Polaris - Observed very bright blinking event.

[olafsky]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum, and I signed up here with one question in mind.

In mid-November I have observed Polaris star (or this region) behaving strange, notably i have observed an almost extreme increase in brightness to a point when it was brighter than any other star in the surrounding sky for at least 80 seconds but possibly more.

After that it fluctuated few times (i think 3) between very bright flash and slight dimming with clear bright star light and then dimmed to normal levels.

It was not an aeroplane, nor any satellite, It was very real.

I think I have seen similar behaviour few years ago in other part of the sky.

1. Did anybody observed it ?
2. Is it typical behaviour ?
3. Could that have been an flash from some star exploding ?

Just curious, appreciate feedback.
Cheers

[paulmccarthy]

Hello,hope i can be of help,first i didnt observe it,second it is not typical behaviour for polaris and third i dont think it was a flash from an exploding star.Are you sure it was Polaris..some times people think Polaris is the brightest star in the sky confusing it with Sirius,which is actually the brightest star.This star can seem to brighten suddenly and behave strange,solely because it is so low in the sky and the effect the atmosphere has on it.If the air is unsteady it makes stars twinkle a lot more than when the air is steady.

Paul

[olafsky]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for quick reply.

Yes I am sure it was from Polaris direction.
I was on Sandymount strand in Dublin, and i know sky over there.

When I have noticed this brightening and flickering it was hard not to get surprised.

One of the quick explanations that came to my mind that it was atmospheric influence:
Perhaps a lens effect of hot air pocket somewhere in atmosphere amplifying the brightness from my perspective,
while rest of the sky was slightly dimmed.

I do not know, perhaps will never know true reasons.

But it was surprising enough for me to mention it.

Cheers
Olaf