Obs 25 May 2006 all

From: Greg Roberts (grr@iafrica.com)
Date: Fri May 26 2006 - 11:44:32 EDT

  • Next message: Leo Barhorst: "Re:Fire on board"

    Another good cold night before the coming cold front
    
    Observations 25 MAY 2006:
    --------------------------------------
    
    Cosatrak 1 (Computerised satellite Tracking System).
    MINTRON low light level CCD surveillance camera (0.005 lux typical
    in non integration mode) and 0.00005 lux in STARLIGHT mode with 128
    frame integration.
    
    Used with 70mm focal length f/1.8 lens,integrating for 128 frames
    which is equivalent to an exposure of 2.56 seconds per image.
    
    Site 0433 : Longitude 18.51294 deg East, Latitude  33.94058 deg S,
    Elevation 10 metres - situated in Pinelands (Cape Town), South Africa
    
    For CLASSFD.TLE:
    ------------------------
    
    25724 99 023A   0433 G 20060525183309900 56 15 0631255-083335 39
    25724 99 023A   0433 G 20060525183434700 56 15 0646281-083953 39
    25724 99 023A   0433 G 20060525183529300 56 15 0657002-083950 39
    90037 05 638A   0433 G 20060525183824200 56 15 1559505-002402 39
    
    Strays:
    --------
    GORIZONT 12 flashing, period>90 seconds?
    16769 86 044A   0433 G 20060525184034400 56 15 1601361-004300 39  +070 05
    Cosmos 1808
    17239 86 100A   0433 G 20060525185900800 56 15 0858147+042530 39  +075 05
    GORIZONT 23 initially flashing to +9 then later to +7.5,period~66 seconds
    21533 91 046A   0433 G 20060525190442300 56 15 0928404+154333 39  +090 05
    21533 91 046A   0433 G 20060525193422800 56 15 0958241+152813 39  +075 05
    Midas 6 variable
    00574 63 014A   0433 G 20060525193438200 56 15 1003235+162209 39  +085 05
    Cosmos 1803 rocket
    17178 86 094B   0433 G 20060525163446000 56 15 1445392-583657 39  +070 05
    HESSI Pegasus rocket
    27371 02 004B   0433 G 20060525163533900 56 15 1437207-563704 39  +070 05
    Cosmos 1538 rocket
    14760 84 019B   0433 G 20060525165135100 56 15 1452008-590818 39  +050 05
    Cosmos 1176
    11788 80 034A   0433 G 20060525165218800 56 15 1456247-591126 39  +055 05
    Cosmos 586 rocket
    06829 73 065B   0433 G 20060525165439500 56 15 1454593-591753 39  +060 05
    OAO 1 rocket
    02144 66 031B   0433 G 20060525171125600 56 15 0612474-203550 39  +045 05
    Cosmos 2278
    23087 94 023A   0433 G 20060525170851800 56 15 0606560-180927 39  +075 05
    AMS3 (DMSP F3 ) variable
    10820 78 042A   0433 G 20060525172228000 56 15 0612175-191016 39  +070 05
    Cosmos 1704
    16291 85 110A   0433 G 20060525173057200 56 15 0617272-191841 39  +075 05
    FRA-1
    01778 65 096A   0433 G 20060525173542600 56 15 0630550-184012 39  +075 05
    
    Unknown:
    ------------
    
    91066 06 145MEO 0433 G 20060525164105700 56 15 1450331-590127 39  +070 05
    91066 06 145MEO 0433 G 20060525164117900 56 15 1448077-572111 39  +060 05
    91066 06 145MEO 0433 G 20060525164137000 56 15 1445120-544855 39  +075 05
    
    Comments:
    -------------
    
    (1) Main purpose of the session was to use a wide angle lens to try and
        capture #90006 and #90027, as well as investigate the new 6 inch f/5
        reflector.
    
    (2) Whilst I have called the object unknown #91066 I am reasonably
        confident that this is #90006 which has proved elusive for the
        past few weeks because my cameras normal field of view is too
        small to catch objects somewhat "off" prediction. The object
        found was optically easy with a short variability cycle.
    
    (3) Tests with the 6 inch reflector are very encouraging. I used a
        WATEC 902H ccd camera with an exposure of 1/60th sec ( its an
        NTSC unit)  placed  at the focal plane and was able to see stars
        down to magnitude +12-13 on the monitor with no trouble. Image
        quality was excellant and ccd noise not a problem.
    
        I am confident that integrating with the MINTRON camera should be
        able to reach magnitude +16. Now to complete the equatorial mount
        modifications in making it a GOTO mount - Im too old to get on my
        hands and knees to physically aim a telescope ( cant get up
        afterwards!) or read setting circles - hence my use of video . I
        sit on my behind in front of a monitor and type in the coordinates
        desired and away we go. Unfortunately this does not help my ever
        expanding waistline - proof that my universe does expand :-))
    
    
    (4) Cold front now passing over Cape Town, first of several predicted
        for the next few days so no idea when next Ill be able to observe.
    
    Cheers
    Greg
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive:  
    http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
    



    This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri May 26 2006 - 13:18:54 EDT