Observations 01 Dec 2003:
---------------------------------
Cosatrak 1 (Computerised satellite Tracking System), 1004x low
light level CCD surveillance camera (0.003 lux) with 145mm focal
length f/2.5 lens with focal length reducer, field of view
1.89 x 1.43 degrees.The camera is fitted with a wide angle CCD
camera finder with a field of view three times that of the prime
camera and about 1.5 magnitudes less sensitive.
Conditions good.
Site 0433 : Longitude 18.51294 deg East, Latitude 33.94058 deg S,
Elevation 10 metres - situated in Pinelands (Cape Town), South Africa
15071 84 065C 0433 G 20031201181213700 17 15 2122324-292516 39 R+060 05
15071 84 065C 0433 G 20031201181313400 17 15 2142579+002343 39 R+065 05
15071 84 065C 0433 G 20031201181414400 17 15 2152283+194929 39 R+068 05
21147 91 017A 0433 G 20031201185742900 17 15 2153176-102657 39 S+036 05
21147 91 017A 0433 G 20031201185826600 17 15 2240094+051708 39 S+036 05
21147 91 017A 0433 G 20031201185927100 17 15 2332319+225614 39 S+037 05
24680 96 072A 0433 G 20031201202701100 17 15 0937595-642114 39 S+067 05
24680 96 072A 0433 G 20031201202835100 17 15 0702542-592442 39 S+057 05
24680 96 072A 0433 G 20031201202937600 17 15 0531326-461129 39 S+045 05
24680 96 072A 0433 G 20031201203038200 17 15 0431419-261231 39 S+057 05
90000 03 335A 0433 G 20031201201111800 17 15 0113595+054422 39 S+078 05
90000 03 335A 0433 G 20031201201150400 17 15 0117201+053137 39 S+078 05
90000 03 335A 0433 G 20031201201233700 17 15 0121011+051809 39 S+078 05
90000 03 335A 0433 G 20031201201316300 17 15 0124350+050523 39 S+079 05
90000 03 335A 0433 G 20031201201458700 17 15 0132386+043635 39 S+079 05
90000 03 335A 0433 G 20031201201546600 17 15 0136165+042344 39 S+080 05
90000 03 335A 0433 G 20031201201657400 17 15 0141272+040543 39 S+080 05
90000 03 335A 0433 G 20031201201800100 17 15 0145509+035117 39 S+081 05
90000 03 335A 0433 G 20031201201947200 17 15 0152583+032742 39 S+081 05
90000 03 335A 0433 G 20031201202041400 17 15 0156264+031710 39 S+081 05
90000 03 335A 0433 G 20031201202144400 17 15 0200191+030416 39 S+082 05
90000 03 335A 0433 G 20031201202243400 17 15 0203528+025311 39 S+082 05
Notes:
~~~~~~
(1) The flashing unknown geostationary satellite reported 25 November 2003
was seen in the same position and flashing. The following position
was obtained:
18h07m38.2sUT RA 23h13m09.6s Dec +05d12'20" (J2000)
When I returned to the az/el of this position some time later it had
stopped flashing and was invisible. I understand that the optical
characteristics are typical of an operational DSP satellite so this
is probably a classified geostationary. I will attempt to observe
it every tracking session although the sky is very bright- sun was
only about 10 degrees below the horizon at time of first seeing it
and the sun is setting later each night as I head towards mid-summer.
(2) An orbit plane search for KH9-17 ( 82041C #13172 ) was carried out.
The satellite WAS SEEN but it passed just outside the field of
view of my main camera and was moving so fast that I was unable to
catch up with it using my mounts slow motion controls. The satellite
was 3 minutes early. I should be able to get positional data next
time I observe as it was bright and easily seen in the wide angle
camera.
(3) Two other "unknowns" were observed,one of which was subsequently
identified as Mer-B Delta 2 rocket #27851. This has a very low
perigee in an elliptical orbit.
The other object is reported above as 90000 0335A. It was moving
very slowly and seemed to be getting fainter and moving slower as
the elevation increased so it looks like an eccentric orbit -
maybe a Molniya? I cant find a match in ALLDAT.TLE dated 29
November. More positions could have been obtained but would have
then had to miss USA 129 - was unable to find it again after the
pass of USA 129. Anybody like to compute an orbit ?
(4) Some time was spent doing an orbit plane scan for the lost
USA 125 rocket but nil was seen.
(5) Have a few other satellites to report but nothing exciting so
these will follow in a day or two.
(6) I plan to track a few selected satellites tonight but the weather
at the moment - about 8 hours before nightfall - does not look
too promising.
Cheers
Greg
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