"black spheres," "balls"The witness's own shape words
Residents reported strange sunrises and sunsets. On the morning of August 7, many large black spheres, with some red or fiery ones, appeared before the rising sun and seemed to move fast as if fighting, then faded. Coccius presented it as a religious sign.
Unnamed Basel residents. The pamphlet was produced by printer Samuel Apiarius with Samuel Coccius, who relied on first- and second-hand reports and did not see the event
Sundog or other atmospheric optics (proposed)
Wikipedia Swiss National Museum blog