On Friday evening (2002 January 18), shortly after having observed Cosmos 1709 (16368 = 850116A), using 10x50 binoculars, I saw an unexpected satellite flare to about 4th magnitude. While of itself, that's nothing unusual, but when I tried to ID it (using Mike McCants' alldat.tle and Alan Pickup's satbase.tle), the only reasonable candidate was, of all things, Tiros 1 (00029 = 60-002B, or as originally labeled, 1960 beta 2). The details: UTC 2002 Jan 18/23:35:21 (+/-2sec), apparent magnitude +4.3 (based on comparisons with the nearby stars 61 delta1 TAU 3.78 mag, 64 delta2 TAU 4.80 mag, and 68 delta3 TAU 4.30 mag). The corresponding quicksat output: 40.107 74.231 80. Light House, Lakewood NJ 2000 9.9 10 F F T T T *** 2002 Jan 18 Fri evening *** Times are PM EST *** 1751 623 H M S Tim Al Azi C Dir Mag Dys F Hgt Shd Rng EW Phs R A Dec 29 Tiros 1 0.5 1.1 1.1 7.5 18 35 16 .0 60 125 180 7.3 2 3 424 164 483 1.7 53 415 19.4 18 35 19 .0 58 125 180 7.4 2 3 424 160 490 1.6 52 420 18.3 18 35 23 .0 57 125 183 7.4 2 4 424 156 497 1.6 51 424 17.2 18 35 26 .0 55 125 185 7.4 2 4 424 151 505 1.6 50 429 16.1 Using the elements: TIROS 1 1 00029U 60002B 02017.19136248 .00003001 00000-0 53284-3 0 9666 2 00029 48.3850 273.5279 0025558 350.8756 9.1686 14.69402477227471 The time, location, and direction of motion agree. My question is, does anyone recall ever seeing this "oldie" flare? The only other observation of this object I could find in the SeeSat archives was by Richard Keen on 2000 April 02 when he saw it at a much more reasonable +8.7 magnitude. Clear and dark skies! Ed Light Lakewood, NJ, USA N 40.1075, W 074.2312, +24 m (80 ft) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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