SAINT-GENIS-POUILLY (01) 11.05.2025

On 11 May 2025 at 10:45, a witness at home in Saint-Genis-Pouilly (01) saw a white sphere with a misty texture in a completely clear sky, to the west at 45° elevation. Its apparent size was comparable to Venus. It moved slowly, first toward him, then north, then west, disappearing behind treetops after about 4 minutes. The French summary specifies silent movement. The case has good evidential strength*: although there was one witness, he filmed an analyzable video (see investigation report). *Under GEIPAN's criteria, evidential strength is the amount of information collected for an account that is considered reliable and objectively substantiated. Video analysis: - Revealed a lower appendage in in-focus portions. - Showed that most unusual features arose from recording artifacts: maximum digital zoom, handheld instability without a tripod, pervasive defocusing and further enlargement afterward on a computer. - Showed that speed in the second part of the path fits the light wind in Météo-France's AROME model, using size estimates compatible with a novelty or sounding balloon. AROME, Application of Research to Operations at MEsoscale, is described as a French forecasting model with a very fine 1.3 km grid. A sounding or novelty balloon is supported by its round shape, white color, wind-compatible movement and lower appendage. That appendage could be a cable suspending a sounding balloon's instruments or an ordinary party balloon's string. The balloon type could not be determined. Despite intensive searches, whether it was released in France or Switzerland remains unknown. If it was a sounding balloon, an amateur release is possible; the source notes that a transponder signal is not mandatory. GEIPAN classifies the case B: probable observation of a windborne balloon.