space station

[Martin 2]

Just watched the space station go over head, very bright .

M2

[OXO]

Tracked it in my Scope 8) it was rather cool not observed it for so long either

[Tinkerbell]

Knew it was coming over us around 19:24 but guess what it was persisting down when I went out to look for it :x

[tenbyfifty]

Poke my head out the back door to see what the sky was like and there was the ISS. I had no idea it was due.

Something similar happened to me back in the winter: had a look outside to see if the sky was clear just as a fireball

streaked low across the southern sky. A few seconds sooner or later and I would have missed it.

Anybody else had any nice serendipitous astro experiences?

[SteelRat]

So thats what it was - caught it in my 10x50s - very bright indeed. Never seen it before - at least I know what to look for now

[tenbyfifty]

So thats what it was - caught it in my 10x50s - very bright indeed. Never seen it before - at least I know what to look for now

Just in case you're not aware of it this site is very useful for ISS observation

http://esa.heavens-above.com/

[SteelRat]

Nice one TBF - bookmark added for a look later. Gotta love serendipity eh?

[geppetto]

Yes, it looked great last night

In fact, the old sky was busy for me whilst I was out

3 Iridium flares, ISS and 4 Orionids and 1 owl 8)

[Caz]

Its fantastic to watch, first time I saw it was at the breacon beacons, dark, dark skies, and a brilliant white light drifting across the sky, although, I would guess next time round won't be as dramatic in city skies... Ho hum

Caz

[LITTLE COL]

ahh that explains what it was i thought it may be a ufo

wishfull thinking!!!

:)

[tenbyfifty]

Is it true that the light from an iridium flare can bright enough and directed enough to light up the ground or is it just an urban myth?

[Astroman]

It's true. An Iridium flare can reach -8 mag. bright enough to cast shadows on a dark night.

[tenbyfifty]

It's true. An Iridium flare can reach -8 mag. bright enough to cast shadows on a dark night.

Cool. That must have freaked out a few dope heads over the years!