ISS + Iridium flare tonight

Hi everyone. I have just been visiting the website www.heavens-above.com and I notice, if we can tear ourselves away from the world cup soccer and if the skies are reasonably clear, we have the opportunity of seeing a double event regarding an Iridium Flare and an interesting passing of the International Space Station.
Firstly, at 22.58 local time, a -7.4 Iridium Flare travels through the dim constellation Cepheus near Deneb (Alpha Cygni) in the north eastern sky.
And secondly, 3 minutes later at 23.01, a -3.1 ISS almost occults the brightest star in the sky (at this time of year) Arcturus. It looks like it passes just north of the star. I am planning on setting up the scope. I hope to have a report tomorrow.
Here's to clear skies, one and all.

Aubrey.

A -7.4 , that's unreal, never seen one that bright

It's only -7.4 at the flare centre, I think you're in Limerick also Dave so it'll be a lot less bright for us.

Hi all. The sky conditions were appalling last night. I could make out Arcturus and Vega with my eyes alright before 11. But Deneb was only visible with binoculars, The Plough overhead was invisible.

First I tried looking for the -7 Iridium Flare before 11pm, but no sign of it in the northeast. But then I realized I had to get over to Arcturus to see the ISS passing to its north. Sure enough right on time, the spacecraft appeared very bright at -3. It passed less than a degree north of Arcturus at 11.01 pm and I was very happy to follow it in the guidescope at 11X. When it got over to the east, I got the main scope unto it at 40X. I could make out one solar panel and its main hub -great sight!

After the excitement, I found Epsilon Lyrae near Vega, and saw all 4 components at 112X. Then I went back to Bootes, and without seeing Izar with my eyes, I spotted him in the guidescope, and split him at a mere 112X! It was also dramatic at 140X.

After all that, the sky went completely overcast. Thinking it might rain, I packed all my equipment at midnight.

Thanks for reading. How did anyone else get on?

Aubrey.

Another iridium flare was scheduled for 02.42 Aubrey and, low and behold it duly appeared:) Despite patchy cloud beneath the Plough, it rapidly brightened to about Jupiter level before fading at an identical rate. Impressive sight, and even more impressive how accurately they can be predicted

Fermidox wrote: It's only -7.4 at the flare centre, I think you're in Limerick also Dave so it'll be a lot less bright for us.

definitely, a few miles makes a difference, me been so far away i probably wouldn't see anything at all. its just I've never seen one even approaching anything like a -7.