Query about visibility of Sputnik I

Robert Sheaffer (sheaffer@netcom.com)
Fri, 19 Feb 1999 08:15:12 -0800

Michael Shermer, editor of Skeptic Magazine, makes the following comment
about a forthcoming film purporting to tell how seeing the Sputnik launched
the career of the "Rocket Boys." In it he has a question about the
visibility of Sputnik I. What was the magnitude of that object? I remember
how everyone had these little skywatch telescopes to look for it, but don't
know whether or not they were really necessary. When Sputnik II was
launched, wasn't it much larger and brighter?  


>OCTOBER SKY RECOMMENDATION
>A couple of weeks ago I saw a sneak preview of the new film to be released
>this weekend, called OCTOBER SKY (Universal Pictures, Produced by Charles
>Gordon and Larry Franco, Directed by Joe Johnston). It is "based on an
>extraordinary true story" of Homer H. Hickam, Jr., and his book, "ROCKET
>BOYS," about a small mining town kid who dreams of becoming a rocket
scientist
>when he sees Sputnik pass overhead in the October night sky, and he makes it!
>(Hickam now works for NASA and still is a rocket scientist--one of the
>cleverest t-shirts to come out of JPL/NASA here in Pasadena is one that says:
>"Why yes, as a matter of fact, I AM a rocket scientist.") In any case,
this is
>a MUST SEE film that is pro science, pro technology, and pro education. Even
>the nerds some out on top. The story is wonderful (I won't spoil it here) and
>while I'm sure most of the dialogue is entirely made up, apparently the rough
>story outline is quite true. One of the best parts is after the film ends and
>they show actual film clips of all the real characters, including some of
>Hickam's actual rocket launches. A true delight. Don't miss it.
>
>I do have one question someone out there can probably inform us on, and it is
>this: I have heard that it was not possible to actually see Sputnik
because it
>was so small it would not have reflected enough light. Yet in the film there
>it is streaking across the sky. I can live with the inconsistency because the
>metaphor title works for the film, but I am curious about this.


        Robert Sheaffer - robert@debunker.com - Skeptical to the Max!

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