The 'Satellite' Myth

chrisyeo · Post by **chrisyeo** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:53 am

What is the difference between a star and a satellite?.... Ans: a satellite doesn't flicker Does this question jolt anyone's memory?

When I was at the IPhO, some girls asked me this question and I remembered that when I was younger, I would sometimes ask my dad what a particular bright 'star' was. He'd look at it and if it's particularly steady, he'd say it was a satellite! So in my youth, I probably thought that all the planets were geostationary satellites!

Has anyone heard of this 'satellite myth'? Is it only a Singapore thing? Does it still exist??

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:23 am

Actually I heard it many times from guys. Guys trying to bluff girls that anything bright in the sky is a satellite. I wonder how many girls were 'conned' by this.

Post by **weixing** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:34 pm

Hi,
Err... I never heard of this... Most people I meet will ask me is it true that those "star" doesn't flicker is a planet??

Have a nice day.

Traveler · Post by **Traveler** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:37 pm

When i was having outfield training during NS, I pointed out Venus to my friends. But later the Encik confidently said that was a satellite. I should have the moral courage to shoot him down man.....

Tachyon · Post by **Tachyon** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:07 pm

By satellite, you mean artificial satellite, right? If that's the case, the star flickers, but satellite blinks! Assuming, of course, that the artificial satellite rotates.

Post by **weixing** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:17 pm

Hi,

but satellite blinks!

I think that'll depend on various condition... eg. the type of satellite, the orbit of the satellite, the position of the satellite with respect to the sun and etc. It may blink or change brightness very slowly or disappear and appear suddenly.

Have a nice day.

Tachyon · Post by **Tachyon** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:53 pm

weixing wrote:I think that'll depend on various condition... eg. the type of satellite, the orbit of the satellite, the position of the satellite with respect to the sun and etc. It may blink or change brightness very slowly or disappear and appear suddenly.

Yep! Or it may turn into a streak as it burns up in the atmosphere on its way down to Earth!

Cheers!

ykchia · Post by **ykchia** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:30 pm

Hi:

The motion of most visible satellites across the sky(eg ISS, Hubble, IRIDIUM..) are easily detectable - they move quickly across the background star and disappeared when it entered the earth's shadow.
A satellite/space debris that tumble will create a blinking/flashing effect. As for geosats - most are below naked eye detection.

rgds
ykchia

oxygn · Post by **oxygn** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:19 pm

thanks ykchia for the info

Post by **Airconvent** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:48 am

actually satellites not flickering is generally true. That's because they are much closer to earth (in orbit) and a whole lot brighter so is affected to a lesser extent by the atmosphere. but of course, the best tell tale sign is still its quick movement across the sky..