 2018, a man sent his observation report accompanied by three digital photos to the GEIPAN, the official study and information group on "Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (https://www.cnes-geipan.fr/).

He reported that on May 9, 2018 around 7:30 p.m., he was at the Haguenau rugby field and saw a very bright "cylindrical ball" pass in the sky, and a black ball, saying that it came from the North-East and went to the Southwest, silently.

He says the sighting lasted about a minute, then he lost sight of the phenomenon, but had time to take three photographs.

He says he is bothered by his observation, which is his third (he did not report the previous two said to have occurred in 2009 and 2017 and says nothing about them),

GEIPAN was able to prove that the "white ball", which clearly resembles an airplane, wings not visible with a sun at 282° azimuth orthogonal to the trajectory, is an airplane. The GEIPAN identifies the plane passed at 07:29 p.m., time of the photo, whose position and movement seen from the field are confirmed by the radar records of its flight.

As for the "black object", the GEIPAN evokes dirt on the lens, noting that several of them appear on the three photos.

Data:

Temporal data:

Date: May 9, 2018
Time: 07:30 p.m.
Duration: 1 minute.
First known report date: May 10, 2018
Reporting delay: 1 day.

Geographical data:

Department: Haut-Rhin
City: Haguenau
Place: 19 rue du Moulin Neuf, Haguenau
Latitude: 48.81640
Longitude: 7.7768
Uncertainty radius: 100 m.

Witnesses data:

Number of alleged witnesses: 1
Number of known witnesses: 1
Number of named witnesses: 0
Witness(es) ages: Adult.
Witness(es) types: Man, state worker.

Ufology data:

Reporting channel: By the GEIPAN report form.
Type of location: Outside, stadium.
Visibility conditions: Evening, clear sky.
UFO observed: Yes
UFO arrival observed: Yes
UFO departure observed: Yes
Entities: No
Photographs: Yes.
Sketch(s) by witness(es): No.
Sketch(es) approved by witness(es): No.
Witness(es) feelings: Puzzled.
Witnesses interpretation: ?

Classifications:

Hynek: DD
ALSACAT: Plane and bird.

Sources:

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

HAGUENAU (67) 09.05.2018

Observed on: 05/09/2018
Region: Alsace
Department: Bas-Rhin
Class: A
Summary: HAGUENAU (67) 05/09/2018. Observation by a witness of the passage in the sky of a shiny cylindrical ball and of a black ball: observation of the passage of an airplane.
Description:

On May 9, 2018, at about 7:30 p.m., a witness from a rugby field was intrigued by the passage in the sky of a very bright cylindrical ball and a black ball. The latter comes from the NE and goes in the direction of the SW. No noise is heard. The sighting lasts about a minute before the witness loses sight of the UAP. Nevertheless, the witness has time to take three photographs. No other testimony was collected at GEIPAN.

The witness is both excited and bothered by his observation in that he really wants an explanation (or no explanation?). He has indeed made other strange sightings in the past (without a statement to GEIPAN), he is documented on UFOs, and this time his hopes are high as he took pictures.

He might be disappointed with an explanation that doesn't live up to his expectations. Indeed, the speed of movement like the appearance of the UAP on the photo clearly reminds one of an airliner. On the non-zoomed photo and equivalent to the naked eye, the plane is only a shining dot without drag (the trails not being automatic) and classic of an airplane. The strangeness for the witness must have arisen from the zoom (or from a particularly sharp natural vision) which reveals the elongated shape without wings. Numerous examples dealt with at GEIPAN show that it is common for only the cabin to reflect the sun and for the plane to appear elongated like a cigar. This is the case in particular when the sun is transverse to the cabin and only "sees" the thickness of the wing, as here with a sun at 282° azimuth orthogonal to the NE-SW trajectory described for this UAP.

And the proof is made, since we find the plane "in question". As shown in the attached reconstruction, at 07:29 p.m. (time of the photo), we have a plane which goes from NE to SW and whose move seen from the rugby field is consistent with the testimony. In particular, the photo allows, thanks to the IPACO software, to identify the height of the UAP in relation to the tops of the first trees bordering the rugby field to the south. These trees are about a hundred meters away, considering that the witness is in the middle of the platform. The treetop height is between 5° and 10° depending on whether the height of the tree is 5 or 15 m (there are two trees of different heights on the photo). This places the UAP at a height in the sky around 35°, when we add the heights measured on the photo. And it is indeed the order of magnitude of the height of the airplane which is on the radar capture at 12 km and 10.6 km altitude, ie at 41° height in the sky. The difference is explained by the unknowns and errors in the position of the witness along the platform, the knowledge of the height of the trees, the synchronization between the photo and the radar capture of the aircraft. The latter quickly moving away while lowering height in the sky.

