I saw Superbird A!

From: Ed Cannon (ecannon@mail.utexas.edu)
Date: Sun Dec 23 2001 - 02:17:17 EST

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    Finally, first good weekend evening in weeks!  And just about 
    the last chance to see Superbird A (89-041A, 20040) on this 
    visit.  It was only about 10 degrees above the horizon, but 
    kind of close to Mars so not too hard to find.  I watched it 
    between electric lines, just above a treetop.  This was using 
    binoculars, but it was still pretty bright -- a near-perfect 
    evening except for the moonlight:
    
    89- 41 B 01-12-23 04:13:21.6 EC  272.9 0.3  12 22.74  
    
    Iridium 911 (24842) -- flashed after culmination, in the SSW:
    97- 30 G 01-12-23 01:41:10.7 EC   77.3 0.3  12  6.45  mag -1.0->inv
    
    Galaxy 5 Rk (21907) (actually nine clicks, but asymmetrical):
    
    19.43 + 18.62 = 38.05
    19.44 + 18.37 = 37.81
    19.39 + 18.58 = 37.97
    19.31 + 18.29 = 37.60
    19.40
    
    92- 13 B 01-12-23 01:20:01   EC  151.4 1.0   4 37.9   mag +3.5->inv
    
    Intelsat 503 Rk (13007):
    81-119 B 01-12-23 02:15:57.5 EC   45.0 0.5   6  7.5   mag 3.5->inv asymm?
    
    There was a very nice ISS pass, must have been about -1.
    
    HST did a nice -1 or -2 flare near Mars at about 1:35:02.
    
    Saw a zero mag flare of Iridium 6 through tree branches at 
    only about eight degrees above the horizon.  Also saw Iridium
    86 "?" and 83 flare as predicted.
    
    Cosmos 2195 Rk (22007, 92-036B) was easily a full magnitude 
    brighter than predicted using Quicksat intrinsic mag of +4.0
    (approx. standard mag. of +5.5).  Otherwise seemed steady.
    
    Disappointment -- looked unsuccessfully for Molniya 3-42 
    (92-067A, 22178), which was easy one-power three or four 
    weeks ago.  
    
    No luck on any flashing geosynchs.  I find it's harder to 
    hold binoculars very long in cooler weather and/or I'm 
    out of practice after so much unfavorable weather (and some
    meteor shower distractions).
    
    There was a not-too-good Starshine 2 pass, but I let myself
    get distracted by NOAA 13 and missed even trying for it.
    Whoops!
    
    Observing location was grounds of the Elisabet Ney Musuem, 
    about 30.307N, 97.727W, 150m.  It's worse this time of year
    due to the bare tree branches allowing much more incident
    light (e.g., tennis courts) into the area, and the lights 
    are on through most of the observing session -- not like in
    the summer.
    
    Clear, dark nights, happy holidays, and safe travels to 
    all -- as applicable.
    
    Ed Cannon - ecannon@mail.utexas.edu - Austin, Texas, USA
    
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