Photo CNES/GEIPAN

In recent years illuminated paper balloon-lanterns (sometimes known as Chinese, Khoom Fay, Khom Loy or wedding lanterns) have become popular for parties and social functions. These often manifest as clusters of lights, usually orange in hue, rising from the ground and drifting with the wind, eventually vanishing as they burn up. They have duration of up to several minutes or more. In many ways they are similar to the so-called “fire balloons” composed of transparent laundry sacks which contain a heat source for generating lift (and light). Often described as resembling a luminous (usually) orange-hued rugby ball or sphere, they have duration of up to 15 minutes and are sometimes observed to “drop sparks” as the internal heat source begins to consume the balloon.

Telltale signs: Slow drifting motion with the wind, in the same direction and speed as the prevailing wind. They glow whitish-yellow, but sometimes atmospheric conditions give them a reddish-orange tinge. Groups of balloons often observed flying together, or one after each other.

Resources:
GEIPAN information page (http://www.cnes-geipan.fr/index.php?id=347)
File GEIPAN chinese lanterns
Footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79Jbzvzm7NA