WISSEMBOURG (67) 09.08.2016

On August 09, 2016 at about 00:30 (not the 8th indicated on the questionnaire) a witness in the municipality of Wissembourg (not Riedseltz) observed two white lights in the sky that seem to follow each other over the clouds in circular and linear trajectories. The lights seemed to come from above the cloud. They disappeared instantly. Only one testimony was collected. One hypothesis is preferred: the observation of a skytracer (Light spot coming from the ground and reflected by the atmosphere. See the investigation report). Many details of the observation strongly suggest this kind of misidentification: following lights, rapid movements, circular pursuit, repetitive movements, etc. (the witness said "circular chasing and straight-line pursuit, repeating like a game without being exactly in the same place; each pass was slightly displaced). It can be noted that the sky was overcast, which is favorable to this kind of misidentification. Various configurations can be encountered: visibility of projected spots alone, beams alone, both at a time. It is the weather conditions that determine visibility and distance of visibility and this explains the intermittent or fleeting nature of the phenomena. The witness' objection to this hypothesis is twofold: - The type of displacement. These may vary according to the equipment and display programs. A witness cannot know all the possibilities. - The light seems to come from the top of the cloud and not from the ground. It is likely that the witness had previously seen only projected spots accompanied by visible upward beams, making their ground origin clear. When the rising beams are not visible, one can actually think that the light comes from above the clouds. The expression of the witness ("these being illuminated by the top, I mean that one saw a part of the clouds below unlike the famous projectors of discotheques or it is clear that the clouds are illuminated by below") indirectly translates the somewhat diffuse character of the spot ("part of the clouds are below") typical of these projected patches on clouds without sharply defined beams. A search of the festivities that took place in the area of the observation site during the night of 08 to 09 August 2016 shows the presence of the Acropole Open Air in Surbourg (67), an event held in the parking lot of the Acropole hall on the evenings of 06, 07 and 08 August 2016, which is 14 km south-west of the observation site, i.e. in the direction of observation of the UAP. This last festive evening was accompanied by an orchestra. It was not possible to know whether a skytracer was used on this occasion. Therefore, the hypothesis of observing a skytracer remains only probable, due to the characteristic description, but not certain. The case is classified B, likely misidentification with a skytracer.