Sky Flashes

[drmorbius]

I was up at 2:30 this morning to watch the Eta Aquarids (they were better the night before) when I noticed a strange flash in the sky. 3 flashes actually... at first I thought it was a plane, but it wasn't moving noticeably.

It was around 3:15 in the area of Bootes... I assume it was a flash off a satellite... did anyone else notice it?

[gaa_ian]

There are a number of satellites that flash peroidically.
Usually closer to dawn & twilight, so could also be a weather balloon.

[astroron]

There are a number of courses of flashes,1 face on incoming meteors,2 rotating satalites 3 space junk,
more unlikly gama ray bursts
If you look in your Bino's if it is a satalite or space junk you will most probably see it moving:thumbsup:

[drmorbius]

:doh: Well, there you go! Obviously this is not an unusual occurance for all you seasoned observers.

At least it was something to impress the kids on the night... they were getting bored by the Eta Aquarids (or lack of therein).

[astroron]

Hey, DrM havn't you got that 25cm scope yet?

[drmorbius]

:lol: Don't I wish...

I thought choosing a scope would be easier after hanging around you fine folk, but it's getting more complicated (and expensive). After peering through that beauty of yours last Cambroon I'm just plain spoilt... I don't think I can ever be happy with that cheap 6" now.

Now... if I can just sell the binoculars... the car... the home... :)

[Photon]

Hi drmorbius, At approx that same time I also noticed a distinct flash low in the northerly sky (near Launceston Tas) while I was looking out for SchwassmannWachmann C. It seemed different to flashing satellites I had observed before more like a spread out light source rather than a point light source. I put it down to distant high altitude lightning discharge between clouds. Anyone else notice anything? Ian Gillespie

[jjjnettie]

I've recently observed the odd flash of light in the northern sky recently. Happy to know that I'm not the only one. The overall size of the flash is about 1.5 degrees wide.
Is that what you saw Ian?
Could it be caused by patches of comet related dust coming through the atmosphere?

[gaa_ian]

Don't let the UFO crowd get hold of this one :screwy:
U know ...."its the aliens coming from behind the comet 73P, they would nomally just stay there and WATCH US :scared: ....but with the break up of the Comet, they had to come down & land on the earth to walk among us" :rofl:
Quick.....hide the reboks & Cyanide Lemonade :rolleyes: :doh:

[drmorbius]

Of course! Why didn't I think of that? I'm going out to start painting my "Welcome to Earth" sign right away
:welcome: :ship1: :D

[gaa_ian]

:rofl: now your talking Dr Morbius :help:

[yarael]

I observed similar flashes at approx 2:30AM in the same part of the sky.

I put them down to particles from the shower coming straight at us.

pretty cool to see ..

[Adrian-H]

i find that blinks and flashes and comets and things like those, i see them all to often i usally just like to think along the lines of, "there talking to me!!!"

[johnno]

Hi All,

Possibly even a satellite,like the Space Station,etc,

Often seen as a flash,for a brief period.

I often see these when using Binoculars,with their wider FOV.

There are many others,which cause the odd flash,as well.

Look up the heavens above page,for times,etc,and heaps of other info.

http://www.heavens-above.com/

Regards.
John