CORROBORATED
CF-GEI-20130208415 CORROBORATED
The Moissieu-sur-Dolon Orange Bolide
CASE FILE — CF-GEI-20130208415 — CASEFILES CLASSIFIED ARCHIVE
Date Date when the incident was reported or occurred
2013-02-16
Location Reported location of the sighting or event
Moissieu-sur-Dolon, Isère, France
Duration Estimated duration of the observed phenomenon
3 seconds
Object Type Classification of the observed object based on witness descriptions
orb
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 16, 2013, at precisely 19:32 hours, a single witness in Moissieu-sur-Dolon, Isère, observed through a French window the rapid passage of an orange luminous sphere traversing the sky from east to west. The object covered approximately 45 degrees of the visible sky in just 3 seconds, following a perfectly rectilinear trajectory without producing any audible sound. The witness described unusual spiral patterns associated with the object, though no luminous trail was observed.
GEIPAN (the French National Centre for Space Studies' UAP investigation division) conducted an official investigation and cross-referenced the sighting with the BOAM (Bolide Observatory and Meteorite Recovery) camera network. No event was recorded at 19:32 on that date, though investigators noted the absence of camera coverage in the southern Alps region where the observation occurred. Despite extensive databases, GEIPAN received no corroborating reports from other witnesses on February 16, 2013, making this a single-witness event.
The official investigation classified this case as "B" (probable identification), concluding the phenomenon was most likely an atmospheric re-entry of a meteoroid—commonly known as a bolide or fireball. While the witness's description of spiral patterns and the complete absence of a luminous trail were noted as atypical characteristics for meteoric phenomena, GEIPAN investigators determined these features were not incompatible with a bolide hypothesis, albeit rare manifestations.
02 Timeline of Events
19:32
Initial Detection
Witness observes through a French window the sudden appearance of an orange luminous sphere in the eastern sky
19:32:00-19:32:03
Rapid Traverse
Orange orb travels in perfectly straight east-to-west trajectory, covering approximately 45 degrees of visible sky in 3 seconds. Object displays unusual spiral patterns with no visible luminous trail. Completely silent passage.
19:32:03
Object Disappears
Phenomenon exits visible range to the west, total observation duration of 3 seconds
Post-incident
BOAM Camera Network Check
GEIPAN investigators check BOAM meteorite camera network - no event recorded at 19:32, but no camera coverage exists for southern Alps region
Post-incident
Witness Database Search
GEIPAN searches national database for corroborating reports on February 16, 2013 - no additional witnesses identified
Investigation conclusion
Classification B Assigned
GEIPAN officially classifies case as probable bolide (atmospheric re-entry of meteoroid) despite some atypical characteristics
03 Key Witnesses
Anonymous Witness 1
Civilian observer
medium
Single witness who observed the phenomenon from indoors through a French window in Moissieu-sur-Dolon. Provided specific temporal and angular measurements suggesting careful observation.
"Une boule orange traversant environ 45° du ciel d'Est en Ouest en 3 secondes... passage très rapide et silencieux... dans une trajectoire rectiligne."
04 Analyst Notes -- AI Processed
This case demonstrates GEIPAN's methodical approach to investigating aerial phenomena, employing multiple verification systems including the BOAM camera network and cross-referencing witness databases. The single-witness nature of the observation significantly limits corroboration opportunities, though the witness's specific temporal detail (19:32) and angular measurement (45 degrees in 3 seconds) suggest careful observation rather than casual viewing.
The described characteristics present an interesting analytical challenge. The object's velocity—covering 45 degrees in 3 seconds—is consistent with meteoric re-entry speeds (approximately 15 degrees per second). However, two features warrant attention: the complete absence of a luminous trail and the presence of spiral patterns. Meteoroids typically create visible trails due to atmospheric friction and ionization, though atmospheric conditions, viewing angle, and meteoroid composition can affect trail visibility. The spiral patterns described are unusual but could result from tumbling entry, fragmentation, or possibly optical effects. The witness's indoor observation through a window may have affected perception of these details. The lack of BOAM camera confirmation is notable but explained by incomplete coverage of the southern Alps region, and single-witness bolide sightings are common when trajectories don't cross populated areas.
05 Theory Comparison
BELIEVER ANALYSIS
SKEPTIC ANALYSIS
Misidentified Aircraft or Aerial Flare
A skeptical alternative would consider conventional aerial objects. The described orange light could be an aircraft with landing lights at unusual angle, a military flare, or an emergency signal. However, this theory faces significant challenges: the extreme velocity (covering 45 degrees in 3 seconds) far exceeds typical aircraft speeds, the perfectly rectilinear trajectory and complete silence are inconsistent with most conventional aircraft, and the brief 3-second duration makes sustained aircraft observation unlikely. The lack of aviation activity reports in the region at that time further weakens this explanation.
06 Verdict
ANALYST VERDICT
GEIPAN's classification of this case as a probable atmospheric re-entry (bolide) is well-supported by the physical characteristics: extremely high velocity, east-to-west trajectory, orange coloration consistent with atmospheric heating, and brief duration. The confidence level is medium-to-high. While the absence of a luminous trail and the spiral patterns represent minor anomalies, they fall within the range of variation for meteoric phenomena and don't necessitate exotic explanations. The single-witness nature and lack of physical evidence (no recovered meteorite fragments, no camera confirmation) prevent absolute certainty, but all observable characteristics align with natural astronomical phenomena. This case holds minimal significance beyond documenting regional bolide activity and serves as an example of how atmospheric re-entries can present unusual visual characteristics while remaining identifiable through systematic investigation.
AI CONFIDENCE SCORE:
85%
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