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Re: (meteorobs) OT---Thoughts on Iridiums
Wayne,
Just read about that today, and had the same idea. Sounds like an aweful
thing to happen. As you say, we might be stuck with that for quite some
time. I find we already get so many satellite passages of all types, it is
increasingly difficult for many astrophotos (especially wide angle lens) to
be without a satellite trail! Iridium flares are neat to catch on film once
in a while, but could end up becoming very annoying over time.
Pierre
>Just a thought for all of us here. What if, as seems rather likely, the
>Iridium Consortium goes bankrupt and no longer has the money to control
>their satellites. While there may be some benefit for radio atronomy, can
>you imagine the horror for visual satronomy with over 200 uncontolled
>mirrors capable of reflecting -8 magnitude flashes anywhere in the sky for
>several millenia (I don't know for sure what the deorbit time for
>satellites in that high an orbit is, but I'm sure it's QUITE long). Once
>they are not predictable, and no longer do any orbit keeping, they could
>ruin astronomy forever (ay least as far as my lifetime is concerned.
> Now that they are up there, at some time in the future, this
>scenario will
>likely come to pass.
>
>I am afraid....very afraid
>
>Wayne
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