What did I see tonight?

[Lemzo]

Took a quick look outside after dinner and the sky was clear. Got the scope out of the garage, turned the lights out in the garden and started getting set up. This was at approx 8.45pm. I looked straight up by pure chance and saw a very bright object moving approx South to North travelling quite quickly across the sky. For about 2-3 secs it was extremely bright, brighter than Jupiter but then it faded yet continued on it's path passing directly over head.

I'm on the Spot the Station mailing list and when I came in I checked my emails to see if the ISS was passing overhaed but there was no mail.

I've taken a look on Stellarium but can't see anything that resembles what I saw.

As I'm completely new to Astronomy I'm hoping you can answer my question...

What did I see tonight?

Thanks in advance.

[Baz Pearce]

That will be a satellite reflecting Sunlight down to your location. Chances are it was an Iridium flare. http://www.heavens-above.com is a good site to look for such events.

Baz.

[Lemzo]

Thanks Baz.

Had me wondering what is was seeing it was so bright!