VARES (47) 09.02.2015

Summary

In 2015, a witness in France reported a "strange" star that remained stationary and changed colors between red, green, and blue. The observation lasted about an hour, and the object didn’t move, which initially raised suspicions of an unusual phenomenon. The witness pointed to specific directions in the sky near the towns of Clayrac and Prayssas. However, the GEIPAN investigators concluded that the observed phenomenon was actually the star Sirius, the brightest in the night sky. The color changes and apparent movement were explained by atmospheric effects and a visual illusion known as the autokinetic illusion, which can make a fixed light point appear to move.

The scientific explanation resolves this case clearly: it is not an unidentified object, but a misperceived known star. This type of phenomenon, while unusual, is common in night observations and can confuse even attentive witnesses. The GEIPAN classified the case as "A," indicating a normal observation explained by natural causes. This example illustrates how science and astronomy can help understand what initially seems inexplicable.