T-33 near-collision with phosphorescent sphere — Rennes-Nantes-Poitiers route, France

On March 3, 1976, a French student pilot flying a solo night T-33 training flight at 6000m altitude observed a bright green sphere approach rapidly on a collision course from a far distance, filling the windshield before passing over the right wing within a fraction of a second. The object was 1-2 meters in diameter with a fluorescent green comet-like tail and an intensely bright white center. Two other pilots following the same itinerary corroborated the sighting from a distance. No radar contact was recorded.

“S was not very large (1 to 2 m in diameter), S was extended by a tail, which was comparable to that on a comet, that was also a fluorescent green color, the center of S consisted of a very bright white light (magnesium-fire type), the sighting lasted a total of less than 5 seconds.”

Pilot preserved anonymity initially; later identified as Colonel Claude Bose. Two corroborating witnesses saw phenomenon from a distance. Source is COMETA 1999 analytical report.