METZ (57) 10.05.2025

On 10 May 2025, at about 8:56 p.m., the witness, in his apartment in Metz (57), observed the Sun setting when he noticed, in the sky to the northwest, a black UAP at about 30° elevation. The object moved straight, at constant speed, on an east-west axis. The witness had sufficient time to make two photographs, one with a maximum zoom, before losing sight of the object to the west, at 15° elevation, after about two minutes of observation. No noise was perceived during the passage and no other witnesses reported this observation to GEIPAN. The evidential quality* of the case is good: despite a single witness, two photographs of the UAP were made and analysed for the study of the hypothesis (see the investigation report). *According to the GEIPAN criteria, evidential quality is the amount of information collected for an account that is considered reliable and objectively established. This analysis indicates that the observed data are consistent with a passive object carried by the wind, such as an ordinary balloon (a hypothesis proposed by the witness). The object, possibly partially deflated, would follow a straight path, at an estimated distance of 190 to 480 m from the witness, and at a relatively constant speed of 2 to 6.5 km/h. The displacement orientation and speed of the UAP are generally in line with the wind conditions near the observation site. Black is quite possible for a novelty balloon, this aspect can also be caused by a backlit view. The observation took place on a Saturday evening, a period that was conducive to the use of novelty balloons in a festive setting, for example to celebrate a birthday or a wedding. The variation in the form of the UAP between the two photographs can be explained if the object is a partially deflated balloon and/or if it rotates on itself when it is moved by the wind, which reveals a asymmetry of its shape. The main feature the witness found unusual was the presence on the second photograph of a reddish light (not observed with the naked eye). Such light can be produced briefly by reflection of the setting Sun on a strongly reflective part of the ball. This could be a Mylar balloon, composed of a partially or completely aluminized envelope. The shape of the envelope is asymmetric or possibly partially deflated. GEIPAN classifies the case as "B": likely observation of a novelty balloon.