Jim Varney > > I think the axis is more or less in the plane of the orbit, and is pointing > a little to the "left" of the sun to produce the 107.4 deg/2 = 53.7 deg > angle of incidence I calculated earlier. So, in the future we can tell people: "look for flashes from Superbird A when its sun angle is 53.7 degrees"? *This* is the kind of information I was looking for. > Well, we can rule out smaller area of panel. According to AWST, Superbird > has a wingspan (now is that a fitting metaphor or what?!) of a whopping > 70 feet. The body, judging by a photo with a worker standing next to it, > is a cube 10 ft on a side. I would put the solar panels on the order > of 10 sq m each. No wonder it's so bright! -- Robert Sheaffer - robert@debunker.com - Skeptical to the Max! San Jose, California - 37 deg 17' 19" north, 121 deg 59' 09" west. Visit my new Home Page - http://www.debunker.com/~sheaffer Skeptical Resources Debunking All Manner of Bogus Claims Also: Opera / Astronomy / Mens Issues / more