Is this what an iridium flare looks like?

Starkler (Geoff) · #1 16-10-2006, 10:57 PM

I have never seen an Iridium flare or bothered to look for them before, but I saw something tonight that seems to fit the general description.

Tonight at around 8.50pm I saw a moving dot of light and I was thinking "wow this is bright for a satelite." I was watching it for maybe 20 seconds then it become much brighter for about 10 seconds or so before fading back to the brightness it was before. About another 20 secs or so later it faded within a few seconds to become invisible.

It tracked very close from south to north, grazing Achernar and was quite spectacular

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #2 16-10-2006, 11:15 PM

I reckon you've spotted your first Iridium flare Geoff.
I'm sure someone here will tell you which one it was.
They sure are spectacular. How bright do you think it got?

iceman (Mike) · #3 17-10-2006, 05:45 AM

Yep, that's an Iridium alright Geoff.

Well done on spotting your first, albeit accidently

They're quite addictive to chase once you get into it.

Lee · #4 17-10-2006, 09:06 AM

Sounds like an Iridium - although I have watched both the ISS and Hubble flare also lately.....

[1ponders] (Paul) · #5 17-10-2006, 09:22 AM

Agree Lee, Ron and I watched the Hubble flare the other night from about mag 3 or 2 up to at least -2. It was pretty cool.

Geoff, go to www.heavens-above.com and join up. You can then check for flares in your area for the past 48 hours

andrew · #6 17-10-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

Yep, that's an Iridium alright Geoff.

Well done on spotting your first, albeit accidently

They're quite addictive to chase once you get into it.

Too right, I saw my first Iridium Flare accidentally one night and now I can't stop chasing them

and now I'm into snapping shots of them too

bloodhound31 · #7 19-10-2006, 09:20 PM

If you go to http://www.heavens-above.com you will find forecasts in time and location of iridium flares and more, by orbital path, viewing radius and even the satellite name.

Then you can plan on seeing them and photographing them on purpose!

Good luck!

Baz.

Starkler (Geoff) · #8 19-10-2006, 10:42 PM

Thanks guys .
It certainly was spectacular

Greg Bryant · #9 19-10-2006, 11:19 PM

Iridium flares are certainly something to see.

Last month, I was sitting on an outdoor seat, typing away on a laptop (as you do in the evening), and chose to look up...and saw my brightest Iridium flare thus far. Coming just two days after watching the International Space Station and the Shuttle Atlantis fly overhead, it was a memorable week.