Re: Terminology, controversy, flare, NORAD, altitude, etc.

Bjoern Gimle (b_gimle@algonet.se)
Mon, 6 Oct 1997 22:12:08 +0100 

Walter Nissen:
>>  
>> Many organizations use East. 
>> (Summary:  Use East longitude). 

Jay Respler:
>
>I have not seen other than West Long in any common usage. West longitude 
>is not only NOT obsolete, it is the only terminolgy being used.
>
>I have no problem with it being changed though, if the world agrees and 
>accepts the change.
>

I agree with Walter (as on practically all points, especially "concensus" -
if there is an logical agreement, it should be adhered to)
And I disagree with Jay here - practically all programs I've tried use
positive East. The exceptions are a few US programs - just Mike's ? -
and he does excuse himself for doing so :

(fitelem.doc:  The longitude is positive for
west longitude (the opposite from most programs).  The altitude is in
feet. )

(elcor.doc: 6.  East longitude (negative for west))

(BWGS flash.doc: Please provide your name and address; name of your observing
site; east longitude and north latitude of your site, expressed in degrees..)

(NPOE.txt:Ground site east longitude (0 degrees <= longitude <= 360 degrees)
          Ground site altitude (meters; positive above sea level))

(SkySat readme.txt: Line 2 - Site longitude (decimal degrees west).

(quicksat.doc: The longitude is positive for WEST longitude, negative for east
      longitude. Note that this is the opposite from most prediction programs.
      Height is in feet. )

(skymap.doc: Negative values are entered for south latitudes and west
             longitudes.  )

(seesat.doc: LON <number>          [degrees; negative if west] )

(satspy.hlp: Be sure to input your longitude in terms of east longitude. )

(Track16.hlp: Longitudes in the Western Hemisphere must be preceded with a - 
sign.)

(TrakStar sample.obs: CEL  Celestial BBS          39.7811   -84.0750   295)

(from ILAM (INITIAL LAUNCH ALERT MESSAGE). :
           (U)  LAUNCH AGENCY:   4 SPACE LAUNCH SQUADRON                       
           INJECTION LONGITUDE (DEG):          248.68E                          

(stsplus.cty: "Cape Canaveral, FL",-79.458,28.45,5)


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