UFO in Sainte-Cerotté 1977

Summary

On December 18, 1977, around 1:20 AM, a group of about ten people in a small village of Sainte-Cerotté (Sarthe, France) observed a reddish-orange phenomenon in the sky. While they could not agree on the object's shape or distance, all witnesses confirmed it moved up and down before disappearing toward the west. No unusual sounds were heard, and the gendarmerie did not collect any other testimonies. The case was initially classified as "C" by the GEPAN, but was later reviewed and reclassified as "A" due to a possible misinterpretation involving the Moon.

Investigators noted that the testimonies were consistent and credible, but the phenomenon shared many characteristics with the Moon on the horizon. Witnesses failed to recognize the Moon, likely due to fatigue, nighttime observation, and a misjudgment of its position. Although not a false report, it is considered a misinterpretation of a natural phenomenon. This case highlights how environmental and psychological factors can influence the perception of aerial events.