The black UAPs mentioned by the witness are more like dirt on the lens, they are moreover numerous.

Consequently, GEIPAN classifies the case as A: airplane.

Report: reconstitution.pdf

Details of the testimony

Witness
Date of the observation 05/09/2018
Document number
Age Adult (between 18 and 60)
Profession 51. Public servants
Sex Male
Reaction Emotion - Curiosity, interest - Active
Credibility
Conditions
Environment Built territories - Urban areas
Weather conditions Sun or light night
Hour of the observation 19:30:00
Reference frame Sky
Distance between phenomenon and witness <1000m (distant)
Start of the observation Unknown
End of the observation End observation by phenomenon
Localization
Angle of site Numbered
Direction of observation 0.00;0.00
Heading Other (comparison, landmarks, etc.)
Trajectory No chg of direction
Nature of the observation Descriptive terms (lights, shapes, etc.)
Characteristic of the observation , Move (without interruption) - Evolut
Global shape 3D - 1 symmetry axis - Cylindrical
Color White
Apparent size Numbered
Apparent speed Not specified
Noise None, Total silence
Effect on the environment None
Number 1

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Photo of the UAP and reconstruction of the displacement of the UAP made by the witness +

Angular heights of UAP / trees

Radar record and Aircraft Position

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Your observation

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 allow investigations to be resolved. So don't 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 very sure of a particular detail, let us know your doubts, but, once again, do not leave anything out. We need to be able to visualize everything you have seen, as if to remake the film of your observation.

For your story, you can use the free text prepared before consulting the "What did I see?"

Use the end of this page to recount your sighting and continue on free paper as much as you want:

Your free account of the observation:

During my son's rugby training, and I noticed a shiny cylindrical ball, as well as a black ball in the sky. Since I have already had two observations in January 2009 and October 2017, this time I had the reflex to take my Samsung S7 cellphone and take three photos.

This phenomenon passed in the eastern sky [and] in 1 minute it disappeared

Today I take my courage in both hands and I write to you (not easy), but I really need to know what it is.

Thank you in advance for reading me and taking me seriously, I look forward to your answers.

Sincerely

IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW Nr 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE Nr 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES ON THE LAST PAGE

V3-11 / April 2017

page: 3

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Conditions of observation of the phenomenon

Please provide all the information requested.

A1. Precise address of the place of observation (town, department, street, ...):

19 rue du moulin Neuf 67500 Haguenau (Alsace) at the sports park.

A3. If During a trip: name of the boat, the route or the flight reference:

B1. What were your occupations just before your observation?

watching my son's rugby training

B2. Where exactly were you? (Please indicate if you were in a building and on which floor, if you are looking through a window, and how fast you traveled if you were in a vehicle.)

outside on the rugby field.

B3. Description of the observation site:

above the rugby field.

B4. Date of sighting: 05/09/2018 B5. Precise start time (in local time): ~07:30 p.m.

B6. Observation duration or end time (in hours, minutes, seconds): ~1 minute

B7. Did other witnesses see the same phenomenon as you? If yes how much? If necessary, please ask them to contact us at the coordinates indicated on the last page of this document.

No

IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW Nr 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE Nr 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES ON THE LAST PAGE

V3-11 / April 2017

page: 4

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B8. If applicable, identity and relationship between these witnesses and the main witness:

B9. The observation was made in a way: continuous
(Cross out or delete the unnecessary mention)

B10. If the observation was made discontinuously, specify why it was interrupted and resumed:

B11. What prompted the end of the sighting?

i couldn't see it anymore

B12. Did you see the phenomena directly with your eyes? YES
(Cross out or delete the unnecessary mention)

B13. Was the phenomenon observed through an instrument (eyeglasses or sunglasses, binoculars, camera, camera, telescope ...)? If yes, please specify the model:

sunglasses

B14. Weather conditions (clear sky, cloud, wind, orange, haze, fog, rain, snow, change in conditions during observation):

clear sky

B15. Astronomical conditions (remember the position of the Moon, the Sun, the presence or not of stars or planets, etc.):

The sun begins to set slowly but still very bright

B16. Equipment on or active during the observation (headlights, radio, TB, lights ...):

No

B17. Noise during observation (TV or radio on, passage of vehicles, aircraft engines, thunder ...):

No noise nor smoke

IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW Nr 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE Nr 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES ON THE LAST PAGE

V3-11 / April 2017

page: 5

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Description of the phenomenon

In your descriptions, do not hesitate to make comparisons with known objects.

