Unexpected "flare" from 25724

From: Edward S Light (edlight@juno.com)
Date: Sat Nov 17 2001 - 18:57:00 EST

  • Next message: Edward S Light: "Re: Another VERY FAST satellite"

    We were about to observe 25724 = 99-023a = "Milstar 3, USA 143" when to
    our surprise it seemed to be undergoing a slow bright flare. At 23:17.8
    UTC
    as it passed beta Aqr it was as bright as that star (visual magnitude
    +2.9)
    and by 23:18.4 UTC it reached a maximum brightness like Altair's
    (V=+0.8).
    Because of its considerable range (2900 km), it and its flare were nice
    and slow.
    The only other time we saw this object (1999 October 12) it was about 7th
    magnitude.
    
    Clear and dark skies!
    
    Ed and Darlene Light
    
    Lakewood, NJ, USA
    N 40.1075, W 074.2312 Hgt +24 m (80 ft)
    
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