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Satellite spotting? |
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Have you ever stood outside watching a satellite go overhead and wondered what it was doing and where it was going!
The satellites that we can spot in the sky are in low earth orbit. We see them because the sunlight reflects of their shiny surface. And because the light is reflected we can only spot satellites just after dusk or just before dawn - when it is dark on the ground but still light at the altitude of the satellite. Many of the brightest objects we can see in the sky are actually the spent rocket casings used to lauch the satellite - in effect they are pieces of space debris! if you are interested in satellite spotting, then visit www.heavens-above.com. This amazing web site gives highly accurate predictions for many different classes of visible objects in the sky, from the moon and planets, the International Space Station (ISS), Space Shuttle, all visible satellites and visible space debris, and the inredible Iridium Flares! These Iridium Flares are caused because the Iridium series of satellites have a highly polished flat surface, which is such a good reflector of sunlight that if you are in the right place at the right time, you can see them in broad daylight! Enjoy your satellite spotting!
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