Mysterious red light over Briançon

Summary

On March 10, 2013, a witness in Briançon observed a bright red light above the Fort de l'Infernet. The light moved slowly without making any noise and disappeared heading east, where the witness saw a very bright star. No other testimonies of the phenomenon were recorded. Astronomical records suggest it could have been the star Vega, rising in the northeast. Although no unusual weather conditions were recorded, it was thought the wind was weak and unstable. The description of the object, with a bright yellow part, matched that of a Tibetan lantern, whose paraffin burner lasts between 3 and 10 minutes. The time and day of the observation also fit typical appearances of such objects. Although the movement did not match the felt wind, this can be explained by differences between ground-level and low-altitude winds. The object's temporary disappearance could be due to it passing behind a building or pole, and its final disappearance to the burner going out. The case was classified as "B", likely observation of a Tibetan lantern.