Re: ASTRO-D glint?
Mike DiMuzio (mdimuzio@cisnet.com)
Mon, 28 Dec 1998 22:37:13 +0000
"Matson, Robert" wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Has anyone ever observed a bright glint from ASTRO-D (#22521)?
> Two novice observers, at separate locations about 20 miles apart,
> were watching for a flare from Iridium 26 about 30 degrees above the
> southern horizon on December 23, but were both distracted by a
> bright flare occurring about 90 seconds too early. At first when
> they told me this, I asked if their watches were set right. Sure
> enough they were. Unfortunately, they both thought the show
> was over, so neither was looking at the predicted time of the
> flare (which I'm confident did occur).
>
> I asked if the glinting satellite was moving north to south (as IR26
> was). Both said no, it was moving roughly west to east (from
> about latitude 33 deg). The only satellite that came close to
> matching the time, direction and location of the glint was ASTRO-D,
> but I didn't think it could get bright enough to be confused with an
> Iridium glint. --Rob
I'm not sure if this is the same mission, but the JPL
Mission and Spacecraft Library has a page on ASCA, which
was once named Astro-D. This page also includes an artwork
picture of the deployed satellite.
There may be a couple of things which may cause flares.
The page is at http://spacepc.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/QuickLooks/ascaQL.html
Mike
--
41.087N 80.722W 330 meters
Mike DiMuzio mdimuzio@cisnet.com