Obs request for new naked-eye GEO flasher

From: Ron Lee (ronlee@pcisys.net)
Date: Sat Apr 21 2001 - 13:26:10 PDT

  • Next message: Ed Cannon: "Re: Obs request for new naked-eye GEO flasher"

    Chinasat 5 (Spacenet 1)                          35962 x 35776 km
    1 14985U 84049A   01101.78457152 -.00000296  00000-0  00000-0 0  7350
    2 14985   3.9708  77.1232 0022040 165.7335 194.3338  0.99989222 39346
    
    It is about 3 degrees below and a little to the left (using the zenith
    from Superbirds azimuth as a reference).  I suspect it is flashing
    for binocular viewers about the same time as Superbird with a total
    flashing duration of at least 20 minutes.  Period about 147 seconds.
    
    It is probably naked eye for a bit but I did not confirm that last night
    since I was using binoculars.  The next few nights are expected to be
    cloudy here so I can't get any details on the max flash time or if the
    period is double what I recorded last night.
    
    I also have not found a picture of Spacenet 1 to get a feel for the
    reflecting surface(s).  I trust Ed will find one and even view it if
    the weather is good.
    
    I may have seen another flasher about 1-2 degrees to the right and 
    slightly below Superbird around 03:00 UT but Spacenet 1 got my attention
    because it was so bright.
    
    Spacenet viewing time for me in Colorado would be 3:00 UT plus or minus
    10-15 minutes.
    
    Ron Lee
    
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    This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sat Apr 21 2001 - 13:26:19 PDT