Sighting in Saint-Gély-du-Fesc, March 9, 2013
Hérault, Occitanie, France
Sighting on March 9, 2013 in Saint-Gély-du-Fesc (Hérault, France). GEIPAN considers the phenomenon probably identified (class B).
What happened
A witness saw about fifteen white points of light cross the sky in silence. They moved from the southwest toward the northeast and then vanished behind the landscape.
The investigation found that the way these objects moved fitted the local wind, which came from the southwest to west and varied in direction. Nearby weather stations gave slightly different directions, but all reported light wind. The white colour the witness described points more to luminous balloons than to Thai lanterns. These balloons are filled with helium and carry a small lamp powered by a very small battery.
GEIPAN did not try to trace whoever released them. It considers, however, that the release most likely came from the large residential area southwest of the witness. The case is classed B: probable sighting of luminous balloons or flying lanterns.
Account rewritten by SkyUnknown from the investigation report published by GEIPAN (CNES). The original text and case documents are on the official record.
- Date
- March 9, 2013
- Location
- Saint-Gély-du-Fesc · town centre
- Type of sighting
- From the ground
- Source classification
- B
Sources
- See the original document
GEIPAN (CNES)
n° 2013-03-08422
Summary written by SkyUnknown from the facts published by the source.