Free Republic 3rd Qtr 2025 Fundraising Target: $81,000 Receipts & Pledges to-date: $7,824
9%  
Woo hoo!! 3rd Qtr 2025 FReepathon is now underway!!

Articles Posted by Imnidiot

Brevity: Headers | « Text »
  • Astronomy help needed

    01/15/2012 6:46:37 PM PST · by Imnidiot · 26 replies
    Imnidiot
    I need some astronomy help from the smart-guy Freepers. Short version: What can cause a satellite to suddenly glow brightly (as bright as a meteor) for a few seconds and then gradually fade? We saw it last summer on three satellites, one after another, with all 3 visible at the same time (after fading). Different areas of the sky and two different directions of travel! My first thoughts were of rotating satellites reflecting sunlight, but that didn't make sense: First time in 40 years of skywatching and I see 3 at once?? Another unlikely scenario: 3 satellites getting slagged by...