Re: Satellite Structure
Terry Pundiak (terrypun@fast.net)
Wed, 22 Jul 1998 15:29:35 -0500
Two months ago, I am sure I saw structure to Mir through my 16 inch
Meade dob (1800mm focal length) using a 28 mm eyepiece and a 2x barlow.
I have been practicing following airplanes (airplanes with contrails are
great practice) and satellites using low power (just the 28mm) - a bit
difficult, but after I replaced my cheap nylon bearing pads with
teflon... my jiggle factor went down greatly and I could use the 2x
barlow...
Seeing the photos that some people in Boston had taken suggested that
some detail might be seen with the eye...
One night in May, I fixed on Mir and then following it through the
sky... it was not just a round very bright star - it was a rectangle
with two little sharp spikes coming off the sides near one end!!! I
followed it for 2 minutes or so trying to be sure and trying to not
believe it but with absolutely no doubt... it had the definite
structure that I described.
1) need encough power
2) need to be able to track the satellite (although if you knew where it
was going to be you wait and can ambush it for a quick peak).
3) need the scope to have enough stability to prevent excessive jiggle
(and maybe a healthy ability for averted reality when looking hard - all
kidding aside - I really did see it)
--
Terry Pundiak, M.D.
N3BDC
Easton, PA
lat 40.693389 N, long 75.26615 W