ISS, Tiangong, Satellites Over Puna

[PaulW]

Thanks Tom!

[TomK]

PS. Thought this might help clarify:

Original Iridium satellite: https://goo.gl/6YYSnF

New Iridium satellite: https://goo.gl/eLP5pp

On the older Iridium satellites, it's the large antennae towards the bottom of the satellite that cause the flares (not the solar panels above). On the new satellites, these antennae no longer exist and therefore the flares will no longer happen once the older generation of satellites is replaced. It'll be a shame, but Iridium flares were an unintended side-effect in the first place, even though they have been pretty cool to observe!

[TomK]

Just a reminder - flare at 19:00:12 this evening:

OK, so this one is real! Tomorrow evening, Wednesday 11th October, there will be an Iridium flare at 19:00:12 which will occur in the NNE at an elevation of 47 degrees above the horizon. Most of Lower Puna should get a good view if the clouds hold off (the forecast is not promising right now). It will be super-bright at magnitude -8.0. Given that Iridium flares are going to become much rarer over the next year or two, it's time to get your fix now!

Sky map: https://goo.gl/EMb6Mp

Ground track of flare center: https://goo.gl/3yKxQb

[rocketman]

Got to see it for a few seconds between the clouds, pretty bright.

[TomK]

I didn't see a thing from here - too much cloud. Shame, it was pretty clear an hour ago.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Solid cloud cover where I was too.
Thanks for posting links to the old and new Iridium designs TomK. We'll have to enjoy the bright flashes while we can. (weather permitting)

“Facts fall from the poetic observer as ripe seeds.” -Henry Thoreau

[TomK]

There is another brightish Iridium flare tomorrow (Thursday) evening at 18:54:04, more or less in exactly the same position as this evening's, but I suspect it'll be cloudy and quite wet and won't be visible. If the weather forecast doesn't play out, I'll try and post details tomorrow, but suspect we're in for a few very wet days.

The next extremely bright flare is on 21st October during twilight. Mag -8.3 so visible even with the sky not being dark. On October 30th, there is an extraordinarily bright flare of mag -9.4, which is by far and away the brightest prediction I've seen. I won't be here then but will try and post details a few days in advance. Mag -9.4 is about 100 times brighter than Venus at its brightest, so should be spectacular.

In the meantime, there are several ISS passes coming up from 15th October onwards. I'll post details in two or three days.

[TomK]

There are visible ISS passes each evening starting Sunday through Thursday. However, three of them are very low in the sky, so just picking the best two.

Tuesday 17th October:

Rises in the NW at around 18:45, highest point at 18:47:52 (44 degrees above the horizon) in the NE, enters the shadow at 18:49:30 in the ESE. Mag -3.5 so very bright.

Sky track: https://goo.gl/rKUC72
Ground track: https://goo.gl/pBFqKe

Thursday 19th October:

Rises in the NW at around 18:37, highest point at 18:39:39 (43 degrees above the horizon) in the SW, sets at 18:42:46 in the SSE. Mag -2.6 so quite bright.

Sky track: https://goo.gl/m8Ab1j
Ground track: https://goo.gl/Wku6eV

[TomK]

Quick bump for those interested. I'm working Tuesday night so won't be able to post a reminder later on Tuesday, so doing it now.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

A bright pass, with clear skies across much of its path this evening.
Thanks for the reminder Tom!

“Facts fall from the poetic observer as ripe seeds.” -Henry Thoreau