I understood from different history resources that it was impossible to see Sputnik from the ground with the naked eye, as it was just 58.0 cm in diameter, unless you had binoculars. I assume they used that or a special lens, right?
Thanks Tod. Actually there are several stories of people who saw Sputnik; however some believe that what they saw may have been the booster. However Sputnik was estimated at magnitude 6, which is near the limit of naked-eye visibility under dark sky conditions. www.cloudynights.com/topic/125805-was-sputnik-visible-naked-eye/ www.space.com/38331-sputnik-satellite-fun-facts.html
