My boyfriend says its a satellite moving from one spot to another, but I really want to know what it is! It's not like a shooting star, since those fade off. This actually moves from point A to point B.
2007-06-18 17:45:32 · 5 answers · asked by Beatrice V 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Well this could be a couple of things. It is not totally uncommon to see meteors. These can occur during times even when there is not a meteor shower. This could also be a satellite crossing your sky. Many of them are easily visible with the naked eye do to reflected sunlight. The way you can tell is that the object will generally move across the sky in a straight line. Then it will dim and fade as it moves out of the suns light. If it is a meteor it will burn up very quickly almost as soon as you see it.
2007-06-18 17:56:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One way to check and see if it is indeed a satellite is to note the direction of travel. 99% of satelites move in a Easterly ( though rarely EXACTLY) direction. A meteor only lasts a few seconds and quickly brighten until it fades at the end, but a satellite can last a minute or more, and will hold a steady intensity.
2007-06-18 17:58:07 · answer #2 · answered by Russell M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's moving faster than stars but still pretty slow and steady, with a steady amount of light, you're looking at a satellite. If it's fast and changes in brightness quickly, it's a meteorite - dust and rocks hitting the atmosphere and burning up.
2007-06-18 17:51:45 · answer #3 · answered by eri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it is moving really fast, it is a meteor. By fast I mean one second and it is gone. If it takes a couple minutes to cross the sky, it is a satellite. Or maybe an airplane.
2007-06-18 17:50:45 · answer #4 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
International Space Station, Satellite, or Space Shuttle. If it DOES fade away, you got yourself a meteorite.
2007-06-18 17:48:39 · answer #5 · answered by Walter . 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