Mysterious light observed in France in 2013

Summary

On December 31, 2013, a witness in Saint-Michel-sur-Meurthe (Vosges, France) saw an orange light fixed above the horizon while traveling in a vehicle. The light did not appear to be a star, the Moon, or a streetlight, which generated some surprise. Since the sighting occurred shortly after sunrise, the possibility of a solar reflection on an airplane or satellite was considered. However, no commercial flights were found in the area that could explain the phenomenon, and although some satellites such as the NOSS and a rocket debris were identified, their connection to the observation could not be confirmed. The GEIPAN classified the case as "C" due to a lack of conclusive information.

Although the hypotheses are plausible, they could not be verified entirely. The witness perceived the light as stationary, but since they were moving in a vehicle, this perception is not entirely reliable. The absence of additional data and the inability to confirm the origin of the phenomenon led the GEIPAN to not adopt any definitive explanation. This type of case, although not particularly unusual, highlights the difficulty of identifying sky objects without clear evidence. The "C" classification reflects this uncertainty and the need for more information to solve the mystery.