Unexpected bright sat
Matson, Robert (ROBERT.D.MATSON@cpmx.saic.com)
Wed, 11 Nov 1998 17:58:55 -0800
Was out looking for Cosmos 1043 R/B in light-polluted and heavily
cloud-covered skies this evening (Wed., 11 Nov 98, 17:43 PST in
Torrance, CA) when I noticed a bright satellite moving west to east
very near the zenith between a notch in the clouds. It quickly
dropped in magnitude from +1 to below my limiting magnitude
(probably +4), about 15 seconds after culmination. It was only
visible for about 10 seconds.
I figured with a west-east trajectory, it would be easy to ID this
satellite, but nothing popped up with SkyMap, MOLCZAN.TLE and
a limiting magnitude of +4. When I increased the dim limit to +6,
the UNID became identified: OAO 1 (#02142). Seems to me
that someone recently mentioned this satellite producing glints... --Rob