[AZ-Observing] Re: Latest photos: planets, Iridium flares, ISS/shuttle pass, etc.

  • From: "Rick Tejera" <saguaroastro@xxxxxxx>
  • To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2007 11:26:47 -0700

Joe,

Both Jimmy & I are fully aware of how sensitive to location the magnitudes
are. Jimmy lives pretty close to me but I'm sure he ran the predictions
using his location. He's also been known to travel o the flare center when
able to maximize the magnitude.  We both would also double check the
predictions relatively soon before the flare to get the best data. My
experience show that they don't often change by much, but yes they do change
over several days. 

FYI, my location is N 33 40.166, W112 10.940.


Clear Skies
Rick Tejera
President, Editor SACnews
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
www.saguaroastro.org
saguaroastro@xxxxxxx 
-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joe Orman
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2007 10:35
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Latest photos: planets, Iridium flares,
ISS/shuttle pass, etc.

Be aware that the magnitude of Iridium flares is VERY location sensitive,
which is why I say on my web pages "enter your exact location in latitude
and longitude (preferably within 0.01 degree of latitude and longitude, or
about 1 kilometer)."  The 14 Jul 20:49:42  flare that Rick lists as
magnitude -5 was predicted as magnitude 0 for the location of my house in
the East Valley, and the 16 Jul 22:12:45 flare didn't even show up in the
list!
   
  My web site also says "the orbits do change over time, so be sure to
download a fresh prediction within a day or two of when you plan to
observe."  I've noticed if I use a prediction that's older than that, the
magnitude can be way off -- this depends very critically on the orientation
of the spacecraft (and thus the angle of the antenna).
   
  --Joe
  
Rick Tejera  wrote:
  How about this one:

14 Jul 20:49:42 -5 56=B0 83=B0 (E ) 9.0 km (W) -8 Iridium 12

Or this one on Monday:

16 Jul 22:12:45 -7 25=B0 62=B0 (ENE) 0.6 km (W) -7 Iridium 42



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