LURCY-LEVIS (03) 25.08.2019

On the morning of 25 August 2019, a witness saw a black, shimmering “wavy tube” moving silently through a clear sky. The witness fetched a nearby phone, briefly lost the UAP in the Sun's glare, then found it again and photographed it. It moved away while climbing until it was only a dark point. Only 1 account was collected. The witness very probably observed a partly deflated toy solar balloon climbing steadily while the light local wind carried it west (see investigation report). Supporting evidence is: - An elongated tube shape matching cylindrical, sausage-shaped solar balloons. Such balloons can remain airborne partly inflated; they then lose their rigid sausage outline and bend, matching the witness's “undulating” shape. - Black is commonly used because it absorbs solar radiation well. The polyethylene material nevertheless reflects some sunlight, explaining occasional glints. - Sizes and distances calculated from the account and photographs fit such a balloon carried by winds of 7–8 km/h. The estimated distance increased from about 880 m to 2,260 m; possible dimensions were 3.9–5.8 m. - Clear sky, little or no wind and an ideal, not excessively high temperature provided favorable conditions. - The object moved generally west with the prevailing wind while gradually gaining altitude. It was late summer during school holidays, so a child might have released it from the airfield facilities near the initial viewing azimuth. GEIPAN classifies the case A: misidentification of a partly deflated toy solar balloon.