is this a meteor or satalite ?

[cal1985]

hi all just wondered if this is a meteor or a satalite in this image? and also how can you tell?

[virtualpilot45]

Looks like an Iridium flare, due to the characteristic growing light and movement. Also, a meteor would have to be very bright to appear the same magnitude as the stars in the background.

[cal1985]

i stacked and processed the image without the flare first. then stacked the 1 image of the flare on top. ill post an image of the single frame

[Glen]

i stacked and processed the image without the flare first. then stacked the 1 image of the flare on top. ill post an image of the single frame

Be good to see!

Nice shot as well, I'd have a punt (a bet) on iridium also

Glen

[cal1985]

the single exposure, without processing. (sorry about the washing line !!)

[cal1985]

so a real newbe question here!! whats an iridium flare ?

[Glen]

Not a newbie question at all! They are a communication satellite with antenna that reflect the suns rays

Iridium satellite constellation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

further more, have a look at this site to help you predict them

http://www.calsky.com/

Edit sorry . linked to the element at first

[virtualpilot45]

Satellite flare - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[cal1985]

thats great. thank you . i never new that just reflective sunlight could produce that.

i have another question that i have tried to get from the internet.

when taking images. people take darks and flats aswell as bias. the darks i understand but are flats, 'the light pixels as such? by putting a white t/shirt over the lens and shining a torch over it, brings out the light pixels ? and bias!! i have no idea?

i wanna take the best images possible with the gear i have before upgrading. and as this is mounted on an eq2 mount. motor driven. with the widefield images im taking at the moment i can only atcheve 5min exposures.do i need as many darks as lights? and do i need to worry about flats ? if so what does this improve ?

many thanks cal

[Glen]

As far as i know, (and not allot I may add..) bias is already in darks, so no need to take bias if you've added darks to the stack.. flats are used to give a good finish to a photo by way of "erasing" blemishes like dust motes for instance.

Hope this helps , but i'm sure someone will be along soon who has a better understanding.

Glen

thanks VP for the link

[cal1985]

thats great glen thank you. im outside at the mo trying something new. so hopefully someone will be around to let me know before i get to the flats lol!!

[Glen]

No problem, small steps fella, small steps..

[cal1985]

just while your here glen, what else do you think is a good place to image? i am imaging cygnus and the milky way at present. but is there anything else i can go with? its going to be a 35-70mm lens piggybacked on a eq2, so has to be quite bright as the exposures are going to be no more than 5mins due to tracking ? and can only see southeast through to south west ?

[Glen]

Okkee.. eh-hum first of all, have a lookse at this page..

Tonight's Sky Main Page

Really good for what's up now type'o'thing

just tap in your latitude, longitude & time zone.. and pick the things (plus difficulty) you'd like to see

[cal1985]

thank you for that... thats a brilliant site.. all im using at the moment is stellaruim which doesn't really give true indicatation of what its going to look like

[Glen]

Ohh, And if you haven't been pointed to this ..very handy

Stellarium

[Glen]

good stuff, sorry i can't help you more

[cal1985]

glen you have been a great help thank you for all your input and advice. it really is most apreciated.

cal

[Glen]

been a pleasure cal, hey..last off, have a little look at this site

http://www.12dstring.me.uk/fov.htm

kinda let's you know what things look like when you take a piccy..

All the best

glen

[cal1985]

thanks glen, your a star. the information you have given me is priceless thank you again

[Glen]

This is but the top...ask some more.

Your more than welcome , glad to help as little as it was