Whizzy dot across the sky - what could it be?

[jonathan]

I occasionally see these heading South to North in a straight line, constant speed. I'm guessing they are an artificial satellite but what exactly? Saw one tonight at about 11pm just East of Polaris (to my eyes anyway). Can't really notice them without binoculars as they are quite faint, and I have only ever seen one per night.

[Chris Stacey]

I occasionally see these heading South to North in a straight line, constant speed. I'm guessing they are an artificial satellite but what exactly? Saw one tonight at about 11pm just East of Polaris (to my eyes anyway). Can't really notice them without binoculars as they are quite faint, and I have only ever seen one per night.

I caught 2 heading north - north/east in the past hour to hour an half...one was pretty quick, the other seemed considerably slower....I used to chat to someone who worked on the apollo mission, very knowledgeable guy on all space and satellite assets....I asked him why some appeared to travel north - north/east...he did give me an answer, but I can't actually remember what it was lol

[Psychobilly]

Have you tried Heavens Above...

You really need to create an accoutn so you can enter your site details...

Heavens-Above Home Page

Stellarium with the satellite add-ons will also show some info...

Billy...

[JamesF]

Iridium flares, perhaps?

I believe I saw one at around 1:15am last night, just to the west of Ursa Minor.

James

[Capricorn]

The Iridium satellites travel over the poles as I recall so every chance it was one of them. Occasionally one will flare.

For flare see heavens-above and enter your data.

There are quite a few of them.