ABONDANCE (74) 22.02.1985

GEIPAN continues to publish all its archives on its public website www.geipan.fr. These include older cases originally classified C and now being re-examined solely to improve their conclusions. New technical tools, including software, and experience gained over the years sometimes lead to new findings or a change of classification explained in an investigation note. This case was classified C by SEPRA, the Department for the Study of Atmospheric Re-entry Phenomena. On 22 February 1985 at about 19:40, several witnesses in Abondance (74) saw an unusual light to the west in a clear, starry sky. They described a green core from which green arrows detached, with red lights flashing regularly from the core. It moved slowly from west to north, and the observation lasted about 1 hour. A local press appeal subsequently brought forward a witness to a similar observation on 31 January 1985. GEIPAN considers the case well supported, with 4 witnesses, although only 2 could be interviewed, and a precise description. Their sincerity and credibility have never been questioned. The phenomenon shares many characteristics with Venus, including duration, shape, size, colour and trajectory. Venus was especially bright and was present in the observed part of the sky, yet the witness did not mention it. Under GEIPAN's current classification, this low-strangeness case is A: misidentification of Venus.