AUXERRE (89) 17.09.2019

On September 17, 2019 at 05:45, when opening his window, the witness observed "something that seems strange." The observed UAP is a "light white and very intense point. Sometimes the intensity seemed to weaken slightly to become bright again. From this point, there were two fainter lines, one descending from the point to the right, the other rising from the point to the right. This had the shape of a "V". The witness had the impression of a triangular shape. This phenomenon does not move. It remains still and does not produce any noise. The witness leaves his observation position for a few minutes, in order to prepare himself to go to work. Back to the window, the UAP is still there, in the same place. The witness decides to take 3 pictures. The first photo reveals a luminous point with camera shake. The other 2 pictures reveal 3 luminous points in the form of "V". When an hour later his mother rises, she sees the presence in the sky of the phenomenon. It is then 06:50. The observation lasts more than one hour. The UAP is high in the sky and is clearly visible throughout the observation. According to the witness, only the coming of daylight reduced its brightness and eventually made it disappear. The witness mentions an E-SE azimut and an elevation of 60°. The photos allow correction and evaluation of azimut and elevation to 135° and 18° respectively (see investigation report). The observation time and description of the UAP point toward an astronomical observation. On that day, at this time, we find Sirius with a magnitude of -1.46, of very high intensity in accordance with the impression of the witness. Sirius moves from azimuth 135° to 149.5° and elevation 13.5° to 20.20°. This is consistent with the testimony information. The witness did not notice changes in azimuth and elevation, which is normal because these movements remain slow and difficult to observe with the naked eye over an hour of time and without a landmark or support point. The strangeness perceived by the witness is related to the "light point" whose "intensity seemed to be slightly weak to become luminous again" and to the perception of "two fainter lines, one descending from the point to the right, the other rising from the point to the right. This was in the form of a "V". It is likely that the witness who saw a form of "V", describes what he saw on the photo, not what he actually observed with the naked eye. It is quite common to think that a zoom on the image is more accurate, more efficient than a visual observation. However, enlarging an image also magnifies artifacts. In this case, the perception of "V" is most likely created by the photos. It is camera shake that creates a "V" on photos 2 and 3. Photo 1 shows camera shake with a very different geometry. During direct visual observation, the witness perceived effects of scintillation (variable luminosity). The scintillation may have disturbed the photos, but camera shake remains the main disturbing element in the taking of the photos. Scintillation is a phenomenon due to turbulence of the atmosphere. It created the variation of intensity perceived visually. The evidential quality of the account is good. Specific elements are provided in the testimony. An explanatory sketch and several photographs of the places allow GEIPAN to cross-check essential elements of the testimony, especially on the angular height. The testimony also contains pictures of the phenomenon. There were 2 observers, although only 1 submitted an account. The GEIPAN classifies the case as A: an observation of Sirius.