Sighting in Petite-Île, December 15, 2024

Over four consecutive evenings, the witness saw balls of light ranging from yellow to white in the sky to the south, above the ocean, between 19:15 and 19:30 UTC. According to their account, a first ball usually appeared over the sea as if coming from far away, then grew larger as it moved across the sky from west to east. A second one of similar color and size sometimes followed, usually on a more erratic path. The passes were brief and fast: the lights vanished toward the southeast and came back shortly afterward, up to twenty times in a single evening. The witness sent GEIPAN a completed technical questionnaire along with several videos.

The investigation concluded that the description matched Starlink® satellite flares ("satellite flaring") exactly. These occur when satellites already settled in their final orbit briefly reflect sunlight. The required conditions were met: the phenomena were near the horizon, toward the south, with the Sun also in the south, 30 to 45° below the horizon (checked with Stellarium). The witness had estimated an elevation of 30°, but analysis of one video with IPACO gave about 3.1° and 4° for two of the lights; the discrepancy was partly due to the x5 zoom used. The testimony's consistency was rated very good, thanks to repeated observations and videos. The case is classified A.