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Iridiums are a constellation of communication satellites which predictably flare up to -8 magnitude.

2003/4/26 21:39 EDT Iridium 84 flares up above Bootes. From Green Tree, Pittsburgh. Nikon coolpix 995 camera, 8 seconds, F2.6, f8.2mm, ISO800, noise reduction on.

2002/5/4 22:24 EDT A -8 magnitude Iridium flare during AAAP star party at Wagman observatory, Pittsburgh.  Nikon Coolpix 995 camera, 20.1s, F2.6, f8.2mm, ISO400.
2002/5/4 22:24 EDT A -8 magnitude Iridium flare during AAAP star party at Wagman observatory, Pittsburgh. Nikon Coolpix 995 camera, 20.1s, F2.6, f8.2mm, ISO400.

Iridium 43, magnitude -8, over backyard trees, sky was a little hazy.  2001/4/14 21:16 EDT. From Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh.  Fuji 800 negative film, 10 second exposure, 35mm/f4.
Iridium 43, magnitude -8, over backyard trees, sky was a little hazy. 2001/4/14 21:16 EDT. From Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. Fuji 800 negative film, 10 second exposure, 35mm/f4.

Iridium 62, magnitude -7, behind trees.  2001/1/12 18:43 EST. From Shenley park, Pittsburgh.  Fuji 800 negative film, 15 second exposure, 35mm/f2.8.
Iridium 62, magnitude -7, behind trees. 2001/1/12 18:43 EST. From Shenley park, Pittsburgh. Fuji 800 negative film, 15 second exposure, 35mm/f2.8.

Iridium flare (Iridium 14, magnitude -7) from backyard in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh.  The brightest star near the top is Deneb (Alpha Cygni).  The sky is bright grey due to the light pollution from the city.  2000/7/13 23:43 EDT. 50mm/f5.6, 34 seconds exposure, Fuji 800 negative film.
Iridium flare (Iridium 14, magnitude -7) from backyard in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. The brightest star near the top is Deneb (Alpha Cygni). The sky is bright grey due to the light pollution from the city. 2000/7/13 23:43 EDT. 50mm/f5.6, 34 seconds exposure, Fuji 800 negative film.

Iridium flare from backyard in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh.  2000/6/10 22:03 EDT.  50mm/f5.6, 30 seconds exposure, Kodak 400 negative film.
Iridium flare from backyard in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. 2000/6/10 22:03 EDT. 50mm/f5.6, 30 seconds exposure, Kodak 400 negative film.

Iridium flare (Iridium 12) from backyard in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh.  2000/5/15 23:20 EDT. 50mm/f4, 33 seconds exposure, Kodak 400 negative film.
Iridium flare (Iridium 12) from backyard in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. 2000/5/15 23:20 EDT. 50mm/f4, 33 seconds exposure, Kodak 400 negative film.

99/7/24 21:23:00 An Iridium flare lasted 5 seconds.  Brighter than Venus.  White.  I made the sketch.
99/7/24 21:23:00 An Iridium flare lasted 5 seconds. Brighter than Venus. White. I made the sketch.
99/7/14 23:05:00 local time (Pittsburgh, UT-4). First sight of Iridium flare. A red dot in low western sky, it moved horizontally to north, brighten similar to Venus in 10 seconds, color became yellow-white. Faded in another 10 seconds. The sky was quite hazy.

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All images by Jerry Xiaojin Zhu unless noted otherwise. Feel free to use them for your personal enjoyment. For other usage please contact the author at jerryzhu@gmail.com