Astronomy/What am i seeing

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Expert: - 4/8/2006


Question
As im relaxing in bed about to nod off. I ocassionally notice a bright light appear then go across my vision for a short while then fade away. What exactly am a seeing just a common shooting star? And what is happening for me to see this?

Thanks

Answer
Hi Gareth,
If your eyes are open, and you are seeing, looking at,  the actual night sky, then perhaps you are seeing the bright  International Space Station cross the sky....takes about one -two minutes to cross the sky.  Unlikely it is a meteor (shooting star) because they are generally quick, nearly instantaneous events.
(BTW, we in astronomy prefer to call them by their correct name, meteors,  as they have nothing to do with stars, so try to avoid the old terms, falling or shooting stars.  They are simply space junk, about the size of a grain of sand, entering our atmosphere at very high speed.

However, if you're seeing a bright light with your eyelids
closed, then that would be a medical question, of which I
am not qualified to answer.
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA  

Astronomy

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Tom Whiting

Expertise

Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years.  Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions.  No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.

Experience

Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.

Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.

Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).

Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions;  Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).

Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.

Education/Credentials
BS  Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.

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