Asiasat 3 Obs; 30 Dec 97

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First saw the Block-DM 3 rkt  at 08:10 UT (30 Dec 97).
It was flashing at a rate of 2.06 secs, max magnitude
about 7.5-8. (#25129)

97-086 D 97-12-30 08:11      RGL  78.1 1.0  38  2.06     Mag 8


At about 08:25 UT, I picked up Asiasat (#25126, 97-086 A). It 
was noticeably fainter than the rkt, perhaps 9.0-9.5.  It MAY
have been varying in brightness. If so, the period was at least
10 seconds and the variation more subtle than the rocket.

Range was about 4400 km. Used an 8" telescope.  I might have
seen the rocket in binocs but doubt that I would have seen 
Asiasat 3.

Ron Lee

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