The glint in the sky looks at first like a big star but ignites spectacularly, rivaling the moon's brightness. Then, in a few seconds, it fades. I'm surprised they don't cause more reports of UFO sightings.
Planetariums lead nighttime Iridium vigils.
Internet message boards burn with anecdotes and technical details. Backyard stargazers spend evenings counting how many they can spot with the naked eye. You just need at least one good eyeball. Motorola first launched the rotating Iridium satellites in May 1997, and the first flares were reported the following August. Each Iridium has three mirror-like antennas about the size of a door.