Sighting in Saint-Alexandre, April 28, 1982

At around 11:47 p.m., the witness was startled by a flash that lit up the whole valley. They then saw a round, luminous phenomenon, green around the edge and white in the centre. It moved very fast and silently, at low altitude, heading west. Throughout the sighting the object changed neither shape nor colour. No other witness account was collected.

The case was first classified D, with no explanation, under the name PONT SAINT-ESPRIT (30) 1982. It was re-examined 35 years later, using new tools and the investigative experience gained since. The account matches many descriptions GEIPAN has received since then, which were identified as atmospheric re-entries of meteoroids or space debris. The characteristic features here are the flash lighting up the valley and the very bright light, green on the outside and white at the centre. GEIPAN cannot guarantee this hypothesis, as there are no additional witnesses, but it rates its probability at over 50%. The duration of the sighting is missing, which would help decide between a meteoroid and space debris. The first type is the most frequently observed and, at the time, the least well recorded, while no re-entry of the second type is on record for that date. The strong glow in the sky also points in this direction. The case is therefore classified B: probable atmospheric re-entry of a meteoroid.