Mystery flashing star

[middy]

OK, I'm looking for explanations of this one ....

I was out on Tues night about 8:25pm (EST) taking some widefield images when I looked up to the NE sky and a flash of light caught my eye. At first I thought it was one of those Iridium flares that people talk about. Then it happened again, a star size pinpoint of white light that momentarily flashed and disappeared again.

I didn't have a watch but I estimated it to be about once every 6 seconds and this went on for about a minute. What's more it didn't seem to be moving at all, it was in roughly the same place the whole time.

The camera was in the middle of a 60sec exposure, but as soon as it was finished I quickly swung it round to the area where the flashing was but by the time I had set it up the flashing stopped and I never saw it again.

I estimated it to be near M15 somewhere between the constellations Pegasus and Equuleus according to CdC.

I don't think it was a plane as it barely moved if at all. Ideas anyone?

Sky chart below and, FWIW, the image I snapped after it stopped flashing :mad2:

[jjjnettie]

Geo-stationary satellite?

[RAJAH235]

Hi Andrew. I think you'll find it's a little late for an Iridium Flare especially in the NE. They are usually early AM or early PM because of the position of the sun & the Earth's shadow. Why not check times etc with Heavens Above (http://www.heavens-above.com/iridium.asp?Session=kebgccdopijiamk eiakjjeho&Dur=2&Date=38944.1021412037)?
More than likely an aeroplane travelling away from your location.:shrug:
:D L.

[Dennis]

Perhaps a helicopter, or airplane in line-of-sight flight, thus was appearing stationary? Although, flight lights are usually red/green and white? Is there an airfield e.g. Archerfield in that direction?

Hmm, we may never know.

Cheers

Dennis

[ballaratdragons]

Andrew,

Possibly tumbling space junk.
There are literally thousands of pieces of junk orbiting Earth in motion and Geo-stationary orbits.

Hard for that time of night (8:25pmEST) in the North east to reflect the Sun, but it could be possible to reflect the Moon at that time in that location.

Put it down as another exciting 'unknown' :thumbsup:

[middy]

Archerfield is only about 5 km from where I am. It did well to get as high as it seemed in that short a distance ;)

[joe_smith]

Its a UFO " Unknown Flashing Object" :whistle:

[astroron]

They are usualy tumbling Satalites or space junk. If you had thought to get your Binoculars out and had a look you can see them giving minor flashes before the brighter flash.
You are seeing them so late is because they are quite high.
I call them flashers and they can be seen a lot later the night than the normal satalites because of their hight:thumbsup:

[middy]

[Mental note to self] Must buy some binoculars :P

[astroron]

Andrew! shame on you :doh: you are missing one of the most important parts of an astronomers armory :thumbsup: