Ben_dingo

Sorry using my phone. I meant to quote the above and say that I googled "satellite iridium flare" and found a video. I can confirm that is what I saw.

It's the first time I've seen something that isn't a constellation or a star, and it feels amazing!

Hi Andrew and welcome to SGL, the past two nights have been extremely good for observing, here in the North of the UK. If you lay back in a chair and watch closely, there are various movements of pinpoints of light, if your lucky you may just see one turn into an Iridium flare, where it brightens very quickly for a few seconds, as the satellites elements catch the Sun.

Chris Peats "Heavens Above" free program, is an invaluable source of up to the minute information, on amongst other things, Satellites, iridium flares, Comets and the path of the ever moving ISS. enjoy your observing and the forum

Ah cool, thanks! 

First off, I think this is a great forum and source of material. Everyone has been super-friendly and the South Wales group have taken me under their collective wing (until they meet me, when they will probably throw me in the Usk!) 

As feedback, could we have a sticky on useful books to consult? There are many good recommendations but nothing codified, as such. Something on the background to astronomy, both the practical science and the theory, would be extremely helpful. Apologies if this is already there and I have missed it! 

I was observing with binoculars last night and I noticed what at first I thought was a bright star, though I hadn't seen anything there in the sky before. It was much whiter than any of the other stars and moved very quickly across the sky until it began to fade out. It disappeared after a few seconds. I thought at first it was a comet or a meteor, but could it have been a satellite or space junk, as suggested on this thread? I was observing about 11pm.

Welcome to SGL, Andrew!