Space debris?

[Cloudwatcher]

Following the 'terrierist' attack on my HEQ5 by the 'Hound from Hell' a few days ago I had the opportunity last night to test the sidereal tracking. It seemed fine for visual observation so I decided to do a quick imaging test before the clouds returned. Chose a star at random that was easy to focus in the 350D's view finder and took a short exposure. Checked the result on the cameras preview screen and it seemed OK although I noticed a flaw on the right hand side that I thought might be a hair in the works. A more subtle attack by the fourlegged one!

Anyway, after subjecting the image to my usual brutal attentions in PS I think the 'Hair' may be space debris reentering

the atmosphere or possibly a meteor. The area of the image has been enlarged and enhanced so ignore the bloated stars.

(click to enlarge)

Is it one or tuther or should I book the dog a one way ticket to Battersea?

CW

[Akyra]

It looks like whatever it is is breaking up into pieces :shock: (we need an ooooooooooooooo smilie!)

[Astroman]

What's the field orientation? Would this object have traveled from west to east or some other way? If west to east, it could easily be debris. If other, could be a meteor. If it shows in another similar exposure...where's Battersea?

[FLO]

Its an excellent capture, whichever it turns out to be 8)

[Whippy]

Battersea is a part of South London that's known for two things. Battersea Power Station (as seen on the cover of Pink Floyd's 'Animals' LP) and Battersea Dogs (and Cats) home.

Tony..

[Akyra]

Have you not heard the cheesy 'answerphone style' greeting some people give when they pick up the phone :

Hello, Battersea Dog's Home, Jack Russell speaking how can I help?

[mikkey99]

What area of sky?

I only ask because i saw something similar last night aroun 10.45pm about halfway between polaris and cassiopea, travelling SSE ish

it seemed to burn brightly and then fade to a dim light and then disappear.

thought it might have been an iridium flare but nearest one was due 22.18 west of me not east

[Astroman]

Akyra, I have not heard that one, but it sounds like fun. "Jack Russel", indeed. I do recall a reference by Michael Flanders in a song called, "Comeuppance", I think, but didn't get it then, either.

[lunator]

AM

Battersea is a part of SW London.

Battersea park is quite nice

Cheers

Ian

[Cloudwatcher]

What's the field orientation? Would this object have traveled from west to east or some other way? If west to east, it could easily be debris. If other, could be a meteor. If it shows in another similar exposure...where's Battersea?

I think that the line of travel would have been West...ish. I'm afraid I can't do better than that. I didn't get a visual and only became aware of the 'intruder' when viewing the image and even then my first thought was that it was an 'artifact'.

I don't recall the Comeuppence song although a fan of F&S. My reference to 'Battersea' was biased toward the Dogs Home!

CW

[stargazer1980]

What area of sky?

I only ask because i saw something similar last night aroun 10.45pm about halfway between polaris and cassiopea, travelling SSE ish

it seemed to burn brightly and then fade to a dim light and then disappear.

thought it might have been an iridium flare but nearest one was due 22.18 west of me not east

Funny you should say that cos i was outside at exactly the same time and saw the same thing too! I saw it inbetween the big dipper and polaris! Going from polaris to the edge star of the big dipper!

Darren