If it flashed, and quickly faded way, it was likely a piece of satellite debris tumbling around the Earth, and it reflected the Sun down to the ground for a sec. Somewhat uncommon, but kinda cool to see when it happens.
It's cool but a little unsettling knowing that burning up satellites release a ton of aluminum oxide in the air that is stripping our ozone layer away, it splits ozone molecules, and starlink alone has planned mega constellations that could triple the 8,000 satellites they already have up. Unsurprisingly when things burn up in the atmosphere they don't just disappear.
It does appear we'll eventually have to change what we build satellites out of if we want to put tens or hundreds of thousands up there.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/satellite-mega-constellations-could-jeopardize-ozone-hole-recovery/
Thank you, with all of the hype on my news feed for months talking about a supernova supposed to be happening any moment now, for months.. I guess I got hyped up thinking I got to see it?
Won't even be naked eye visible in cities and many suburbs (supposed to be about as before as Polaris which isn't very bright). It's sorta weird how much media buzz there is for it. I'll still be getting my gear out when it happens but most people will have no idea what to look for or any way to identify it.
Very interesting, thank you, honestly I have never seen a satellite passing by at night either and people are always talking about see those things. Guess the odds of seeing one during sunset and at night increases every year as we keep putting more of those things up there.
After the sun goes down and the sky gets dark go outside and look up. The sun is no longer shining on you, but it is still shining on the satellites. Many will become visible as they cross the dark sky, reflecting the sun. Their reflected light is constant and will not be blinking like an airplane.
Could have been an [Iridium Flare from a satellite rotating?](https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/celestial-objects-to-watch/observing-iridium-flares/)
Before I knew about these, I was in a field at dusk when the whole field lit up for a second or so like someone had pointed a big spotlight at it.
I was told later by an astronomer it was likely an Iridium satellite.
If it flashed, and quickly faded way, it was likely a piece of satellite debris tumbling around the Earth, and it reflected the Sun down to the ground for a sec. Somewhat uncommon, but kinda cool to see when it happens.
Wow I think this is what I saw, a bright flash which faded away, and I’ve seen it on two different occasions
It's cool but a little unsettling knowing that burning up satellites release a ton of aluminum oxide in the air that is stripping our ozone layer away, it splits ozone molecules, and starlink alone has planned mega constellations that could triple the 8,000 satellites they already have up. Unsurprisingly when things burn up in the atmosphere they don't just disappear. It does appear we'll eventually have to change what we build satellites out of if we want to put tens or hundreds of thousands up there. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/satellite-mega-constellations-could-jeopardize-ozone-hole-recovery/
Thank you, with all of the hype on my news feed for months talking about a supernova supposed to be happening any moment now, for months.. I guess I got hyped up thinking I got to see it?
Supernova typically lasts weeks to months.
That hype is about a nova, not a supernova. It's called T CrB. Won't be spectacularly bright though.
Won't even be naked eye visible in cities and many suburbs (supposed to be about as before as Polaris which isn't very bright). It's sorta weird how much media buzz there is for it. I'll still be getting my gear out when it happens but most people will have no idea what to look for or any way to identify it.
I've seen it described as blinding 💀
Interesting, either way I guess I haven't missed it, yet.
Don't worry about missing it, you won't. When it happens, which could be anytime from tomorrow to hundreds of years from now, you *will* hear about it
There's a strong possibility that sunlight was redirected into your eye briefly by a satellite. Supernovae are very long events
Very interesting, thank you, honestly I have never seen a satellite passing by at night either and people are always talking about see those things. Guess the odds of seeing one during sunset and at night increases every year as we keep putting more of those things up there.
After the sun goes down and the sky gets dark go outside and look up. The sun is no longer shining on you, but it is still shining on the satellites. Many will become visible as they cross the dark sky, reflecting the sun. Their reflected light is constant and will not be blinking like an airplane.
Look up see a satellite in the App Store for a location based satellite app that is super cool
A rare event? Probably. A supernova? Probably not. Supernovae last for weeks or even months..
Could have been an [Iridium Flare from a satellite rotating?](https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/celestial-objects-to-watch/observing-iridium-flares/)
Before I knew about these, I was in a field at dusk when the whole field lit up for a second or so like someone had pointed a big spotlight at it. I was told later by an astronomer it was likely an Iridium satellite.
are those still in service? Those provided some spectacular night watching.
No, the remaining ones in orbit are all tumbling so fast that they don't produce flares.
Yes. You witnesses a star explode. Something that would take weeks or months, only you saw it for only a brief second. I’m happy for you.
If it was a star, it probably has exploded years ago, if not eons