Luminous ball with green halo in Martigues in 1982

Summary

Two witnesses in Martigues in January 1982 observed, from their bed and through half-open windows, a bright white light surrounded by a green halo. The luminous ball appeared briefly and remained stationary, making no sound. A third witness later reported a similar sighting with fewer details. The limited observation conditions affected the quality of available data.

Investigators considered the star Capella, visible in the northeast at that time, or a fireball common on rainy days as possible explanations, but the lack of precise data prevented a firm conclusion. Originally classified D, GEIPAN reclassified the case as C, deeming the information too insufficient for a conclusive assessment.