Re: M42 "sat photo"

rkresken@esoc.esa.de
Thu, 23 Sep 1999 09:56:52 +0100

Hi Robert and other Seesaters,
>if there
>were only one, then it would be possible -- though very rare.
>The satellite has to be at just the right combination of
>altitude and inclination to appear to move exactly N-S.  But
>with *two* right next to each other, without any others at skew
>angles?  Virtually impossible.

You are too quick here!
In the Glonass and GPS constellations, you have satellites like
pearls on string in the same high altitude, high inclination
orbit. The pattern we see in the S&T photo of M42 is not an incredible
coincidence but exactly what you would expect!

Rainer