# Iridium flare

> visual phenomenon caused by Iridium satellites reflecting sunlight onto the Earth

**Wikidata**: [Q110438065](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110438065)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iridium-flare

## Summary
An Iridium flare is a visual phenomenon caused by sunlight reflecting off Iridium satellites and producing a bright, often short-lived flash visible on Earth. It is named after the Iridium satellite constellation and is classified as a type (subclass) of satellite flare.

## Key Facts
- Iridium flare is a visual phenomenon caused by Iridium satellites reflecting sunlight onto the Earth.
- instance_of: artificial satellite of the Earth (property listed for the entity).
- named_after: Iridium satellite constellation.
- subclass_of: satellite flare.
- commons_category: Iridium flares.
- sitelink_count: 9.
- wikipedia_languages: be, be_x_old, commons, cs, de, fr, ro, ru, uk.
- Wikidata description: "visual phenomenon caused by Iridium satellites reflecting sunlight onto the Earth."

## FAQs
### Q: What is an Iridium flare?
A: An Iridium flare is a bright visual flash seen from Earth when sunlight reflects off the surfaces of Iridium satellites. It is a specific kind of satellite flare named for the Iridium satellite constellation.

### Q: What causes an Iridium flare?
A: Iridium flares are caused by sunlight reflecting from Iridium satellites and reaching an observer on Earth, producing a brief brightening in the sky.

### Q: What is the classification or naming of an Iridium flare?
A: The phenomenon is named after the Iridium satellite constellation and is classified as a subclass of satellite flare. It is recorded under the commons category "Iridium flares."

## Why It Matters
Iridium flares are a documented example of how sunlight can interact with man-made objects in Earth orbit to produce observable effects at the surface. The phenomenon is specifically associated with the Iridium satellite constellation and is treated as a distinct subclass of satellite flare. It is notable enough to have a Wikimedia Commons category and entries across multiple language Wikipedias (including be, be_x_old, cs, de, fr, ro, ru, uk), reflecting consistent documentation and public interest in this specific type of satellite reflection. As a clearly defined observational phenomenon, an Iridium flare connects the technical domain of artificial satellites and the everyday experience of sky observation. The entry’s structured properties identify it both as a named effect tied to a particular constellation and as part of the broader class of satellite flares, which supports consistent classification and cross-referencing in reference resources.

## Notable For
- Being a named phenomenon tied specifically to the Iridium satellite constellation.
- Classification as a subclass of the broader category "satellite flare."
- Having a dedicated commons category: "Iridium flares."
- Documentation across multiple Wikipedia language pages (sitelink_count: 9).

## Body
### Overview
- Iridium flare is defined as a visual phenomenon.
- The phenomenon results from sunlight reflecting off Iridium satellites.
- The Wikidata description states: "visual phenomenon caused by Iridium satellites reflecting sunlight onto the Earth."

### Cause
- The mechanism described is reflection of sunlight by Iridium satellites.
- The reflected sunlight reaches observers on Earth and appears as a bright flash.

### Classification and Naming
- named_after: Iridium satellite constellation.
- subclass_of: satellite flare.
- instance_of: artificial satellite of the Earth (as listed in the structured properties).

### Documentation and Links
- commons_category: Iridium flares.
- sitelink_count: 9, indicating links in multiple Wikimedia projects.
- wikipedia_languages available: be, be_x_old, commons, cs, de, fr, ro, ru, uk.

### Related Entities
- Related class noted: artificial satellite of the Earth — described as a spacecraft orbiting the Earth (sitelink_count: 9 in the provided material).