Length of the camera's sensor = 2048 pixelsįocal length of the lens for this photo = 51.48 millimeters Length of the camera's sensor = 5.27 millimeters Length of the satellite's mirror (antenna) = 8 feet The photo of the Iridium satellite, along with some obtuse math, can be used to demonstrate that diigital cameras do adjust contrast and sharpening (when not using 'RAW' recording.) Starting with the original photo and knowing several other approximate numbers:Īltitude (height) of the satellite = 483 miles above the earthĪltitude (angle) of the satellite = 63º at point of observation The following discussion is pretty weird, so if it's not to your taste please just ignore it. Reduction that kicks in for long exposures. Only get one chance! I am very pleased with the S1's noise This exercise was fun, but very challenging.

Setup (finally!) because it's very hard to get the camera pointedĬorrectly, especially with the optical zoom out near the maximum Photo is straight out of the camera except for sizing it down toĦ40 pixels width for display here. Time allowance for delays) to trip the shutter. ± 1 second of the correct time, and used an infrared remote (with I'd premeasured all the angles of my tripod setup during theĭaylight, synched my digital watch and my camera's clock to within The 'official' sunset was 27 minutes earlier. Twilight.' The track of the satellite is from top to bottom which This photo was taken with my Canon S1 IS at almost exactly 'civil Theįlare in my photo had an astronomical magnitude of -8 at my Precise lattitude and longitude, the same website offers aĬalculator that will predict flare visibility at your location. The location, time, and brightness of Iridium flares. The orbit and orientation of these satellites are Believe it or not, these are occasionally visible even The flares areĬommon, but very bright ones don't appear often at any given Surface of an Iridium communications satellite. Iridium Flare is the sunlight reflection from the flat antenna I've been trying for months to get a photo of an Iridium Flare. Time Zone: Central Standard Time (GMT - 6:00) You only get one chance! I am very pleased with the S1's noise reduction that kicks in for long exposures. I got very lucky with my camera setup (finally!) because it's very hard to get the camera pointed correctly, especially with the optical zoom out near the maximum (this was 8.9X). This uncropped photo is straight out of the camera except for sizing it down to 640 pixels width for display here. I'd premeasured all the angles of my tripod setup during the daylight, synched my digital watch and my camera's clock to within ± 1 second of the correct time, and used an infrared remote (with time allowance for delays) to trip the shutter.

This photo was taken with my Canon S1 IS at almost exactly 'civil twilight.' The track of the satellite is from top to bottom which is north to south. The flare in my photo had an astronomical magnitude of -8 at my location. If you know your precise lattitude and longitude, the same website offers a calculator that will predict flare visibility at your location.

This makes it possible to predict the location, time, and brightness of Iridium flares. The orbit and orientation of these satellites are known to very high precision. Believe it or not, these are occasionally visible even in the daylight. The flares are common, but very bright ones don't appear often at any given location. An Iridium Flare is the sunlight reflection from the flat antenna surface of an Iridium communications satellite.