----- Original Message -----
From: "Ted Molczan"
...
I see a need for a similar program for planning observation sessions.
ObsPlan
would highly automate the process of target selection and the generation of
finder charts.
[I bought LXD-55 with Autostar thinking that it could automate this and
remove the need for finder charts. But selection is still manual, and its
predictions are often several degrees off-track, and it sometimes stops
tracking even before culmination]
It would support the use of priority lists.
[For elset file updating, the main priority should be expected uncertainty
(or maneouvres) so that not all objects need the same observation and OD
frequency]
...
It would handle mundane tasks like working around local obstacles.
...
Imagine always intercepting satellites when they pass good reference stars.
[I have lost more satellites with LXD 55 than with binoculars because of
preparation time and obstacles]
Imagine knowing in advance the number and quality of reference stars that a
satellite is likely to pass. Could be used to choose among multiple
coincident
targets of similar priority.
[And where the satellite is expected to be brightest.
Also taking sky brigtness/optics in consideration]
...
Clearly, we need self-calibrating timepieces that directly log UTC when we
hit a
button, and which will dump their data to a PC, to be read by programs like
ObsReduce. Think of the time saved, and the errors avoided.
[I think stopwatch makers are too unimaginative. Get rid of Start/Stop
buttons, record times, (allow any time to be used as 'start' if so desired),
dump the data to PC, and have a program that evaluates calibration clicks,
clock drift and computes UTC]
...
Through the use of better gravitational, drag and SRP models, we could get
much
more out of our limited number of observations, and decrease their required
frequency. Keep in mind that we have a vast quantity of historical data,
both our
observations and official 2-line elements, which we can use to develop and
verify our new models.
...
We also need more automated orbit determination software.
[Agree on both]
Greg, you have led the way on the hardware front, with your computer-aimed
video
system, and Peter and Rainer are getting great results with still cameras.
This
is another area of huge potential. It would be great if affordable systems
could
be built for use by non-hardware experts.
[I bought an Autostar scope because I couldn't build a mount like
Greg's, with a large tube because I didn't believe I could assemble/afford a
video system sensitive enough]
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sat Dec 20 2003 - 14:01:18 EST