[A87] de HERBIERS (LES) (85) vers CHOLET (49) 27.11.2015

On 27 November 2015 between 07:32 and 07:37, a woman driving on the A87 from Les Herbiers (85) toward Cholet (49) was puzzled by moving light beams in the sky, described as whitish in the French summary. They moved rapidly and suggested a circular craft equipped with beams in a circle spinning at high speed. Only 1 account was collected. GEIPAN considers the reported rotating circular lights strongly suggestive of a nightclub or other festive venue's light display reflected on cloud cover and/or a screen of fine rain, both present that morning. The upward beams were not visible. Depending on atmospheric conditions, the projected patterns, the beams alone, or both may be visible. The source compares this to a cinema: smoke can make the beam visible, while the presence or absence of the screen determines whether a pattern appears. GEIPAN explains that a laser's visible range varies greatly with atmospheric conditions and can reach tens of kilometers, making the effect fleeting or exceptional at a long distance from its source. GEIPAN did not identify the source. Inquiries ruled out a technical test at Puy du Fou. A nightclub remained possible even around 07:30 because some close late on Thursday nights into Friday mornings. Nearby clubs either could not be reached or declined to give precise answers. Other comparable cases can be found on GEIPAN's website using the keywords SKYROSE or LASER. GEIPAN classifies the case as B: probable observation of a skyrose or spotlights.