ORLEANS (45) 15.05.2016

On 15 May 2016 at about 00:30, a witness walking his dog saw 3 stationary orange lights low in the sky, arranged in a triangle and becoming brighter every other second. The first disappeared; the second and third rose very quickly and also vanished. Only 1 account was collected. GEIPAN considers 3 orange-red balls on a weekend night suggestive of sky lanterns, also called Chinese or Thai lanterns, released after a wedding or private celebration (see the investigation report). The witness faced roughly south, and the objects moved from his left to his right, northeast to southwest. The wind was blowing towards 233°, southwest, matching their direction (see the weather record); one light rose before disappearing. The shape and colour, orange then red, fit sky lanterns. The description of increased brightness every other second fits flickering flames. GEIPAN explains that a rising air current or sheltered conditions between houses can make a lantern appear to move contrary to the prevailing wind, as many online videos illustrate. Another light subsequently taking the same upward path supports the idea of a shared current of air. GEIPAN concludes that the observation involved sky lanterns.