ATTENSCHWILLER (68) 20.08.2012

On 20 August 2012 between 22:00 and 23:00, 2 witnesses saw a very bright orange object pass silently north to south, parallel to the horizon. Binoculars revealed a halo and faint trail. The observation lasted less than 1 minute before it dimmed and was hidden by a neighboring house. Only 1 witness submitted an account. A light south-to-west wind recorded at Basel is incompatible with a drifting object such as a sky lantern. The duration, described in the analysis as 1 minute, trail through binoculars, fading brightness and change toward white fit falling satellite debris. Space-Track listed 3 debris reentries that day, but none of their orbits matched. A witness cannot estimate the distance of such a phenomenon reliably. Given the precise account despite lack of proof, GEIPAN classifies this low-strangeness case B: probable atmospheric entry of a natural meteoroid or, more probably, satellite debris.