PALAISEAU (91) 17.02.2022

On 17 February 2022, with the year supplied by the case title, between 06:00 and 06:30, a witness taking a break in his north-facing garden saw a pale yellow/bluish luminous UAP moving west to east on a slightly descending path. The observation lasted 2 seconds. It initially appeared visually behind an airliner on approach to land, then accelerated, overtook it and disappeared at the aircraft's position. Only one account was collected. Under GEIPAN's criteria the case has moderate evidential strength, meaning the quantity of reliable information in an account: a single witness, no photograph or video and a very short observation. Analysis suggests an LED balloon (see investigation report), supported by its round shape, yellow/bluish glow, straight movement with the prevailing west-to-east wind, and absence of sound or a trail. Its size cannot be precisely evaluated. The witness estimated it at one-fifteenth of the airplane's size without saying whether this was a direct comparison or a later estimate. The aircraft could not be identified, so both its distance and the UAP's distance remain unknown. The UAP could have been optically aligned with the aircraft while actually nearer or farther away. Atmospheric turbulence might have deflected it from a straight path. Its relative distance and position therefore cannot be determined. The unusual feature was acceleration followed by disappearance visually at the aircraft's left wing. A brief gust could explain acceleration; possible disintegration after reaching the aircraft's apparent position could explain disappearance. This remains a proposed explanation, not evidence of contact with the aircraft. Despite substantial gaps, especially in size and distance, the round shape, color, luminosity and movement with the wind favor an LED balloon. GEIPAN classifies the case B: probable observation of an LED balloon.