Yellow ball in the sky in Pithiviers

Summary

On January 24, 1981, a witness in Pithiviers, France, saw a yellow ball rotating in the sky. The object moved from northwest to southeast and disappeared after a short time. Although the report comes from a single witness, it is considered credible and sincere. The detailed description includes color, shape, and movement, which help in the evaluation. However, a later analysis suggests the object could have been the Sun seen through fog. Such visual misinterpretations can occur, especially in adverse weather conditions.

The modern review concludes that the observation was a misinterpretation of the Sun. Using updated tools and experience, the GEIPAN has reclassified this case as PAN A. This means the phenomenon is explained by a misinterpretation by the witness, not by an unknown object. While the testimony is valid, the current analysis highlights how perception can be misleading under certain conditions.