UNRESOLVED
CF-GEI-20090602329 UNRESOLVED
The Orgon M13 Red Streak Anomaly
CASE FILE — CF-GEI-20090602329 — CASEFILES CLASSIFIED ARCHIVE
Date Date when the incident was reported or occurred
2009-06-18
Location Reported location of the sighting or event
Orgon, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
Duration Estimated duration of the observed phenomenon
15 minutes
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 June 18, 2009, between 23:59 and 00:13, an amateur astronomer in Orgon, France was photographing the globular cluster M13 through a telescope when he later discovered an anomalous red point with a trailing streak on multiple photographs. The witness made no direct visual observation of the phenomenon—it was only detected upon reviewing the images afterward. The red streak appeared to indicate movement of an unknown object across the field of view over approximately 15 minutes.
The witness originally transmitted the raw photograph files to GEIPAN (the French national UFO investigation agency operated by CNES, the French space agency) for analysis. However, these critical original files were unfortunately lost due to a computer failure, severely hampering the investigation. Without the raw data, GEIPAN investigators could not perform detailed photometric or trajectory analysis that might have resolved the mystery.
GEIPAN's analysis noted this was an uncommon astronomical observation case. The object's movement pattern over 15 minutes appeared inconsistent with typical low-earth-orbit satellites, which move too rapidly relative to the telescope's field of view. The object remained within the telescope's frame throughout the entire sequence, suggesting a slow angular velocity incompatible with most satellite candidates. GEIPAN ultimately classified this as 'C' (insufficient information) due to the loss of the original photographic evidence.
02 Timeline of Events
23:59
Astrophotography Session Begins
Amateur astronomer begins photographing globular cluster M13 through telescope in Orgon, France. No visual anomalies noted during observation.
23:59-00:13
Unknown Object Captured on Multiple Frames
Over approximately 15 minutes, telescope captures multiple exposures showing a red point with trailing streak indicating movement. Object remains within telescope field of view throughout sequence, suggesting slow angular velocity.
00:13
Photography Session Ends
Astronomer completes photographic sequence of M13. Still unaware of anomaly on images.
Post-observation
Anomaly Discovered During Review
Upon reviewing photographs, witness discovers red point and streak on multiple frames. Realizes something unusual was present during the observation session.
Investigation phase
Evidence Submitted to GEIPAN
Witness transmits original raw photograph files to GEIPAN for official analysis.
Investigation phase
Critical Evidence Lost
Computer failure results in loss of original raw photographic files. GEIPAN analysis must proceed without access to primary evidence, severely limiting investigation capabilities.
Classification
Case Classified 'C' - Insufficient Information
GEIPAN completes analysis with available data, eliminates several conventional explanations, but classifies case as 'C' due to lack of original photographic evidence required for definitive conclusions.
03 Key Witnesses
Anonymous Amateur Astronomer
Amateur astronomer
high
Experienced amateur astronomer conducting astrophotography of deep-sky objects. Familiar with telescopic observation techniques and celestial phenomena. Was photographing the globular cluster M13 at the time of the incident.
"No direct quotes available; witness did not observe phenomenon visually, only detected it during photographic review."
04 Analyst Notes -- AI Processed
This case presents several intriguing elements that distinguish it from typical misidentifications. First, the witness was an experienced amateur astronomer familiar with celestial phenomena, suggesting higher baseline credibility for recognizing unusual observations. The fact that the anomaly went unnoticed during observation and was only detected in post-processing indicates it was subtle enough to escape real-time detection, yet distinct enough to appear on multiple frames.
GEIPAN's analysis systematically eliminated several prosaic explanations. The identified satellite candidate 'Amazns BrzTank' (likely space debris) was rejected because its calculated angular velocity of 1.89 arcminutes per second would produce approximately 28 degrees of movement over 15 minutes—far more than would remain within a telescope's typical field of view. The near-Earth asteroid hypothesis was deemed improbable because M13 (located in the constellation Hercules at significant galactic latitude) lies far from the ecliptic plane where most asteroids orbit. The loss of original raw files is particularly unfortunate, as they would have contained EXIF data, exact timestamps, exposure settings, and uncompressed image data crucial for ruling out optical artifacts, internal reflections, or photographic anomalies. The mention of 'reflets parasites internes ou externes' (internal or external parasitic reflections) suggests GEIPAN considered lens flare or equipment-related artifacts as possibilities but could not definitively evaluate them without the source material.
05 Theory Comparison
BELIEVER ANALYSIS
SKEPTIC ANALYSIS
Optical or Photographic Artifact
The red streak may have been an optical artifact caused by internal lens reflections, external light contamination, or CCD sensor anomalies during long exposures. Astrophotography equipment can produce various artifacts including hot pixels, cosmic ray strikes on the sensor, or reflections from bright stars. The red coloration is particularly suggestive of sensor-related phenomena or chromatic aberration effects.
06 Verdict
ANALYST VERDICT
This case remains genuinely unresolved due to evidentiary limitations rather than lack of analysis. While the loss of original photographs prevents definitive conclusions, GEIPAN's systematic elimination of conventional explanations (typical satellites, asteroids, known space debris) suggests something genuinely anomalous was captured. The most likely explanations remain either an optical/photographic artifact (lens flare, reflection, CCD sensor anomaly) or an unusual satellite or space debris in an atypical orbit that happened to match the telescope's tracking rate. The case significance lies not in dramatic claims but in demonstrating how critical physical evidence preservation is for serious UFO investigation. Without the raw files, what might have been resolved through technical analysis remains permanently uncertain. Classification 'C' is appropriate—this case serves as a cautionary example of how equipment failure can render potentially significant observations analytically useless.
AI CONFIDENCE SCORE:
85%
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