Observing Satellites & Iridium Flares

Alright, this is for sharing of your observation experience. Or, if you are arranging gatherings, star-gazing expeditions or just want some company to go observing together, you can shout it out here.
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Gary
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Re: Observing Satellites

Post by Gary »

Bright n high ISS flyby visible in Singapore tonight! 3 March 2013. 8:26pm-8:30pm NW-SE. Flyby very near Jupiter and belt of Orion!

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http://www.astro.sg
email: gary[at]astro.sg
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"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
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Gary
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Re: Observing Satellites

Post by Gary »

Tonight's very bright ISS flyby visible in SG from 8:26pm-8:30pm will have a special guest! Say hello to the #Dragon!

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Watch the Dragon docking happening now:
http://www.ustream.tv/nasahdtv
http://www.astro.sg
email: gary[at]astro.sg
twitter: @astrosg


"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
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Mariner
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Re: Observing Satellites

Post by Mariner »

Just spotted 2 red long meteors while waiting for the ISS!
OCULARHOLIC ANONYMOUS!!!
Keep Calm and Carry on Observing.
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Gary
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Re: Observing Satellites & Iridium Flares

Post by Gary »

Had fun catching 2 iridium flares in Singapore recently. They only appear for a few seconds. Fun practice for improving one's alta-azimuth estimation skills. :)

The next one is visible tmr morning at around 6:47:12 (for Toa Payoh Central). Mag -8 at flare centre.

Image
http://www.astro.sg
email: gary[at]astro.sg
twitter: @astrosg


"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
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Gary
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Re: Observing Satellites & Iridium Flares

Post by Gary »

Bright iridium flare visible in SG tonight. Face 163° - 166° (South). Look up 41° above horizon. Exact time = from 20:23:10 - 20:23:12 (depending where you are in Singapore)

Image
http://www.astro.sg
email: gary[at]astro.sg
twitter: @astrosg


"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
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Airconvent
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Re: Observing Satellites & Iridium Flares

Post by Airconvent »

Good capture Gary. You tried to zoom in but obviously its going to be very difficult to stay centred!
But good that it was so slow this time round. The last time I saw it here, it took only 30-45 to fly past before it disappeared into the clouds! :)
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Gary
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Re: Observing Satellites & Iridium Flares

Post by Gary »

Airconvent wrote:Good capture Gary. You tried to zoom in but obviously its going to be very difficult to stay centred!
But good that it was so slow this time round. The last time I saw it here, it took only 30-45 to fly past before it disappeared into the clouds! :)
Hi Richard. Thanks for the encouragement. That was still the best ISS flyby I have seen with naked eyes - long, bright and flying by interesting points of reference in the sky.

Managed to capture a few iridium flares recently. Will try to upload them when I have the time.
http://www.astro.sg
email: gary[at]astro.sg
twitter: @astrosg


"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
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Gary
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Re: Observing Satellites & Iridium Flares

Post by Gary »

Iridium flare tonite at 2 seconds after 8:17pm. Look south 165 deg. Look up 43 deg. Flare centre very near TPY but visible for rest of SG!
http://www.astro.sg
email: gary[at]astro.sg
twitter: @astrosg


"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
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Gary
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Re: Observing Satellites & Iridium Flares

Post by Gary »

With so many people looking at the skies tonight, magnitude 0.9 Ariane satellite flyby might be fun to watch thru telescope/bino! Observe Orion's belt from 8:18pm! You may see a small dot moving across your field of view!

Image
http://www.astro.sg
email: gary[at]astro.sg
twitter: @astrosg


"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
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Gary
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Re: Observing Satellites & Iridium Flares

Post by Gary »

Very bright n high ISS flyby tonite visible in Singapore. 8:16pm-8:22pm. SW to NE. Flying by between Sirius and Orion.

Image
http://www.astro.sg
email: gary[at]astro.sg
twitter: @astrosg


"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
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