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. ----------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from SeeSat-L, send a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@satobs.org List archived at http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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