Iridium Flare Tonight!
It's not a bright bird or a plane! It's a satellite?
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 · 5:30 - 5:50 PM
On Campus
Tonight at exactly 5:46 and 46 seconds, a spot in the southern sky
around UMBC will brighten to over 100 times brighter than the brightest
star in our nighttime sky! Events like these last for only about 7
seconds, but occur very frequently over a majority of the globe.
What causes these bright spots? The light originates from the Sun, but reflects off of highly polished antennae on one of 66 satellites that comprise the Iridium Communication Satellite Constellation. The reflected light is only visible over a small fraction of the globe when the geometry is *just right*.
Details: Starting at around 5:45, keep an eye on the southern sky about 30 degrees up from the horizon. See the attachment for more specifics.
There will be some flare-watchers in the UMBC Observatory (PHYS 401), but you can be anywhere on or around campus with a clear view of the southern sky. If you plan to come to the UMBC Observatory, arrive by 5:40.
What causes these bright spots? The light originates from the Sun, but reflects off of highly polished antennae on one of 66 satellites that comprise the Iridium Communication Satellite Constellation. The reflected light is only visible over a small fraction of the globe when the geometry is *just right*.
Details: Starting at around 5:45, keep an eye on the southern sky about 30 degrees up from the horizon. See the attachment for more specifics.
There will be some flare-watchers in the UMBC Observatory (PHYS 401), but you can be anywhere on or around campus with a clear view of the southern sky. If you plan to come to the UMBC Observatory, arrive by 5:40.
