CORROBORATED
CF-GEI-20100602589 CORROBORATED

The Chaulgnes ISS Misidentification

CASE FILE — CF-GEI-20100602589 — CASEFILES CLASSIFIED ARCHIVE
Date Date when the incident was reported or occurred
2010-06-25
Location Reported location of the sighting or event
Chaulgnes, Nièvre, Bourgogne, France
Duration Estimated duration of the observed phenomenon
approximately 4 minutes
Object Type Classification of the observed object based on witness descriptions
sphere
Source Origin database or archive this case was sourced from
geipan
Witnesses Number of known witnesses who reported the event
1
Country Country where the incident took place
FR
AI Confidence AI-generated credibility score based on source reliability, detail consistency, and corroboration
85%
On June 25, 2010, at 23:40 (11:40 PM), a single witness in Chaulgnes, a commune in the Nièvre department of Bourgogne, France, observed a luminous spherical object traversing the night sky. The witness reported that the object moved from west to east, passing directly overhead their residence. The bright, moving sphere intrigued the observer enough to file a report with GEIPAN, France's official UFO investigation service operated by CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales). GEIPAN investigators conducted an analysis of the sighting and determined with high confidence that the witness had observed the International Space Station (ISS) during a visible pass. According to orbital tracking data, the ISS traversed the sky over Chaulgnes from west-southwest to east between 23:34 and 23:38, passing nearly directly overhead (at or near zenith). The witness's observation time of 23:40 was within minutes of this confirmed ISS pass, and the described trajectory matched the station's path precisely. This case was assigned GEIPAN's Classification A, which denotes cases that are fully explained with certainty. The luminous spherical appearance, steady movement across the sky, west-to-east trajectory, and timing all correspond exactly with the characteristics of an ISS observation. The case serves as a textbook example of how even experienced observers can mistake familiar orbital objects for anomalous phenomena when unfamiliar with satellite visibility patterns.
02 Timeline of Events
23:34
ISS Pass Begins
The International Space Station enters visibility over Chaulgnes, appearing from the west-southwest horizon. The station begins its transit across the night sky.
23:36
Overhead Transit
The ISS passes nearly directly overhead (at zenith), appearing as a bright, steady, luminous sphere moving at constant velocity. This is likely when the witness first noticed and began observing the object.
23:38
ISS Pass Ends
The ISS completes its visible pass, disappearing toward the eastern horizon as it enters Earth's shadow or moves beyond visible range.
23:40
Witness Notes Time
The witness records the observation time as 23:40, approximately 2 minutes after the ISS pass concluded. This slight discrepancy is typical of after-the-fact time estimation.
After June 25, 2010
GEIPAN Investigation
GEIPAN investigators analyze the report, cross-reference with ISS orbital data, and conclusively identify the sighting as the International Space Station. Case assigned Classification A (explained with certainty).
03 Key Witnesses
Anonymous Witness 1
Civilian resident
medium
Single observer in Chaulgnes who reported a luminous object passing overhead. Provided accurate observational details despite misidentifying the source.
"L'objet se déplace d'Ouest en Est passant au-dessus de son habitation. (The object moved from west to east, passing above their home.)"
04 Analyst Notes -- AI Processed
This case demonstrates the value of systematic investigation and access to orbital tracking data. The witness's description was accurate in all observable details—the object was indeed luminous, spherical in appearance, and moved on the exact trajectory described. The slight discrepancy in timing (witness reported 23:40 versus calculated ISS pass of 23:34-23:38) is typical of recollection variance and could indicate the witness noted the time shortly after the observation ended. The ISS is one of the brightest objects in the night sky when visible, often appearing as bright as Venus, and moves relatively slowly compared to meteors or aircraft. Its steady, silent motion across the sky at a constant angular velocity is characteristic. For observers unfamiliar with satellite passes, particularly the ISS's brightness and predictable trajectory, such sightings can appear anomalous. GEIPAN's ability to cross-reference the witness report with precise orbital mechanics data allowed for definitive identification. The Classification A rating indicates zero ambiguity in this determination.
05 Theory Comparison
BELIEVER ANALYSIS
SKEPTIC ANALYSIS
Satellite Misidentification
This is a straightforward case of satellite misidentification by an observer unfamiliar with ISS passes. The ISS is frequently mistaken for a UFO due to its unusual brightness (often magnitude -3 to -5, brighter than most stars), steady motion, and silent passage. Public awareness of when and where the ISS is visible remains limited, leading to regular reports of "mysterious lights" that correlate exactly with orbital passes. No anomalous elements are present in this case.
06 Verdict
ANALYST VERDICT
This case is resolved with absolute certainty as an observation of the International Space Station. The witness credibility is not in question—they accurately described what they saw. The "mystery" arose purely from unfamiliarity with ISS visibility rather than any anomalous phenomenon. This case holds minimal significance for UFO research but serves an educational purpose: it illustrates how predictable, man-made orbital objects can be misidentified, and demonstrates the importance of checking satellite tracking databases before concluding a sighting is anomalous. The GEIPAN Classification A is entirely appropriate and well-supported by astronomical data.
AI CONFIDENCE SCORE:
85%
07 Community Discussion
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