Last evening ( 1999 10 12/23:43 UTC ) while looking for 25727 (99-024A, Orion 3) in binoculars, we were startled when it displayed a VERY brilliant brief flash. It was essentially invisible before and after the flash (local light pollution and a somewhat hazy sky), but about 20 seconds later it flashed again - easily visible to the unaided eye - brighter than the first magnitude (i.e. comparable to Altair's 0.76). We'd seen this object twice before (1999 06 19/02:15 UTC at apparent magnitude 5-1/2 and 1999 06 20/02:02 UTC when it flashed to about 3rd magnitude) but never this bright. Has anyone seen this interesting object recently? (There were several postings a to SeeSat-L a few months ago regarding 99-024B, the rocket, but I don't recall any details about the Orion 3 itself.) We'll try to observe it more carefully (including timing the flashes) next time. (Edited) quicksat output for the pass ... 40.107 74.232 69. Light House, Lakewood NJ 2000 9.5 3 F T T T T *** 1999 Oct 12 Tue evening *** Times are PM EDT *** 1911 615 H M S Tim Al Azi C Dir Mag Dys F Hgt Shd Rng EW Phs RA 00 Dec 25727 Orion 3 17 4.5 19 43 6 .0 30 180 271 6.5 1 7 598 423 1029 1.0 78 2012 -20.4 19_43_26___.0_30_174_C_267__6.5___1_7__592_392_1022_1.0__73_2033_-20.3_<<<____ Clear and dark skies! Ed Light Lakewood, NJ, USA N 40.1072, W 074.2317, Hgt +21 m (69 ft) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html