Static red ball over La Londe and Elbeuf (1956)

Summary

On a clear, moonless night in April 1956, three witnesses in La Londe, Seine-Maritime, observed a static red ball in the sky. After remaining motionless for several minutes it appeared to move along with the observers before disappearing behind trees. Shortly afterwards, other witnesses in nearby Elbeuf reported a round red shape, though their sighting was much briefer. It could not be confirmed that both groups saw the same phenomenon. Astronomical checks found no relevant celestial body in the reported directions. GEIPAN did not consider the case particularly unusual.