Explain why we can see artifical satellites from the ground with the naked eye

its possible to see moving satellites with the naked eye on clear nights. theres a nasa website that shows you satellites in realtime to show their positions, and a tool to find out when you will get them flying above you.

Eg. London - http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/view.cgi?country=United_Kingdom&region=England&city=London

They always match up, ive seen them myself, just like stars but moving. and always when they say.

Flat earthers, you apparently say that they dont excist?






Also the sun is 3000 (or 6000 i forgot) miles in the sky? its possible to do a simple test to find the elevation of the sun to work out its distance.

There are two leading theories, one is balloons caught in the high trade winds, and the other -- more popular theory -- is that NASA is projecting the images off of the partially reflective O₂ atoms in the ozone layer.  Interesting fact about the ozone layer, it smells faintly of geraniums.  How odd is that?

There are two leading theories, one is balloons caught in the high trade winds, and the other -- more popular theory -- is that NASA is projecting the images off of the partially reflective O₂ atoms in the ozone layer.  Interesting fact about the ozone layer, it smells faintly of geraniums.  How odd is that?

There is another theory espoused on this site by Tom Bishop DCR(R) which is that actually you can't see satellites and we're all imagining those dots in the sky. (Or is it Mad James or John Davis that says that? One of those three, anyway.)

Ah, yes.  Thank you TD.  That's a very strong theory in its own right.

Ah, yes.  Thank you TD.  That's a very strong theory in its own right.

I assume that since you think it's a strong theory you have an alternative explanation for what the things we see in the sky are?

There are two leading theories, one is balloons caught in the high trade winds, and the other -- more popular theory -- is that NASA is projecting the images off of the partially reflective O₃ molecules in the ozone layer.  Interesting fact about the ozone layer, it smells faintly of geraniums.  How odd is that?

*sigh* fixed

Quote from: Pongo on December 22, 2010, 01:32:17 PM

There are two leading theories, one is balloons caught in the high trade winds, and the other -- more popular theory -- is that NASA is projecting the images off of the partially reflective O₃ molecules in the ozone layer.  Interesting fact about the ozone layer, it smells faintly of geraniums.  How odd is that?

*sigh* fixed

Yes, good catch, the ozone layer is indeed composed of O₃ rather than the much more stable O₂.  My apologizes.

Where do people think nasa makes these projections from?

Where do people think nasa makes these projections from?

The earths surface.

its possible to see moving satellites with the naked eye on clear nights

No, it isn't possible.

If you can't see something the size of a car on the ground from an airplane, what makes you think that you can see something the size of a car in orbit from the ground?

Cars on the ground can reflect the sun's light just as much as a car in earth orbit could.

The ISS apparently passes over my house several times this week. Do you want me to get a camera and/or telescope and record my results? Or would that be fruitless to you?

Quote from: JoeCooper on December 21, 2010, 09:21:39 PM

its possible to see moving satellites with the naked eye on clear nights

No, it isn't possible.

If you can't see something the size of a car on the ground from an airplane, what makes you think that you can see something the size of a car in orbit from the ground?

Cars on the ground can reflect the sun's light just as much as a car in earth orbit could.

Your wrong.

Berny
Just right wrong.

If you can't see something the size of a car on the ground from an airplane, what makes you think that you can see something the size of a car in orbit from the ground?

What about something in orbit the size of a football field with large, reflective panels?  In fact, the ISS is second only to the moon for brightness in the night sky.

Quote from: JoeCooper on December 21, 2010, 09:21:39 PM

its possible to see moving satellites with the naked eye on clear nights

No, it isn't possible.

If you can't see something the size of a car on the ground from an airplane, what makes you think that you can see something the size of a car in orbit from the ground?

Cars on the ground can reflect the sun's light just as much as a car in earth orbit could.

Your assuming that you would not be able to see a car on the ground if it was reflecting sunlight and was against a good dark background. You have no actual evidence that cars are not visible if they were presented in this way. Plus a lot of satellites are bigger than cars. And many are made of shiny metal.

Quote from: JoeCooper on December 21, 2010, 09:21:39 PM

its possible to see moving satellites with the naked eye on clear nights

No, it isn't possible.

If you can't see something the size of a car on the ground from an airplane, what makes you think that you can see something the size of a car in orbit from the ground?

Cars on the ground can reflect the sun's light just as much as a car in earth orbit could.

But the Sun is a spotlight

Why would it also be shining conveniently on satellites?

Like I said, there are at least 9 opportunities for me to film this thing. Anybody want me to?

Like I said, there are at least 9 opportunities for me to film this thing. Anybody want me to?

If you feel like it, not really necessary since so many other videos exist.

Well it would rule out the possibility of other people being conspirators; also, I have a telescope in my basement that might be useful in actually identifying it as the ISS.

Well it would rule out the possibility of other people being conspirators; also, I have a telescope in my basement that might be useful in actually identifying it as the ISS.

How do you propose that we rule you yourself out as a conspirator?

If I were a conspirator, this site wouldn't exist.

Quote from: Apollo1 on December 22, 2010, 10:28:28 PM

Where do people think nasa makes these projections from?

The earths surface.

Where on the Earth's surface are they projected from? Are there any photos or evidence of the "projection machines"

Hm, I just took a photograph of the Moon from my house with my 18x zoom digital camera.



It's not looking too good. I'm going to have to find some sort of attachment, because I know I'll be needing that telescope lens.

Are you near the coast, perhaps?

If I were a conspirator, this site wouldn't exist.

Why so?

Are you near the coast, perhaps?

Yes, a city nearby Boston.

Quote from: IOA on December 23, 2010, 02:37:59 PM

If I were a conspirator, this site wouldn't exist.

Why so?

I wouldn't want other people to catch on to the conspiracy, would I?...

I wouldn't want other people to catch on to the conspiracy, would I?...

So you'd start shooting bazookas at web servers and a fair batch of fireworks up into the sky, as to make very sure everyone notices you?

Have you never read 1984? Erasing information like it was never there is quite effective.

Have you never read 1984? Erasing information like it was never there is quite effective.

So you imply that Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-Four" was covered up so well it would seem it was never there? In that case, I believe it's impossible for me to have read it.
Question is: How did you read it, Mr. Not-a-conspirator-in-the-slightest?
ITT: A PIECE OF FICTION PROVES EVERYTHING

Quote from: Ski on December 24, 2010, 04:00:04 PM

Are you near the coast, perhaps?

Yes, a city nearby Boston.

If you can take photographs of some ships at the visual horizon with- and without the aid of the telescope, I think that would be fantastic.