GCH5AD Satellite Magic (Unknown Cache) in Utah, United States created by DprCprs

This cache has been archived.

BlueRajah: Archiving this cache as it appears to be virtual or a cache with an ALR.
The owner is missing, and the cache has been abandoned.

GCH5AD ▼

A cache by DprCprs Message this owner

Hidden : 11/1/2003

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

NOTE: This may be a difficult cache as it can only be completed at certain times, and the sky must be clear. This is only the second cache of this kind in the world.

We have spent a lot of time looking into the sky during our many years of camping trying to comprehend its vastness. During this time we have seen a lot of interesting things, but none so far that can match the predictability and magic of the “Iridium Flare”

What’s an Iridium Flare? “The Iridium Satellites are relatively small telecommunications satellites in a low Earth orbit. They are part of a world-wide system for mobile communications. When complete, there will be a total of 66 satellites (there are currently 93) in 6 orbit planes, at an altitude of around 780km (about 480 miles high). Each satellite has three main Mission antennas (MMAs), which are flat, highly reflective surfaces that can reflect the Sun’s rays to an observer on the ground when the geometry is correct.” A flare of magnitude -8 is more than four times as bright as the planet Venus, the brightest star-like object in the sky.

Click Here for a table of predictions for Iridium flares visible from this cache site for the next 7 days. To see another 7 days click on “Next” at the top of the page. Day time flare predictions can be found Here

Choose a flare of intensity -5, -6, -7 or -8 and note the date, time, altitude, azimuth and the name of the satellite. Be at the cache site prior to the time of the flare to get your self oriented. Important: your GPSR clock is the most accurate clock you could own and the one that you will want to watch.) The time specified is the peek of the flare so you will probably want to be watching for about 20-30 seconds before the indicated time so you can see the flare appear and fade as the satellite passes.

To log this cache as found you must do two things:

Find the cache so you can log your visit.
From the cache site make an observation of an Iridium Flare of magnitude -5 or brighter. (The more negative the number the brighter the flare. The brighter they are they easier they are to see).

Let us know what you thought of the flare in your logs and most of all Have Fun! Additional help in seeing these flares can be found Here. If you do not find the answer to your questions there you can email us for help. Mid field is probably the best viewing spot. Any flares above 20 degrees are visable from this spot.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Vg'f Whfg "Fgvpxvat" nebhaq!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)