SAINT-THIBERY (34) 12.07.2015

On 12 July 2015 between 03:00 and 04:00, a witness on the banks of the Hérault near Saint-Thibéry (34) saw a small star-like point flashing regularly, then moving in a straight line, flashing again and disappearing into a clear sky. No particular sound was heard. Only 1 account was collected. GEIPAN rates both strangeness and evidential consistency low, with 1 witness and imprecise timing. The investigation favors an uncontrolled satellite rotating rapidly; see the investigation notes. Brief intense flashes, short duration, slow travel and star- or satellite-like appearance all fit. The time uncertainty prevents a firm identification, although Iridium 73, known for regular flashes, crossed the stated region at a very similar time. GEIPAN classifies the case B: probable misidentification of a rapidly rotating uncontrolled satellite.