Chanaz 1980, UFO classified as B

Summary

An event observed in Chanaz, in the Savoie region of France, on August 22, 1980, was recently reviewed by the GEIPAN. The witness described a luminous object with a reddish-orange color, round shape, and tail, moving quickly and silently in a straight line. No odor was detected, but the visual description and trajectory are compatible with the atmospheric entry of a meteoroid or satellite. The duration of the phenomenon was not clearly specified but is estimated between 10 seconds and 2 minutes.

The B classification indicates that the phenomenon is likely natural, though with some inconsistency due to the lack of additional witnesses. An object so large and luminous, visible for at least 10 seconds, could have been seen by more people across a wide area. The review highlighted that greater precision in angular measurements and duration would have strengthened the hypothesis. Despite these limitations, the GEIPAN concluded that the case corresponds to the atmospheric entry of a celestial body or satellite.