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raydar
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Strange Object
      #1437856 - 02/21/07 08:40 AM Attachment (301 downloads)

I shot this photo on Monday night. It is a 30 minute exposure of The Southern Cross.

This comet looking object appeared and lingered for an hour in the sky.

Does anyone know what it is?

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ClownFishModerator
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: raydar]
      #1437890 - 02/21/07 08:56 AM

wo.... I think that may a near head-on meteor?

What a fantastic capture! If it is a meteor, this is another for Astro Photo of the day!!!

CF

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Jeremy@za
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: ClownFish]
      #1437899 - 02/21/07 09:04 AM

If it lingered for an hour it must have been gaseous in nature. Meteor or small icy body that burned out in the upper atmosphere?

Clownfish: Would a sattelite retro burn lurk around that long? And be that large? That's a huge area of the sky it's present over, about 10 degrees or so? Surely it would disperse?

I've seen meteors fly through that region, but never any satellites, though I guess there must be polar synchronous satellites.

(Edited to add: I'm ashamed to say it took me 3 minutes to find Crux there. *draws with toe in the sand* )

i'm stumped!
J

Edited by Jeremy@za (02/21/07 09:06 AM)


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Tim in GA
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Jeremy@za]
      #1437906 - 02/21/07 09:09 AM

See here.

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ClownFishModerator
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Jeremy@za]
      #1437910 - 02/21/07 09:11 AM

I thought about the sat retro, but then again I do not think this is that.

The total exposure was 30 minutes, but a meteor flash would only be a second or two, while the trail could lingure on a while longer.. but an hour?

I think it's a near edge on meteor, starting at the fine end and then the vapor trail drifting off slightly causing the fuzy end. I do not know what would cause this thing to stay visible for an hour.

CF

Edited by ClownFish (02/21/07 09:21 AM)


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ClownFishModerator
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: ClownFish]
      #1437915 - 02/21/07 09:13 AM

WOoHoo!!!! Thanks Tim!

Now do I feel like a fool! BOOM!!!!

AWSOME catch Ray!!! That's a world class, once' in a life-time catch!!! Amazing!!!! Have the Russians contacted you yet?



CF

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Tim in GA
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: ClownFish]
      #1437919 - 02/21/07 09:15 AM

No problem. That's a very cool shot Ray!

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Scott BeithAdministrator
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Tim in GA]
      #1437929 - 02/21/07 09:23 AM

Outstanding!

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Jeremy@za
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Tim in GA]
      #1437938 - 02/21/07 09:31 AM

Heh, cool. Awesome catch, Ray

J

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Olivier Biot
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Scott Beith]
      #1437941 - 02/21/07 09:32 AM

Now also on Space Weather! Congrats!

Cheers

Olivier

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Pasquale
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Olivier Biot]
      #1438210 - 02/21/07 11:38 AM

That's right up there with Paul Rix's Space Station / Shuttle shot... Fantastic!

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Glassthrower
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Pasquale]
      #1438237 - 02/21/07 11:50 AM



Awesome shot.

I would have that enlarged and professionally framed to hang on the observatory wall.



MikeG

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Tom TrusockAdministrator

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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Glassthrower]
      #1438270 - 02/21/07 12:09 PM

Amazing!!

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spaceydee
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Tom Trusock]
      #1438376 - 02/21/07 01:07 PM

Beautiful shot, wow!

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Marc Wiley
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: raydar]
      #1438404 - 02/21/07 01:18 PM

Wow,

Nice Picture, very impressive.

Marc


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sputnik&mir
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Marc Wiley]
      #1438652 - 02/21/07 03:08 PM

The odds of catching such a photograph are incalculable ... once a lifetime, to be generous. Wow!

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Dipole
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: sputnik&mir]
      #1438742 - 02/21/07 03:58 PM

Wow! Freaking outstanding!

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skyview
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Dipole]
      #1438827 - 02/21/07 04:45 PM

Giggle.

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Frankv
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: skyview]
      #1438921 - 02/21/07 05:29 PM

Amazing catch

As Mike G said, print it and hang it on a wall.

Regards,

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AleX`G
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Frankv]
      #1438931 - 02/21/07 05:37 PM

It would be a nice shot anyway but what a lucky bugger hey.
I spose these things are happening more often now theres more junk in space.
Good job!



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kraterkid
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: AleX`G]
      #1439023 - 02/21/07 06:18 PM

Amazing!

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Amalia

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Re: Strange Object new [Re: kraterkid]
      #1439057 - 02/21/07 06:32 PM

Bravo!

Amalia

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lawrie
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Amalia]
      #1439242 - 02/21/07 07:47 PM

Incredible image, simply amazing

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Pat42
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: lawrie]
      #1439422 - 02/21/07 09:16 PM

Awesome job

Patrick

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Mattbtn
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: raydar]
      #1439558 - 02/21/07 10:21 PM

Absolutely terrific shot Ray! Good to know you didn't decide to image something else that night huh?



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tcraig
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Mattbtn]
      #1439736 - 02/22/07 12:07 AM



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daniels
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: tcraig]
      #1439805 - 02/22/07 01:14 AM

It made it to APOD. Congrats m8!

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ClownFishModerator
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: daniels]
      #1439845 - 02/22/07 02:03 AM

Woohoo!!!!

CF

--------------------



Keep it simple, keep it cheap! Meade LXD75 SN8, Orion Guidescope, Olympus OM-1 and STI Stiletto. Celestron 15x70 Binos and SkyWindow. Learn all about POLAR ALIGNMENT with my Drift Method Tutorial and simulator!!


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Claire Lee
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: ClownFish]
      #1440007 - 02/22/07 06:15 AM

WOW that's amazing, congratulations!! I got goosebumps when I saw that pic


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Daniel
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Claire Lee]
      #1440098 - 02/22/07 07:52 AM

Goes to show how the stars above us can shine on the meek.

That shot is a one in a Billion.... Absolutely Awesome.

Great job!!

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kestrel0222
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: Daniel]
      #1440249 - 02/22/07 09:31 AM

Awesome!!! It doesn't get any better then that!!! Great shot!!

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SGT500
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Re: Strange Object new [Re: kestrel0222]
      #1440394 - 02/22/07 11:04 AM

your on Apod!!!!!!! Congrats

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raydar