An account in Haute-Loire, France

On Sunday, August 17, 1980, at around 10 p.m., in a forest house, two witnesses are intrigued by a very bright phenomenon in the direction of the West. Seen through binoculars, an object shaped like a large crescent projects intense light rays. Deciding to go see this luminous phenomenon more closely, the witnesses take a vehicle and continue to see this crescent, which seems to move quickly and follow their vehicle. Becoming frightened, the witnesses decide to turn around and go back. The luminous phenomenon, after stopping, disappears. No trace was found on the ground or on the vegetation, and no other witness could provide any further information. This old case classified "D" was recently re-examined (see the Investigation Note). This case is consistent (2 witnesses), and the description of the observation site and of the observed UAP is fairly precise. The sincerity and credibility of the witnesses have never been questioned. The described phenomenon presents many common characteristics (observation duration, shape, size, color...) with a known astronomical object: the Moon at setting. Moreover, the Moon was indeed present in the area of sky observed, while the witnesses do not mention it. It is not the visual perception of the witnesses that is at issue, but the interpretation that the witnesses make of their observation through their feelings (fatigue, worry, and fear). In the current GEIPAN classification, this case of low strangeness is classified as UAP A, observation linked to a misidentification of the Moon.