Sighting in Sud-Ouest, February 4, 1997
France
Sighting on February 4, 1997 in Sud-Ouest (France). GEIPAN considers the phenomenon probably identified (class B).
What happened
At around 6:20 p.m., about ten witnesses spread across several départements of south-western France saw a luminous ball cross the sky at very high speed. It followed a downward path and left a long trail behind it. The whole thing lasted only a few seconds. Some of the witnesses saw the ball explode and break into several pieces.
GEIPAN classified the case as B (probably identified). The investigation concluded that this was most likely an atmospheric re-entry, probably that of a meteorite.
Account rewritten by SkyUnknown from the investigation report published by GEIPAN (CNES). The original text and case documents are on the official record.
- Date
- February 4, 1997
- Location
- Sud-Ouest · town centre
- Type of sighting
- From the ground
- Source classification
- B
Sources
- See the original document
GEIPAN (CNES)
n° 1997-02-01444
Summary written by SkyUnknown from the facts published by the source.