Dodecapole 2, NOSS 2-3 Rocket, 1997 012

EricVondra@aol.com
Sun, 27 Apr 1997 15:48:27 -0400 (EDT)

"Accidental" sighting on April 25 I later confirmed as Dodecapole 2 (1965
065C) was flashing 6.0 to 9.5 in approximately 11 second period, with several
flickers in the sequence.

Observed the NOSS 2-3 Rocket (1996 029B, also launched TiPS) on Feb. 9, and
it was quite a spectacular flasher (1.5 to 5.5, tumbling erratically and
bright yellow).  Observed same again on April 26 and it was steady at 1.5
with only minor fluctuations during the first part of the pass.  Both times
it was offset slightly west of predicted track (Satspy 2.0).

Also on April 26, observed parade of 1997 012 objects (DMSP B5D2-9) B,D,A,E,
and C, but only saw one, steady at 4.5 mag.  No flasher this time.  Last time
I observed it (April 18), the flasher did three bursts of half a dozen rapid
flashes then disappeared.

Eric Vondra
Pittsburgh PA  (Observing from 41N 80W)