LAMOTTE-BEUVRON (41) 03.10.2018

On Wednesday 3 October 2018 at 23:00, a witness outside his front door watched and photographed three colored points of light forming a triangle. They moved slowly and silently through a clear, starry sky and disappeared quickly on an ascending path. Only one account was collected. The account and photographs show a relatively inconspicuous, fleeting phenomenon of low strangeness, difficult to see according to the witness. The three points are designated UAP A, B and C in the investigation report. They were low above the horizon and apparently near the ground, generally moving visually east to west with little ascent. The photographs show recession from the witness. Their faintness indicates low intensity. A lantern release was considered despite the unusual weekday: Wednesday rather than a Friday, Saturday or holiday eve commonly associated with releases. A birthday release, for example, remained possible. Photograph analysis found speed and direction compatible with wind described in the source as 'toward SSE (200°)'. The compass label and bearing disagree—200° lies south-southwest—but both are retained. Recession in the photographs indicates wind pushing away from the south-facing observer, supporting lanterns. The slow movement of B and C at low elevation strongly suggests a recent release nearby. Their colors do not rule out lanterns even though orange is usual. In image 225920, B is clearly orange, whereas it was white in the preceding image. IPACO analysis gave 'possible lantern' (see appendix); the analysis was repeated for C in image 225929. One photograph clearly shows motion in the wind's direction. Increasing the contrast in image 225920 reveals strong light from beneath the UAPs, like a small candle producing heat and light below a paper envelope. The investigation explains the apparent rapid disappearance as recession with the wind, again labeled SSE in the source, creating an illusion of rapid departure. In light wind, lanterns initially rise, seem to pause, then catch the wind and move away. GEIPAN classifies the case A: sky lanterns.