Sighting in Saint-Pierre, December 16, 2008
La Réunion, France
Sighting on December 16, 2008 in Saint-Pierre (La Réunion, France). According to GEIPAN, it was most probably a sky lantern (class B).
What happened
In the evening, between 8:45 and 9:00 p.m., two witnesses watched a fast-moving luminous phenomenon for about fifteen minutes. It was a very bright red glow that drifted silently over the town along an erratic path. At times it was hidden by clouds.
No other account of the phenomenon was recorded that night. However, around the same time, many witnesses at various places on the island reported seeing Thai lanterns moving through the sky. On Réunion Island these are also known as "wish lanterns" or "Chinese hot-air balloons".
The GEIPAN investigation concluded that the two witnesses had most likely seen a Thai lantern. The case was classified B, probably identified.
Account rewritten by SkyUnknown from the investigation report published by GEIPAN (CNES). The original text and case documents are on the official record.
- Date
- December 16, 2008
- Location
- Saint-Pierre · town centre
- Type of sighting
- From the ground
- Source classification
- B
- Explanation
- Sky lanterns
Sources
- See the original document
GEIPAN (CNES)
n° 2008-12-02308
Summary written by SkyUnknown from the facts published by the source.