CORROBORATED
CF-GEI-20070801745 CORROBORATED

The Montlouis ISS Observation

CASE FILE — CF-GEI-20070801745 — CASEFILES CLASSIFIED ARCHIVE
Date Date when the incident was reported or occurred
2007-08-13
Location Reported location of the sighting or event
Montlouis-sur-Loire, Indre-et-Loire, France
Duration Estimated duration of the observed phenomenon
Several 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
3
Country Country where the incident took place
FR
AI Confidence AI-generated credibility score based on source reliability, detail consistency, and corroboration
85%
On August 13, 2007, at approximately 23:30 hours, a family was stargazing from their garden in Montlouis-sur-Loire, a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department of central France. During their observation, they witnessed a luminous phenomenon that initially intrigued them: a white, luminous sphere appeared from the western sky, growing in apparent size as it approached their position. The object's trajectory progressively changed, redirecting toward the Polar Star (Polaris) in the northern sky. As it continued along this new path, the sphere appeared to diminish in size before disappearing completely from view. The witnesses reported the sighting to GEIPAN (Groupe d'Études et d'Informations sur les Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non Identifiés), the official French government organization responsible for investigating unidentified aerospace phenomena, operated by CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales). GEIPAN investigators conducted a thorough analysis of the sighting, including astronomical correlation with known objects in the sky at the specified time and location. Using celestial mapping software and orbital tracking data, GEIPAN investigators conclusively determined that the family had observed a pass of the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS's orbital trajectory, timing, brightness characteristics, and apparent motion matched the witnesses' description perfectly. This case was classified as 'A' by GEIPAN, indicating a positive identification with certainty, representing a completely explained phenomenon with no remaining anomalies.
02 Timeline of Events
23:30
Initial Observation Begins
Family observing stars from their garden when they notice a luminous phenomenon appearing from the western sky
23:30-23:32
Object Approaches
White luminous sphere appears to grow in size as it moves toward the witnesses' position, traveling from west
23:32-23:34
Trajectory Change
Object's path progressively changes direction, now heading toward Polaris (the Polar Star) in the northern sky
23:34-23:35
Diminishing Phase
Sphere appears to decrease in size as it continues along its northern trajectory
23:35
Complete Disappearance
Object disappears completely from view, likely entering Earth's shadow
Post-incident
GEIPAN Investigation
Celestial mapping analysis confirms ISS pass at exact time and location, matching witness description perfectly
03 Key Witnesses
Anonymous Family (3 members)
Civilian stargazers
medium
Family members engaged in recreational stargazing from their private garden in Montlouis-sur-Loire
"Venant de l'ouest, une boule blanche lumineuse grossit en venant dans leur direction. Changeant progressivement de trajectoire pour se diriger vers l'étoile polaire, la sphère diminue avant de disparaître complètement."
04 Analyst Notes -- AI Processed
This case exemplifies the value of systematic astronomical verification in UAP investigations. The witnesses provided an accurate and detailed description of what they observed: the apparent brightening as the object approached (consistent with the ISS coming into optimal viewing position and sunlight reflection), the trajectory change (matching the ISS's orbital path across the sky), and the diminishing and disappearance (as the station moved into Earth's shadow or beyond the horizon). The family's credibility is enhanced by their willingness to report what they saw and their accurate observational details, even though they were unfamiliar with ISS passes. GEIPAN's investigation methodology demonstrates best practices: celestial mapping verification, orbital data consultation, and temporal-spatial correlation. The ISS is frequently mistaken for a UFO due to its brightness (often brighter than most stars), steady motion across the sky, and sudden disappearance when entering Earth's shadow. The timing of 23:30 hours is consistent with optimal ISS visibility during evening passes when the station is still illuminated by sunlight while the ground is in darkness. This case serves as an excellent educational example of how prosaic explanations can account for seemingly mysterious observations.
05 Theory Comparison
BELIEVER ANALYSIS
SKEPTIC ANALYSIS
Satellite or Space Station Misidentification
Even before the official investigation, a skeptical analysis would point to an artificial satellite as the most likely explanation. The steady motion, apparent brightness, trajectory across the sky, and sudden disappearance are classic signatures of satellites passing through Earth's shadow. The ISS is particularly bright (magnitude -5 to -6 at peak) and is the most commonly reported 'UFO' among satellite objects. The witnesses' unfamiliarity with satellite passes led to their initial confusion, but their accurate description actually supports a conventional explanation.
06 Verdict
ANALYST VERDICT
This case is definitively explained with complete confidence. The witnesses observed a routine pass of the International Space Station over central France. GEIPAN's astronomical analysis, using precise sky charts and ISS orbital data for the exact time and location, conclusively matched the witnesses' description. The apparent size change, trajectory, brightness, and disappearance are all consistent with an ISS pass entering Earth's shadow. This case holds minimal significance as a UFO event but serves as a valuable reminder that even experienced observers can mistake conventional objects for anomalous phenomena, and underscores the importance of astronomical verification in UAP investigations. The 'A' classification is entirely appropriate.
AI CONFIDENCE SCORE:
85%
07 Community Discussion
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