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 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Apr 07 2000 - 07:58:11 PDT