Strange Observation

I was out doing something in my back garden tonight at about 11:25. When I was finished doing what I was doing, I just looked up into the sky to see what was happening! So pretty much straight away I spotted this little light heading north/north-east at a good pace. Nothing too strange there, but right behind it in the exact same path was another little light! I don't know my degress, but if you were to join any 2 of the points in Cassiopeia, they were about half that distance apart. As I say, never seen anything like it before.

I'd say you observed two satellites. It's not unusual to see several satellites in the sky at the same time often going in the same direction. What part of the sky was it in e.g north south etc?

Overhead to north, heading north/north-east. I didn't see what whey were heading through as there were some trees overhanging. It was just the fact that were they so close together along the exact same path, I thought it was strange.

Yep that pretty much confirms it then. Most satellites you see in that direction at this time of year. You see them because the Sun illuminates them as they orbit. Only the northern part of the sky will show them around this time of year with the Sun now dipping so far below the horizon.

Fun isnt it spotting satellites. If you want to find some more go over to

www.heavens-above.com

and you can get personalised predictions for your location including details on the International Space Station (ISS) which can be seen on occassion.

Yeah thanks, I know that site alright. I was tracking ISS one night a while back, watching it come across the Atlantic in like 10 minutes [!] and then going out and seeing cross the sky exactly where Heavens Above said it would be. Very cool.

I have seen that many times before. What is even cooler is when you spot a triplet! The NOAA Triplet is the most common one, and basically, it looks like a trianlge (of satellites) travelling across the sky. Quite rare to spot I believe, as its not a regular occurence as e.g. the ISS for some reason.

I think John Flannery (skynotes) had a link to them before...

Seanie.