Fred always arrives armed with sheets of paper from Heavens Above detailing when and where we can have the chance to see both Iridium Flares and the International Space Station overhead.
Iridium Flares are produced by the sun reflecting off the panels of the Iridium Communications Satellites. No, they are not made of iridium, but take their name from the company that makes them, much as the Saturn rocket had little to do with Saturn.
When the sun hits them just right, if you are in just the right place, and your timing is just right -- this is, after all one of those events that require rocket science to produce and so demands precision from its followers -- you will get to see one of these phenomena.
We gathered on the lawn, in the dark, at the ready with Fred's co-ordinates and times, we argued over what 51 degrees would really look like without a protractor, and Stuart started the countdown when the minute hand hit 12... For many of our group, this was their first glimpse of one of these flares. Doubt was tangible.
But not for Fred, who knows about these things... Bang on the appointed time, and heaven knows bang at the appointed elevation (so THAT's 51 degrees!) there was the most amazing point of light, starting small, then opening up into by far the brightest object up there. Way brighter than Venus, or Jupiter... we're talking BRIGHT!
It is exactly as described -- a flare. They don't last long. It's essentially like catching the sun's rays with a mirror to send a signal, one bright flash.
Worth staying up late to see, however. Definitely. It certainly made believers out of us!
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