satellite question

[Phil]

Hi everyone just outside having a cuppa when from my zenith i seen a sat. traveling very fast it was moving from north to south about 6.18pm local time. It went from my zenith to the far south where i could not see it anymore in about 15sec. Anyone no what sort of sat. would move so quickly. Also seen one the other night moving from South east to North East but this one looked like it was tumbling because it was was brightening and then dimming while it was moving across the sky anyone no what this sat. would have been.
Phil

[leon]

Sounds a bit quick for a Satellite Phil, other than that I have no idea.

Leon

[sheeny (Al)]

I'll take a guess and say the tumbling one will be something dis-used like an Iridium satellite.

As the one in the polar orbit, there are quite a few satellites in polar orbit ranging from spy satellites to scientific ones like Landsat.

The simplest way to identify satellites is to download Orbitron - it's free/postcard ware - and works very well. Simply select all satellites and set the time to when you saw it and you'll probably be able to identify exactly which satellite you saw.

Al.

[Phil]

yeah that's the wired thing it was moving very quick. And yes i no what sat. look like i see then all the time where i live. This one court my eye and straight away i was thinking gee that's moving quick.
Phil