Noss 2-3 rk & USA 81

Jim Nix (nixj@bellsouth.net)
Fri, 12 Feb 1999 20:59:15 -0600

Hi,

02/13/1999
Noss 2-3 rk   running 17 secs early from:

NOSS 2-3 Rk
1 23907U 96029B   99040.75659988  .00185000  00000-0  45039-3 0    07
2 23907  63.4356 281.5169 0018999  70.7423 289.2576 15.95461893    01

USA 81  On time- Sparkling noted at 23 to 27 degrees elevation,  (Sun
Angle -8.9).

Iridium 6  Flare  00:14:42.50 - 00:15:18.02 on time within  one second,
Naked eye mag 3 to -4+.  Brighter than  Venus for several seconds, which
Skychart lists
 as -3.9.  Predicted Mag 7.8.

Mir & TRMM -  latter at mag 3 to 4.5 both appeared to be on time.  TRMM
crossed Mir path at 3-4 degrees  from Mir's apparent postion.
Trajectories converged
 and then diverged.  Had hoped to see TRMM brighter.


23907 96 029B   9999 E 19990213005503350 56 15 0430426+790733 18 S+040
10
21949 92 023A   9999 E 19990213001857250 56 15 0718376+095839 18 S+048
10

Jim
35.316N 89.886W 100m