Iridium 35

[Si Rollett]

Anyone able to example what is ' Iridium 35' and why the photos look like shooting stars.

[jgs001]

Iridium, is the name of the satellites that support the satellite telephone system. 35 is the number of the satellite. In a photo, as the camera is static, the movement of the satellite in orbit produces a trail on the camera sensor, thus it looks like a shooting star. If you watch an Iridium flare, you will see a pinpoint of light, grow brighter then fade away.

HTH

[glowjet]

If you take a look at Chris peat`s program "Heavens Above" you will find listings, dates and times, of all the iridium satellites as they pass over your area, it also plots the band of high illumination which is caused when the Sun catches the satellite array and produces the "Iridium Flare" Its quite good fun to try and capture one of these if you have a camera, as from the information provided you know exactly where to point the camera, preferably set up on a tripod and using a cable shutter release

John.

[Si Rollett]

Cool thank you