Iridium Flares

Some flares coming up over the next couple of days:

img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=flareszu4.jpg

I've just learned about them in the last few days and they sound pretty cool, so i'll be keeping an eye out for the early evening ones.

Paul,

Those times are way off. I suspect the guy has set these for his location. To get more accurate predictions for YOUR location see.

www.heavens-above.com

Register and set up your location and get predictions for Iridium Flares and ISS for weeks in advance!

Yes, make sure you use Heavens Above, and enter accurate longitude/latitude for your observing location. You may see a flare from your back garden at -6 magnitude, but 15km down the road it might be +3mag or not visible at all. I love watching flares, especially daytime ones, people never know why I'm standing in the street looking at the sky and my watch in the middle of town during the day

You don't necessarily have to register. you can set your location and get flare times for the next 3 days IIRC without registration.

I've seen one once before. Very Cool!

WRT the ISS. I have always been either busy for the flyovers or couldn't see them. This is when I knew the times. I've seen it twice in the last few months totally by accident.

ie. "Hey, whats that, I wonder is that the ISS?"

Then checking on Heavens Above and finding out that indeed it was. Couldn't believe how bright it was. If you have seen Venus blazing away at 5 or 6am than imagine that but twice as Bright and this blazing 'Venus' rapidly moving across the sky. Again, Very Very Cool!

I used Winstars 2 to get the times. I picked ireland from the drop down list and voila !!!...............it was redirected to Heavens above,thats where i got the times.

The ISS is SO bright,and constantly bright,you never ask:
"Is that the ISS?"
You KNOW it is.