Look up: Satellite on it's way down

norm · 23 Sep 2011 at 23:31

AcidHell2 said:
Loads, watch the sky and you can see them glide accross.
It just like swing a tiny mirror from miles away. You aren't seeing the object as. Such. Just the huge reflection of light.

You couldn't positively identify them though, could just as easily be a meteor or space debris burning up.

At a push you can see the ISS but that is massive.

Glaucus · 23 Sep 2011 at 23:31

norm said:
You couldn't positively identify them though, could just as easily be a meteor or space debris burning up.

At a push you can see the ISS but that is massive.

See edit, you can most certainly see them, who said anything about identifying them.

There's even trackers so you know where and what time to look up.

Fuzz · 23 Sep 2011 at 23:31

Fri 23 Sep 2011 22:30UT orbit 87.46 mins 144.5 x 150.3km Position 47.0N,32.5W alt=158.3km Unlit [0.07d] ~Reentry-5.6h

robmol · 23 Sep 2011 at 23:33

You can see that they are constant projectory though, move across the sky at a constant speed and direction until out of sight. Obviously you could not see the spec moving across the sky and name the exact satellite, but they are visible.

norm · 23 Sep 2011 at 23:33

AcidHell2 said:
See edit, you can most certainly see them, who said anything about identifying them.

Well you can't say you are definitively looking at a satellite if you can't identify it.

Firestar_3x · 23 Sep 2011 at 23:34

You can if you've got the correct app on your phone.

Glaucus · 23 Sep 2011 at 23:34

norm said:
Well you can't say you are definitively looking at a satellite if you can't identify it.

Of course you can. With use of trackers. Anything orbiting earth is a satelight. Nice change of direction though, when wrong. Can't see them, now can't identify. Which is it and why the discussion?

matthewhotdude · 23 Sep 2011 at 23:35

norm said:
Well you can't say you are definitively looking at a satellite if you can't identify it.

You can. by the way it moves across the sky, and your first point was that there was no way something so small could be seen....which is untrue.

PhillyDee · 23 Sep 2011 at 23:45

robmol said:
You can see that they are constant projectory though, move across the sky at a constant speed and direction until out of sight. Obviously you could not see the spec moving across the sky and name the exact satellite, but they are visible.

Yes, you can

There are 2 types I can identify. Their are a trio of american naval satellites up there, in a triangular formation. There are also Iridium flares caused by the solar panels on the Communications satellites of the same name.

With heavens above you couls set your watch by them!

norm said:
You couldn't positively identify them though, could just as easily be a meteor or space debris burning up.

At a push you can see the ISS but that is massive.

satellites are a constant brightness (usually) and a tiny pinpoint. Very easy to spot tbh! Meteors and debris are very distinctive. They have variable brightness, and streak across the sky.

Fuzz · 24 Sep 2011 at 00:04

First round of disappoint for keen trackers (98% will not see it at all): These locations won't see re-entry : South America, Russia, Asia

Fuzz · 24 Sep 2011 at 00:46

Re-entry not expected before (03:00 GMT). Final orbit likely over Africa, Australia, Canada.
http://go.nasa.gov/rb6tR1

touch · 24 Sep 2011 at 00:49

According to the map, it should pass right over my head in about 20 mins.
Will i be able to see it or should i just go to bed?

Cambofrog · 24 Sep 2011 at 00:56

I hope it lands in my backyard so I can charge the media thousands of pounds for pics and stuff.

Westyfield2 · 24 Sep 2011 at 00:58

I guess I'll know if it landed and killed me when I wake up in six hours for the rugger!

neoglow · 24 Sep 2011 at 01:02

First dibs on the alien that comes back with it, clinging onto the side!

n111ck · 24 Sep 2011 at 01:17

Is it the big bright spot to the south?

TurnipHead · 24 Sep 2011 at 01:22

Westyfield2 said:
I guess I'll know if it landed and killed me when I wake up

Caffrey · 24 Sep 2011 at 01:53

n111ck said:
Is it the big bright spot to the south?

That's Jupiter.

Fuzz · 24 Sep 2011 at 06:39

Just woken up...

It's still up :eek:

Sat 24 Sep 2011 5:35UT orbit 87.03 mins 120.3 x 125.1km Position 13.8N,175.7W alt=122.7km Lit [0.12d] ~Reentry-0.4h?

Ahh, sorry . clearly not woken up..
Skip read the details.
Looks like they haven't a clue

We are waiting for conformation from trackingstations that #UARS has touched earth. According to calculations it went down 15 min ago.

(an hour ago) >Description of fireworks and 3 lights falling over Northern Quebec, might be UARS

Fuzz · 24 Sep 2011 at 06:56

Gah.

Confirmed debris falling over okotoks, Alberta. Canada.#UARS