NARNHAC (15) 17.08.2012

On 17 August 2012 at 23:35, a person observing the sky through binoculars saw a point of light zigzagging and flashing irregularly. The account was collected in November 2013. A satellite check found Cosmos 2322 and 2360 on nearby paths, but both were faint. Flashing suggests an aircraft, although the zigzags initially seem inconsistent. Airliners frequently cross the area north to south, making an aircraft on that path highly probable. GEIPAN explains that apparent zigzags are not uncommon: anti-collision lights flashing alternately can make 2 separated lights look like one moving from side to side. The autokinetic illusion may add to this effect (see the article on perceiving the movement of a point of light in the sky). GEIPAN classifies the case B: probable aircraft observation with a perceptual illusion involving flashing lights and autokinesis.