Saw my first Iridium flare tonight!
Only a Mag -2 (as predicted by Heavens-Above, which has to be one of the most useful sites i've ever seen!) I'm getting a Mag -7 predicted for the 27th, which should be pretty cool too... Tonight's was from Iridium 74!
For anyone who doesn't know, an Iridium flare is a reflection from the mirror-like antennae of Iridium communications satellites. They orbit the earth in roughly polar orbits, at an altitude of ~780km.
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Tomorrow (Hopefully the weather will be nice like today!) i'll try a bit of sunspotting- the groups which produced the large CME that's hitting us at the moment are particularly visible, even with my tiny scope! I can get a pretty good image (~20cm diameter on an A4 page) without it getting too fuzzy!
And the obligitory safety warning: NEVER look directly at the sun through a telescope or binoculars
Iridium flares / sunspots
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Topic authorJackHiggins
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Well, today just before sunrise(I came up at 5am to see it) it was also my first time!!! But not with an Iridium, I saw the ISS!!!!! AMAZING
I couldnt see it with the highest magnification because it moved very quickly, but I will keep trying. I think that on Sunday morning I will see it again...
I couldnt see it with the highest magnification because it moved very quickly, but I will keep trying. I think that on Sunday morning I will see it again...
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EL XENTENARIO
1905-2005
My page:
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EL XENTENARIO
1905-2005
My page:
http://www.urielpelado.com.ar
My Gallery:
http://www.celestiaproject.net/gallery/view_al ... y-Universe
Jack Thank you for drawing my attention to the Heavens Above site.
Just the sort of site I have been loking for.
Just the sort of site I have been loking for.
CPU- Intel Pentium Core 2 Quad ,2.40GHz
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RAM- 2Gb 1066MHz DDR2
Motherboard- Gigabyte P35 DQ6
Video Card- Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS + 640Mb
Hard Drives- 2 SATA Raptor 10000rpm 150GB
OS- Windows Vista Home Premium 32