bluewalker

[+Ariberna]

Today passed the Bluewalker

 

https://heavens-above.com/passdetails.aspx?lat=42.3145&lng=-7.8851&loc=A+Valenzá&alt=0&tz=CET&satid=53807&mjd=59969.8197112517&type=V

 

In one photo with a plane too

 

[+Max and 99]

How fun!

[+ScroogieII]

Not being by any stretch of the imagination "Up To Date" on such things, now all I need is for someone to clue me in on just what "Bluewalker" actually IS!!   

 

... AND ... Could this mean that we are now short one category?

Keith

[+kunarion]

1 hour ago, ScroogieII said:

Not being by any stretch of the imagination "Up To Date" on such things, now all I need is for someone to clue me in on just what "Bluewalker" actually IS!!   

 

... AND ... Could this mean that we are now short one category?

Keith

 

Bluewalker is the first steps to a communications satellite system with huge flat reflective panels.  BlueWalker 3 - AST SpaceMobile | AST SpaceMobile (ast-science.com).  Its reflection is bright as the brightest star at times, but ISS is a lot brighter.  So were the old Iridium satellites.

I found out about its existence from this thread.  It currently remains just about the height of the horizon here (Atlanta), not sure if its orbit brings it higher for a better view.

 

Edited January 27, 2023 by kunarion

[+ScroogieII]

On 1/26/2023 at 6:08 PM, kunarion said:

 

Bluewalker is the first steps to a communications satellite system with huge flat reflective panels.  BlueWalker 3 - AST SpaceMobile | AST SpaceMobile (ast-science.com).  Its reflection is bright as the brightest star at times, but ISS is a lot brighter.  So were the old Iridium satellites.

I found out about its existence from this thread.  It currently remains just about the height of the horizon here (Atlanta), not sure if its orbit brings it higher for a better view.

 

 

Well, thank you, kunarion, for the edification.

Its altitude of "just about the height of the horizon here (Atlanta)" could/would/should mean that it's not something I would have had the privilege of viewing lately, even if I had been scouring the night skies in times recent, which I haven't been.

You see, I'm in Canucky Land.

Moreover, to the south of me is a pretty good sized hill/mountain, requiring that an earth orbiting object, or ANY object, for that matter, should it present itself primarily in southern skies, must elevate itself a good 15 or so degrees skyward to become visible here.

AAMOF, I've lived within hills and mountains for so long that, as best I can recall, the only time I've actually seen The Horizon in many years was last August, when a friend and myself took an all too brief Jaunt To Alberta.

But, until we/I learn more about Bluewalker's projected trajectory, it shall remain a myth here in the Great White North.

Keith

Edited January 28, 2023 by ScroogieII