LILLEBONNE (76) 05.11.2005

An amateur astronomer reported 2 very bright points on 5 November 2005 between 18:41 and 18:45, about 10° above the eastern horizon. The white balls seemed comparable to Mars in apparent size and magnitude, Mars being conspicuous then. They faded progressively but rapidly until gone. The data conflict: the lights are described both as stationary and moving very fast, and duration ranges from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. This prevents detailed investigation. Strangeness is low; atmospheric entry is possible, but uncertain duration prevents support for that hypothesis. No sky-chart object identifies them. The case is classified C.