ALOS flares extremely bright

From: Rick Baldridge (rickbaldridge@comcast.net)
Date: Sun Jul 07 2013 - 00:33:20 UTC

  • Next message: Kevin Fetter: "Re: ALOS flares extremely bright"

    I'm sure this is old news to most of you experienced satellite observers -
    
      
    
    By accident on the Fourth of July (July 5, 2013 5:37:00 UTC) while watching
    a fireworks display, several NASA friends and I saw ALOS coming up out
    
    of Scorpius heading toward the zenith.  It remained steady at about
    magnitude 1 for about 20 seconds, disappeared for 10 seconds,
    
    then FLARED to at least -10 magnitude for about 1 second.  Then the
    satellite faded, almost to the limit of visibility
    
    (about +4 mag from our urban area).  Then the cycle approximately repeated
    itself - got brighter for awhile, faded,
    
    then flared AGAIN to about -8 mag.  This repeated another full cycle with
    another -8 flare as the satellite headed far to the north.
    
     
    
    For the record, coordinates were --   Newark, CA USA  37.554056,-122.03668
    Alt 6M  PDT (UTC -7)
    
     
    
    I know this report is not particularly scientific, and I've never really
    reported PPAS format.  However, if nothing else,
    
    this has been one of the most SPECTACULAR flaring satellites I have ever
    seen in my observing career - definitely worth
    
    a look on ANY scheduled pass!
    
     
    
    I will try to get a good video of the pass tonight.  If successful, I will
    post a link to the video file.  
    
     
    
     
    
    Rick Baldridge
    
    Campbell, CA   USA
    
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