CORROBORATED
CF-GEI-20090602317 CORROBORATED
The Chemillé Green Fireball - Military Patrol Sighting
CASE FILE — CF-GEI-20090602317 — CASEFILES CLASSIFIED ARCHIVE
Date Date when the incident was reported or occurred
2009-06-15
Location Reported location of the sighting or event
Chemillé, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire, France
Duration Estimated duration of the observed phenomenon
5-6 seconds
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
2
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 15, 2009, at 22:40 (10:40 PM), two military personnel conducting a patrol in Chemillé, Maine-et-Loire, France, observed a silent green sphere descending rapidly across the sky. The luminous green ball traveled in a straight trajectory for approximately 5-6 seconds before disappearing abruptly at the horizon. The witnesses, both trained military observers on active patrol duty, noted the object's bright green coloration and its completely silent passage through the atmosphere.
The sighting was officially investigated by GEIPAN (Groupe d'Études et d'Informations sur les Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés), the French space agency CNES's UFO investigation division. The case was assigned reference number 2009-06-02317 and subjected to standard investigative protocols. Both witnesses provided consistent testimony regarding the object's appearance, trajectory, duration, and characteristics.
GEIPAN classified this case as "B" - probable identification of the phenomenon. Their analysis concluded that the observation matched the classic testimony of a bolide, specifically the atmospheric re-entry of a meteoroid. The bright green luminosity, straight-line trajectory, brief duration of 5-6 seconds, silent passage, and sudden disappearance at the horizon are all consistent with meteoric phenomena.
02 Timeline of Events
22:40
Initial Detection
Two military personnel on patrol in Chemillé observe a bright green sphere appearing in the sky, beginning its descent trajectory.
22:40:00-22:40:06
Object Traverses Sky
The luminous green ball travels silently in a straight, descending trajectory for approximately 5-6 seconds. Witnesses note the object's bright green coloration and complete absence of sound.
22:40:06
Abrupt Disappearance
The phenomenon disappears suddenly at the horizon, consistent with a meteor burning up completely or passing below the visible horizon line.
Post-Event
Official Report Filed
Military witnesses file official report of the sighting, which is forwarded to GEIPAN for investigation.
Investigation Period
GEIPAN Analysis
GEIPAN investigators analyze the witness testimonies and classify the sighting as probable meteoroid atmospheric re-entry (Classification B).
03 Key Witnesses
Military Witness 1
Military personnel on patrol
high
Active duty military personnel conducting patrol operations in Chemillé on the night of June 15, 2009. Trained observer with professional experience in surveillance and situational awareness.
"Not available in source documents"
Military Witness 2
Military personnel on patrol
high
Active duty military personnel conducting joint patrol operations with first witness. Professional training in observation and reporting protocols.
"Not available in source documents"
04 Analyst Notes -- AI Processed
This case benefits from multiple trained military observers who were on active patrol duty, suggesting heightened situational awareness and observational discipline. The consistency of their testimony regarding duration, color, and trajectory strengthens the credibility of the report. The specific green coloration is particularly significant - meteors often display green hues due to the presence of nickel in the meteoroid or oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere during ablation.
GEIPAN's classification as "B" (probable identification) rather than "A" (certain identification) is appropriate given the lack of corroborating physical evidence, photographic documentation, or detection by astronomical monitoring systems. However, the described characteristics - silent passage, straight trajectory, brief duration, bright green luminosity, and sudden termination at the horizon - form a textbook description of a bolide. The timing (late evening) and clear enough conditions for observation support the meteoroid hypothesis. No unusual maneuvers, course corrections, or anomalous behaviors were reported that would suggest anything other than a natural space object entering the atmosphere.
05 Theory Comparison
BELIEVER ANALYSIS
SKEPTIC ANALYSIS
Possible Rocket Re-entry or Space Debris
While the meteoroid explanation is most likely, an alternative consideration is controlled or uncontrolled space debris re-entry. Satellite components or rocket stages occasionally re-enter Earth's atmosphere in visible displays that can resemble meteors. However, such events typically last longer than 5-6 seconds and often fragment visibly. The brief duration and single-object appearance make this less probable than the natural meteoroid explanation, but without satellite tracking data correlation, it cannot be entirely excluded.
06 Verdict
ANALYST VERDICT
This case is almost certainly an observation of a bolide - a particularly bright meteor created by a meteoroid entering Earth's atmosphere. The classification confidence is high (85-90%). The green coloration, straight-line trajectory, 5-6 second duration, and silent passage are entirely consistent with meteoric phenomena. The witnesses' military training adds credibility to their observational accuracy. While the lack of corroborating reports from other observers or astronomical detection systems prevents absolute certainty, GEIPAN's "B" classification is well-justified. This case is significant primarily as an example of properly investigated and correctly identified aerial phenomena, demonstrating the value of trained observers and systematic investigation protocols.
AI CONFIDENCE SCORE:
85%
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