Optical 20 Jan 2015

Observations 20 JAN 2015
------------------------------------

Cosatrak 1 (Computerised satellite Tracking System).

FLI ML8300M CCD camera with mechanical shutter + Trimble GPS

Used with 135mm focal length f/2.8 TAMRON lens.
Field of view 7.6 x 5.7 degrees.
Images processed and measured manually.

Site 0433 : Longitude 18.51294 deg East, Latitude -33.94058 deg,
Elevation 10 metres-situated in Pinelands (Cape Town),South Africa

FOR CLASSFD.TLE:
------------------
22639 93 026B   0433 F 20150120194600215 55 15 1236113-592800 19 +076 05
22639 93 026B   0433 F 20150120194733348 55 15 1111167-441501 19 +070 05
22639 93 026B   0433 F 20150120194906604 55 15 1027577-245450 19 +068 05
23609 95 034A   0433 F 20150120203654371 55 15 0320340+260503 19
23609 95 034A   0433 F 20150120204025402 55 15 0326301+224935 19
23609 95 034A   0433 F 20150120204228051 55 15 0330122+203813 19
28494 04 049C   0433 F 20150120201010311 55 15 0237182-382035 19
28494 04 049C   0433 F 20150120201012811 55 15 0239085-365732 19
28494 04 049C   0433 F 20150120201015311 55 15 0240379-353730 19
28888 05 042A   0433 F 20150120190309052 55 15 0946046-693426 19
28888 05 042A   0433 F 20150120190313469 55 15 0923215-685318 19
28888 05 042A   0433 F 20150120190319110 55 15 0854144-674031 19
28888 05 042A   0433 F 20150120190600960 55 15 0409535+340334 19
28888 05 042A   0433 F 20150120190627485 55 15 0400251+391437 19
35951 09 057A   0433 F 20150120184738398 55 15 1058509-802721 19
35951 09 057A   0433 F 20150120184909856 55 15 0445454-673809 19
35951 09 057A   0433 F 20150120184950445 55 15 0402380-513435 19
38094 12 009B   0433 F 20150120204639459 55 15 0430046-003538 19
38094 12 009B   0433 F 20150120205008173 55 15 0439264-001429 19
38094 12 009B   0433 F 20150120205225866 55 15 0445183-000019 19

STRAYS SEEN :
--------------------
04138 69 091A   0433 F 20150120185954641 55 15 0918038-642116 19 +053 05
13758 83 001B   0433 F 20150120185642397 55 15 0945369-552806 19 +049 05
14452 83 109A   0433 F 20150120185532920 55 15 0943019-570010 19 +047 05
22220 92 076B   0433 F 20150120194414476 55 15 1248073-581701 19 +038 05
25105 97 082B   0433 F 20150120190125186 55 15 0933287-641105 19 +050 05

NOTES:
----------
(1) Prime purpose was to observe USA 186 and try and recover ESSAIM 1
     (#28494) which was the second unknown found on the 16th. Using a
     plane scan and Mikes computed orbit satellite found with no
     problems running about two minutes early. USA 186 running a few
     seconds early.

(2) I propose to change my optical system (again). Doing a plane search
     for lost satellites is usually a great success but the problem is
     that most of the lost satellites are on the faint side. The optical
     system currently used for plane scans is not suitable for faint
     satellites so propose to change to a larger aperture. The new
     system should give a gain of 1.5 to 2 magnitudes and also be
     suitable for high altitude satellites.

Cheers
Greg
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