Daniel Deak wrote: > I have a question though. Is there a program that use this > kind of data [azimuth and elevation] directly to calculate > an orbit and generate TLE. To know if my efforts will be > worth the time and money, I'm asking if analysts prefer to > use AD-dec data instead of Az-El or if any format is OK for > all analysts. Here is some of what Dr. Desmond King-Hele wrote about using a theodolite, on page 101 of the 1983 edition of Observing Earth Satellites: "The accuracy of theodolite observations depends greatly on the quality of the instrument and the mounting, as well as the skill and assiduity of the observer. Great care has to be taken over the levelling of the instrument, and a concrete emplacement is advisable. The accuracy should be checked by taking readings on known stars -- their azimuth and elevation have to be calculated. But if the emplacement, the instrument and the calibrations are satisfactory, a good theodolite observer can do as well as a star background observer." As you may know, the UK and IOD formats include support for az/el: http://www.satobs.org/position/UKformat.html http://www.satobs.org/position/IODformat.html If you use one of those two standard formats, then I will modify my software to read their az/el formats. Ted Molczan ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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