SkyUnknown
Back to the map
Insufficient data

Sighting in Metz, August 1, 2013

Moselle, Grand Est, France

Sighting on August 1, 2013 in Metz (Moselle, France). GEIPAN could not reach a conclusion for lack of sufficient information (class C).

What happened

Shortly after 12:40 a.m., two people noticed a flashing orange ball above a tree. It then rose into a clear sky before a neighbouring building hid it from view. The witnesses heard no particular noise. Only one of the two gave a statement for the investigation.

As described, the ball crossed the sky from west to east in a continuous motion, and its brightness faded towards the end. This fits a Thai lantern well, a fairly common sight on summer nights in cities. However, the wind was blowing from the north, perpendicular to the path that was observed, so this explanation could not be confirmed. Because the wind was very light, at 1 to 4 km/h, a local breeze blowing in a different direction remains possible. Without very local weather data, GEIPAN classed the case as C, for lack of information.

Account rewritten by SkyUnknown from the investigation report published by GEIPAN (CNES). The original text and case documents are on the official record.

Date
August 1, 2013
Location
Metz · town centre
Type of sighting
From the ground
Source classification
C

Sources

Summary written by SkyUnknown from the facts published by the source.