CORROBORATED
CF-GEI-20090202257 CORROBORATED
The Hautefort Tadpole Light
CASE FILE — CF-GEI-20090202257 — CASEFILES CLASSIFIED ARCHIVE
Date Date when the incident was reported or occurred
2009-02-15
Location Reported location of the sighting or event
Hautefort, Dordogne, Aquitaine, France
Duration Estimated duration of the observed phenomenon
less than 5 seconds
Object Type Classification of the observed object based on witness descriptions
light
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 February 15, 2009, at approximately 7:30 PM local time, a single witness in Hautefort, Dordogne (department 24) observed a rapidly moving, intensely bright white luminous phenomenon at low altitude. The witness described the object as having a distinctive 'tadpole' shape—a brilliant light followed by a trailing appendage. The object traveled in a linear trajectory and disappeared behind the landscape within less than five seconds of observation. No sound was heard during the brief sighting.
The case was officially investigated by GEIPAN (Groupe d'Études et d'Informations sur les Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non Identifiés), the French government's UFO investigation unit operated by CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales). The investigation documented the witness testimony and analyzed the reported characteristics against known atmospheric phenomena. The observation occurred during evening hours in rural southwestern France, in the Aquitaine region.
GEIPAN classified this case as 'B' in their system, indicating a probable misidentification with a high degree of confidence. The combination of the extremely short observation duration, linear trajectory, bright white luminosity, trailing configuration, silent passage, and disappearance behind terrain all aligned with the characteristics of a meteoroid atmospheric entry event.
02 Timeline of Events
19:30
Initial Observation
Witness observes a rapidly moving, bright white luminous phenomenon appearing at low altitude in the evening sky over Hautefort
19:30:02
Tadpole Configuration Noted
Witness perceives the object as having a distinctive 'tadpole' shape—a bright light with a trailing appendage, following a linear trajectory
19:30:05
Object Disappears
After less than 5 seconds of observation, the phenomenon disappears behind the landscape. No sound is heard at any point during the observation
Post-event
Report Filed
Witness reports the sighting to GEIPAN, providing description of the tadpole-shaped light and observation circumstances
2009-02
GEIPAN Investigation
GEIPAN investigators analyze the witness testimony and conclude the observation is consistent with meteoroid atmospheric reentry. Case classified as 'B' - probable misidentification
03 Key Witnesses
Anonymous Witness 1
Civilian resident
unknown
Single witness who observed the phenomenon from Hautefort. No additional biographical information available in GEIPAN documentation.
"Une lumière en forme de têtard [a tadpole-shaped light]"
04 Analyst Notes -- AI Processed
This case presents classic characteristics of a bolide or meteoroid atmospheric reentry, and GEIPAN's classification appears well-founded. The witness's description of a 'tadpole-shaped light' (lumière en forme de têtard) is consistent with how observers typically perceive meteors—a bright head followed by a luminous trail. The five-second duration falls within the typical range for meteor observations, and the linear trajectory is characteristic of objects entering Earth's atmosphere at high velocity.
The absence of sound is noteworthy but not anomalous. Meteors typically produce sonic phenomena only when they are exceptionally large or close, and sound may not reach ground observers for smaller bolides. The evening timing (19:30 hours in February) would have provided dark sky conditions ideal for observing luminous atmospheric phenomena. GEIPAN's assessment that this represents a case of 'low strangeness and low consistency' (faible étrangeté et de faible consistance) is accurate—while the witness was certain of what they saw, the brief duration and single-witness nature limit the case's evidential value. The witness credibility cannot be fully assessed from available documentation, though the straightforward description without embellishment suggests honest reporting of a genuine observation of a natural phenomenon.
05 Theory Comparison
BELIEVER ANALYSIS
SKEPTIC ANALYSIS
Aircraft with Landing Lights
An alternative terrestrial explanation could be a distant aircraft with landing lights activated, particularly if approaching at an angle that created the illusion of rapid movement across the field of view. However, this theory is weaker than the meteor explanation because it doesn't account for the extremely brief duration, the tadpole shape with trailing appendage, or the disappearance behind landscape rather than continued flight. Commercial or military aircraft would typically be visible for longer than 5 seconds and would not produce the described morphology.
06 Verdict
ANALYST VERDICT
This case is almost certainly a misidentification of a meteoroid entering Earth's atmosphere—a bolide or fireball. The convergence of evidence is compelling: the 'tadpole' morphology matches meteor appearance, the brief duration and linear path are consistent with high-velocity atmospheric entry, the bright white luminosity matches meteor characteristics, and the silent passage at distance is expected. GEIPAN's 'B' classification is appropriate and well-justified. While the witness undoubtedly observed something real and striking, all observable characteristics point to a natural astronomical phenomenon rather than anything anomalous. This case holds minimal significance for UAP research but serves as a useful example of how dramatic natural phenomena can initially appear unexplained to observers unfamiliar with meteor behavior.
AI CONFIDENCE SCORE:
85%
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