2006-09-11 09:56:57 · 17 answers · asked by mick f 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Yes. A series of Satellites with iridium coatings on their "wings" (solar panels) are extremely efficient mirrors. When one of these satellites passes overhead, you get a moment where the mirrors line up with the sun and create a brightening (refered to as an iridium flare). The brightest of these can be several times brighter than even Venus at its brightest, although the flare is very short lived.
Also, any clear night you can lay down and look straight up at the sky. If you watch one small area of the sky for a while you will see one tiny star moving against the pattern of remaining stars. Most of the ones moving north to south (or south to north) are satellites.
2006-09-11 10:02:34 · answer #1 · answered by mn_star_jon 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can.
There are a lot of low earth orbit satellites that are easy to see. Just look at the sky on any night and eventually you will see an object looking like a fast moving star. That is a satellite.
The Iridium flare that someone else mentioned is actually a reflection of sun light of the Main Mission Antennas on an Iridium network satellite. The axis of the satellite is kept pointing straight at the center of the earth and the antennas are angled at 40 degrees to the satellite axis. The antennas are covered with silver coated Teflon for thermal purposes which makes them highly reflective.
If you search for Iridium Flare on the web you will be able to find free programs that predict when you can see one.
2006-09-11 10:21:17 · answer #2 · answered by Stewart H 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can up to a few hours after sunset. That in when the sun has set from your point of view but the satellite is high enough to be still lit up by sunlight. They look like a star move across the sky usually from West to East. The can also suddenly disappear as they move into Earth's shadow.
2006-09-11 10:27:40 · answer #3 · answered by MMac 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. You see them all the time in Newfoundlnd, where the skies are nice and dark. If you stopped out in the middle of the Great Salt Desert wst of Salt Lake City, you could probably have a nice spotting session.
The best time is just after full dark, or just before dawn. That is when the sunlight overhead in space would be closest to the atmosphere. You can only see them when sunlight blinks off their surfaces.
2006-09-11 13:18:27 · answer #4 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes you can, coz i have seen about two in two different times , they move fast, you need to be lucky to see them. I know there are lots of satallites out there. I dont mean that you can see all of them. But you can see one or two if you are lucky in a clear night sky.
2006-09-11 10:11:41 · answer #5 · answered by Rob 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if the satellite is big enough.
The Echo satellites were viewed by millions on Earth in the 1960's.
2006-09-11 11:01:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can see them..... Many of them move in a North-South direction. To see them well, you'll have to be away from cities and large light sources. Out in the country by a lake is real good. They will move pretty fast.... and track across the sky in a minute or two. Check the website....>>>>
2006-09-11 10:08:23 · answer #7 · answered by dathinman8 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
by human satellites do you mean like the international space station? if so, it can be seen at certain times with the naked eye... listen out for the news bulletins for when it can be seen, I see it only a few weeks ago.
2006-09-11 10:00:45 · answer #8 · answered by Kelvin B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can. Look for a fast moving light. It will look like a star.
Theres loads to be seen.
2006-09-11 09:59:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
yes you can it looks like a fast moving star theres loads out there
2006-09-11 10:00:14 · answer #10 · answered by ck12321212 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