Quote:
Originally Posted by Windston
The ISS has a max magnitude of -5.9, and iridium flares can reach a maximum of -9.5  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_magnitude. I think this is because Iridium sats reflect the sun like a mirror, and thus will only flair for a small area on the ground, however the ISS just reflects light normally with no flairs. Like shining you watch in somones eye vs trying to shine you arm in someones eye, the watch will be brighter because of the reflection, whereas the arm is more diffuse.
Cheers
Dan |
To contradict you, the ISS can flair, I have observed on a number of times
I may not be as dramatic as an iridium flair but flair it can
Cheers
