I may solely guess that what I noticed was a flash from an especially high-orbiting satellite. I had noticed such satellites earlier than, however solely dimly by means of a telescope. Some on-line analysis rapidly revealed that a number of observers have seen or imaged these occasions. One outstanding occasion occurred the evening of Feb. 22/23, 2022, when Peter Meadows of Chelmsford, England, recorded a 2nd-magnitude flare from a brilliant geosynchronous satellite close to Betelgeuse in Orion. His investigation revealed that it was mild reflecting off solar panels from a Superbird B1 communications satellite.
After studying about Meadows’ seize, I went out once more the next evening and, certainly, spied the wrongdoer across the similar time, farther east of Delta. I additionally imaged the satellite showing to slide eastward towards the celebs because the Earth rotated — a telltale signal of both a geostationary or geosynchronous satellite.
Geostationary and geosynchronous satellites fluctuate in measurement, from about that of a watermelon to that of a pickup truck. Since they orbit some 22,200 miles (35,800 kilometers) excessive (or about 100 instances farther than the Worldwide House Station), seeing a glint from them appears virtually unimaginable. But, because the proof reveals, underneath the appropriate situations — specifically, round opposition — a satellite’s solar panels may cause Solar glints brilliant sufficient to be seen with out optical support. From my latitude (roughly 20° south), geostationary satellites lie about 3° north of the celestial equator; the truth that the satellite I noticed was subsequent to Delta Aquilae (declination of +3°) confirms this suspicion.
The aim of this column, nonetheless, just isn’t a lot to get you enthusiastic about the opportunity of seeing a nova or a geostationary satellite, however to encourage you to make fixed visible sweeps of the evening sky, which could simply open your eyes to new wonders. Because the journalist Loudon Wainwright wrote within the Nov. 24, 1967, subject of Life journal about Alcock and his ardour for the celebs, “The important thing to discoveries like Alcock’s is nice familiarization with the sky.” Or, as Dahl says, “Expertise … shall be of worth provided that you frequently attempt to enhance your personal skill.”
As all the time, be happy to share what has opened your eyes to the sky at sjomeara31@gmail.com.
