April 25, 2000 mystery flasher

From: Matson, Robert (ROBERT.D.MATSON@saic.com)
Date: Sun Jan 06 2002 - 19:56:51 EST

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    Hi All,
    
    Ted Molczan attempted to identify the flashing object which
    preceded ISS on April 25, 2000 at 2:10 UT as seen by Bill
    Mitchel, but came up with no matches.  I have to concur with
    his analysis -- there was nothing predicted to be bright that
    preceded ISS and was on approximately the same trajectory.
    The closest match I found was Cosmos 374 deb AQ (#05077) which
    was in approximately the correct location at the right time
    moving in the correct direction.  However, according to my
    records it had a radar cross section of only 0.07 square
    meters, so it seems unlikely to be a source of such bright
    flashes.  (This object decayed on November 7th, later that
    year.)
    
    Opening up the search window a bit, I did find an interesting
    match -- ROSAT followed the ISS trajectory quite closely,
    but 14 minutes before it rather than only 1 minute.  However,
    I don't recall ROSAT ever having a history as a fast flasher.
    
    Cheers,
    Rob
    
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