My first digital attemp at capturing an iridium flare. I've done this before with film years ago and had better results. Practice makes perfect so there will be more.
Satellite flare (also known as satellite glint) is the phenomenon caused by the reflective surfaces on satellites (such as antennas or solar panels) reflecting sunlight directly onto the Earth below and appearing as a brief, bright "flare".
The Iridium communication satellites have a peculiar shape with three polished door-sized antennas, 120 degrees apart and at 40 degree angles with the main bus. The forward antenna faces the direction in which the satellite is travelling. Occasionally an antenna will reflect sunlight directly down to the Earth, creating a predictable and quickly moving illuminated spot of about 10 km diameter. To an observer this looks like an extremely bright flare in the sky with a duration of a few seconds.
Ranging up to -8 magnitude (rarely to a brilliant -9.5)[1], some of the flares are so bright that they can be seen at daytime; but they are most impressive at night. This flashing has been some annoyance to astronomers, as the flares occasionally disturb observations and can damage sensitive equipment.
When not flaring, the satellites are often visible crossing the night sky at a typical magnitude of 6, similar to a dim star.
From Wikipedia
Tags: iridium flare satellite stars sky night iridium flare iridium satellite night sky long exposure nikon nikon D80 D80 ronaldok ron kube photography
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Day 120 of 365, a flare from Iridium 54, one of a network of Iridium satellites. The two bright stars in the center are the feet of the constellation Gemini.
1 minute exposure 55mm at F/4, ISO 640
Satellite flare (also known as satellite glint) is the phenomenon caused by the reflective surfaces on satellites (such as antennas or solar panels) reflecting sunlight directly onto the Earth below and appearing as a brief, bright "flare".
The Iridium communication satellites have a peculiar shape with three polished door-sized antennas, 120 degrees apart and at 40 degree angles with the main bus. The forward antenna faces the direction in which the satellite is travelling. Occasionally an antenna will reflect sunlight directly down to the Earth, creating a predictable and quickly moving illuminated spot of about 10 km diameter. To an observer this looks like an extremely bright flare in the sky with a duration of a few seconds.
Ranging up to -8 magnitude (rarely to a brilliant -9.5)[1], some of the flares are so bright that they can be seen at daytime; but they are most impressive at night. This flashing has been some annoyance to astronomers, as the flares occasionally disturb observations and can damage sensitive equipment.
When not flaring, the satellites are often visible crossing the night sky at a typical magnitude of 6, similar to a dim star.
From Wikipedia
Tags: one a day photo a day picture a day project 365 project365-120 project365-041809 iridium flare satellite stars sky night iridium flare iridium satellite night sky long exposure nikon nikon D80 D80 ronaldok ron kube photography
© All Rights Reserved