"Matson, Robert" wrote:
> Another window will open up, showing the satellite track through
> the star field. There are 12 bright flashes alternating with
> 12 dimmer flashes. Upon closer inspection, you can see even
> dimmer flashes in between each bright/dim pair. Since the
> exposure time is 20 seconds, this means that the satellite
> in question has a rotational period of 20 seconds/11.5 = 1.74
> seconds. Pretty fast spinner with 4 reflective surfaces at
> 90 degree angles (i.e. a "box"). Every 4th flash is fairly
> bright, so perhaps this is the side that is parallel to the
> bright side of the solar panels.
>
> SkyMap identified this satellite as Westar 5 (#13269, 82058A),
> though the epoch of the orbital elements I used was much more
> recent than June 12, 2001. Has anyone observed this satellite
> before?
Back in Feb. 1995, when I think I was the only one watching geo sats, I saw
it flashing between 2-7 seconds to mag 11.
Between flashes, it was invisible, fainter than mag 13.
--
Jay Respler
--
JRespler@superlink.net
SKY VIEWS: http://mars.superlink.net/jrespler/skyviews.html
Satellite Tracker * Early Typewriter Collector
Freehold, New Jersey
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