GOUVERNES (77) 07.03.2015

At 00:05 on 7 March 2015, a witness driving in Gouvernes (77) saw 9 red lights above a nearby hill, apparently travelling quickly and silently in formation. He stopped to photograph them, then continued observing with his family after reaching home until they disappeared. GEIPAN found sky lanterns consistent with the sighting. Their low intrinsic brightness, comparable to a small garden torch, often makes them seem farther away and thus larger and faster than they are. There was wind, although light, and it is common to feel none at ground level. GEIPAN notes that Friday-night celebrations, though less frequent than Saturday ones, are still common, particularly workplace or association events, and this was also carnival season. Photograph 1164 matched sky-lantern imagery. Southeasterly winds of 9–28 km/h recorded at Roissy matched motion from Guermentes, as named in the source, towards Chelles. GEIPAN classified the case B: probable observation of sky lanterns.