In a message dated 97-08-30 09:10:46 EDT, Jay Respler wrote: << I have maps with magnitudes of all stars noted on them. I'll compare a sat to nearby stars. If sat seems midway in brightness between stars of mag 6.0 and 7.0, I note it as mag 6.5. If closer to the brighter star, note it as mag 6.3. If barely dimmer than the brighter star, note it as mag 6.1. If sat looks just as bright as a particular star, then note it as having same mag. Does that help? Jay Respler >> Yes, Jay, and thanks. I received a couple of helpful direct e-mail responses as well. I'll compile the responses and e-mail to any who ask. I'm sure they won't mind. One reader has asked already. The bottom line is: yes, you compare to stars of known magnitude. I'll have to work on this ability. Jake Rees