early ATV sighting

From: mbartley2@cox.net
Date: Thu Sep 18 2008 - 04:17:57 UTC

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    33.8N, 117.8W.  (Orange, CA, USA)  Dark skies (for an urban area).  10x50 binoculars.
    
    I went out to look for ATV based on heavens-above's predictions.
    While waiting, I hid from a car's headlights that were trying to ruin my night vision.  As soon as it was clear, I spotted a bright satellite, on the predicted track, about the expected brightness, but several minutes early.  Because of the interrruption I only got one timing: shadow entry at 2008-09-18 03:55:55 UTC.  I saw nothing at the predicted time later.
    
    
    The h-a predictions called for shadow entry at 03:12:09 UTC.  Prediction elements:
    
    1 32686U 08008A   08261.51693613  .00000987  00000-0  10579-4 0  2546
    2 32686 051.6423 262.5763 0007511 024.8598 118.2729 15.75449119 30323
    
    http://www.heavens-above.com/PassDetails.asp?Size=600&SatID=32686&Session=kebgcobhbmojnhjjmkgbkcjd&Date=39709.1334337397
    
    I presume it manuvered into a significantly lower orbit.
    
    
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