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Old 18-10-2017, 08:13 AM
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OzEclipse (Joe Cali)
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Young Hilltops LGA, Australia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andyc View Post
One of the oddest things I've seen in 25 years visual astronomy...

A bright star appeared just above Atria (alpha TrA), approx RA 17h 40m, Dec -69d 0m, at about 9:14pm AEST on 17th Oct, but faded below naked-eye as I watched over 15-20s. I didn't see it brighten, but it peaked a bit brighter than Atria, and was that bright as I was setting polar alignment on Atria, confusing me as an extra star near Triangular Australe. Observing site S Sydney.
Probably an irridium flare? Sometimes the flash is so brief so you barely see movement.
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