Iridium launch will be followed by monster flare
3432P@VM1.CC.NPS.NAVY.MIL
Sat, 8 Nov 97 07:49:33 PST
For those heading to Vandenberg for the Iridium Delta launch tonight (11/8),
Iridium 20 #24872 will be producing a monster flare centered on Lon -120.369
(just a few miles east of Lompoc). The flare occurs about 6 minutes
after the launch. Here are more details, courtesy of Rob Matsons'
IRIDFLAR program:
Time Azm El RA Decl Range SunEl FlrAng Mag FlareLat FlareLong
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
17:39:50.0 189 45 20h24 -9.8 1047.3 -7.8 5.76 2.5 36.2656 -120.4494
17:40:14.7 188 38 20h27 -17.0 1168.9 -7.9 0.26 -5.2 34.7845 -120.3690
17:40:45.0 186 31 20h29 -24.0 1333.7 -8.0 5.40 2.9 32.9637 -120.2779
I don't know if the lighting conditions will cooperate, but if someone
could combine a time exposure of the launch, the flare, and the sunlit
exhaust remnants, wouldn't that make a SPECTACULAR photo to send to Sky
and Telescope!
Craig