UFO?

[david kiely]

I am working in Germany at the moment and last night, 3rd Oct, I went out to get some tucker. As I always do, I looked up to  the sky and a perfectly clear night sky, around 20.30 hrs, 19.30 your time, I noticed, what I thought, was a satellite, near Cassiopeia, but it became very bright  and then disappeared. Was the space station around at approx this time? If anyone knows what it was could you please tell. Regards David

[Carole]

Something that matches that description sounds like an Iridium flare, which is a satellite that has solar panels which temporarily catches the light of the sun.  I think there is a website somewhere where you can find out when these are due, but not sure if it records past occurences.  

http://www.heavens-above.com/iridiumhelp.asp

Carole  

[david kiely]

Thanks Carole, seems like the most logical explanation, thanks v much.

[AlanE]

Hi.

The WebSite you want, for passes of Iridium Flares, ISS and other Satellites, is:  www.heavens-above.com

You can log-on, punching-in your Lat(s) and Long(S), for viewing from up to 5(?) locations you regularly visit

All the best

New Member AlanE (Chislehurst)

[Mike]

If you have either an iPhone or an Android phone then there are nice apps that will alert you to passes also.

[MarkS]

You can log-on, punching-in your Lat(s) and Long(S), for viewing from up to 5(?) locations you regularly visit

I'm already up to 9 stored locations!

Mark

[Tony G]

Does Heavens-Above have the facility to go back and look at previous days satellite passes?

Tony G

[Mike]

Yes, select the SELECT OBSERVATIONS button and enter the date range.