Re: Fregat Rk/Cluster 2 (26106, 00-015A)

From: Ed Cannon (ecannon@mail.utexas.edu)
Date: Tue Apr 18 2000 - 00:33:45 PDT

  • Next message: Roger Curry: "Iridium flare video"

    I wrote:
    
    > Thursday evening (early April 14 UTC) I had twilight Highfly and
    > Quicksat predictions for "FREGAT RB/CLUS" (26106, 00-015A) --
    > ... it turned out to be quite bright (at least +2, maybe +1)....
    
    Saturday evening was a better pass than Thursday's, but I did not 
    see it at all!  So I was very curious about the pass last night 
    and was relieved that in spite of twilight and variable thin 
    clouds at least I did find it to be pretty bright in binoculars.
    But about the time I was trying to see if it was one-power 
    visible, I was interrupted by a police officer or security guard 
    who was curious who I was and what I was doing there....  Those 
    of you who have good sites near home, be grateful!  ...  At least 
    the fellow seemed satisfied that I was harmless and said it was 
    okay to be there (museum grounds near my apartment) at that time.
    
    Last night two Iridium flares occurred pretty much as predicted, 
    including a -2 flare with the Sun only two degrees below horizon 
    (visible at one power, although not very bright of course).
    
    Last night Milstar 3 Centaur Rk (25725, 99-23B) was one-power in 
    twilight at a range of about 1,600 km -- near perigee, of course!
    
    In spite of the clouds and moonlight I also managed last night 
    to see with binoculars some Superbird A (20040, 89-41A) flashes, 
    one of which was significantly brighter than beta Vir, which the 
    satellite was near at the time.  (Weather permitting, after 
    another night or two of moonlight Superbird A viewing should be 
    about ideal for much of the USA.)  I missed some due to getting
    tired of pointing the binoculars up there for that long!
    
    The last three nights' passes of MOS 1-A (17527, 87-18A) have 
    included some very bright flashes, Saturday and Sunday night
    (local time) at least +0.
    
    Also the last few nights I've seen good old Compton GRO (21225, 
    91-27B), a sentimental favorite.  It was one of the very first 
    ones that I saw when I first got into satellite observing in 
    March 1996.
    
    I've tried unsuccessfully at least three times in the last 
    several nights to see USA 89 Rk (22519, 92-86C).  They've all 
    been twilight passes, so I guess it's just been too faint.
    
    Ed Cannon - ecannon@mail.utexas.edu - Austin, Texas, USA
    
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