Larry, Kevin and List, why are these reflections called "iridium flares"? Is
the surface reflecting the sunlight an iridium alloy?
Jerry Flaherty
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "kevin decker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 10:50 AM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] 'Iridium Flares'
Hi Kevin:
The Heavens Above website (www.heavens-above.com) lets you predict the
times and locations of Iridium flares. With 66 satellites (3 groups with
similar orbits), I would doubt that it was the same satellite each time.
The site gives you all the info about each flare, but. You can go "back in
time" to find out what you saw (only 48 hours). You need to input your
location (they have a large list of cities) to choose from.
Yes, it is strictly location and timing. Its all done with mirrors! Think
of the old heliographs that used mirrors and the sun to communicate long
distances (early cell phones). You have to be in the right place (a few
kilometers of the path) and the satellite has to be in the sunlight (in
its orbit), for you to see a flare. I think that each satellite has three
large (more than a meter square) antennas that are highly reflective and
so are really good mirrors for creating the flares if you are in the right
location.
I hope this helps.
Larry
On Tue, July 17, 2007 8:28 pm, kevin decker wrote:
Hello List,
I've a question about Iridium Flares,For the past 3 nights I've noticed
a satelite passing overhead that "flares" at the same spot in the night
sky.It's general heading is from N,N.W. to S,S.E,Tonight,there was one
going the opposite way,in that same spot that "flared" exactly like the
one going the other way.How is that possible?Is it my relative position
to the satelite?....Best Regards..
Kevin W.L.Decker
See what you're getting into.before you go there
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