Once I was following a satellite with my 10X50s and another satellite
entered my view from the side, the second satellite visually crossed the
path of the 1st with no discernable space between them. I could only go
Wow! Both were bright. I may have posted it at the time.
Within the last two weeks I saw two satellites at the same time. First I
saw a flare, watched the satellite as it crossed SSW to NSE. While it was
still in view, another satellilte approached from the same direction, but
further north noticibly, but no flare from it. I've seen double satellites
numerous times, I didn't know it was unusual. Following one satellite with
the wide view of binoculars often leads to another satellite that may not be
visible by eye.
I think the most I've seen in an hour is also 13. I don't have the software
downloaded so they are by chance and luck. To reach these numbers the sky
must be scanned with the binoculars to catch the subvisible (for my
conditions of 4 to 5.5 magnitude close to a big city) and being alert 1x
between scanning.
I posted on meteorobs, from the chatter here, that the Iridiums may not
have controlled reentry. I'm sure this was a disappointment to those
interested in studying electrophonic effects that they hoped to get. As Ed
pointed out, Aviation Week ran a story a week later saying what had been
talked about here. I have a question. Do some satellites have enough fuel to
be able to be directed to a reentry study area, or two, if interest was
demonstrated by scientists? If several satellites a year could be brought
down within study areas around the world, this could help atmospheric
science and other related studies.
Dave English
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Apr 07 2000 - 07:58:11 PDT