Satellite Trio

Yesterday evening at 18:30 UT, I was in Dunsink trying to get an arty shot of the moon over the South Observatory. After taking my shots I was walking away from the observatory when I caught sight of three bright lights moving at incredible speed past the moon in formation. I focused on the moon and managed to capture the following shot. I used photoshop to "dodge" the exposure so that it looks more like what I actually saw. Canon 350D, 55mm lens, F5.6, 1/1000 sec exposure:



Never thought I'd get to see this, let alone get it on camera. It looked like a formation of UFOs, if I didn't know better.

That is brilliant John, in more ways than one! First, you got a rare glimpse of the NOAA Triplet. Second, their proximity to the Moon (well done!). And third, that you saw them in the twillight. Nice work.

Seanie.

That's a really cool shot! Nice capture!

BTW, did you get your arty shot over the dome too?

Bart.

Yesterday evening at 18:30 UT, I was in Dunsink trying to get an arty shot of the moon over the South Observatory. After taking my shots I was walking away from the observatory when I caught sight of three bright lights moving at incredible speed past the moon in formation. I focused on the moon and managed to capture the following shot. I used photoshop to "dodge" the exposure so that it looks more like what I actually saw. Canon 350D, 55mm lens, F5.6, 1/1000 sec exposure:

Never thought I'd get to see this, let alone get it on camera. It looked like a formation of UFOs, if I didn't know better.

Nice image John. They're US spy satellites which fly in triangular formation. There are a few sets of them up there and they do form a beautiful sight in binoculars. Seanie was nearly right on the name...they're known as NOSS triplets. There is loads on information on the web about them (I wrote an article on them for Astronomy & Space magazine a few years ago..wish I'd had your image then as I found it difficult to get one at the time). You can get predictions on heavens-above and you're likely to find one or more of the sets flying over Ireland a few nights every week. It's fun to try and pick the set up low on the horizon and follow it across the sky; they look so graceful.

Hey John i'd just like to echo what Bart said,that's
so cool it looks sci-fi well spoted and great capture
I'd love to see the other shots you took.

Cheers Bart and Declan,

Unfortunately the "arty" shot was never going to work, as the moon's elevation was too high, need a low moon to get the "big" illusion. Still I got something better with the satellites I think. Anyway for what its worth:

nothing to write home about not worth showing.

Thanks for the info Gnason, I was thinking spy satellites as I took the shot.