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Post by ARU on Dec 30, 2007 21:22:19 GMT 12
I was at the Auckland airport viewing area yesterday night and at approximately 8:45pm I spotted this light in the distance. it definatly wasn't a star, it may have been a reflection off an aircraft, as the sun had recently set. but it was visible for almost ten minutes and never moved an inch, then it just disappeared. any suggestions?
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Dec 30, 2007 21:55:58 GMT 12
Maybe something burning up in the atmosphere? Strange it didn't move though.
Leo P
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Post by lumpy on Dec 30, 2007 22:04:35 GMT 12
Winds seem to have been fairly low today ( here anyway ) , maybe a weather balloon in the twlight sun ? ( I assume they still use them sometimes ? )
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Post by lumpy on Dec 30, 2007 22:08:22 GMT 12
oops , I see it was yesterday - still could be the same thing , the dissapearing would be when it came into earths shadow
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Post by globemaster on Dec 30, 2007 22:11:17 GMT 12
UFO Maybe a Jet leaving a contrail heading away from you ?
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Post by Bruce on Dec 30, 2007 22:32:45 GMT 12
I would suggest a false sun or sun dog. these are refractions of the suns light off high altitude ice crystals which form visible halos and concentrated spots of light in certain locations dependant on how uniformly arranged the suspended ice crystals may be. they are often most visible at or immediately after sunset, and show up best when there is a layer of stratiform cloud for the light to "project" upon. There are mathematical models for calculating possible sun dog locations, based on the shape of an ice crystal having certain exact angles. As a rule, I understand the most common type of sun dogs sit 22 deg visual angle from the sun. I have seen similar things in the evenings recently myself. The stable clear air from big anticylones at this time of year make them a little more common. A similar effect may be the sun illuminating a particular distant high altitude cloud formation (yes Contrails are quite common) even though the sun itself is below the local horizon. Our atmosphere can create some really amazing illusions!
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Dec 30, 2007 22:42:34 GMT 12
that is an interesting sight indeed. Here is a strange site, managed to get a bit of flying in today and on the way back from a photo shoot with this Wilga we happened to be overhead WB (Well I lined it up) and underneath are the White hawks.
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Post by FlyNavy on Dec 30, 2007 23:27:29 GMT 12
Thanks for the great photo! To clear up one minor detail: Are the 'white hawks' sitting on asphalt tarmac? (I was led to believe that the Skyhawks in Latex would be sitting in a sheep paddock on the grass.)
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 31, 2007 15:19:00 GMT 12
Amazing how civil aircraft can fly so low and close over our main strike force base...
Interesting photos too Alex, re the bright light. Perhaps if you followed it you'd get to Bethlehem? Or a Caltex service station... Which direction was this in?
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Post by ARU on Dec 31, 2007 23:51:36 GMT 12
approximately SW , at first I didn't think much of it but when it remained for so long It got me wondering. I was thinking something along the lines of a sundog but didnt think this would be the time of year for them. but still something interesting to watch in the skies
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jan 2, 2008 7:22:56 GMT 12
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Post by beagle on Jan 2, 2008 11:01:40 GMT 12
most camera shops sell lens cleaning fluid and cloths
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Post by p40fanatic on Jan 5, 2008 20:33:31 GMT 12
They are on tarmac, thank goodness! Just imagine how much Helen and co would need to spend on mowing around them!
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Post by FlyNavy on Jan 6, 2008 0:50:21 GMT 12
Thanks, yes a good point but I thought the sheep (in the field) would do a good job? My mistake.
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Post by Radialicious on Jan 9, 2008 12:21:05 GMT 12
I think you'll find the jets are parked on the grass. They are sitting on steel plates to spread the weight.
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 9, 2008 12:59:00 GMT 12
What happened to the wall of containers, to keep 'spies' at bay?
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Post by FlyNavy on Jan 9, 2008 14:08:38 GMT 12
Radialicious, Thanks. OK steel plates it is. Are these solid plates (just curious)? Makes sense (due to the high tyre pressures on the Skyhawks) very solid tarmac would be required otherwise. Soft ground would be no good at all, except for the sheep. Phil.
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Post by Radialicious on Jan 14, 2008 22:04:44 GMT 12
Hi Phil, Looking at them, the plates are probably between 3/8 and 1/2 inch 2'x2'. Should be OK. There was concern that if they were towed to Picton (our local port) that they would damage certain bits of road on the way. That probably won't ever become a real concern now. They remind me of Mosquitos, Mustangs, Vampires, Devons, Bristols etc etc to die in the open air of Woodbourne.
Sad.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jan 19, 2008 10:10:08 GMT 12
The jets are certainly on the grass, to the east (bottom right of that Wilga shot), and do sit on steel plates. Three of them had to be removed to have the latex redone as it was applied too thinly. I was told the compound cost $250k and the latex is applied at $16k per aircraft. Many are showing signs of the latex peeling off already, one has airbrakes that have decided to relax and open, ripping it's covering completely. Not all have the overall covering, and some you can see the green paint coming through. Also not all wheels are covered in clear plastic. A crap job I reckon, and an indication that they will not fly again as far as those who had th latex applied are concerned. Air Force people were walking around them every few days checking the condition of the compound and aircraft. Thee was no sign of any containers during my few weeks there.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 21, 2008 12:32:21 GMT 12
I noticed yesterday in the news that the price of scrap metal is skyrocketing. Maybe the RNZAf can get some money back by smelting the Skyhawks? [ducking for cover]
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