UNID

Ed Cannon (edcannonutaustin@netscape.net)
7 Sep 99 04:52:45 CDT

While looking for another object, I saw what has proved to be an UNID.  The
unknown object has a flash period of about 4.9 seconds and is in a
high-altitude orbit.  Observed magnitude was perhaps +6 -> inv, and the maxima
grew fainter as the object moved north.  As best I am able to determine at
this time, these were two positions (UTC; first position less certain than
second; using Tirion's "Bright Star Atlas 2000.0"):

1999-09-07, 2:21:45-22:10, RA 20:30-50, Dec +10 - +11 
1999-09-07, 2:26:45, RA 21:10-15, Dec +21

Location: 30.314N, 97.866W, 280m

If I'd have known it would be a possibly significant UNID, I would have tried
to fight off "binocular neck" a bit longer....

Just a few minutes ago Milstar 3 (25724, 99-23A) flared for several seconds
brighter than +3 and perhaps as bright as +2 as it passed several degrees
above Orion.  The flare ended at about 9:29:40 UTC when it was almost straight
up from Bellatrix.  Seen from 30.3086N, 97.7279W, 150m.

Ed Cannon - ecannon@mail.utexas.edu - Austin, Texas, USA
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