Star got real bright then dull

This morning about 5.15 AM my son woke me up got him back to sleep.Looked out of the window just looking at the stars still dark at that time in UK.It was clear sky then one of the stars got real bright ive seen planets with the naked eye this was much brighter then just went dull.I watched it for half an hour did not happen again.All i want to know is this surpose to happen.





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[edit on 10/29/2008 by kinglizard]

[edit on 29-10-2008 by mars1]

I saw something like that day before yesterday, It started out as a huge ball of red light. it looked like fire, it moved slowly and dimmed as it moved. it then made a "turn" towards the south. (im central west coast US) and fizzed out.

I wrote it off as a space shuttle. then went to bed.

Atmospheric conditions. Light and pollution in the air, and the star shining through the atmosphere as the rotation of the earth changes, cause all sorts of things. Stars don't really twinkle. It's the atmosphere that causes it to look like they do.

To be honest why did you post this on the ufo subforum?
I mean are you trying to get attention for this and for people to say its a UFO..because thats what it looks like, this really should be moved to space exploration. I dont know why you posted it here, unless of course you want people to convince you that it was a ufo.

Removed quote

[edit on 29-10-2008 by dbates]

It was a star did not move position and if it was the atmosphere why the over stars not do the same it got real bright.

reply to post by Anonymous ATS


I am sorry if its in the wrong place how do i move it thanks.

Originally posted by mars1
It was a star did not move position and if it was the atmosphere why the over stars not do the same it got real bright.

Do we have a translator in the house?

I can't make heads or tails of this statement.

It is called scintillation (twinkling) and results from atmospheric refraction, which can be caused by a number of different things. Its always a neat effect to witness!


MedLine

Just forget it i wish i never posted mods please close this thread.

[edit on 29-10-2008 by mars1]

Originally posted by mars1
Just forget it i wish i never posted mods please close this thread.

[edit on 29-10-2008 by mars1]

Maybe if you wish upon the bright twinkling star, it will happen.

How long did it take to brighten, and how long did it take to fade?

What you saw might be explained by viewing a meteor head on... usually this lasts no longer than 1-2 seconds, but 20 or more seconds is possible, though extremely unlikely. Meteors are abundant at the moment, so it is possible, though rare to see a "point-meteor".

Check out my thread on meteors here, and the example of a near point-meteor that I linked too towards the end of the thread: www.abovetopsecret.com...

edit to add - if it was moving slowly at the time, a glint from a satellite is also a very real possibility.

[edit on 29-10-2008 by C.H.U.D.]

Originally posted by mars1
This morning about 5.15 AM - - - - - one of the stars got real bright - - - - - then just went dull. I watched it for half an hour did not happen again.

If you can be a little more specific it should be easy to identify what you saw. Where do you live? (Town/city will do). What direction were you looking? (East, West, North or South). I suggest you get up early again and check to see if this bright object is still visible. Bright stars and planets stay around the same area of sky long enough to see them several days apart.
Post the location details and I'll check what the charts have to say.

WG3

reply to post by malignant_tumor


Look i never said it was a ufo it looked like a star i know stars twinkle but it got very bright i just wanted to know if it was normal thats all sorry if i effend you.

reply to post by mars1


I never said that you said it was a UFO.

Let's just let it go.

reply to post by waveguide3


Sheffield uk nw thanks waveguid3 it went bright then dull in amater of about 10 seconds no time to get pic.

[edit on 29-10-2008 by mars1]

reply to post by malignant_tumor


Sorry it was anonymous not you my mess up did not mean it.

reply to post by FlyersFan


Only HALF true.
While it is true that Earths atmosphere can distort stars, and light pollution and general pollution can distort stars, their twinkling isn't solely caused by this.

Light travels in waves, and the twinkling is a result of that.

Sheesh.

reply to post by C.H.U.D.


Lasted about 10 seconds but when it went dull it was still there did not move

Originally posted by mars1Sheffield uk nw thanks

OK. None of the brightest stars are visible in that direction from Sheffield and certainly none of the planets. Sirius is hanging very low in the South and that looks quite spectactular in the early morning. Obviously we're not talking about Sirius here, so it's something transient. The most likely explanation is an Iridium satellite flare. These are caused by a group of satellites (the Iridiums) which regularly flare very brightly as they rotate and catch the sun below the horizon.
I checked with the Heavens Above Website and notice several visible from Sheffield in a Northerly direction, but somewhat earlier than your timing. The visibility of the Iridium flares varies a good lot according to your exact location, so it would be better to visit the site yourself and enter the coordinates exactly. You can get sightings for the coming ten days and 48 hours past, so you have to check quickly.

The Iridium Flares can be an amazing sight for anyone not expecting them. They can flare to -8 magnitude, which makes them the brightest thing in the sky (other than the moon of course). They can be brighter than any planet or star, but only last for a few seconds before fading away. I'm pretty sure you saw an Iridium. Check for the next sightings and watch out on a clear evening or morning. Be amazed.

WG3

I have seen those before here in california usa they are really weird. But if you see enough of them closer together it may be meteor dust burning up in the atmosphere. This is the time of year for one belt of dust and small ones to come through mabe you saw one.