The results of the analysis bracket the distance between the cell and the UFO: between 135 meters and 480 meters, or roughly between 400 and 1,500 feet.

Although the diameter of the disc was estimated (5 meters) this is irrelevant to the calculation of the power output, which can be determined from the luminous flux at the photocell via equation (3). Assuming a distance of 135 m one obtains

hence P > 2.3 kW whereas for 480 m, P>29 kW, assuming isotropic radiation from the object.

Curiously the GEPAN Report states that it assumes a continuous spectrum (black body radiation) and cites a range for the minimum power output between 160 kW and 5 MW. It is not a safe assumption that UFO emission is anything like a black body: The report states: "The fact that it was glowing red lets us put a -- rather unhelpful -- value of the wavelength of maximum emission at or above 700 nm."

Case no. 6: August 24, 1990 Greifwahl (Germany) -- Classification: MA-1

Numerous eyewitness reports, supported by videotapes and photographs, make this "one of the best-documented sightings in Europe," according to von Ludwiger, to whose analysis the reader is referred for full details of the case (Von Ludwiger, 1995). Independent witnesses observed formations of luminous spheres hovering in the sky Northeast of Greifswald. Hundreds of tourists and local residents saw, photographed and filmed the phenomena, characterized by rapid accelerations and abrupt changes of direction, inconsistent with known phenomena or manufactured objects. One private investigation group received six videotapes and eleven photographs from different individuals and interviewed in person more than a dozen witnesses.

The investigation concluded that the phenomena "consisted of two groups of luminous spheres that hovered nearly motionless for about 30 minutes between 8:30 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. over the Pomeranian sea. The brighter and closer group formed a circle of six luminous spheres. The second group formed the shape of a Y."

The German weather service reported that approximately 5/8 of the sky was covered with high, fleecy clouds in partly shaded masses and gray, sheet-like clouds at 2,500 meters. There was a light ENE wind and the temperature was about 60 degrees F, or 16 degrees C.

Given the number of precise observations, supported by photographs, it was possible to triangulate the position of the objects with some accuracy. From a distance of 14 km the Y formation appeared to be as bright as the full moon, according to one of the photographers, Mr. Ladwig. If the spectral distribution is equal to that of the moon, then the square distance law for the power output of the moon with 0.138 lux yields an estimated optical power output of: P = 1.8 X 10^-3 X 4 pi X 14,000² = 4.4 X 10⁶ W by following the same reasoning as in the Fort-de-France situation (case no. 2).