New Satellite “Mayak” Might Light Up the Sky.

"Russia's first crowd-funded satellite, named Mayak (Russian for "beacon of light"), promises to be the “brightest object in the night sky next to the Moon.”

It's now in orbit and awaiting deployment. Seems it won't be up long though:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronom ... light-sky/

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Brian
52.3N 0.6W
Wellingborough UK.
254mm LX90 on Superwedge, WO ZS66SD, Helios 102mm f5 on EQ1, Hunter 11x80, Pentax 10x50
ASI120MC Toucam Pros 740k/840k/900nc mono, Pentax K110D
Ro-Ro roof shed

Mmm, interesting article. I often think (rather whimsically) that it's a shame the sky everywhere can't be made into a World Heritage Site and protected from monstrous developments and loony lighting. Bob

I reckon if Putin is sent up into low Earth orbit wearing a white dinner suit, he might be visible with the unaided eyes.
Maybe reading a broadsheet party newspaper for extra brightness.

Regards,
David

Observers looking out for this "beacon" have so far only reported not seeing it. Maybe it's a damp squib

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Brian
52.3N 0.6W
Wellingborough UK.
254mm LX90 on Superwedge, WO ZS66SD, Helios 102mm f5 on EQ1, Hunter 11x80, Pentax 10x50
ASI120MC Toucam Pros 740k/840k/900nc mono, Pentax K110D
Ro-Ro roof shed

Seems the reflector failed to deploy
http://spaceflight101.com/soyuz-kanopus ... reflector/
Watch out for further attempts .....

_________________
Brian
52.3N 0.6W
Wellingborough UK.
254mm LX90 on Superwedge, WO ZS66SD, Helios 102mm f5 on EQ1, Hunter 11x80, Pentax 10x50
ASI120MC Toucam Pros 740k/840k/900nc mono, Pentax K110D
Ro-Ro roof shed

It'll give them something to reflect on.

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brian