Balma 2013, luminous phenomenon identified as a sun dog

Summary

In December 2013, a witness captured a luminous phenomenon in the sky above Balma. Although no other testimonies were recorded, the photos clearly show a sun dog, part of a solar halo. After analyzing the images, GEIPAN concluded that the phenomenon was not unexplained, but a typical case of a sun dog. The position of the sun and weather conditions, including a south wind and low pressure, favored the formation of cold cirrus clouds, ideal for this optical phenomenon.

Although the photos were not original files, GEIPAN confirmed, by comparing with reference images, that the angle between the sun and the phenomenon was consistent with a sun dog. The case was classified as "A," indicating a clearly identifiable observation rather than an unexplained phenomenon. This case illustrates how optical phenomena can be mistaken for UFOs, but with proper analysis, they can be resolved.