Cylinder over Givet, Champagne-Ardenne · France
A conventional explanation is favored by the record but was never formally confirmed.
The report, as filed
Le 20 mai 1955 à 2h30 du matin deux gendarmes observent le passage SE-NO d'un phénomène lumineux qui les intrigue et disparait en quelques secondes. Ce phénomène a la forme d'un obus et il est suivi d'une trainée lumineuse et multicolore. Un rapport de gendarmerie est établit. Le GEIPAN classe ce cas en B : probable observation d'un bolide c'est-à-dire la rentrée atmosphérique d'un météoroïde. [GEIPAN classification B — Bolide]
Held as-reported from GEIPAN, Centre national d'études spatiales (record GEIPAN 1955-05-00034). Witness text is preserved verbatim, including its spelling; nothing is edited beyond formatting.
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Routed to: GEIPAN / CNES (France) · records window 1955-05-17 → 1955-06-03