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Some satellites have large reflecting surfaces and under certain conditions they reflect sunlight to the earth thus rendering them visible. The shape of Iridium telecommunication satellites is pandering reflections to the earth. They can be visible even during the day but at night they are a spectacle to watch. The perfect conditions are that the sun is shining on the satellite (no no other celestial body is obstructing the suns rays), the satellite is in a perfect angle towards the observer and he looks at a dark (night) and unobstructed (not cloudy) sky. The satellite will reflect light to the earth just like a cone of light by a spotlight in the dark. When the observer is in the centre of the trajectory of this reflection the satellite appears the brightest, the farther away your position is from the centre, the dimmer it is. Since the reflection passes it will appear for the observer as if the satellite becomes brighter and then dimmer again, this is what is called a “flare”. | Some satellites have large reflecting surfaces and under certain conditions they reflect sunlight to the earth thus rendering them visible. The shape of Iridium telecommunication satellites is pandering reflections to the earth. They can be visible even during the day but at night they are a spectacle to watch. The perfect conditions are that the sun is shining on the satellite (no no other celestial body is obstructing the suns rays), the satellite is in a perfect angle towards the observer and he looks at a dark (night) and unobstructed (not cloudy) sky. The satellite will reflect light to the earth just like a cone of light by a spotlight in the dark. When the observer is in the centre of the trajectory of this reflection the satellite appears the brightest, the farther away your position is from the centre, the dimmer it is. Since the reflection passes it will appear for the observer as if the satellite becomes brighter and then dimmer again, this is what is called a “flare”. | ||
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==Define North== | ==Define North== | ||
The satellites orbit in certain directions in relation to your viewpoint. Some travel from north to south, som the other way around. The prediction from [http://www.heavens-above.com heavens-above.com] shows you if it will fly in | The satellites orbit in certain directions in relation to your viewpoint. Some travel from north to south, som the other way around. The prediction from [http://www.heavens-above.com heavens-above.com] shows you if it will fly in western or eastern direction. | ||
Take another look on the online map and transfer the information to the physical landscape. Locate yourself and define the cardinal points: North, South, East, West. Make shure you look in the right direction. | Take another look on the online map and transfer the information to the physical landscape. Locate yourself and define the cardinal points: North, South, East, West. Make shure you look in the right direction. | ||