Aurora in the shape of a crescent in Ambierle 1980

Summary

On February 13, 1980, a PTT employee in Ambierle (Loire) observed a luminous phenomenon in a clear sky. At 5:40 AM while heading to work, he noticed a crescent-shaped light moving slowly from north to south. The witness described the light as yellow-orange and observed it for 8 minutes before it gradually faded. Another person also saw the phenomenon but did not file an official report. Astronomical records show the Moon was very low on the horizon and barely visible, in a new moon phase on February 16. Although the witness claimed there was no Moon, it is likely he was seeing its reflected light without recognizing it, as its magnitude was -8.9.