UFO classified as Venus in Sommauthe

Summary

In April 1983, a farmer in Sommauthe observed a red glow in the sky. Curious, he went outside and noticed a luminous ball directly above Saint-Pierremont. The witness described rapid movements and radiations, which drew the attention of his neighbor and the gendarmerie. After an hour of observation, the phenomenon suddenly disappeared. Two testimonies were collected, and the gendarmes confirmed the object's presence. Initially classified as a D case (unexplained), the GEIPAN re-examined it using new methods and data. They concluded that the observed phenomenon was none other than the planet Venus. Its position, color, and behavior matched typical characteristics of Venus at low elevation. Color fluctuations and movement were explained by atmospheric effects and perceptual errors. The sudden disappearance was attributed to tree obstruction and possible clouds. Despite some inconsistencies in the testimonies, the analysis identified their causes and reclassified the case as a Venus observation.