Can I use an Iridium flare to make the Aged Elset task easier?
Yes, but… The aged elset task requires you to observe an object using a current elset (elset less than one week old), and then observe the same object with an aged elset (elset more than three weeks old). The goal is to demonstrate how a satellite’s orbit (or the errors associated with propagating a satellite’s position into the future) can change over time. Observing an Iridium flare can potentially reduce uncertainty of a satellite’s position when using the aged elsets, and you are welcome to use Iridium flares for this purpose. Keep in mind, however, that if a satellite’s orbit changes over time, you ability to know the position of the satellite will also change. This could result in a flare not being visible from your observing position, even when the flare was predicted to occur using old elsets.
