Zenith-2, USA 129, SPOT 3 and others

From: Bjoern Gimle (b_gimle@algonet.se)
Date: Sat Sep 23 2000 - 06:15:45 PDT

  • Next message: Ted Molczan: "USA 129 elements"

    Timed 17 flashes from Okean-O rk 99-39 B at 0.00, 12.34, 21.93, 32.68,
    43.59, 54.89, 66.14, 76.37, 87.35, 97.65, 109.08, 119.60, 129.34, 140.66,
    151.50, 162.53, 173.50 s. Final time 18:27:26.2 UTC 2000-09-22
    However, my conclusion is NOT 10.84 s period, but more likely 11.04 s. This
    is not evident by inspecting the lap times, but plotting the absolute times
    of flashes relative to the one predicted (my SYNODIC program) by the 11.04 s
    period, I get
    0.00,
    1.30, -0.15, -0.44, -0.57, -0.31, -0.10, -0.91, -0.97, -1.71, -1.32, -1.84,
    -3.14, -2.86, -3.06, -3.07, -3.14 s .
    Here, as well as in many previous observations of this and other Zenith-2
    rockets, including a large number posted (and privately mailed) by Leo
    Barhorst, most of the passes show short sequences of constant period, then a
    phase shift followed by another short sequence with the previous period etc.
    The size of the phase shifts seem to indicate that the Zenith-2s have 6, 8
    or more reflective surfaces around its surface.
    
    I don't seem to get the time to make a thorough analysis, but I have a
    collection of raw material at
    http://www.algonet.se/~b_gimle/Leo99-39B.htm and
    http://www.algonet.se/~b_gimle/99-39B.XLS ,
    also .../99-39B.txt, 99-39B.obs, 99-39B.XLS, 99-39B4b.jpg, 99-39B_158.jpg,
    99-39B_75.jpg, 99-39B_789.jpg
    
    SPOT 3 flashed brightly at 19:46:41 RA 17:47 dec+41, 19:46:58 17:16 +45.5,
    19:48:02 15:00 +54, and 19:48:25 14:12 +54.
    Flash 1 and 3 were +1 and +2, the others slightly fainter.
    
    Observed by chance (95% certain id) C.2263 r, C.1500, C.1550, C.1577 r, and
    C.1025 r.
    C.1577 r flashed sharply in the E with 9.8 s period, but near culmination
    the period was closer to 9.6, with "secondary" flashes of same brightness,
    very close to half-period.
    
    24680 96 072A   5918 F 20000921185520800 17 25 0323200+430250 48 I-010 04
    24680 96 072A   5919 E 20000922191551000 17 25 0453800+661000 28 I+010 07
    24680 96 072A   5919 E 20000922191630700 17 25 0759200+585000 38 I+030 07
    24680 96 072A   5919 E 20000922191653000 17 25 0838350+532270 18 I+020 07
    
    -- b_gimle@algonet.se (home)  http://www.algonet.se/~b_gimle --
    -- COSPAR 5919, MALMA,    59.2576 N, 18.6172 E, 23 m         --
    -- COSPAR 5918, HAMMARBY, 59.2985 N, 18.1045 E, 44 m         --
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    This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sat Sep 23 2000 - 06:17:20 PDT