ROQUEFORT-SUR-GARONNE (31) 27.05.2022

On 27 May 2022 around 23:30, a witness on the terrace at home saw a round brownish red-orange UAP moving silently in a straight line at steady speed. Initially to the south at about 30° elevation, it was lost behind trees to the north at about 45°. The witness provided 2 photographs; only 1 account was collected. The case is well substantiated despite the single witness, because both smartphone photographs, including 1 zoomed image, could be analyzed (see investigation report). The investigation identified a sky lantern, probably released for a private celebration on the eve of a weekend. Supporting features are: - A round shape, all that could be resolved at the viewing distance, typical of lantern reports. - A red-orange color component, also typical. - Straight, steady, silent movement. - Possible travel with calm to very light local winds oriented southwest–northeast or even south-southwest–north-northeast, a direction reinforced by terrain east of the witness. - A distance calculated from 1 photograph compatible with a low-flying lantern. - A calm Friday evening in May, suitable for lantern releases. Although lanterns are usually released in groups, this could have been a test before a larger release the next or Sunday evening. Alternatively, variable winds could have separated 1 lantern from a group into the witness's viewing area. The witness found it strange because the observation did not match Internet images of sky lanterns. Those typically show them close up with recognizable shapes and flames, and in groups of dozens or hundreds. Such representations apply only under particular conditions, for example close views of multiple lanterns, unlike this sighting. GEIPAN classifies the case B: very probable observation of a sky lantern.