More on Gorizonts

From: Michael Waterman (mike.waterman@web-hq.com)
Date: Mon Apr 07 2003 - 13:16:15 EDT

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    My previous posting on Gorizonts was provoked by two Gorizonts
    with unusual flash periods, the second then unconfirmed.
    
    The one with the short period was 88028A = #19017 = Gorizont 15
    seen on March 22 with a period of 16.22, this one has been seen
    before by other observers.
    
    The second was seen on March 31 as a single "flash" (maybe should
    be called a flare) lasting about 20 secs. It was not the Gorizont 
    I was looking for, and the only near-GSO object fitting the position
    was 89081A = #20263 = Gorizont 19. No other flashes were seen in the
    next 10 minutes. 
    89081A is not in the heavens-above or PPAS archive.
    On Apr 2 I looked for it, and saw another 20-sec flare, but then the
    clouds came. At least the identification was confirmed.
    On Apr 5th I saw 4 flares, and the period was 872.8 +-0.4 secs.
    On Apr 6th I also saw 4 flares, and the period was 877.7 +-0.2 secs.
    
    The flares start at or before RA=12h and probably end about
    RA=13h 20m. It is currently visible from Europe Africa and Asia. 
    From NW Europe it is visible from about 2030 UT to 2140 UT.
    The middle of the flares varies between mag 4 and mag 6, and they are 
    brighter than mag 8 for about 20 secs.
    
    If the period continues changing at the same rate, then tonight (7th)
    it should be visible from Eorope at about 2038 2053 2107 & 2122 UT.
    
    Mike Waterman      mike.waterman@marconi.com  or  mike.waterman@web-hq.com
    Site Yateley = COSPAR 2115 =  51.3286N  0.7950W  75m.
    
    
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