CORROBORATED
CF-GEI-20161109587 CORROBORATED

The Pompignan Green Laser Trail

CASE FILE — CF-GEI-20161109587 — CASEFILES CLASSIFIED ARCHIVE
Date Date when the incident was reported or occurred
2016-11-17
Location Reported location of the sighting or event
Pompignan, Tarn-et-Garonne, France
Duration Estimated duration of the observed phenomenon
Extended observation period
Object Type Classification of the observed object based on witness descriptions
light
Source Origin database or archive this case was sourced from
geipan
Witnesses Number of known witnesses who reported the event
2
Country Country where the incident took place
FR
AI Confidence AI-generated credibility score based on source reliability, detail consistency, and corroboration
85%
On Thursday, November 17, 2016, at approximately 22:00 hours, two witnesses in Pompignan (Tarn-et-Garonne department, code 82) observed an intriguing green trail in the cloudy night sky. Sufficiently concerned by the phenomenon, one witness captured multiple photographs of the luminous display. The observation prompted two separate testimonies to be filed with GEIPAN, France's official UFO investigation service operated by CNES (the French space agency). The witnesses reported the green trail at an azimuth of 134° in the sky. The phenomenon appeared as a distinctive green luminous streak against the cloud cover, persisting long enough for photographic documentation. The sighting occurred approximately 25 kilometers from Toulouse, positioning the witnesses in a suburban area southwest of the major metropolitan center. GEIPAN's investigation quickly identified the source: a large-scale laser art installation by international artist Yvette Mattern. The laser spectacle was mounted on the roof of the Quai des Savoirs science museum on the allées Jules-Guesde in Toulouse. While the official public display ran from November 18-20, 2016, testing began several days earlier, starting on November 15. Similar reports were documented from other locations on November 15 and 16, creating a pattern of sightings across the Toulouse region during the testing phase.
02 Timeline of Events
2016-11-15
Laser Testing Begins
Yvette Mattern's laser installation begins testing phase on the roof of Quai des Savoirs museum in Toulouse. Initial reports from Lapeyrouse-Fossat witness.
2016-11-16 Evening
Multiple Reports Surface
Media outlet actu.cotetoulouse documents witnesses surprised by colored light beams in the Toulouse sky, with geographic distances similar to later Pompignan witnesses.
2016-11-17 22:00
Pompignan Sighting
Two witnesses in Pompignan observe green trail in cloudy night sky at azimuth 134°. One witness captures multiple photographs of the phenomenon.
2016-11-17 Post-22:00
Witness Reports Filed
Two separate testimonies submitted to GEIPAN regarding the green aerial phenomenon, including photographic evidence.
Investigation Period
GEIPAN Investigation
Investigators verify event organizer testing schedule, analyze witness azimuth data against laser source location (25km at 155°), cross-reference with Lapeyrouse-Fossat case and media reports.
2016-11-18 to 2016-11-20
Official Public Display
Yvette Mattern's giant laser spectacle runs as scheduled public event at Quai des Savoirs, Toulouse.
Case Closure
Classification A Assigned
GEIPAN classifies case as 'A' (fully explained): phenomenon definitively identified as laser installation testing.
03 Key Witnesses
Anonymous Witness 1
Civilian resident
medium
Local resident who photographed the phenomenon and filed testimony with GEIPAN
"Intrigued by the presence in the cloudy sky of a green trail"
Anonymous Witness 2
Civilian resident
medium
Companion witness who corroborated the sighting
04 Analyst Notes -- AI Processed
This case represents a textbook example of misidentification of a known terrestrial light source, resolved through systematic investigation. GEIPAN's analysis demonstrates methodical verification: they cross-referenced witness azimuth data (134°) with the known laser source location in Toulouse (at 155° relative bearing, 25km distant), accounting for smartphone compass imprecision and the fact that laser reflection points on clouds can appear 10+ kilometers from the actual emission source. The investigators contacted the event organizers directly to confirm testing schedules, verified matching reports from LAPEYROUSE-FOSSAT on November 15, and found corroborating media reports from actu.cotetoulouse documenting public surprise at the lights on November 16. The case achieves GEIPAN's highest confidence classification 'A' (fully explained with certainty). The photographic evidence aligned perfectly with the laser installation's characteristics, particularly the distinctive green beam. Multiple independent witnesses across different municipalities (Pompignan, Lapeyrouse-Fossat) reported identical phenomena during the known testing period, creating a robust pattern. The geographic distribution of witnesses and their reported azimuth angles form a coherent geometric relationship with the Toulouse laser source, validating the explanation beyond reasonable doubt.
05 Theory Comparison
BELIEVER ANALYSIS
SKEPTIC ANALYSIS
Standard Light Misidentification
This represents a typical case of unfamiliar artificial light sources being mistaken for anomalous phenomena. Large-scale laser installations, particularly during testing phases when the public is unaware of them, frequently generate UFO reports. The witnesses reasonably filed reports when confronted with an unusual green aerial light, but the phenomenon has a mundane terrestrial explanation. The case demonstrates why immediate investigation and cross-referencing with local events is essential.
06 Verdict
ANALYST VERDICT
This sighting is definitively explained as misidentification of an art installation laser display. The case exemplifies how unfamiliar terrestrial phenomena—particularly large-scale light shows in urban areas—can generate genuine UFO reports from confused citizens. GEIPAN's classification 'A' indicates absolute certainty in the explanation. The significance of this case lies not in mystery, but in its demonstration of proper investigative methodology: triangulating witness positions, verifying source locations, confirming event schedules with organizers, and correlating multiple independent reports. It serves as a useful reference for how powerful ground-based lasers reflecting off cloud cover can create dramatic aerial phenomena visible over large geographic areas, a likely source of similar future reports in cities hosting light art installations.
AI CONFIDENCE SCORE:
85%
07 Community Discussion
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