Orange light observed in Mazan on December 25, 2011

Summary

A witness in Mazan, France, observed for one or two minutes an orange light moving from east to north at about 45 degrees elevation, at a regular speed, before suddenly disappearing. The GEIPAN received a police report in March 2012. The described features match those of a Thai lantern. The weather conditions showed light and unstable winds from south to north at 8 and 10 PM, but from north to south at 9 PM. Although not certain, these conditions could explain the observed movement. Given that the observation occurred on Christmas Eve, it is not surprising that someone might have launched a lantern. The GEIPAN concluded that the case was likely a Thai lantern and classified it as "B".