C1. Number of phenomena (single, multiple or single then divides ...):

Unique then with a black color UAP

C2. Shape:

Cylindrical

C3. Color:

Very bright chrome white

C4. Brightness (in comparison with known stars like Venus and the Moon, or the lighting of a lamppost, car lights, house lights, etc.):

Very bright

C5. Presence of a trail or a halo? If so, what color?

No

C6. 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):

~ 5 mm

C7. Noises coming from the phenomenon (hissing, buzzing, bangs, comparison with a known noise ...):

Nothing.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW Nr 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE Nr 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES ON THE LAST PAGE

V3-11 / April 2017

page: 6

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C8. Distance between you and the UAP (the observed phenomena), roughly estimated (specify if the object passed in front of or behind an element of the landscape):

in front of me ~ 800 to 100 meters.

C9. C10. UAP initial position in the sky (start of observation):

Indicate a cardinal point (North, South...), or an azimuth in degrees with respect to North, or a local visual or geographical landmark (building, village)

The UAP comes from the North-East to the South-West
visual landmark the Haguenau station

Indicate a height in degrees from the horizon, or from a landscape element
(ex: twice as high as the church steeple)

~60°

C11. C12. UAP final position in the sky (end of observation):

Indicate a cardinal point (North, South...), or an azimuth in degrees from north, where a local visual or geographical reference (building, village)

Southwest towards Batzendorf

IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW Nr 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE Nr 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES ON THE LAST PAGE

V3-11 / April 2017

page: 7

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Indicate a height in degrees from the horizon, or from a landscape element
(ex: twice as high as the church steeple)

~45°

C13. Trajectory of the phenomenon (straight line, rising, falling, with or without change of direction, curve, etc.):

Straight line

C14. 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.):

30 ° to 40 °

C15. Effect on the environment (ground trace(s), effect(s) on living beings or hardware):

Nothing

IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW Nr 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE Nr 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES ON THE LAST PAGE

V3-11 / April 2017

page: 8

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Reconstruction of your observation

In order for us to be able to reconstruct the "movie" of your observation, 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:

  1. Take a picture of the environment as it was during the phenomenon, as if the camera were your eyes when observing. Feel free to draw what you observed directly on the photos.
  2. Make one or more sketches of your observation (see next page) from your point of view, including the environment. Give as much information as possible to allow us a good understanding of the scene.

    You are entirely free from the sketches that you send us. But color accuracy is important, especially if the level of contrast between the observed phenomenon and the environment is low. Try to be as precise as possible, even if it means writing on the sketch.

    No drawing skills are necessary. The main thing is to make us understand what you saw in a schematic way. You can use the following page for this purpose.
  3. Reconstruct your observation on one or more planes. If you can, this is to present your observation from a top view. To do this, you can print a map of your observation location on Google Map (http://maps.google.fr) or Geoportail (http://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/accueil) and record your different positions there, and the directions of observation.

How to "dress" a photo or a card with your comments?

If you are used to using drawing or image editing software (Photoshop, GIMP, Illustrator, etc.), we recommend that you use these tools, then we send a file in jpg, png or pdf format.

If you cannot access this type of hardware, print a map of the places 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.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW Nr 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE Nr 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES ON THE LAST PAGE

V3-11 / April 2017

page: 9

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Sketch of your observation

Use this page to draw your sighting.

You are entirely free to draw up this sketch.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW Nr 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE Nr 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES ON THE LAST PAGE

V3-11 / April 2017

page: 10

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What now?

Describe the emotions you felt during and after the observation:

bothered and worried

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?

I haven't talked about it, yes i did research on the internet

What interpretation do you give to what you observed? Have you thought of a known phenomenon? What are the elements that justify your interpretation? If you don't know, have you given up on understanding? If so, when and why?

what I observed is neither a plane, nor a balloon, nor a drone

Before your observation, how interested were you in strange aerospace phenomena? Did you have a specific opinion on the subject? Which one? What were you basing it on?

I already had 2 sightings the 1st in 2009 and the 2nd in 2017

Did this observation change your view of unidentified aerospace phenomena? If so, explain what you think now:

yes i watch the sky more often, as well as videos on the web

Do you think that science will provide an explanation for your observation?

the 3 experiences I had really changed my life, plus I come to you, something not easy but I have to know!

IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW Nr 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE Nr 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES ON THE LAST PAGE

V3-11 / April 2017

page: 11

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Summary

If you have already testified about this UAP, please tell us to which authority, organization or person by deleting or striking out the unnecessary mentions in the list below, and by completing the requested information (several choices are possible):

Do you authorize us to publish this last information? YES

(it may possibly identify you if your identity appears on that website)

I would like on the other hand not to be identified thanks

Please specify in the list below the documents you will have attached or completed.

