Satellites

[mattyb217 (Matt)]

Do satellites shine brighter then stars?

[omegacrux (David)]

Some do , I have seen one that was way brighter than Venus
Well into the -mag , and others can only be seen in the big Dob
Look in the ep long enough and you see them all the time
Much to the bane of AP

David

[acropolite (Phil)]

Just to add to what David said, Satellite brightness varies depending on trajectory and timing, the International Space Station for example has passes which are brighter than any of the stars or planets on occasions. For predictions of trajectory and satellite brightness go to www.heavens-above.com

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by mattyb217

Do satellites shine brighter then stars?

Sirius is the brightest star at mag -1.46. Iridium flares often get to mag -5 and can be brighter. The ISS gets close to mag -3.

Over the next few days I have a prediction for Iridium #81 at -6.7 and one for the ISS at -2.7.

[JB80 (Jarrod)]

Iridiums can be spectacular, especially if you aren't expecting it.

Sometimes they can even be seen in daylight although I haven't experienced that yet.
Sounds like a interesting task to set oneself, it's much easier when you have the stars as reference points.

[mattyb217 (Matt)]

Well last night I went for a drive to the shop & when I got out of the car like always I look to the night sky to check out the stars! Not expecting to see anything due to it being cloudy I seen a very bright object (the brightest I have seen with the naked eye besides the moon). So I rushed home & got my scope out along with my iPhone that has a skywatcher app. When I point the iPhone at the bright object it came up as nothing!
I tried looking at it with my scope but didn't do to well due to light pollution (street lights, house lights & car lights)
When looking through the scope the object seemed to loose it's brightness then it would come back, it also changed colour.

It really blow my mind, I wish I was in a nice dark spot to really get a good look at it.