Which Satellite is this ?
William F. Kitching (g4fbz@t-ajp.demon.co.uk)
Thu, 9 Jul 1998 19:06:15 +0100
Heelo,
I am a newcomer to Visual Satellite Observing & would appreciate
some help
to ID a Satellite I saw last night, so that I can possibly see it again.
First of all the details:
My location is Shropshire, England. 52 degrees North, 2 degrees West.
The date was 7 July 98. The time was 2206UTC.
I was at my Aunt's House, the time was 2305 British Summer Time which is
2205
UTC. We were waiting to see Iridium 70 which was due over our location at
2211 UTC. This would be the first time she has seen an Iridium Flare.
Whilst
we were were looking at the heavens, spoilt by the light summer nights and
a
nearly full moon, I spotted a satellite from the South West. As the Iridium
was due in the West and a few minutes later I wondered what it was. It was
around magnitude 0. However very shortly it soon brightened up quite
considerably to minus 1. It passed almost overhead & set in the South East.
During the whole pass it was varying in brightness quite alot. From bright
to very bright. The other thing that caught my attention was the speed it
was travelling at. Comparing it to when I see MIR it was A LOT faster.
We saw the Iridium as scheduled a few seconds later.
If anyone could help me ID this, so I can observe it again I would be most
grateful.
Clear Skies from William.
EMAIL : g4fbz@t-ajp.demon.co.uk
PACKET : G4FBZ at GB7MAX.#28.GBR.EU