AUCAMVILLE (31) 10.12.2014

Early on 10 December 2014, a witness saw several green rays of light, followed by a substantial object at the centre of the Moon, which appeared fairly large that morning. The phenomenon was elongated and oval. Frightened, he stopped watching and could not say how long it lasted. Only 1 account was collected. The unusual features were the beams and oval described in front of the Moon during the successive phases (see the investigation report). GEIPAN considers these strongly reminiscent of both a burst of meteor-shower activity and a persistent meteor train in front of the Moon. The radiant of the particularly active Geminid shower, then nearing its peak, was close to the Moon, consistent with this explanation. The elongated oval also resembles a rare and debated astronomical phenomenon, a transient lunar phenomenon. However, GEIPAN considers a persistent meteor train in front of the Moon more probable. The analysis links the overall sighting to a probable brief surge of Geminid activity. GEIPAN rates both strangeness and evidential support as low, with only 1 witness, no photograph and insufficient detail, and considers meteor-shower phenomena the probable explanation. The case is classified B: probable misidentification of meteor-shower phenomena, including meteors and a persistent train.