Huge revolves around our planetnumber of satellites. Each of them has its own purpose. The Iridium series of satellites revolves around the earth for data and voice transmission. This equipment is covered with a smooth surface and is able to reflect the sun's rays, which our eyes perceive as fast glare. Outbreaks of "Iridium" is a fairly frequent phenomenon that can be observed by every inhabitant of our planet. Sometimes, this phenomenon is confused with a falling star, and with the flight of a UFO, and even with a visible satellite, but these are erroneous opinions. How to see such a flare and how to find out when it will be and where exactly to look? Let's see.
These different satellites
Before we calculate the time of occurrence of the nearestIridium outbreaks, remember what satellites are and what they are like. So, the satellite (IZS) is an artificially created aircraft, which revolves around the Earth. The height and speed of this space equipment depends on its purpose and technical characteristics. There are: communication satellites, astronomical, biosatellites, space stations and ships, meteorological satellites and experimental ones.
Космические аппараты связи, как правило, located in low reference orbit. So, for example, the Iridium satellite, whose flares we can see, moves in low orbits with an inclination of 86 ° and an altitude of 780 km. This allows him to receive signals from stations located on Earth, amplify them and radiate back. The Iridium series of satellites includes 66 spacecraft, whose service area covers the entire Earth. Initially, it was planned to create 77 satellites. This number is the atomic number of Iridium, this is where the name of the company came from, and although the spacecraft were launched 11 less, the name remained.
Beautiful phenomenon
Iridium outbreaks are a very beautiful phenomenon.lasting about 10 seconds. The position and movement of each aircraft is clearly fixed by the system, which means that the appearance of glare can be easily counted and seen. This is one of the brightest celestial phenomena, reminiscent of a falling star. Of course, not all the flashes of the Iridium are equally well visible, because the satellites are in constant motion and the angle of glare may be too small, and therefore the phenomenon itself will be almost imperceptible. In addition, clouds, fog, precipitation, strong wind can prevent to see this phenomenon.
How does the flash occur?
If you include slow shooting of this phenomenon,then you can see how a point lights up in the sky, starting a movement, it picks up the maximum brightness and then goes out. The reflection of these rays can be 2 times brighter than the planet Venus. In astronomy, the Vega star is considered the benchmark of the zero brightness of a celestial body. All that is brighter than it is negative numbers, which is paler - positive. The most visible flashes of "Iridium" from -6 to -9.5 m. For example, this value is -26.7 m in the Sun, -12.74 m in the Moon, and 4.67 m in Venus.
Блики отсвечивает даже не сам спутник, а его An antenna, almost two meters long, located at an angle of 40 ° from the axis of the spacecraft. It is trimmed with a silver coating for thermal control. The very same axis of the satellite’s body is supported vertically with respect to the surface of the Earth, and this makes it possible to see flashes of the “Iridium”. The photos presented below prove the fact that this phenomenon looks like a falling bright star. An example of such glare can serve as an ordinary mirror: when a ray of sunshine hits its surface, we see its reflection on the wall, popularly called the “sunbeam”.
How to calculate the time of occurrence of flash
As mentioned earlier, the location of eachsatellite "Iridium" is known very accurately. This allows the calculation method to calculate the time of occurrence of such flashes. Of course, for astronomers and scientists to calculate the time and place of the appearance of glare is not difficult, however, for the rest a huge amount of mathematical calculations can be a difficult task. There are various programs and sites that calculate the time of appearance of flashes with an accuracy of seconds. There are also special applications on the phone, for example, the Iridium program. This utility is convenient because the phone, including the camera, shows the location of the flash. One of the best sites is Heavens-above. It automatically calculates the time of appearance of the Iridium flash and its exact coordinates. The resource even displays information about what kind of satellite gives glare.
Choosing a location
After you have visited the site, you mustindicate your location. To do this, in the context menu there is a section "Set Location". At this stage, it is necessary to accurately select the city, street and even the house from which the observation will be conducted. If the entered data is not accurate, you most likely will not see the flash. In addition, you need to check the time zone, as well as the clock in the phone, because the flash time matters. After all parameters have been entered and saved, a rectangular frame with the entered data will be displayed in the upper right corner. It will contain the location (latitude and longitude), time and time zone. If all the data in the frame is displayed correctly, you can proceed to the next step.
Calculate time
In order to see when it will bethe nearest event, you need to go to the “Iridium Flash” section in the main menu. Schedule glare data is specified here. At the very top, you can select the search interval, as well as enable the "day flashes" option. If the reflection is bright (from -7 to -9), then it can be seen even in the afternoon. In the table presented on the site, for us are important: brightness (first column), height and azimuth. These data are necessary in order to know at what point of the sky to wait for a flash. So, from the table choose the brightness of the highest digit (more than 6.5) with a negative sign. Next, look at the date of this flash and click on it. The new page shows all the detailed information for a specific number.
Where to watch the flash - we are guided in the sky
To begin with, we define the side in which we willwait for the highlight from "Iridium". The azimuth is the angle between the point we need and the north. If the azimuth is 0 or 360 °, it means that the flash will occur strictly in the direction to the north, if 180 ° means in the south, 90 ° in the east and so on. In order to accurately navigate, you need to take a compass. If there is no such device nearby, then the line on which the flash will pass is clearly visible on the map - you can navigate through it.
The height angle we need in order to determinein what place in the sky will flash occur. A protractor is required for accurate determination. Since the time of appearance is known to seconds, you can go out a little earlier, so you definitely will not miss the flash of "Iridium". Far from everyone knows what this phenomenon is, which means you can surprise your acquaintances and friends, saying that a star will fall for them here and now.
