NICE (06) 19.03.2013

At 20:30 on 19 March 2013, a Nice resident saw 3 lights travelling in single file from his home. After about 10 seconds a tree hid them. GEIPAN assessed both strangeness and evidential strength as moderate. The single account was fairly complete but poorly consistent with the weather, and lacked the external data needed for conclusive identification. The description shared features with several explanations. A satellite formation or aircraft appeared excludable, but a fragmented meteor or a windborne object remained possible. The brief sighting did not allow either of those to be ruled out. GEIPAN explains that it questioned the witness's interpretation in the context of surprise and a short observation, rather than his visual perception. It classified the case C: insufficient information.