MovieChat Forums > Aloha (2015) Discussion > "Summer of the Iridium Flares"

"Summer of the Iridium Flares"


As a major Space Buff, this film made me smile right from the opening credits.
It's so rare that non-Sci-Fi works make any mention of NASA or the like.

Of course, now I have to nit-pick...

When Brian tells Ng about when his father bought him his first telescope in 1983, the "Summer of the Iridium Flares," he describes them as "the glint of the first satellites. A lot of 'em are dead now, but still streaking across the sky, picking up the light of the Sun."

Wrong on several levels...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_satellite_constellation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_flare

Since the system went online in the 90s, I'd been hearing about these "Iridium Flares," but had never seen one until I got my first smartphone last year, and installed an app called "ISS Detector," which told me exactly where in the sky to look and the exact time (Y'know, cuz, they only last for a couple seconds).
Now, I'm addicted to these sightings!

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That is truly fascinating information. I wouldn't mind an app like that for my phone, but living in the city I doubt I'd be able to see a flare.

http://thinkingoutloud-descartes.blogspot.com/

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I live in Los Angeles, so trust me on this: They can get really bright!
They look like little supernovae.
Just look for passes with magnitudes of -4 to -8.

Go register a free account at this site...
http://www.heavens-above.com
...and set your Home location, to get you started.
(Of course, a smartphone app will just use your GPS location.)

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Thanks, I'll give it a try! I live in San Diego, so I figure if you can see the flares, maybe I can too.

http://thinkingoutloud-descartes.blogspot.com/

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Total nerd complaint. Lol

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