LUANT (36) 07.11.2015

On 7 November 2015 at 00:20, a witness outside his home in Luant (36) was intrigued by a stationary coloured light in the cloudy sky. It was very bright and seemed to flash. He noticed that a nearby electricity meter buzzed more loudly when the phenomenon was visible. He observed it intermittently for 20 minutes. Only 1 account was collected. Given his description and the long duration, GEIPAN considered an astronomical misidentification; see the weather report and star chart in the investigation document. Sirius was at the reported southeast azimuth, at an elevation of 5°–10°; see the reconstruction. GEIPAN does not regard the witness's higher estimate of 20°–30° as a real discrepancy, considering it within the usual tolerance when no particular measurement experience or method is cited. Intermittent visibility could result from substantial cloud cover with gaps that evening. Green and red light could result from atmospheric scintillation of Sirius at low elevation. GEIPAN suggests that the increased meter noise coinciding with the sighting might reflect the witness's tension or surprise: he said he had never seen anything like it and called it strange. It states that experience shows perceived sound can be amplified or diminished depending on tension during a visual observation. GEIPAN considers a sighting of Sirius through cloud very probable. The account is classified B: probable observation of Sirius.