ROSHEIM (67) 18.03.2023

On 18 March 2023, between 20:12 and 20:40, the witness observed a strong light in the sky from his home at ROSHEIM (67), after a few seconds, the light was almost disappearing and then again intensified and then decreased a second time to finally grow to 4–5 times its initial size with a blue reflection, but without radiance this time. The shape became slightly oval. The light moved, tracing successive small circles after zigzagging. The UAP changed colour and seemed to be moving away from the witness to the west. The witness then took his mobile phone and made a video and some pictures. He stopped observing to leave for an appointment. The evidential quality of this case is good: the case is well documented by the account, video and photographs (see the investigation report). Analysis of the witness' testimony and documents led to the conclusion that the witness had observed Venus. This conclusion is based on the following: - Location: the witness observed a bright luminous point in the sky which he estimated to be at azimuth ~270° and angular height of ~15° at the beginning of the observation, and at 20:12, Venus was at azimuth 272° and an elevation of 14°55′, which is entirely consistent. - Displacement: the witness believes that the UAP is heading north-west, which is here a general direction and not an indication of the exact position of the UAP since it indicates "to the west further in depth". However Venus is moving from azimuth 272° to 277°, consistent with a northwestward shift (moving from the left to the right for the witness). Moreover Venus is decreasing in angular height from 14°55′ to 10°, which can give an impression of recession into the distance to the witness. - Let us add the magnitude in the sky that is – 3.96 for Venus, without equivalent in this sector of the sky, it corresponds well to the mention by the witness of a "strong light". - Observation time of the order of 20 minutes typical of an observation of an astronomical nature. The witness, although comparing the luminosity of the UAP with that of Venus, could not recognize the celestial object as such due to several factors: - Sky almost completely covered, partially able to temporarily mask the planet. - Absence of another equally bright celestial object in this part of the sky. - Effects caused by turbulence in the atmosphere that distorts the shape of Venus and generates variations in colour. - Autokinetic effect giving the witness the impression of aberrant movements. - The witness searched the sky with a dedicated smartphone app but aimed it incorrectly; Venus lay farther right. - Photographic distortion showed an out-of-focus shape rather than point-like Venus because the camera failed to focus while zooming. GEIPAN also considers it surprising that, if the UAP had not been Venus, the witness did not separately report Venus, which would have been visible immediately nearby at the same time. GEIPAN classifies A: Venus observation.