Along the same lines as to what Björn said about what amateurs could do, not long ago I discovered in Heavens-Above that it is possible to do the following: plot on a star chart the exact path a Iridium flare will take as it passes through a star field, which enables me to know exactly where to point my camera, or even where to point my telescope to see the flare if I so desire. This also allows me to spot the satellite long before it flares. That way I never miss! This is the procedure I use. 1) Under "Iridium Flares" click on the 'blue lettered' "next 24 hrs" or "next 7 days." 2) Find a flare to want to watch for, make note of the date and time then in the "Satellite" column click on the 'blue lettered' satellite's name. 3) Click on the 'blue lettered,' "Passes" 4) Find a positive match for the date and time period of the desired pass and click on the 'blue lettered' date. 5) Print out (or draw) the detailed star chart and mark on the satellite's track exactly where the peak of the flare is going to occur. Good luck! Tom Iowa USA P.S. There are other ways of getting to the same detailed pass information. Just click the blue lettered things and find out for yourself. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Björn Gimle" <b_gimle@algonet.se> To: <SeeSat-L@satobs.org> Sent: Sunday, July 21, 2002 11:32 PM Subject: Re: Help, about how to observe satellites for fun and science > Mainly for fun (any visible satellite), Heavens Above can give you many kinds of > info. Start by finding your location at > http://www.heavens-above.com/countries.asp , then save the home page created to > your Favourites. You can get lists of satellite passes, limited by predicted > peak magnitude, with star charts; and Iridium night- or daytime flares. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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