Sunday, February 11, 2007
Iridum Flares and Saturn
The northwestern horizon as seen from Adelaide at 21:50 ACDST, the red circle shows the location of the flare (click to enlarge).If you are up tonight looking at Saturn on the night of its opposition, then have a look around 21:50, and you may see an Iridium flare. In Adeliade there is one at 21:50 ACDST, and one in Melbourne at 21:50 AEDST (from different iridium satellites) at -2 magnitude. Check Heavens Above for your local details. There is a -3 magnitude flare at roughly 21:40 in a similar position on Monday night as well.
Speaking of Iridium flares, check out Spaceweather for a rare shot of a double Iridium flare. Another great picture from Peter Hienzen of a double flare, almost one on top of each other is here.
UPDATE: Freaking Heck! I just saw a double flare! Well, it wasn't as spectacular as the images linked to above, but it was pretty amazing. Iridium 36 and iridium 97 were travelling in parallel, aparently close together. Iridium 36 did a sustained flare, but Iridium 97 did two quick bright flashes. That was strange happening so soon after reading about it.
# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 7:43 pm 
Click to read about or order
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