Satellites
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Many if not most humans have never watched a satellite going by , largely due to light pollution. In the really isolated parts of earth just staring into space for a few minutes at night is enough to pick off several low orbiting satellites , but all is not hopeless for city dwellers. The Iridium phone system has a large number of orbiting units with exceptional reflective qualities . These things flash brightly enough to be seen in full daylight and night time flares can look like someone is shining a spotlight straight at you. Presently there is a web site http://www.heavens-above.com/main.asp that predicts when a flare will be visible from any part of earth , all you need to know is where you are . On the astronomical scale of brightness where 0 is a very bright star and the numbers go up as things get dimmer , these hit -8 or better for a few seconds. ><>
