Flashing Satalite Passing Jupiter

[Aussie Dave]

I was outside early this morning looking up at Jupiter having my last cig for the night when I noticed a satalite that passed Jupiter on the right hand side around 3:55am Western Australian time. It's the first time I've seen a flashing satalite and I can only assume that it was a revolving drum type satalite with numerous panels. Reflected light for 1 second and out for 1 second approximately

I'm wondering if anyone else saw this or perhaps captured it. It would've been visable in the Southern hemisphere and possible the lower Northern hemisphere.

I've seen some photos on here where other members have captured a broken line of light and wondered what it was and explanations were that is was most likely a plane. However planes also have coloured lights red green? which are on constantly and also their flashing white strobe.

I'm hoping someone else saw it, a bonus if they managed to capture it.

[Dave In Vermont]

A good candidate for your sighting is an Iridium satellite. There's literally over 100 of these (including the dead ones), and they are known to reflect sunlight - these are known as 'Iridium-Flares.' Here's a Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_satellite_constellation

And:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_flare

There are a few software-programs you can use - FREE - to i.d. many of the satellites you may encounter. And to predict such events as an Iridium-Flare. Here's a link to one I like:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/previsat/

Blinking skies -

Dave