Sun, 06/02/2013 - 16:18
Summary... Possible NOVA in Urs Min at 0556:33 UT
I have a MacBook Pro, but Ctr + V doesn't seem to work for me in this window. Suggestions ??
I'll also convert to .pdf and attempt to attach as a .pdf file
As Ever, Orin Keplinger
Garden Prairie, IL 61038
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Hi,
I offer my condolences on the death of Father Gregory.
It sounds like you saw an Iridium flare, which is a brief and very bright reflection from an Iridium communications satellite; a brief description is available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_flare. If you go to www.heavens-above.com, there is a tool which predicts the times at which iridium flares will occur as seen from a particular location on a given date. To use this tool, it's very important to have accurate coordinates for the site at which you spotted the transient.
A nova would last for much longer than a few seconds, and it would be unusual for a nova to occur in Ursa Minor, which is well above the galactic plane.
Best Regards,
Colin