Iridium Flare observed in Tours

Summary

A witness in Tours (France) reported a bright white light on July 30, 2014, around 11:15 PM. The light, oval-shaped and surrounded by a blue halo, moved steadily without blinking at the speed of an airplane. According to the GEIPAN analysis, it was most likely an "Iridium Flare," a rare and temporary phenomenon caused by sunlight reflecting off a highly reflective part of a satellite. This event was precisely recorded at 11:16 PM. Additionally, other bright points observed could correspond to the NOSS 3 satellites (4A and 4C), flying in formation. The GEIPAN classifies this case as "A," meaning it is clearly attributable to known space objects.

The witness's description, while detailed, left some ambiguity about the exact position of the phenomenon in the sky. However, the Calsky tool confirmed the presence of multiple visible satellites at that time. The gradual decrease in the Iridium Flare's brightness was interpreted by the witness as a movement away, which is common in such observations. The GEIPAN analysis concludes that there are no unexplained elements in this case, and everything aligns with known astronomical phenomena.