EPO Astro Club Photo Gallery

Geosat Flares

J.-L. Dighaye


Camera: Leica Minilux, 40 mm f/2.4
Film: Kodak Royal Gold 1000
Location: 48 13'N - 8 15'E - 440m


Geostationary satellites may produce naked-eye flares when their solar panels specularly reflect sunlight in an observer's direction. The pictures below were taken on 8 Oct 2000. A roll of 24 pictures was exposed between 2:08 and 3:40 UT. Here are some of the results:

PictureStartDurationF-NumberComments
6 2:20 100 s 2.4 Lower right circle: Intelsat VA-F11 ?
9 2:28 100 s 2.4 Upper left circle: Intelsat V-F6
15 2:52 100 s 4 Upper left circle: Intelsat V-F4 ?
22 3:36 100 s 4 Left circle: unidentified, max. +3 mag
24 3:40 100 s 4 Right circle: Intelsat V-F3 ?





Picture 6: Lower right circle: Intelsat VA-F11 ?



Picture 9: Upper left circle: Intelsat V-F6



Picture 15: Upper left circle: Intelsat V-F4 ?



Picture 22: Left circle: unidentified, max. +3 mag



Picture 24: Right circle: Intelsat V-F3 ?





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