SAUVAGES (LES) (69) 28.10.2020

On October 28, 2020, at 7 p.m., the witness observed a "white light in the shape of a ball" on the clouds, stationary, accompanied by a narrow but very distinct luminous ray directed towards the ground in a "cow meadow." The observation took about 5 minutes before the phenomenon suddenly disappeared, “like a flash.” Only 1 account was collected. The evidential quality* of this account is medium according to the GEIPAN criteria, with a single witness and the absence of a photo or video of the UAP. *according to the GEIPAN criteria, evidential quality is the amount of information considered reliable, collected for a testimony. The investigation revealed that the witness probably observed a searchlight’s projected spot on the cloud layer (see investigation report). This conclusion is based on the following main elements: - The circular shape, identical to that of the ground searchlight, - The white color, - The UAP's immobility, - No noise. Confusions of this type occur primarily when a uniform cloud layer, low or relatively low, consisting of stratocumulus or nimbostratus, is present, and these types of clouds provide sufficient density to reflect the light emitted by a projector so as to make it visible from the position of the witness. In this case, the presence of a cloud layer at an altitude of approximately 1600 metres has been confirmed. The observation of a light beam is possible when water droplets are suspended in the atmosphere. Although this is possible in this case, it has not been possible to demonstrate this, as the weather data on horizontal visibility also signal it as excellent. The sighting occurred during Covid-19 restrictions, when nightclubs were closed. GEIPAN considers a brief test of a skyrose projector by the nearest nightclub plausible. However, this hypothesis could not be conclusively confirmed. The strangeness observed by the witness is mainly due to the perception that the beam appears to emanate from the UAP and to move towards the ground, whereas in the case of a projector, the beam is projected from the ground and reflects on the clouds. GEIPAN classifies the case B: likely observation of reflection of searchlight illumination on clouds.