(check or delete unnecessary mentions)

() Questionnaire 1
() Sketch of the observed phenomenon (number: .0 ......)
() Map(s) or plan(s) (number: .... 1 ...)
() Photograph(s) of the sighting (number: .. 0 .....)
() Video(s) of the observation (number: .. 0 .....)
() Photograph(s) of the environment (number: .. 0 .....)

IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW Nr 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE Nr 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES ON THE LAST PAGE

V3-11 / April 2017

page: 12

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You still have to complete the publication authorization below, which will allow us to display your anonymized testimony on our website.

Authorization to publish your information

(In case of refusal, cross out or delete one and / or the other of the following formulas.)


I, the undersigned ....... certify the sincerity of the information provided above.

Made at OBERHOFFEN/s/Moder ...........

On 05/10/2016 .............

Signature

If you are completing this form by computer, insert your scanned signature or type


This questionnaire is to be returned:

- By e-mail with all the digitized parts to geipan@cnes.fr

or

- By mail to the following postal address, after making a copy that you will keep:

GEIPAN
National Center for Space Studies

DCT / DA / GEIPAN
18 avenue Edouard Belin,
31401 TOULOUSE CEDEX 9

Thank you for taking the time to testify.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW Nr 78-17 OF 6 JANUARY 1978 RELATING TO COMPUTING, FILES AND FREEDOMS, AND DECREE Nr 78.774 OF
JULY 17, 1978, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF CONTROL AND CORRECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA.
REQUESTS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO GEIPAN - COORDINATES ON THE LAST PAGE

V3-11 / April 2017

page: 13

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Discussion:

Map.

The GEIPAN makes it possible to download a compressed file containing the three original digital photos that the witness says he took.

The images having a resolution of 4032 by 3024 pixels, they cannot be displayed correctly (too "large") on a PC screen or the like, they would be better on an ultra HD (4K) TV screen.

I still suggest:

  1. Three links to display the photographs on your current screen (links to copy and paste in the web address area of your browser):

    https://ufologie.patrickgross.org/alsacat/pics/20180509_192917.jpg
    https://ufologie.patrickgross.org/alsacat/pics/20180509_192922.jpg
    https://ufologie.patrickgross.org/alsacat/pics/20180509_192924.jpg

    These three images are neither retouched nor renamed, they are the files exactly as the GEIPAN proposes them.

  2. The essential metadata information of the three images:

    20180509_192917.jpg: uploaded on PC Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 09:18:31, taken May 9, 2018 at 7:09 p.m., Samsung SM-G930F camera, focal length 1/7 exposure time 1/1408 seconds , ISO 50, focal length 4 mm, maximum aperture 1.53, flash activated but not fired (automatic mode),, white balance in automatic mode.

    20180509_192922.jpg: identical except exposure 1/1667 seconds, no date or time of shooting.

    20180509_192924.jpg: identical, with shooting date May 9, 2019 at 7:29 PM, aperture 1/1464 seconds.

  3. Description:

    The first photo shows what the witness calls a white cylinder and a black object. The white cylinder could indeed be an airplane with its trail, the black thing could be a bird.

    On the second photo, the "white cylinder" is still there, my supposed bird is no longer there, which makes sense. I see other birds in other places.

    The third photo doesn't show any "phenomena" other than what I think are birds.

    Note: the display with current software is almost always done with a "smoothing" which removes the pixelation when magnification is done.

I think the witness saw a plane pass, with a short trail, with, in the first photo only, a bird apparently located a little above the plane.

It makes sense that my supposed bird no longer appears next to the "white cylinder" in the second photo, its relative proximity to the aircraft resulting in an apparent movement much faster than that of the plane.

The aircraft in question was identified by GEIPAN. On the other hand, I do not understand why the GEIPAN speaks of stains on the lens ("The black UAPs mentioned by the witness are rather dirt on the lens, they are moreover numerous") for what I interpret as birds, since the positions, orientations and sizes change. Dirt on the lens would keep the same positions, sizes and appearances in the three photos, taken in the same minute.

I think the witness only visually saw the "white cylinder" and found "the black ball" in his photo afterwards. His research on the Internet could only confirm his misinterpretation, as the photos of birds called "UFOs" abound.

Evaluation:

Plane and bird.

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
Editor: Patrick Gross

Changes history:

Version: Create/changed by: Date: Description:
0.1 Patrick Gross July 4, 2021 Creation, [gei1].
1.0 Patrick Gross July 4, 2021 First published.

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