Moving in formation in Haut-Rhin, France

On February 22, 2015, between 6:45 PM and 6:55 PM, several people in Habsheim (68) and Eschentzwiller (68) observe the movement of bright points in the sky. The witnesses' accounts and the photos provided clearly suggest Thai lanterns, which was the only hypothesis considered: the context is rather favorable to lanterns on the following points: - there was the Mulhouse carnival on February 20, 21, and 22 - there was the Basel Carnival which began on February 23 at 4 AM with the Morgenstreich (a procession by lantern light (non-flying!)) - throughout Alsace, neighboring Germany, and Switzerland, this is a Carnival period (celebrations in most villages, spread over more than a month). - it was still the Chinese New Year period (February 19). - it was a Sunday, which also leaves the possibility of another association or private celebration. The witnesses' situation (attached file with various visuals) suggests that the phenomenon was fairly close and therefore at relatively low altitude. The movement is slow and the wind very weak. The progressive and random disappearance of the lights corresponds fairly well to lanterns (or variants). The non-geometric formation flight also does. The white color for one of the witnesses and even more the orange for the other are also compatible, as is the absence of noise (one got out of the car, the other opened the window). The two photos are typical of lantern observations (with "blur" due to low brightness, hence the slow shutter speed). Aspects unfavorable to the hypothesis: The wind was very weak and from the SE sector, which is therefore not directly compatible with the statement of the witness from Habsheim (68) who says he sees them pass from right to left (i.e., toward nearby Germany). The second witness describes them as rather motionless, which is not incompatible in itself but not clearly consistent with the presumed wind, which, let us recall, is very weak (3 to 5 km/h), therefore unstable and subject to local variations. One cannot therefore affirm that the objects were indeed flying with the wind, but their very slow movement is not contradictory with this hypothesis. - no mention found (for now) in the press or on the web. - only two testimonies out of a potentially much higher number (nearby towns + villages + highway). Given the descriptive and behavioral characteristics as well as the very festive context of the region that day, GEIPAN classifies this case as B: very probable observation of Thai lanterns.