[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
RE: (meteorobs) Iridium Flares
Hi All,
well I saw my first I-flare last night (Mag 0)...in fact, adjourned the NJAA Bd of Governors meeting for 10 minutes to drag everyone outside) and I agree, that after seeing one, it would be impossible to mistake it for a meteor. Still a great event to watch! And I would urge all beginning meteor observers to try and see at least one... since an inexeperienced person would be most likely to be fooled. Actually, I think I could find myself addicted to them, much as I am to seeing MIR on any pass...although MIR is more of a mental thing, proud of the fact that humans have been up on that bucket o' bolts for over a decade....I always wave :->
Wayne
----------
From: Pierre Martin[SMTP:p.martin@cyberusdot ca]
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 1998 1:23 AM
To: meteorobs@latrade.com
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Iridium Flares
Hello all!
After exploring this site and selecting my location from the Database, I
was able to catch a scheduled -5 flare up 53 degrees, as I was walking on
my way home Feb 14 at 18:34:22 EST. A slow, gradual brightening and then
slowly fading away. It lasted about 10-12 sec and disapeared entirely
after. Satellite location was very accurate but intensity off by a couple
of magnitudes to appear visually more like a -3. I need to enter more
accurate positions for my exact site to correct this.
I would think that by seeing a few of these events, an observer will
quickly come to recognize them for what they really are. I will only call
a meteor when I am sure I see one. Anything appearing on the edge of my
field, is to my opinion too suspicious to call accurately. I like to be
sure about exactly what I see.
I hope to see a few more scheduled flares before my next meteor watch. I
dont want to get distracted too long every time one of these things
appear in my field of view.
Clear skies!
Pierre
Pierre Martin
p.martin@Cyberusdot ca
- Warning
- Could not process part with given Content-Type:
application/ms-tnef