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iridium x 2
Hi Gang,
Since it was a clear evening, I checked for Iridium Flares on Heavens-Above. I was surprised to see that there were 2 happening separated by 15 seconds of time and about 2 degrees of angle. What's more, the direction was such that I could watch it from a south facing window while staying inside. My lovely wife likes to watch them, especially when she doesn't have to put on shoes. So, we met at the window at the appointed time and waited. They were less than 30 degrees high, so the flares were longer in duration than an overhead event. That meant that they were both visible at the same time for a span of 5 seconds or so. It was pretty nifty to see the 2 flying in formation like that. The 2 were #28 and #90. I'm guessing that the latter one was placed there as a backup. Clear Skies, Craig in Tampa |
#2
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iridium x 2
Craig MacDougal wrote:
Hi Gang, Since it was a clear evening, I checked for Iridium Flares on Heavens-Above. I was surprised to see that there were 2 happening separated by 15 seconds of time and about 2 degrees of angle. What's more, the direction was such that I could watch it from a south facing window while staying inside. My lovely wife likes to watch them, especially when she doesn't have to put on shoes. So, we met at the window at the appointed time and waited. They were less than 30 degrees high, so the flares were longer in duration than an overhead event. That meant that they were both visible at the same time for a span of 5 seconds or so. It was pretty nifty to see the 2 flying in formation like that. The 2 were #28 and #90. I'm guessing that the latter one was placed there as a backup. Clear Skies, Craig in Tampa Interesting, I saw a different pair from a few hundred km NW of you in Tuscaloosa, about 0032 UT. I saw numbers 95 and 31, with both visible at once for maybe 20 seconds. When you see doubles like that, one is generally a backup in lower orbit (visibly moving faster). I got a shot once showing twin Iridium flares and the trail of ISS. The backups are noteworthy in that if you're on the centerline their flares can reach magnitude -9. Bill Keel |
#3
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iridium x 2
"William C. Keel" wrote in message
... When you see doubles like that, one is generally a backup in lower orbit (visibly moving faster). Yes, I noticed that but forgot to mention it. I got a shot once showing twin Iridium flares and the trail of ISS. Cool! The backups are noteworthy in that if you're on the centerline their flares can reach magnitude -9. I've seen a couple of -8 flares. Had to subdue the reflex of putting a hand up to shield my eyes. Clear Skies, Craig in Tampa |
#4
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iridium x 2
"William C. Keel" wrote in message
... When you see doubles like that, one is generally a backup in lower orbit (visibly moving faster). Yes, I noticed that but forgot to mention it. I got a shot once showing twin Iridium flares and the trail of ISS. Cool! The backups are noteworthy in that if you're on the centerline their flares can reach magnitude -9. I've seen a couple of -8 flares. Had to subdue the reflex of putting a hand up to shield my eyes. Clear Skies, Craig in Tampa |
#5
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iridium x 2
If you like these things, check out:
news:sci.astro.satellites.visual-observe Craig MacDougal wrote: Since it was a clear evening, I checked for Iridium Flares on Heavens-Above -- Tom Rankin - Programmer by day, amateur astronomer by night! Mid-Hudson Astronomy Association - http://jump.to/mhaa When replying, remove the capital letters from my email address. |
#6
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iridium x 2
If you like these things, check out:
news:sci.astro.satellites.visual-observe Craig MacDougal wrote: Since it was a clear evening, I checked for Iridium Flares on Heavens-Above -- Tom Rankin - Programmer by day, amateur astronomer by night! Mid-Hudson Astronomy Association - http://jump.to/mhaa When replying, remove the capital letters from my email address. |
#7
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iridium x 2
Craig MacDougal wrote:
"William C. Keel" wrote in message ... When you see doubles like that, one is generally a backup in lower orbit (visibly moving faster). Yes, I noticed that but forgot to mention it. I got a shot once showing twin Iridium flares and the trail of ISS. Cool! The backups are noteworthy in that if you're on the centerline their flares can reach magnitude -9. I've seen a couple of -8 flares. Had to subdue the reflex of putting a hand up to shield my eyes. I saw one Iridium in the day. It was close to overhead, about a half hour before sunset and the sky was very clear. It looked like a tiny white dot that was visible for a few seconds. -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
#8
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iridium x 2
Craig MacDougal wrote:
"William C. Keel" wrote in message ... When you see doubles like that, one is generally a backup in lower orbit (visibly moving faster). Yes, I noticed that but forgot to mention it. I got a shot once showing twin Iridium flares and the trail of ISS. Cool! The backups are noteworthy in that if you're on the centerline their flares can reach magnitude -9. I've seen a couple of -8 flares. Had to subdue the reflex of putting a hand up to shield my eyes. I saw one Iridium in the day. It was close to overhead, about a half hour before sunset and the sky was very clear. It looked like a tiny white dot that was visible for a few seconds. -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
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