ETS VII observation on 12 August.

MALEY, PAUL D. (paul.d.maley1@jsc.nasa.gov)
Wed, 12 Aug 1998 06:32:57 -0500

> It is morning in the USA August 12 at 11:20UT as I write this note. I have
> just completed another successful observation and videotape of the Orihime
> trailing Hikoboshi. Although clouds threatened they were no problem. The
> two were first observed at a range of 813km, elevation 40, azimuth 297
> degrees. After reducing the video the estimated separation was
> considerably farther than yesterday morning -- 7.8km.  [The next redocking
> attempt is apparently sometime in the following hours(?)]
> 
> Brightness changes are as follows as the moved to the overhead point
> elevation 82, azimuth 20, range 549km:
> 
> Orihime (trailer) Hikoboshi (leader)
> 6                       4
> 5                       3
> 4.5                    3
> 4.5                    3.5
> 4                       4
> 
The brightnesses as they passed directly overhead were the same. I have
noticed this effect on occasion with some other pairs of objects whose sizes
are different. Most specifically in the case of the orbiter and Wakeshield,
the orbiter and SPAS.  This is a combination of geometry and phase effect of
the more reflective portions of the craft. Both ETS-VII objects showed no
rotation characteristics and were as stable as during the past two mornings.

Paul

> Paul D. Maley
> 
> tel. 281-244-0208; fax: 281-244-1140
> email: paul.d.maley1@jsc.nasa.gov
> latitude 29.6049 north, longitude 95.1086 west, elev 6m
> 
>