Return of Superbird
Matson, Robert (ROBERT.D.MATSON@saic.com)
Thu, 23 Sep 1999 12:31:26 -0700
Hi All,
A few of you have asked when to look for flashes from Superbird A
(#20040) now that it has returned to U.S. skies. Here's the low-
down. Superbird is currently experiencing eclipse season (along
with most GEOSATs), and unfortunately the 40+ minutes of eclipse
each night is occurring at the same time that the solar panel
alignment is correct for producing flashes across the U.S.
Fortunately, this situation doesn't last long. Eclipse starts
about 9 minutes later each night, and since the flash tracks
currently move from southwest to northeast, the southwest will
"come out from under eclipse" a few days ahead of the northeast.
Southern California may just barely be able to see flashes on
Saturday night, September 25th, though they will be very low
on the horizon. By Sunday night, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah,
Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas should be able to see the flashes
(again, they'll be low in the sky for SoCal). The western
parts of Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska may also squeeze in
just before shadow entry at 3:21 UT (9/27 UT).
Monday night local (9/28 UT), eclipse entry is late enough
that all but the northeast U.S. will be able to see them. And
by Tuesday night it's clear-sailing for everyone.
So, for Sunday night: Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado
should be looking for flashes starting some time after 3:05 UT,
but hopefully before eclipse entry at 3:21. Flashes should
be about 5 degrees to the right, and slightly above, iota-Ceti
(not far from the border of Aquarius). The flash location does
not change appreciably from one night to the next, relative to
the stars, and the flash sequence will start about a minute to
a minute and a half later each night. --Rob