MARSEILLE (13) 28.10.2012

On 28 October 2012 at about 10:00, a woman on her balcony saw a bright phenomenon moving slowly westward in a clear sky. It appeared cylindrical, shiny and silver, with a small red halo on the left. She went inside for her camera, but it was gone when she returned 15 seconds later. She noticed no sound or smoke. Only 1 account was collected. GEIPAN considers the steady red light to the left of the ‘cigar’, with the Sun behind the witness, consistent with a sunlit aircraft. Her sketch suggests a viewing angle with the wings edge-on, which could explain why they were not visible. The reported 3-minute duration seems exaggerated given her limited field of view, about 35°. Many air routes cross overhead in all directions; Google Street View imagery at the location shows numerous contrails. The missing wings and rapid disappearance made the sighting unusual to the witness. GEIPAN considers the lack of other witnesses and the interruption in observation to reduce its strangeness. The case is classified B: aircraft.