RANTIGNY (60) 29.09.2016

On 29 September 2016 at 20:15, a witness in his garden in Rantigny (60) noticed cotton-like masses revolving rapidly and silently in a cloudy sky. He called his partner and neighbor, who saw the same thing. The UAP rotated counterclockwise and disappeared behind clouds at 23:00. It was too faint to photograph. Two accounts were collected. GEIPAN considers laser beams from a nightclub, festive occasion or special event very probable, reflected on clouds or a screen of fine rain, both present that evening. The witness himself supported this origin because he sometimes saw beams rising from the ground toward where the unusual disks had previously appeared. Neighbors also mentioned searchlights. GEIPAN explains that atmospheric conditions determine whether the projected patterns, the beams alone or both are visible. It compares the effect to a cinema: smoke can reveal the beams, while the presence of the screen determines whether the patterns appear. Depending on weather, the visible effect of a laser can extend tens of kilometers and may be fleeting or exceptional far from its source. GEIPAN did not identify the source but has several identified cases with similar effects. It classifies this case as B: probable observation of a skyrose or spotlights.