XIROCOURT (54) 27.12.2013

A witness at Xirocourt (54) saw 3 yellow luminous balls move rapidly and silently from west towards northeast around 23:00–23:30 on 27 December, disappearing quickly at the horizon. The title gives 2013, while the narrative says 2012; the source does not resolve the year. GEIPAN considered 3 yellow balls flying in formation for about 1 minute on a weekend evening suggestive of sky lanterns. It described the motion as wind-compatible, citing a southerly wind of 20 km/h. The weekend description fits the title's year better than the narrative's. A triangular halo initially seemed poorly compatible with ordinary lanterns, but the witness's drawing, ovni5, closely resembled a GEIPAN lantern photograph. A reported direction change also seemed inconsistent with steady wind drift, but could reflect a local gust or a distance-estimation illusion. The apparent speed fitted objects moving at 20 km/h about 100 m high. Although the witness rejected the explanation, GEIPAN classified the case B: probable sky lanterns, based on their strong resemblance and timing compatible with the end of a private celebration.