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Probably explained

Sighting in Salon-de-Provence, June 30, 1979

Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Sighting on June 30, 1979 in Salon-de-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône, France). GEIPAN considers the phenomenon probably identified (class B).

What happened

At around 11:30 p.m., some motorists were driving along a departmental road when they noticed a glow in the sky. It first appeared as a stationary point of light, which then gradually moved closer to the witnesses. A red light and a green light, one on either side of the point, blinked in alternation.

As the craft passed overhead, the frightened witnesses heard a rushing sound and made out a triangular shape. The object then moved off quickly toward the south.

According to the GEIPAN investigation, these details (the sound, the arrangement and colours of the lights, and the shape) match typical night-time descriptions of aircraft in flight. The witnesses therefore most likely saw an airplane pass by, and the case was classified B.

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

Date
June 30, 1979
Location
Salon-de-Provence · town centre
Type of sighting
From the ground
Source classification
B

Sources

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