Saint-Denis 1981 UFO review

Summary

On June 7, 1981, two witnesses in Saint-Denis observed a luminous object over the sea. It remained motionless for eight minutes while a "star" shaped like a half-moon above it changed size. At the time, the GEPAN classified it as a type C case, but years later it was re-examined. With modern tools and accumulated experience, the GEPAN concluded the phenomenon was actually the Moon on the horizon, not mentioned by the witnesses. Its shape, color, and duration matched a lunar sunrise perfectly.

The current review places it in category PAN A, meaning the observation was attributed to a misidentification with a known astronomical object. This case shows how light and perspective can deceive, even in detailed observations. The GEPAN continues to review old cases to improve accuracy and avoid hasty conclusions.