UFO in France, 1986 Witness Account

Summary

In September 1986, a witness in Vélizy-Villacoublay (Yvelines) observed an unusual aerial phenomenon around 7:30 AM. According to the report, a dozen green lights moved silently across the sky from east to west in a synchronized manner. The case was submitted to the GEIPAN in 2008, 22 years later. Initially considered a potential UFO sighting, further investigations pointed to a meteoroid breaking apart as it entered the atmosphere. The data matched the witness's description, including the time, direction, and number of lights. However, the witness had mistakenly recorded the date. The actual event occurred on September 23, and the witness's reference to a press report from that day confirmed the date error. The time, however, was accurately recalled.

The GEIPAN classified the case as "A," meaning a meteoroid observation. Such events, though rare, can explain luminous sky phenomena that might otherwise seem unexplainable. The delayed testimony and its alignment with other reports in France, Germany, and the Benelux region supported this conclusion. Despite the date confusion, the case highlights how late reports can help clarify natural phenomena. The GEIPAN's investigation, combined with astronomical data and witness accounts, led to a clear resolution of the case.