Unid Flare or Topex

From: Jim Nix (nixj@bellsouth.net)
Date: Mon Oct 23 2000 - 14:36:28 PDT

  • Next message: Jim Nix: "UnId flare or Topex"

    Oct 24, 2000
    
    While out walking with some friends near the raleigh springs site we observed a flare from Iridium 23 and near
    zenith passes by Lac's 3 & 2 at 00:46 and 00:54.  Just after the Lac 3 pass at 00:46 we observed a -1.0 flare
    from an UnId and observed it for almost two minutes as it faded from view.  Not equipped to take measurements
    we noted the times by wristwatch and error should be
    no more than several seconds.  Crosstrack error should be around 2 to 3 degrees however could be greater.  The
    first point I noted a distance from Gam Cyg on a line to n cyg the same as the distance from Gam cyg to Alp
    cyg. The second point was a degree or two, viewing naked eye, just above Gam Del.
    
    Unid flared to mag -1.0 at 19:46:30 and slowly faded from view over two minutes, a slow mover, W to E.
    00:46:30 off of n cyg
    00:48:40 off of Gam Del
    Running Alldat search with no constraints showed Topex, 22076, with Identical trajectory however, a minute
    later and moving faster than the UnId.  The UnId took two minutes to cover the distance
    that prediction showed Topex to take one minute.  Anyone with ideas as to what the UnId was?  The elset for
    Topex was 1.14 days old. I don't have a magnitude value for Topex, is it bright?  Has anyone else reported
    flares from Topex?  If I read my watch's digital readout incorrectly it could have been Topex the second point
    is within 10 secs, the first point however would be a full minute off and I am confident that I read the time
    correctly.  (Yes, I did compare my watch with a GMT set timepiece). Feedback anyone??
    
    22222 22 222U   8936 G 20001024004630000 28 25 1959686+352421 99 M-010 10
    22222 22 222U   8936 G 20001024004840000 28 25 2050113+162997 99 S+040 10
    
    Ir 23 on time at 1.0
    Lac 3 on time at 2.4
    Lac 2 on time at 2.5
    
    Clear and Dark Skies---------------------------------------------------------------
    Jim Nix | 150 yds west of Raleigh Springs #8936  35.2131N 89.9354W  90m
                 |  Lim Mag 7.0, clear  Sat-tracks.com
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
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