> >I saw two unidentified satelites which were according to me brighter=20 >than mag. 4 and were not included in my GSOC predictions. Could=20 >someone please tell me what they are: >Cape Town, South Africa (33.54S, 18.38E, GMT +2h) 30/12/1997 >1> Estimated mag. 3.7, reaching max. el. at 03:58 at 80 deg S,=20 >moving from W to E.=20 Could it be (Culmination)--- Mag.CATNO 12/30/97 1:52:00 267=F8 61=F8 1:52:35 192=F8 83=F8 1:56:24 102=F8 10=F8= 3.1 23834=20 GPS 2-25 r1 5.9 2.4 0.0 5.0 or=20 12/30/97 1:55:59 255=F8 25=F8 1:57:57 182=F8 62=F8 2:01:40 99=F8 10=F8= 3.6 24323=20 GPS 2-27 r1 5.9 2.4 0.0 5.0 >2> Estimated mag. 3.6, reaching max. el. at 04:43 at 40 deg NE,=20 >moving from N to E. (04:42 - 04:44) 12/30/97 2:39:07 3=F8 10=F8 2:41:48 66=F8 29=F8 2:44:39 128=F8 10=F8= 4.2 23907=20 NOSS 2-3 r 9.8 3.0 0.0 4.8 >*all times local time* I chose UT for the text, local for the plots, available for download at http://www.algonet.se/~b_gimle/unknowns.htm > >And lastly - I have been looking quite long now for good satelite=20 >predicting software and I haven't exactly found what I needed yet.=20 >Are there any good programs out there and where can I find it? Look at the bottom of http://www.satellite.eu.org/satintro.html > (What are you using?) > I occasionally use QuickSat, when I want to have volume visibility predictions, and/or send predictions to friends. All other times I use Rob Matson's SkyMap (now 6.0)=20 Some of the prominent features are: o All parameter settings on menus are saved in .cfg files. Even startup actions can be set, so runs can be completely automatic. You can have files for different situations/selections. o Very accurate graphical prediction of satellite tracks, stars, deep space to any scale, and map features when viewed from high elevations. o Star data base down to mag. +10/+11 with v6.0 o Graphical mode very useful for prediction - and for analysing= observations, whether unID's or known. o Text mode prediction also available. o Up to ten elsets can be stored in .cfg - good passes can be selected and saved with Auto-Locate and Auto-Point. o Unlimited size elset files can be searched and predicted, with filters for magnitude, range, perigee, altitude, culmination. o Satellite transits over Sun and Moon can be Auto-Located. o Your observations can be entered into a deepsky.txt-type file for matching with stars/tracks o Publication quality stars, planets, Moon and satellite tracks in space over Earth map, viewed from space. o Local terrain features can be added. o Plot file can be copied to LaserJet4 and other compatible= printers/plotters, and programs are available to print,zoom, change colours... on lots of printers, screen and PCX files. o ... --------------------------------------------------------------- -- bjorn@tt-tech.se (office) b_gimle@algonet.se (home) -- -- 59.2237N, 18.2286E, 44 m http://www.algonet.se/~b_gimle -- -- SeeSat-L / Visual Satellite Observer Home Page found at -- -- http://www.satellite.eu.org/satintro.html -- ---------------------------------------------------------------