Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Recorded near twilight on August 13, the bright streak is not the flash of a meteor trail but sunlight glinting from a satellite . For well placed observers, the peak brightness of this Iridium satellite flare reached about -6 magnitude , not quite as bright as the half illuminated moon. At magnitude 2.5, the bright star at the left is Alpha Pegasi, a star in the constellation Pegasus .
Specific rights apply .