Re: Observations Sun Evening: 3 Surprises
Brian Hunter (bkh@chem.QueensU.CA)
Mon, 12 May 1997 11:52:27 -0400
A couple of comments:
> Observations 11 May 1997 (12 May 1997 UT)
>
04:47:49 Culmination of #23343, Resurs O1-3 rocket. Mag 2.8
>
> 04:52:05 Unexpected satellite moving northward through Bootes
> and Ursa Major. Glint at mag 0, then faded to 4.
> Believed to be #23233, DMSP B5D2-7. Predicted mag 5.
This is fairly common for the DMSP's. I've seen several passes especially
near zenith that show a relatively long and bright 'glint'. They are not
short repeating flashes such as SPOT 3 or MOA 1A are showing at the
moment.
> 05:00:31 Near-zenith culmination of extremely bright unexpected
> northbound satellite, Mag 0 or nearly so. Believed
> to be #17131, Spot 1 r AA. Predicted mag only 5.2.
> Uniformly bright during entire pass.
>
This one has fooled me several times; it is sometimes an easy naked eye
object and other times difficult in 10 x 50. I have watched it over a long
arc on several occasions without seeing it vary. It is probably a large
piece of the booster but with a very odd shape so the effect of phase angle
is exaggerated.
BKH
Brian K. Hunter, Department of Chemistry
Professor Queen's University
bkh@chem.queensu.ca Kingston, Ontario
(613)-545-2620 Canada K7L 4R6