Moving in formation in Rh�ne, France

On June 28, 2013 at 10:58 PM, a witness observed luminous phenomena moving in a straight line above the buildings of Lyon: three orange luminous points forming a first triangle were followed by three other orange points also forming a larger triangle. Finally, a single luminous point appeared. No particular noise was heard during the discontinuous observation lasting several minutes. The luminous points disappeared, hidden by the urban landscape. The witness observed and filmed two passages of orange luminous points flying in formation. This observation was the subject of articles in the local press: an article in Le Progrès. The witness indicates a movement from West to East, but an analysis of the map of the area and of the video shows a movement from North to South, or North-Northwest to South-Southeast. The objects therefore came from the North, which is compatible with objects carried by the wind (North wind recorded at Bron according to Meteociel). In another article in Le Progrès dated 03/07/2013, a release of lanterns on the occasion of a private party was reported. Still according to the weather data, it is not possible that these lanterns launched in the La Confluence district (south of Lyon) were the ones seen that evening by this witness. The characteristics of the observed objects: orange balls moving with the wind, point toward the hypothesis of passing Thai lanterns. The stable triangular formation is common for a release of lanterns by groups of 3; it is perfectly normal for the 3 lanterns to remain at equal distance if the wind is stable (which is not always the case). These lanterns could have been launched a few minutes before, to the Northwest of the witness, probably from the Croix-Rousse district, during one of the many private or public parties that take place on these last Fridays of June. The Geipan did not conduct research to find the potential authors of the release. This case is classified "B": probable observation of Thai lanterns.