Daytime Flare?

[atomic7732]

I saw this random flare during the day today. I was an my way from California, near Palm Springs, and at about 10:37 this morning, I saw a star-like object. It got bright, and I thought it was a plane reflecting something, but when it faded... Nothing was there!

I have seen Iridium flares before, could this be one in the day?

[abumuhannadh]

i guess heavens-above.com has the answer for you.

feed your location at that time and click "daytime flares" and click on "previous" week if needed.

[atomic7732]

Ok, now this is wierd. I punched in Indio, cause I think that was more where I was at. I don't think 10 miles makes a difference, does it?

It only brings up:

19 May 08:00:54 -6.1 43° 71° (ENE) 2.4 km (W) -6.2 27° 83° (E ) 19° Iridium 13

[abumuhannadh]

it does make a difference. the best way is to feed using Google Map. the exact location or the closest estimate.

because sometimes with just a couple of miles or three, the magnitude goes down.

[abumuhannadh]

by the way, i couldn't find any daytime flares for Indio, Ca between May 7th and 25th.

here is what it showed.

25 May 19:29:41 -8.5 80° 123° (ESE) 0.2 km (W) -8.5 2° 294° (WNW) 98° Iridium 53

27 May 17:32:07 -7.4 62° 259° (W ) 0.4 km (E) -7.4 26° 279° (W ) 38° Iridium 4

[atomic7732]

Hmmm... Well then... I think it was an Iridium flare, for almost sure. But, I guess no one will really know. :/

[jgs001]

Try on calsky.com, it shows the flares for all satellites in the one page, not just Iridiums. It sounds like it probably was, but it would have to be a bright one.

[LukeSkywatcher]

Possibly a fireball. I saw one last year at about 1:30pm on a bright sunny day.