POULIGUEN (LE) (44) 09.07.2014

Between 9 and 11 July 2014, a witness was intrigued by several luminous phenomena in the sky. First observation, 9 July at 23:54: The witness described a luminous sphere crossing the sky in less than a minute, coming from the southwest. Between 23:45 and midnight, a two-gendarme patrol between Le Pouliguen and Guérande observed a 'shooting-star-type phenomenon' for 2–3 seconds, crossing the sky from south to north, splitting into two parts and then going out. The combined descriptions suggest a fireball: a meteoroid entering the atmosphere, producing a meteor resembling an exceptionally large, longer-lasting and brighter shooting star. The source also calls this a 'meteorite fall'. The BOAM site (see attached document) lists no recorded event of this type, but comprehensive coverage across France is not guaranteed. Reentry of space debris is another possibility, although such events generally last at least a minute. Aerospace lists no notable reentry. Space-Track (see attached document) lists several reentries of small debris on highly inclined orbits that day that might match; a detailed study remained to be pursued. If aircraft pilots saw it, they probably considered it ordinary. In any event, GEIPAN received no pilot reports. Because the witness and gendarmes very probably saw the same event, GEIPAN favors a fireball, the atmospheric entry of a meteoroid, for this first observation. Second observation, 00:15: A flashing white point moving in a straight line strongly suggests a high-altitude aircraft. From far away, only its very bright strobes remain visible; its weaker position lights cannot be seen and are overwhelmed by the strobes. GEIPAN received the report more than a month after the events, preventing checks with air traffic control. Third observation, 10 July at 23:18: The witness described a very powerful glow that developed progressively and lasted less than 2 seconds. This strongly suggests a satellite flash or flare: sunlight reflected as by a flat mirror, with the satellite's rotation producing a gradual, temporary brightening. Many satellites can produce this, particularly Iridium satellites. Calsky (see attached document) lists several satellites passing overhead at Le Pouliguen around 23:08: Helios 1A Rocket and Lacrosse 5. It also lists an Iridium flare at 23:23. Observation at 23:15: A fast-moving luminous ball between clouds could also have been a satellite, many of which were present then. Observation at 23:55: A bright sphere moving west to east could also have been a satellite; Echostar 16 is a possible match (see Calsky listing). Its apparent disappearance would correspond to the eastward-moving satellite entering Earth's shadow. Observation at 00:02: A white light with irregular flashes moved southeast to northwest. Its time and path approximately match Yaogan 12 (see Calsky listing), but the description could also fit an aircraft. Observation at 00:13: The written account describes east-to-west movement, which the source considers incompatible with a satellite. The drawing instead says 'northwest', compatible with the passage of the third stage of SJ 11-03 Rocket. Observation at 00:32: Two extremely rapid streaks of light and a luminous sphere to the west could correspond to two shooting stars and the large TERRA satellite (see Calsky listing). Observation at 00:36: An overhead flash: unexplained. Observation at 00:45: Three flashes at intervals of 5 or 6 seconds: possible reflections from Cosmos 1300 Rocket. In conclusion, almost all these observations, ultimately of low strangeness, can be explained by ordinary nighttime phenomena: shooting stars, aircraft and satellites. This very observant witness patiently and precisely recorded and reported everything. Inevitable coincidences among the many aircraft and satellites would have added apparent strangeness. GEIPAN classifies the case B: probable observations of fireballs, aircraft and satellites.