[D986L] DE REMOULINS (30) VERS MONTFRIN (30) 19.09.2021

On Sunday 19 September 2021, a woman drove along the D986L from Remoulins (30) toward her home in Montfrin (30), a few kilometers farther south. At about midnight she saw a bright patch ahead, coming from behind clouds. During the journey it seemed to oscillate from one side of the road to the other, always ahead of the car, at an estimated distance of a few meters and at tree height. At the roundabout known as Beaucaire (30), she took the third exit heading north; the patch then appeared to move away behind her. At the Montfrin parking area, it was again in front of her, to the south. The observation lasted about 30 minutes, and she took a photograph at the very end. GEIPAN considers the account detailed and well supported, particularly by the photograph. The witness cooperated by replying promptly to the investigator. Analysis of the file and photograph identifies a misidentification of the Moon; see the investigation report. The Moon lay in her viewing direction at each stage of the journey but was never separately mentioned. GEIPAN explains the perceived light as moonlight reflected on clouds, whose slow changes could produce the apparent movements. The unusual impression that the light preceded her car and oscillated can be explained by the relative positions of the Moon and witness as she traveled, the road's condition and the concentration needed for driving. GEIPAN classifies the case A: misidentification of the Moon.