Mysterious light observed for hours in France

Summary

On December 18, 2014, two witnesses in the Var region of France were surprised by a luminous phenomenon in the sky. While observing with a camera, they noticed the object changing colors and moving in unexpected ways. Initially thought to be a larger, blinking star, they eventually concluded it was a very mobile object, similar to a comet. The observation lasted nearly an hour, which drew attention due to its duration and behavior. From a location near the train station, witnesses estimated the object was "above Draguignan," although it wasn't directly visible from there. This imprecision in location complicated the exact identification of the object.

GEIPAN investigators concluded it was likely a star, with Vega, a very bright star, considered a strong candidate. Color changes and movement were explained as effects of atmospheric shimmer and an optical illusion known as autokinesis, common when observing bright points in darkness. Despite the unusual duration and the repetition of the phenomenon on successive nights, the report suggests an astronomical explanation. However, the lack of precise data on the exact direction of the observation keeps a touch of mystery around the case.