USA 32 + Iridium 27 Strobe Lights
Mir16609 (Mir16609@aol.com)
Wed, 8 Apr 1998 22:32:17 EDT
Due to thunderstorms, clouds and a nearly full moon these were the only 2
objects I ovserved this evening.
USA 32 passes under alpha and beta Gemini at 21:41:30 EDT (01:41:30 UT 9
April). While it was between the Geminis, it flashed like a strobe twice.
After it passed beta-Gemini it seemed to strobe in rapid succession for about
3-4 seconds. It was probably no brighter than a +1 but through 10x50s it was
an unusual sight.
I didn't think that I would be able to observe Iridium 27 due to clouds in the
area. It was to ascend straight up from the horizon at nearly due north
(~Az=353 deg) and exit into the earth's shaow a few seconds after passing
Polaris. At 21:58:30 EDT (01:58:30 UT 9 April) I observed a flash at about
a mag -2 to -3 - like a strobe (very bright, suddenly for a moment, then inv).
The pattern repeated at about a 3 second cycle until the shadow exit at about
22:01:10 EDT. This must be Iridium 27's equivalent of a flare.
Cheers.
Don Gardner
Homepage: http://members.aol.com/mir16609/
76.8419 W, 39.1796 N, 34m ASL