Iridium 8 solar array flare follow-up report

From: Matson, Robert (ROBERT.D.MATSON@saic.com)
Date: Wed Jul 11 2001 - 11:27:34 PDT

  • Next message: Jonathan T Wojack: "Re: Sorry, Off Topic but I need to tell someone!" 

    Hi All,

Follow-up to last night's post regarding an expected solar array
flare from Iridium 8 -- I observed this bright flare naked-eye
from Newport Coast, CA, for at least 15 seconds as it ascended
below Mars.  In the bright twilight, only Mars and nearby
Antares (+1.06) were visible in that part of the sky.  It was
definitely brighter than Antares by at least one visual magnitude,
but dimmer than Mars.  I'd estimate it peaked at about -0.5 --
very close to prediction.

I encourage people to try some of these Iridium solar array
flares.  To give you an idea of the brightness enhancement,
the predicted (diffuse) magnitude of Iridium 8 last night
would ordinarily have been only +6.0 at the time.

Best,
Rob




-----------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe'
in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org
http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html

    This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Jul 11 2001 - 11:30:16 PDT