MONS (34) 24.09.2013

On Tuesday 24 September 2013, at a time given as between 22:00 and 23:00, 2 people in Mons (34) saw a luminous phenomenon move rapidly across the sky. Similar observations were later made from the hamlet. Each lasted at least 1 hour, with no unusual sound. The witness's description and gendarmes' confirmation strongly point, in GEIPAN's analysis, to a searchlight beam from the ground. There was no nightclub in the viewing direction, but gendarmes said this sparsely populated mountainous area often hosted informal parties or raves. The witness's photograph, with a pale circle near its top, shows none of the observed phenomenon. GEIPAN identifies the circle as an orb caused by camera flash illuminating dust very close to the lens; see the article on pale circular spots or orbs. The case is classified B: probable observation of a light display. GEIPAN did not search for the projector's location, explaining that temporary and often clandestine installations make such searches extremely difficult.