Don and list,
I asked pretty much the same question on 16 Oct. '98. How could the
2.4 to 2.6 mm tether could be seen at 200 km without magnification? My
answer covered about fifteen or so posts, but none were satisfatory. I then
did the math and found that the tether, 19 km long, would represent about
50 sq. meters or about 540 sq. ft. if it was run back and forth to form a
solid partition. Still, the tether was very slim and it was a long way away,
it didn't seem possible that it could be seen at 200 km without strong
magnification.
Then on 4 Nov. '99, NASA posted some information about TiPS, the
RM400 conductive coating had "tremendous emissions of secondary
electrons," from "solar particle bombardment or ultraviolet light or
both." This would act just like reflected light, that is, when the tether and
satellites entered the sunlight and could become visible, the tether would
be bombarded with particles and ultraviolet light at the same time, so it
may not be posssible for amature observers to determine if the tether was
seen because of reflected sunlight or electron emissions surrounding the
tether in a visible sheath from the electrons.
My question is, would the the electron sheath produce a visible glow
that could account for a 2.6 mm tether being seen from great distances?
Several persons have noticed that the tether has become dimmer with time.
Read the NASA posting at:
http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast04nov99_1.htm
The information you want to read is IN THE LAST THREE PARAGRAPHS.
Just think, I was thinking of dropping SeeSat today. Never know when
things will get interesting.
Dave English Oceanside-CA
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