glint vs flare vs flash vs ...
Robert G Fenske Jr (fenske@rgfpc.electro.swri.edu)
Wed, 22 Oct 1997 14:06:32 -0500 (CDT)
On Tue, 21 Oct 1997, Ed Cannon wrote:
> seems to me *not at all* to apply to what the Iridiums do. They way
> I learned the meaning of the word, "glint" means a brief, unremarkable
> flash of unvarying brightness. That is *not* what the Iridiums do.
> The reflections from their antennae have extended duration [up to
> more than 30 seconds of one-power visibility], and they increase in
> brightness to the maximum and then decrease. Those phenomena are
> well-described by the word "flare" -- as I understand it.)
I agree, "flare" is a better description that "glint". But
"flash" is really the most appropriate. A "flare" is a bright light -- it
can last a long time or a short time, i.e. there is no length of time
inherent in the meaning of the word. A "flash" is specifically a brief
blaze of light, which is what the Iridium reflections are.
Robert Fenske, Jr. rfenske@swri.edu Sw |The Taming the C*sm*s series:
Southwest Research Institute /R---\ |
Signal Exploitation & Geolocation Div | I | |"The Martian canals were the
San Antonio,Texas USA ph:210-522-3931 \----/ | Martians' last ditch effort."