Yellow ball with multicoloured flashes in Nouzonville

Summary

In August 2008, a witness in Nouzonville observed a yellow ball with multicoloured flashes. Initially stationary, it began moving slowly before accelerating — first horizontally, then diagonally downward until it disappeared from view. About ten seconds later, the ball seemed to return to its starting point and repeat the same path. The light's description, the prevailing wind and the date all matched the use of sky lanterns, whose popularity rose notably in France during 2008. The apparent repetition of movement can be explained by the successive launch of several lanterns.