Iridum flares

[phillc]

Could someone explain to a newbie what a "iridium flare" is :?

phillc :wave:

[Ant]

Iridium refers to a type of satellite with large solar panels, launched by the Russians I beleive (but not 100% sure on that).

The FLARE part refers to the light reflected from the solar panels.

Basically if you know the position of the sun and the angle/position of the solar panels you can work out where on Earth the Sun light will be reflected to.

www.heavens-above.com will give a 7 day prediction for your loaction. The closer you are to the FLARE centre the brighter it will be.

The brightest are around magnitude -8 (around 50 times brighter than Venus).

HTH

Ant

[phillc]

Thanks Ant for the quick and informative reply. :wave:

phillc

[Astroman]

Iridium is a global phone relay system, launched by Motorola, based right here in Arizona, not the Russians. Details are also linked on the Heavens-Above web site.

[phillc]

Thanks for the extra info Astroman

phillc :wave:

[Vega]

The reflective iridium panels face at an angle downward toward Earth (quite rare for most satellites) hence the extreme brightness of reflected sunlight. I've known a -8 to briefly cast shadows on the floor :shock: . Kinda like a brief 3 second insight in to what a supernova within our galaxy might be like (We can but hope, one day, one day )

Matt