The Black Sun in a Photograph

Summary

A classic case of a photographic artifact was recorded in Croix-Valmer, France, on January 21, 2007. A witness took several photos during a walk and later noticed black spots around the sun. At the time of the photo, nothing unusual was seen. Years later, after a TV broadcast, the witness sent the photos and a questionnaire. The GEIPAN classified the case as "A," meaning a photographic artifact. These types of cases, where the object is not perceived in real time, are increasingly common with the use of smartphones. Although the GEIPAN no longer investigates such testimonies based on experience, some are published as examples. In this case, the phenomenon is due to a "black sun," an optical effect where certain CMOS sensors capture very bright areas as black, rather than white.