[AERO TVF] de EREVAN (AM.ER) vers ORLY (94) 13.12.2023

On the evening of 13 December 2023, during a TVF flight from Yerevan, Armenia, to Paris, France, 2 pilots saw unusual lights through the cockpit windows. The observation began at about 19:00 UTC over the western end of Lake Balaton, Hungary, and continued until descent toward Paris began at about 20:40 UTC. Only 1 pilot submitted an account. The source initially describes the UAP as constantly visible near Altair to the northwest, at azimuth 310°, but later says visibility was intermittent. The aircraft flew over Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France during the sighting. The UAP consisted of white spherical lights that appeared and disappeared with changing intensity, sometimes flashing. They could remain stationary or move in straight lines. The observation lasted about 1 hour 40 minutes, with interruptions in visibility. Toward the end, the lights turned red, possibly because of atmospheric density. Numerous videos totaled more than 4 minutes of recording. Two hypotheses were considered: an aerial military exercise or satellite flashes reflecting sunlight (see investigation report). Although military maneuvers took place southwest of England during the observation, that explanation was rejected because: - The UAP stayed fixed relative to Altair throughout, its elevation decreasing at the same rate as the star's because of Earth's rotation. - It remained near the horizon despite the aircraft traveling a great distance, indicating a very distant phenomenon. The reddening seen during descent toward Paris was probably an atmospheric effect absorbing the blue part of the spectrum. These features suggested a location far above Earth's atmosphere. Satellite flashes were the favored explanation, matching other pilot reports to GEIPAN identified as “Starlink cluster flares”: groups of flashes from Starlink satellites in operational orbits. A Stellarium check confirmed favorable geometry, about 45° above the Sun and less than 10° above the horizon, consistent with the descriptions and the web article “starlink-satellites-flaring-in-cassiopeia.” The case had low strangeness and good evidential support: multiple observers, one very complete and detailed account, and videos. GEIPAN identified Starlink cluster flares. The Sun's position relative to certain satellites allowed intermittent mirror-like reflections from their structures, seen by the crew. The case was classified A: flashes from Starlink satellites in operational orbits. It closely resembled other GEIPAN cases: - [AERO AFR] Abidjan (CI.AB) to Paris (95), 8 April 2023; - [AERO TVF] Amman (JO.AM) to Orly (94), 31 January 2023; - [AERO AFR] Kinshasa (CD.KN) to Paris (75), 10 April 2023. These 4 cases supported an investigation technical note and a publication in GEIPAN's News section.