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Iridium Flares

There are several communications satellites orbiting the Earth called "Iridium" satellites. These satellites are cylindrical in shape and point toward the center of the Earth. Each satellite has 3 large antennae protruding outward, shaped like a large rectangle. At any given time, depending on your location on the Earth, one of these large panels will catch the sunlight (which from your perspective is well below the horizon), and suddenly, but very briefly reflect it in your general direction, very much like a mirror that someone is holding and aims it in your direction, suddenly reflecting the bright sunlight directly to your eyes. Fortunately for amateur astronomers, there is a website which predicts precisely when these flares will occur. Lasting only a few seconds, these bright flashes of light in the night sky are called "Iridium Flares". This 40-SECOND EXPOSURE shows how the satellite briefly brightens, then dims back to normal.

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MoonDog Gallery

The Moon

Copernicus

Tycho

Clavius

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The Sun

A solar shockwave resulting from a major flare eruption. Captured by the National Solar Observatory in New Mexico.

The Blue Dot Represents Earth !

Large Prominences

Solar Prominences Evolve Over A Few Days

A sundog (right) is formed when sunlight is reflected by ice crystals within high, thin cirrus clouds!

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Planets

Venus

Mars

Jupiter and Io

Saturn

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Misc.

A bright fireball passes from east-to-west overhead at 7:48 p.m. on the night of December 28, 2008. This image was captured by the All-Sky Camera here at Meadowcreek Park Observatory.