SatTrackCam Leiden (b)log: Iridium flares

Saturday 12 April 2008

Iridium flares

Weather and other occupations didn't allow me much observing the past two weeks. I did get a few positions last week, on the 8th and 11th. On the 8th it were Lacrosse 2 (91-017A) and three of the NOSS-2-3 components (96-029C, D & E). Yesterday (the 11th) it wereIGS1A and 1B (03-009A & B).

I also made a few photographs of Iridium flares with the new Ixus 75 camera. Two of them are shown below. So far, it seems my new camera has a timing lag of 0.9 seconds. Unlike the Ixus 400, the 10 second exposure setting really is 10 seconds.

The Ixus 75 images are much sharper than those of the Ixus 400. I have some suspicion though that they show less faint stars than the Ixus 400 images.

Below are two Iridium flare pictures (Iridium 43 on the 8th, and Iridium 98 on the 11th). Also given are their brightness profiles.

(click images to enlarge)

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Excerpt from United Nations resolution 2222 (XXI)

Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies

In order to promote international co-operation in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, States Parties to the Treaty conducting activities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, agree to inform the Secretary-General of the United Nations as well as the public and the international scientific community, to the greatest extent feasible and practicable, of the nature, conduct, locations and results of such activities. On receiving the said information, the Secretary-General of the United Nations should be prepared to disseminate it immediately and effectively.