3 Very Different Satellites

JohnG (John) · #1 04-10-2006, 07:55 PM

Just spent an enjoyable half hour or so on my balcony watching the passage of 3 very different satellites.

The HST just after 7.15pm followed by Iridium 90 giving a nice bright flare near the SCP then the ISS, showing a very pronounced golden colour.

All up, very spectacular, good to do some naked eye observing every now and again.

Cheers

JohnG

leon · #2 04-10-2006, 07:58 PM

yes i saw that to, very impressive

Leon

xstream (John) · #3 05-10-2006, 12:14 PM

Yes, was watching the ISS last night at our Society meeting.
I couldn't get over the colour of it either. I have to agree John, the golden luminance was spectacular.

JohnG (John) · #4 05-10-2006, 12:30 PM

It was rather pronounced wasn't it, I don't recall ever seeing it that golden, I wonder if the new solar panels caused the colour change.

Cheers

JohnG

Odlaw · #5 05-10-2006, 03:43 PM

What is the best web site to find out flight details of the ISS.

xstream (John) · #6 05-10-2006, 03:59 PM

Heavens-Above would be the most popular.

xstream (John) · #7 05-10-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnG

I wonder if the new solar panels caused the colour change

It would be interesting to know. Will have to watch the next few passes to see if it produces that same golden glow.

JohnG (John) · #8 05-10-2006, 05:00 PM

Yeah, there is another pass at 2002 tonight (my location), not a good one but I will have a look to see if the colour remains the same.

Cheers

JohnG

xstream (John) · #9 06-10-2006, 12:18 PM

I think you're right about that new solar array, John. It still had that golden luminance last night.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #10 06-10-2006, 12:39 PM

We (Ron and I from my back yard in Namba) copped a nice HST passover last night, from low down in the west, clear through the zenith and on over east to be obscured at about 50 deg by the trees. A nice long one, plus we had an about mag -1 to -2 flare from it at about 50 deg above the western horizon. Pretty cool

JohnG (John) · #11 06-10-2006, 02:42 PM

I never got a good look last night, was very low and in and out of clouds, had a good view of the HST though.

Cheers

JohnG

JohnG (John) · #12 06-10-2006, 07:44 PM

Was a golden colour again tonight when the ISS went directly overhead, very bright. Also Iridium 95 and 58 both flared near the SCP and HST went over to the north, all within about 1/2 hour.

Cheers

JohnG