Observations 25 Feb 2009 Part 2
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Cosatrak 1 (Computerised satellite Tracking System).
Camera mount now carries two systems that can be operated
together as two totally different sytems and computers used.
Generally the DSI Pro II camera will be used for high altitude
slow moving objects. Tests seem to indicate that its sensitivity
is comparable to the MINTRON ( possibly better) but as its not
possible (?) to time stamp to better than 1 second accuracy the
time resolution is not good enough for LEO objects.
(1) 145mm focal length f/2.5 lens fitted to MINTRON low light
level CCD surveillance camera (0.005 lux typical in non integration
mode) and 0.00005 lux in STARLIGHT mode with 128 frame integration.
Image integrated for 2.56 seconds but exposure depends on sky background
brightness. Field of view 2.5 x 1.9 degrees and showing about mag +12
stars in "real time". Used as a finder for the 6 inch reflector.
Individual frames are video time stamped with GPS derived signal.
Site 0433 : Longitude 18.51294 deg East, Latitude -33.94058 deg,
Elevation 10 metres-situated in Pinelands (Cape Town),South Africa
For CLASSFD.TLE
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90082 08 731A 0433 P 20090225193420800 56 15 0158003-112911 39 +090 05
90082 08 731A 0433 P 20090225193435200 56 15 0157283-105856 39 +090 05
Strays seen:
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ARIANE 5 DEB (SYLDA) range 7930 kms, variable
33277 08 038D 0433 P 20090225194643900 56 15 0518369+294034 39 +080 05
SL-21 R/B steady
29159 06 019C 0433 P 20090225185939500 56 15 0309123+071810 39 +075 05
SL-16 R/B
27006 01 056F 0433 P 20090225194818900 56 15 0517486+285920 39 +035 05
GLOBALSTAR M070
32264 07 048B 0433 P 20090225195708800 56 15 0528381+250210 39 +075 05
CZ-3 R/B range 24460 kms steady
20559 90 030B 0433 P 20090225201008600 56 15 1152144+060255 39 +085 05
METEOR 2-14 steady
16735 86 039A 0433 P 20090225182214800 56 15 0942246+100250 39 +030 05
GORIZONT 30 geostationary, flashing
23108 94 030A 0433 P 20090225185115300 56 15 0253154+044925 39 +075 05
ATLAS CENTAUR ROCKET, range 5200 kms flashing
05816 72 003B 0433 P 20090225185616900 56 15 0301588+052205 39 +065 05
New Unknown:
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91143 09 556A 0433 P 20090225185750000 56 15 0309055+073937 39 +070 05
91143 09 556A 0433 P 20090225185751900 56 15 0310397+074037 39 +070 05
91143 09 556A 0433 P 20090225185755800 56 15 0313554+074512 39 +070 05
Notes:
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(1) In Part 1 I reported an observation of 90082 made with the 6 inch
reflector. This MAY be incorrect as the DVD recording shows the
telescope mount was still slewing at the time reported so the
"satellite trail" produced may have been caused by a bright star
slewing across the field of view. The observations reported now were
made with the video camera after the slew had stopped. Only had a
very short track as I was tracking through trees.
(2) GORIZONT 30 - flashing regularly, approximate period about 29.7
seconds
(3) ATLAS CENTAUR ROCKET #05816 flashing approximately every 2 seconds
to about mag +6.5, invisible in between flashes
(4) A possible new unknown. Reminded me of EGP except with EGP one does
not see the satellite in between flashes. This one was doing approx
8 flashes every 2 seconds and ranging from mag +6.5 to about mag +7.5
My rough estimate of the orbit, assuming circular is
inclination 25.0 degrees, period 111.6 minutes, RA Node 172 degrees,
altitude observed 1304 kms, standard magnitude +4.5
Of course this could be totally wrong if in an elliptical orbit.
I could find no obvious match in my database of about 12600
satellites
Cheers
Greg
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