TDF-1 Naked-eye Geosat Flasher
Richard Baldridge (RBaldridge@Filss.com)
Wed, 18 Aug 1999 17:12:52 -0700
Satellite I mentioned in Aug 17th note is definitely TDF-1, (NORAD
19621 or 88 98A). Sat produced flashes that reached 1st to 2nd
magnitude at their brightest.
Flash report from Campbell, CA N37.272, W121.977 Aug 18UT
Obsevations made with 8X50 binocs.
4:38UT - some flashes already visible from 1 set of panels (period
approx 28 seconds).
4:47:30UT - Second set of flashes becoming visible. 1st set near maximum
bightness.
4:52 UT - BOTH sets near SAME brightness (3rd mag.)
4:56 UT - 1st set becoming invisible.
4:59 UT - Last flash visible.
________________________________________________________________________
_____
APPROXIMATE "LIGHT" CURVE (view with fixed-font like Courier).
|
|
MAG
|
2 0 * *
|
0 0 * *
|
4 0 0 * *
|
0 * 0 *
|
6 0 * 0 *
|
0 * 0 *
|
8 * 0 *
|
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _|
TIME(U.T.) 8/18 4:47:30 4:52 4:56 4:59
|
^ ^ ^ ^
|
| | |
|_Last of|
| | |____ Last of 1st set
2nd Set|
First of 2nd set___| |___ EQUAL
|
1st set at Maximum.
|
________________________________________________________________________
_____|
Measured 4 periods as 1 minute, 57.17 seconds, or 29.29sec per rotation.
This is close to what I reported before.
Maximum flash period is coming about 10-11 minutes LATER each night from
my location.
TONIGHT!
I expect flashes to start around 4:46UT (9:46pm Pacific Daylight Time)
with satellite about 5 degrees West of Tau Ophiuchi.
Satellite is not sync'ed. Revs per day is 0.99192 so is moving slowly
westward day to day.
Rick Baldridge