At 05:38 PM 5/14/2005 -0400, Dana in Antarctica wrote: ><snip> >I am seeing double flares. In fact I have been seeing double flares all >day while walking my 3 miles to my outer buildings. There is the initial >flare that looks like they usually do and then the satellite almost >disappears for about 15 seconds and then it flares again, but slightly >less intense. ><snip> >Have either of you seen this? I have only seen double flares at the same >time by two satellites. > >Dana Howdy to Dana at the South Pole, Tom in Iowa, Gerhard in Africa and other listers... Not only have we seen a double flare from an Iridium more than once, but one happened to be a double-double! Here's the report I made to some local friends, also amateur astronomers on 18 December 2004... >You fellows have no one to blame if you missed this one. It was a >double-double! As Iridium 3 started to fade into view, I noticed a >satellite following a few degrees behind apparently overtaking I-3 from a >lower orbit. > >As I-3 brightened to -8 (at least! my retina still has an after image!) >and faded, the lower satellite, apparently a spare Iridium in a parking >orbit, brightened to at least -6. As they started to fade, they both then >re-brightened to at least -1 or -2! > >Wow! My family is rather jaded about these (you've seen one -8 flare, >you've seen them all), but Stacy is home and came out to watch with me, >and she's still saying "wow"! > >Sorry if you missed it. Hope you didn't! > >Best Regards, > >Art > >18 Dec at >18:36:19 (EST) >-8 Mag >52° Alt >41° Az (NE ) >1.5 km (W) to center (from here) >Iridium 3 We never did identify the second Iridium, but it was an unforgettable experience! Best Regards, Art Glick Cordova WV 38.067N, 80.434W, 2950' Elevation Almost Heaven Group HC 67 Box 539 BB Renick WV 24966 Phone 304-497-2610 Fax 304-497-2698 e-mail art@almostheaven.net http://www.almostheaven.net/ ---------------------------------------------- Offering direct sales of Saunas, Steamrooms and the widest selection of Pool, Spa, Sauna and Hot Tub Equipment worldwide. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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