I observed the ISS this morning our time on a pass commencing 0243 UTC. This is the first pass I have been able to observe since the latest modifications: the lack of observation was owing to initially having no visible passes and subsequently almost continuous cloud cover. Magnitude was normal here too at about mag 1 to -1, whereas passes before the changes had shown higher magnitudes (about -2 or -3) on acquisition gradually fading with an orange tinge being more noticeable as it faded. (Today's pass was higher in elevation than those observed before I "lost" the ISS for a month or so.) However the orange coloration was evident on all of this pass, not pronounced to start with but as the ISS receded the orange predominated, and was very distinct through binoculars. A subsequent lower elevation dawn pass was not seen, the sky was quite bright. Robert Wainuiomata New Zealand 41.261S 174.948E ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Locker" <john@satcom.freeserve.co.uk> To: <SeeSat-L@satobs.org> Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 10:07 AM Subject: Re: sun tracking solar panels and possible flares > Didnt notice any flares tonight Tom...in fact there was no orange glow > either. > In addition I would say that brightness was as predicted . > What was missing was the extra " brightness" from the new radiator. > Previously , before the sun tracking was put in operation , the new > radiator was "earth pointing" and very bright.Now it moves as the > array rotates and seems less reflective. > > John > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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