This morning around 1030 UT (27 Aug 2000) I observed both objects from the recent Delta III launch. Elsets used below. Note I will use the NORAD # as specified in these elsets, not necessarily the correct ID as Mr Zimmer postulated yesterday. DM-F3 20631 x 188 km 1 26475U 00048A 00239.36891453 .00110183 77807-6 25976-2 0 91 2 26475 27.6333 309.7374 6088593 176.2641 192.2463 3.99173289 119 DM-F3 Delta 3 r 20637 x 186 km 1 26476U 00048B 00239.11586436 .00003254 77957-6 84746-4 0 73 2 26476 27.6082 309.1530 6090299 176.5940 191.2062 3.99105841 102 First to appear was #26476, the "rocket." It was on time/track and appeared steady during the approximately two minutes that I observed it. Then the thin clouds hovering around moved in but I still picked up object #26475, the "payload." I was still able to track it and noticed a fluctuation. Could have been due to clouds. Another dimming and I started my stopwatch. After several more such events I lost it in the clouds. The satellite would stay at about the same magnitude, then dim for a few seconds then quickly brighten. I timed the dim part when I should have timed the brightening. Still I got 39.7, 41.3, 35.6 and 42.3 intervals. Considering the uncertainty in my timing method I place this as certain rotation of the supposed payload. Thus I would have to agree with Harro that the current identification of the two objects are swapped. The payload was about the same magnitude as the rocket but this estimate is possibly skewed by the clouds. The only improvement I could make in this obs is track the likely real payload for a longer period to verify it is not dimming. But as Harro stated, it is unlikely to change more than 0.2 magnitude which I might not detect. The dimming of the probable real rocket was to invisibility thus about 1.5 magnitude or more. Ron Lee ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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
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