Iridium flares

[jimi]

Anybody seen one of these?

 

[ChrisE]

These blokes have

 

[jhr]

Artist's impression:

 

[jimi]

Yes, thats what I was talking about. I wondered if any of the forumites here, had seen them during the long night watches?

 

[cameronke]

Track them here (Nasa tracking)

Cameron

 

[WayneS]

yep, twice. One at night and another during the day.

Only seen 2 but looked for many. Not easy to see even using the prediction info from various sites.

W

 

[peteandthira]

I used to watch for the odd one or two in the Middle East. If you get the right website (can't remember it now) you put in your observation position then you will get prognoses for the best flashes. They can be quite impressive, and mostly to the absolute second. Lots of fun with unaware SWMBOS especially if you have just predicted a star exploding in space!

Pops

 

[misterg]

Yep, twice in broad daylight, but only because I was looking for them - you can get predictions for your exact position at heavens above. Look out for the really bright ones (mag -6, etc..). They only last a few seconds, but are incredibly bright - it's amazing you don't see them every day, but you (I) just don't seem to notice them unless you're looking in the right direction at the right time.

The Space Station is worth looking out for, too, particularly just after sunset (I think predictions are on the same site).

In a previous incarnation, I (and a few others) made the glass that covers the solar arrays on the Iridium sats. which is what the flares reflect off. (So if you see any wobbly bits, don't let on).

Andy