Unexpected satellites and other ramblings
Ron Lee (ronlee@pcisys.net)
Tue, 13 May 1997 09:39:47 -0600 (MDT)
After reading Robert's latest obs report I have to add that seeing
unexpected satellites is very common. With binoculars it is almost
guaranteed that I will see another satellite if I go out soon
enough to find the star field.
Even more surprising is that it is common even when using my 8"
telescope. On one occasion when I was following a Molniya from
near perigee toward apogee, I believe I saw three satellites cross
the 0.75 or so degree field of view during the 20-30 minutes I
tracked the Molniya. And I was not constantly watching.
Often I do not even bother to determine what they are unless it is
unusual, like the Centaur type object I saw while waiting for a
Superbird flash session.
What amazes me is the frequency of missing objects. Last night (12
May local), I missed Celestis (#24780), the new DMSP flasher (#24777)
and the decaying Cosmos (#24763).
#24777 has not been seen in four attempts with 7x50 binocs so I think
I will have to pull out the 8" to find it again. It had a nice flash
pattern the two times I saw it.
Also noticed in the most recent JSR that the delta booster that launched
the Iridiums went into a higher orbit after the fuel depletion burn.
Seems to me that a burn to lower the perigee would have made more
sense. Let it burn up instead of staying in orbit where it "might"
create more debris.
Ron