A Double Iridium Flare Pass - Sept 2nd

Hi all,

I have checked this out on the net, and there appears to be 2 Iridium flares going to pass and brighten within 1 degree of each other on Thursday morning, September 2nd from Tullamore's location.

Both will be seen in the Northwestern sky (towards the star Vega and the constellation Hercules), 20 degrees above the horizon at 03:22hrs (-1 mag) and 03:23hrs (0 mag) respectively. This would make a nice astrophotography attempt for those who have slr cameras.

See www dot heavens-above dot com, and go to the Iridium Flares -> next 7 days prediction page.

Has everyone seen the bright moon low on the horizon these past few nights? Looked impressive!


Seanie.

This looks to be very good for people in or around south Dublin and north Wicklow. Heavens-Above predicts -7 mag for both flares, this for me in north Wicklow. The downside for my position is that they won't appear as close together as for Seanie in Tullamore, I get 303 (WNW) and 133 (SE) but they do happen 10 seconds apart.

If anyone does stay up for this there is an added bonus - Venus and Saturn will be very close together and will have just risen over the horizon by this time.

might set my alarm clock as well as the 2 at 3 and 5 measuring -7 and -6 at max intensity i've a third -7 at 10 to 11 tonight from near edenderry.

Observer's Location: Derrinturn ( 53.3330°N, 6.9330°W)
Local Time: British Summer Time (GMT + 1:00)

Date Local
Time Intensity
( Mag) Alt. Azimuth Distance to
flare centre Intensity at
flare centre
(Mag.) Satellite
02 Sep 22:47:55 -4 31° 51° (NE ) 19.3 km (E) -7 Iridium 50
03 Sep 03:17:24 -3 19° 306° (NW ) 39.9 km (W) -7 Iridium 81
03 Sep 05:26:59 -6 18° 21° (NNE) 10.8 km (W) -6 Iridium 23

Just hope it stays clear now :roll:

The one at 3.17 this morning will be mag 0 from here in Limerick, not worth going out for, BUT, on Fridauy night at 22.51 there will be a mag -5 flare in the north east. Lets hope it'll be clear.