Tom, An excellent example of how we amateurs are the first line ambassadors for science and space. It means a lot more to folks when a regular Joe can show them this stuff instead of a talking head on TV. Thanks for sharing. Robert Reeves reeves10@swbell.net 520 Rittiman Rd. www.robertreeves.com San Antonio, Texas 78209 210-828-9036 USA 29.484 98.440 200 meters > I rushed out last evening to watch a -6 Iridium flare and as I was getting > my bearings, a local college professor came by while walking his dogs. > We've met before, in front of my place in similar circumstances, but while I > was watching for the ISS to fly by. This was a special event because the > flare was going to be in twilight, what to me is the most beautiful of > circumstances. > > I pointed at Jupiter, between the many trees in our neighborhood and > explained how the flare would be much brighter that it yet. Then, after we > made our way to a clearing down the road, just past the street light, we > waited. Forty eight seconds after my atomic alarm clock began to beep the > flare brightened rapidly in the still, dark blue sky. My visitor saw it > first and exclaimed, "There!" Then I caught it too as it brightened nicely > and just as quickly faded away. After it was over he was so excited that he > reached out to shake hands! > > It's always a pleasure to treat someone new to this sport of predicting and > watching things as simple as a fleck of white sunlight shining down from > space. There's something about it that thrills most people in ways that > cannot be explained but must be experienced first hand. > > Wishing clear skies for everyone, > > Tom Iowa USA > + + + > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from SeeSat-L, send a message with 'unsubscribe' > in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@satobs.org > List archived at http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html > ----------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from SeeSat-L, send a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@satobs.org List archived at http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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