Re:First Flare
ghart@cableinet.co.uk
Wed, 12 Nov 1997 19:59:12 +0000
Being a novice at satellite observing and on the advice of Paul Maley I
will attempt an accurate as possible report on the Iridium group
sighting I made earlier this evening.
Did anyone else in the UK see the same?
Location: Lat 51.50 north Long 00.130 west
North Cheam, Sutton, Surrey, UK. 15 miles SW of London.
Altitude unknown.
Sighting period within 17:15:00 to 17:16:00 UTC.
Group of two Iridiums followed about 5 seconds later by a group of three
Iridiums. All flared to around -1.0.
Each was visible approx 4 to 5 seconds in turn.
Flared just below and to the left of the three main stars in Sagitta .0.
According to the Iridflar program, these were Irid's 38 39 40 41 & 42
According to other programs, STSPLUS and SATCOM and SATSPY 42 is
replaced by 43.
I hope this is of some use to anyone interested.
Any constructive advice gratefully received. (Is there a quick cure for
neckache while looking up at backbreaking angles!)
Geoff Hart.