A luminous object over the Atlantic in 2001

Summary

In January 2001, two air traffic controllers in France and Spain observed a fixed bright point over the sea. The phenomenon was visually confirmed but did not appear on radar. The bright, flickering light raised suspicions, prompting the controllers to follow security protocols. They contacted civil and military air control centers, but no aircraft activity was reported in the area. Only a radar in Torrejón registered a signal, which was later dismissed. The CNES investigated the possibility of a balloon but found nothing. A February on-site inspection using theodolites measured the object's direction, concluding it was far away and not an aircraft. The case was classified as a likely astronomical event.

Years later, the GEIPAN re-examined the case with new tools and experience. Although the witnesses were credible and their observations matched, it was concluded that the object was likely the star Capella, affected by unusual atmospheric conditions causing strong twinkling. The confusion was not due to bad faith but to the interpretation of an unusual observation. Today, the case is classified as PAN A, meaning the observation is attributed to a misidentification with a known astronomical object.