CANNET (LE) (06) 29.07.2017

The title dates this Le Cannet (06) case to 29 July 2017, but the French narrative gives 30 July 2017. At about 17:30, 4 people observed 4 very bright points moving rapidly in a clear sky, first with the naked eye and then through binoculars. They took many photographs of the puzzling objects. The sighting lasted about 13 minutes, ending when some objects suddenly disappeared and others passed behind trees. Only 1 account was collected. The French summary describes objects with multiple shapes. GEIPAN finds all the objective evidence consistent with party balloons carried by the wind; see the investigation report. The photographs clarify the sequence of events. GEIPAN explains the brightness by a Mylar-like surface reflecting sunlight. Sudden disappearance could result when clouds in the west briefly screened the Sun, reducing reflection from the mirror-like surface. Against the very bright sky behind it, which witnesses described as dazzling, a less brightly lit balloon could become indistinguishable. Under the balloon hypothesis, speeds estimated from the photographs fall within the range of wind gusts at the time. T1 inferred rather than actually saw UAP 1 traverse a large distance. The observation was interrupted, and GEIPAN notes that 2 different UAPs could have been involved, as these balloons are often released in groups. GEIPAN classifies the case as A: observation of Mylar balloons.