AVIGNON (84) 24.12.1981

On 23 and 24 December 1981 between 18:30 and 19:00, several people in Avignon saw an unusual light in a cloudy sky. It was circular and repeatedly changed colour from white to orange. Initially stationary, it seemed to move, which the source suggests could explain occasional apparent increases or decreases in size. The summary also describes changes of shape. Pilots and air traffic controllers saw the glow on 24 December. Despite an extensive gendarmerie investigation involving several services and a check with astronomy software, GEIPAN had insufficient information to establish that the witnesses saw Venus, which was particularly conspicuous that evening.