A Space & astronomy forum. SpaceBanter.com

Go Back   Home » SpaceBanter.com forum » Astronomy and Astrophysics » Satellites
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Crickey. Bright object



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old August 31st 04, 10:47 AM
Merv
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default 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.


  #2  
Old September 2nd 04, 09:41 AM
Robert Holdsworth
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The description and time seem to fit perfectly with the predicted flare from
Iridium 58. (I have checked this from "heavens above")
http://www.heavens-above.com

Operational Iridium satellites generally "flare" briefly in the manner
described. They brighten briefly for a few seconds and then fade again.
The one you observed was predicted to be mag -4 - occasionally they can even
brighten to mag -8 though never seen one this bright yet myself.

You may be thinking of the small number of "flashing" Iridium satellites
which are tumbling and therefore disused.

Robert Holdsworth
Wainuiomata
New Zealand
41.261S
147.947E





"Merv" wrote in message
...
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.




  #3  
Old September 3rd 04, 06:58 AM
Merv
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Robert Holdsworth" wrote in message
...
The description and time seem to fit perfectly with the predicted flare

from
Iridium 58. (I have checked this from "heavens above")
http://www.heavens-above.com

Operational Iridium satellites generally "flare" briefly in the manner
described. They brighten briefly for a few seconds and then fade again.
The one you observed was predicted to be mag -4 - occasionally they can

even
brighten to mag -8 though never seen one this bright yet myself.

You may be thinking of the small number of "flashing" Iridium satellites
which are tumbling and therefore disused.

Robert Holdsworth
Wainuiomata
New Zealand
41.261S
147.947E


Thanks to you and others who responded I now know it was an
Iridium I saw. I now realise that they don't just flash quickly.

Merv

"Merv" wrote in message
...
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.






 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Orbital Mechanics JOE HECHT Space Shuttle 7 July 21st 04 09:27 PM
Sedna, space probes?, colonies? what's next? TKalbfus Policy 265 July 13th 04 12:00 AM
ANN: New Version of Deepsky Software (DAS) Deepsky Astronomy Software Astronomy Misc 0 June 3rd 04 11:44 PM
ANN: New Version of Deepsky Software (DAS) Deepsky Astronomy Software Amateur Astronomy 0 June 3rd 04 11:43 PM
Moons as Disks, Shadow Transits and Saturn's Divisions edz Amateur Astronomy 1 March 10th 04 10:57 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:38 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 SpaceBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.