An account in Gironde, France

On May 3, 2018 at 10:30 PM, a witness is intrigued by the presence at low altitude in a clear sky of a fixed light. The witness then describes multiple movements (left to right, up and down) and color changes. No noise is heard. He decides to film his observation, which lasts 3 to 4 minutes. Only one testimony is collected. The witness most likely observed Jupiter. - There is a good correspondence of position in the sky. Jupiter is indeed in the SE (123°) and at a height close (9°) to that observed (15°). - The described appearance (bright point, fixed light) corresponds well to a star or celestial body. - The color change from white or yellow, "with at times like a burst" corresponds to the effect of the atmosphere, which modifies colors and can create halo effects, especially in the presence of high humidity. - The perception of slight movement ("the bright point began to move strangely (left to right, up and down, moving away, coming closer") results from two classic effects in star observation: the ocular phenomenon of autokinesis (see the article on Reason and psychology) which creates perceptions of angular movement, and that induced by intensity fluctuation (caused by the atmosphere) which the witness interprets as radial movement (in his direction) coming closer or moving away. - The end of the observation is caused by a cloud passing. Indeed, one verifies that the sky was not completely overcast at the end of the day according to data from the Cap-Ferret station (see reconstruction). Consequently, GEIPAN classifies the case as A: very likely observation of Jupiter.