Crickey. Bright object

Went outside at 0931.GMT 31/9/2004 and looking overhead saw an extremely
bright object. Brighter than Zarya (Space Station)

It did not flash like an Iridium would, but was very bright, quickly fading.
It then became obscured by cloud.

It appeared to be in a Polar orbit travelling south.

Orbitron showed Iridium 58 as being in the location, but I always thought
they were characterised by almost stroboscopic flashing.

I'm located at Adelaide, South Australia: 35,00S 138.32E

Merv.

Merv wrote:

Went outside at 0931.GMT 31/9/2004 and looking overhead saw an extremely
bright object. Brighter than Zarya (Space Station)

It did not flash like an Iridium would, but was very bright, quickly fading.
It then became obscured by cloud.

It appeared to be in a Polar orbit travelling south.

Orbitron showed Iridium 58 as being in the location, but I always thought
they were characterised by almost stroboscopic flashing.


Sounds like an Iridium to me.

They rarely flash; they flare. They only flash when they are tumbling.
They increase in brightness over 10-20 seconds, become exceptional
bright (Mag -7 to -8, many times brighter than Venus) for a few
seconds and then fade over 10-20 seconds. I have seen dozens of them.



--
Larry Brash