Got my first definite Iridium flare

[OneOfOne]

Last night a -1 flare was to be visible about 6:42 so I went outside with a compass to get my bearings and estimated the 50 or so degrees altitude. I estimated it would be about midway between Alpha Centauri and Peacock. After a minute or so, and about right on schedule, a "star" appeared from nowhere, about the same brightness as Alpha Centauri...as expected. I watched for a few seconds as it slowly moved a half degree or so across the sky and then faded from view.

Tonight there is supposed to be a -8 in almost exactly the same location and about 5 minutes earlier....fingers crossed! The -1 was interesting, but I am looking forward to the -8, but I don't know if I will invite the neighbours over quite yet. Haven't recovered from the last "non event".

[MakMan]

Glad to hear you finally caught one. :thumbsup:
Now that you know what to look for, don't hesitate to impress the neighbours.
Let us know what you think of the -8

[jjjnettie]

They're pretty special aren't they. Good luck with the -8.

[Lee]

Great mate..... especially when you see a -8 you'll see why they are addictive.... :party:
I have no evening ones here for the next week..... :(

[OneOfOne]

Well, I went out last night a couple of minutes before due time and checked my bearings with a compass. Fortunately, the clouds had thinned in Melbourne a bit in the previous hour or so. I said to my daughter "I'm going to catch a flare, do you want to come, you've got two minutes". I stared into the approximate area and right on time (I guess it was, but I did not dare to take my eyes off the sky to check) a "star" about the brightness of Alpha Centauri came from nowhere. Over the next second or so it brightened steadily until it looked like a light from an aircraft, only infinitely smaller. After a few seconds it slowly moved and faded away. So that was my first -8. Then I heard the back door open, I turned and said "too late, you just missed it". I think there was something interesting on "Neighbours"...although isn't that an oxymoron? Or maybe there is no "oxy"?

I think there is a -6 in a few days, have to print out flares for next week.