[AstroNet] Reporting an observation

[Willie Koorts]

Hi Vic 

If I may dare a reply, this could of course have been a number of things (apart from an explosion). Although you say it was not moving, the fact that it was of short duration is probably most likely a glint off a flat surface of a high altitude satellite which is otherwise invisible, being too faint. I have seen similar events before. Even geostationary satellites can produce naked eye flashes if the circumstances are good. 

Regards 
Willie 

----- Original Message -----

| From: "Vic Viviers" <vicviviers at telkomsa.net>
| To: astronet at mail.saasta.ac.za
| Sent: Thursday, 5 January, 2012 8:09:29 PM
| Subject: [AstroNet] Reporting an observation

| Reporting an observation
| Good day all
| As a new member I wish to report something extraordinary that I have
| seen during the night on 2 January 2012 at +- 3:00:
| While I was lying awake looking at the stars as usual through my
| window towards the south-western sky there was a bright flash [not
| moving] that lasted for a split second at the point I was looking
| at. I have never seen anything like this before and was wondering
| whether I have observed an explosion of some heavenly object.
| Is there perhaps an explanation for this?
| I would like to hear from you.
| Regards
| Vic Viviers
| ____________________________
| PO Box/Posbus 10, Sedgefield 6573
| Tel 044 883 1019
| Cell/Sel 082 459 7413
| Fax 086 633 1867
| @ vicviviers at telkomsa.net

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-- 

Mr. W.P. Koorts ( wpk at saao.ac.za ) 
South African Astronomical Observatory 
P.O. Box 9, Observatory, 7935, South Africa 
Tel.(27) (21) 460 9334 Fax.(27) (21) 447 3639 
World Wide Web (Work) http://www.saao.ac.za 
World Wide Web ( Personal ) http://wpk.saao.ac.za 
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