RE: Unpredicted Iridium Flare

From: Ted Molczan (seesat@rogers.com)
Date: Sat Apr 15 2006 - 20:01:56 EDT

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    Gordon Richard wrote:
    
    >    Last night, at 0931 UT I observed what appeared to be an 
    > unpredicted Iridium flare. It was moving from south to north 
    > reaching a maximum magnitude of approximately -7.0 at 
    > approximately RA 6h30m and declination -30. My observing site 
    > is 32.8670S, 151.7000E and height 0m. Is this object 
    > identifiable and is this type of observation useful in 
    > reacquiring "lost" Iridiums (if that is what I observed).
    
    I do not know whether or not this is significant, but Heavens-Above places a
    couple of Iridiums that were not predicted to flare, near the time and position
    you reported. Both were northbound.
    
    Iridium 65 (98021D / 25288) passed within about 10 deg of the position you
    reported, about 1 min later. Iridium 74 (98032D / 25345) passed a bit closer,
    but about 4 min later than you reported.
    
    Ted Molczan
    
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