Last night from BCRC, Ed Cannon saw 3 flashes that appeared to be from a previously unknown geosync flashing satellite. I saw only the third flash with my unaided eyes. I would guess it was about third magnitude. I was unable to point my telescope in the proper direction to pick it up and neither of us saw any subsequent flashes. The flash period seemed to be about 80 seconds. The flashes were observed from about 01:59 to 02:03 Feb 27 UT from BCRC. (30.3N, 97.9W). Ed believes the position was near the following two objects: Galaxy 7 1 22205U 92072A 00051.66779197 -.00000198 00000-0 00000+0 0 1450 2 22205 0.0330 279.0135 0002612 74.0053 306.0758 1.00269692 21069 Nimiq 1 1 25740U 99027A 00053.21904595 -.00000196 +00000-0 +00000-0 0 01144 2 25740 000.0267 252.7610 0002157 085.5920 160.7199 01.00269455002830 These objects have near-zero inclination and are probably still in service. The following two objects are more likely candidates (IMO): Brazilsat 2 1 16650U 86026B 00056.32330693 -.00000185 00000-0 10000-3 0 5692 2 16650 2.7402 80.4210 0002410 256.7609 201.6660 1.00270774 30891 INSAT 2D 1 24820U 97027B 00055.20250160 -.00000182 +00000-0 +00000-0 0 02565 2 24820 001.8720 087.2139 0346369 200.7623 158.3004 01.04791492010433 Obviously Brazilsat 2 was launched in 1986 and it is probably no longer in service. The Insat 2D is in an eccentric orbit and lower than geosync height. It was moved to this orbit at least 2 years ago. Mike McCants ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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