UFO seen as the Moon in 1983

Summary

In April 1983, a couple in France observed a luminous phenomenon that initially frightened them. The object, square-shaped and later round, appeared in the sky with an intense orange color. They thought it was close and seemed to follow them, leading them to seek refuge at a friend's house. However, after re-evaluating the case with modern tools and accumulated experience, GEIPAN concluded that the phenomenon was not a UFO, but the Moon. The perception of movement and tracking was due to an optical illusion known as the "boule suiveuse," where a distant object appears to move with the observer. The Moon, nearly full and low in the sky, appeared reddish due to atmospheric conditions and partial cloud cover that distorted its shape. The initial confusion was resolved by verifying the astronomical position of the sky that night.

The case was reclassified as "A," indicating it was a lunar observation. This type of phenomenon is common when partial clouds distort the appearance of celestial bodies. The couple's testimony reflected fear and confusion, but analysis confirmed the object had no autonomous movement and its behavior matched that of a celestial body. GEIPAN's re-evaluation highlights the importance of reviewing old cases with new methods to avoid incorrect conclusions. This case is an example of how perception can be misleading, especially under specific atmospheric conditions.