Input from anyone on this please what was it???

[rblock7]

I was just setting up my scope at 7:45pm, I saw a pair of stars just left of the big dipper about 32-33 degrees ascencion, one begab to flare brightly and its neighbor clearly became visible. The luminoscity grew for almost 30-45 seconds then began to fade,<br />It was clearly visible to the naked eye and then faded. until it could not be seen, its neighbor is still there but the star that flared is gone.....Did I see a nova how do I confirm it???<br /><br />I live in Delray Beach, FL and was on the beach setting up when it occured. It did not exhibt any ballistic motion that I would expect from a flare, large towns nearby are West Palm Beach and Ft Lauderdale.<br /><br />Thanks for all the info, looking forward to any more data that anyone can provide.<br /><br />Below is location data<br />Configuration<br /><br />Current observing site: Miami, 25.774°N, 80.194°W<br /><br />select from database or edit manually<br /><br />Registered user login | Why register?<br /><br />Create new user account<br /><br />Subscribe to our AvantGo channel<br /><br /><br />

 

[yevaud]

Perhaps it was these stars?<br /><br />Link<br /><br />The thought occurs that atmospheric turbulence can cause some awfully odd effects. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[Boris_Badenov]

It was probably an Iridium Flare . <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2" color="#3366ff"><div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div></font></span></font> </div>

 

[yevaud]

Ahh, duration was too long, I think. The appearance and slow fading away seems indicative of another cause. But yes, Iridium Flares do occur and are a cause for brief excitement when observed. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

OK, 7:45 PM,<br /><br />Where were you.<br />If it was an Iridium, if you can tell us the nearest town we may be able to identify it for you. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Perhaps enough excitement to overestimate the time <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

Too true.<br /><br />I have looked at the ephemeri for the local region there, and find no flare stars, so that's out. Not a SN either; it's duration would vastly exceed 45 seconds, hmm?! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[rogerinnh]

I think the cause is quite clear. Swamp gas.

 

[rblock7]

I live in Delray Beach, FL and was on the beach setting up when it occured. It did not exhibt any ballistic motion that I would expect from a flare, large towns nearby are West Palm Beach and Ft Lauderdale. <br /><br />Thanks for all the info, looking forward to any more data that anyone can provide. <br /><br />Below is location data <br />Configuration <br /><br />Current observing site: Miami, 25.774°N, 80.194°W <br /><br />select from database or edit manually <br /><br />Registered user login | Why register? <br /><br />Create new user account <br /><br />Subscribe to our AvantGo channel <br />

 

[MeteorWayne]

Well, DelRay Beach was available in the database, so I used that (26.461N 80.073)<br /><br />Found no Iridiums on the 18th, nor the ISS.<br />SO regular satellites are out.<br /><br />One possibility is an unlisted Iridium.<br />The reason Iridium flares are so predictable is that their orientation in all 3 dimesions is tightly controlled. That's why a reflective surface the size of your front door can produce a reflection brighter than anything in the sky except sun and moon from 1000 or more km away. ANd be precisely predicted!<br /><br />However a number of Iridiums have lost attitude control. While they remain aligned from top to bottom (IIRC that's primarily controlled my the mass distrubution in the satellite), the exact angle that the antenna panels are facing is no longer controlled, so is unpredictable. At that point, the Heavens-Above page no longer issues predictions. It's also possible the orbital height changes as well. They are so unmistakable, and I've seen two unpredicted ones at random.<br /><br />There are also other satellites and rocket bodies that can flare from reflective surfaces that would normally be below the cutoff brightness H-A uses.<br /><br />A satellite of some kind still seems like the best possibilty. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

I even looked up the orbit height. (~ 780 km).<br />Good thing I checked in before the coffee finished brewing <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[heyscottie]

I'm not sure why we're focused on Iridium flares here. The poster's comments seem to rule that out. The object did not seem to move, AND seemed to last too long to be an Iridium.<br /><br />I might normally suggest a geosynchronous satellite flare, as they can look like this, but this was not in the right region of the sky for that to occur.<br /><br />There is another, more plausible possibility:<br /><br />Landing lights of an aircraft, one that is far off, could look just like what you describe. At the time you mention, the big dipper was straddling the horizon, so I assume that this object was also somewhat low on the horizon, more or less to the north. As the aircraft sweeps its landing lights in your direction as it flies a slow arc, it will appear to wax greatly. Since when it is illuminating most directly at you it is also flying most directly at you, it will not appear to move. As it continues in its arc, the light will wane and disappear. The plane is too far away for you to see its flashing wing lights, so you do not recognize it as a plane. You can only see the bright landing lights, and only when they are pointed at you.<br /><br />I've been fooled by the same thing myself. This is far more likely than an Iridium flare.<br /><br />Scott

 

[MeteorWayne]

That certainly is possible.<br />I also thought of reflections off of aircraft windows, but over an hour after sunset, and appearing in the NW, that seemed unlikely<br /><br />And just to clear up a misconception from the original post.<br />Novae do not last seconds, they last days and weeks and months. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[rblock7]

I have observed the aircraft phenom before and I could clearly see the star next to it. As the corena faded the start next to it also dimmed and was barely visible. <br /><br />I live in South Florida and from my perspective it was south of me, and to the left of the big dipper. It was a perfect circle of light flaring where I had observed a pair of what appeared to be a staionary stars. <br /><br />It appeared in the area east of ANKAA, and slightly below DIPHDA, thanks for all the feedback its been very interesting.<br /><br />

 

[rblock7]

Please see the attached Winstar for location of where I observed this this is from Winstar2...<br /><br />

 

[rblock7]

I should have posted the Winstar data prior but I just pulled my scope out of its box yesterday afternoon and havent even been thru all its bells and whistles. I looked at SLOOH to schedule time but its pretty thin on availibility for when this area is above the horizion....<br /><br />I wont have all my photo equipment for another few days but will defintely revisit and post pics if I find anything.<br /><br />Thanks to all again for all the feedback<br /><br />

 

[yevaud]

Oddly, there is a recent Nova (not Supernovae, the more routine kind), but not located at/near Ursa Minor:<br /><br />Nova Sagitii 2007<br /><br />(For everyone's personal knowledge, not in answer to this thread) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[thamior]

Clear me up here real quick. A Supernova is when a star (I believe only massive stars such as red supergiants) reaches the end of its life-span and explodes causing gas and dust to expand for months, years (not really sure). But what is a Nova exactly? Is it the same thing just on a much smaller scale?? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>--What is the truth but a wisp of truly un-attainable information.  There is no absolute truth anyways, only false perceptions and misgivings.--     </p> </div>

 

[heyscottie]

I'm sorry if I'm a little confused. The place you mention in the sky is almost opposite in the sky from the Big Dipper. Something "to the left of the Big Dipper" is north of you at that time.<br /><br />In the location you mention, then a geosynchronous satellite flare is possible, as it is more or less above the equator.