The following elements derive from Russell Eberst's positional observations of NanoSail-D, on May 17, 19, and 21 UTC: NanoSail-D 562 X 603 km 1 37361U 10062L 11141.00077690 .00066662 00000-0 61726-2 0 09 2 37361 71.9624 95.9493 0029540 237.3127 122.5194 14.94109411 03 Arc 201105170-0521.02 WRMS resid 0.048 totl 0.031 xtrk During this period, Russell observed the object's brightness to vary rapidly, with a period of 1 or 2 seconds: 1006211242011051700064799 02 11214748 +252227 120 4 +69+85 2 R 1006211242011051701434069 02 11152823 +621401 120 4 +56+79 1 F 1006211242011051900193139 02 11220914 +503435 120 4 +66+85 2 F 1006211242011052100332120 02 11184519 +461533 120 4 +47+75 1 F 1006211242011052100334681 02 11184746 +313413 120 4 +48+74 1 F Ralf Vandebergh observed the same pass as Russell on May 21, and he also reported that it flashed regularly over a short period. The rapid spin may aid positional observers to spot the object in binoculars, since it is more likely for at least one bright maximum to occur during its rapid passage through the field of view, than when it rotated more slowly. Ted Molczan _______________________________________________ Seesat-l mailing list http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-l
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