Optical 15 Dec 2012 Part 2

grr@telkomsa.net

Observations 15 Dec 2012 Part 2
------------------------------------

Cosatrak 1 (Computerised satellite Tracking System).

FLI ML8300M CCD camera with mechanical shutter + Trimble GPS

Used with 135mm focal length f/2.8 TAMRON lens.
Field of view 7.6 x 5.7 degrees.
Images processed and measured manually.

Site 0433 : Longitude 18.51294 deg East, Latitude -33.94058 deg,
Elevation 10 metres-situated in Pinelands (Cape Town),South Africa

FOR CLASSFD.TLE:
-----------------------------
11389 79 050A   0433 F 20121215195559497 55 15 1027377-513640 19
11389 79 050A   0433 F 20121215195758125 55 15 0838001-432451 19
11389 79 050A   0433 F 20121215195903405 55 15 0735448-315005 19
11389 79 050A   0433 F 20121215200008466 55 15 0641399-145730 19
28500 04 050A   0433 F 20121215214356882 55 15 0127405-083705 19
28500 04 050A   0433 F 20121215215637970 55 15 0142003-081614 19
28500 04 050A   0433 F 20121215220158532 55 15 0148081-080643 19

UNKNOWN 1:
---------------------

99990 12 849A   0433 F 20121215195606129 55 15 1049406-514749 19
99990 12 849A   0433 F 20121215195756125 55 15 0859209-450824 19
99990 12 849A   0433 F 20121215195802033 55 15 0852383-442058 19
99990 12 849A   0433 F 20121215195901405 55 15 0745205-323307 19
99990 12 849A   0433 F 20121215195936760 55 15 0708000-221157 19

UNKNOWN 2 :
----------------
99991 12 849B   0433 F 20121215195750239 55 15 0841147-431222 19
99991 12 849B   0433 F 20121215195758125 55 15 0845136-430008 19
99991 12 849B   0433 F 20121215195802033 55 15 0847437-425457 19

NOTES:
----------
(1) DEL4DEM  #28500 recovered after being lost for some time.
    Gives a brief flash every now and then. Left camera on
    expected position for about 50 minutes and on examining
    images found 10 images with a flash recorded.

(2) TWO unknowns found whilst tracking AMS4 - I must be doing
    something wrong but cant find matches

    1st unknown was in field of view with AMS4 the entire pass
    tracked, starting as a trailer and slowly overtaking before
    disappearing in earths shadow a few seconds before AMS4, so
    looks like SSO at slightly lower altitude than AMS4. About the
    same magnitude and looked steady. If Im lucky it might be
    USA 186 which is currenly lost but that would be a pure fluke.

    The second unknown headed south as it crossed the ascending
    AMS4. At the time I though it might be EGS but on examining
    the images obtained the flashes are too precise/sharp and too
    regularly spaced - either 5 or 6 in the 4 second exposure.
    Magnitude around mag 7 - 8.

Cheers
Greg

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