Orange light in the sky over Dordogne in 2018

Summary

On January 18, 2018, two witnesses in Lamonzie-Saint-Martin (Dordogne) observed a round, intensely orange object moving across the sky. The object made a sudden directional change and produced no sound. One witness took a photo, though it provided no clear information. The object's description, color, and west-to-east movement (consistent with recorded wind direction) suggest a possible Thai lantern. These lights are usually launched on weekends, but can also occur on other festive days. The weather had improved an hour before the observation, making visibility possible. The main witness estimated the object's altitude at 100-200 meters, typical for a Thai lantern. Additionally, the witness described a non-uniform light, a common feature when viewing a lantern closely. The object's trajectory was initially straight, followed by an unclear turn. The GEIPAN classified the case as "B," meaning it is likely a Thai lantern.