ROUEN (76) 01.04.2017

On 1 April 2017 at 22:30, a witness and 2 other people noticed a very bright point low in the night sky, apparently flashing in different colours. Only 1 account was collected. GEIPAN considers the sighting consistent with a star-like object; the witness repeatedly described it as ‘like a star, but…’. Its larger, or ‘very slightly larger’, size and brightness, especially its changing colour, attracted attention. Jupiter was southeast above the university hospital building, as reported for the UAP. It was very bright, at magnitude −2.45; GEIPAN notes that only Venus would be brighter in the sky. Its low elevation of 10–20° allowed colour variations from atmospheric scattering and turbulence, which are stronger near the horizon. Many GEIPAN reports concern this misidentification (see its website). GEIPAN attributes disappearance to mist seen by the witness or clouds present that evening. Requests for accounts from the other 2 people were unsuccessful. GEIPAN notes that this often happens when others do not share the impression that something unusual occurred. The case is classified A: observation of Jupiter.