Last night I finally got a glimpse of a satellite in the field of my 8" LX200 (f/10) with my PC23C video camera at prime focus. I used predictions were from www.heavens-above.com. They provided a star map that showed #N12386 would pass very close to star 2 alpha Triangulum. So I positioned the scope on the star and the satellite SHOT through the field of view (right on time). I had tried to use my TelRad and sighting scope to manually follow another satellite. VERY DIFFICULT! First of all the satellite didn't show up exactly where I expected. Then there was the difference in its dec. vs RA speeeds. Since the LX200 has three set-speeds, I was invariably moving too slow on one axis or two fast on the other. Several times I successfully slewed in front of the satellite, but then I'd over-shoot when trying to center the satellite. When I'd switch to the slower speed I couldn't catch the satellite on the dec axis. To manually track a satellite one would need a joystick and proportional speed control$. Our best bet for satellite viewing may be something like C-Sat software from www.skyshow.com. C-Sat seems to require very precise alignment, positioning, timing and current TLEs. Of course the larger the field of view, the better. A few days ago, I caught Mir in the daytime with my wife's camcorder. That was easy. I may try using the camcorder at night. (If I get permission). With the wider field I can include reference stars which help to locate the satellite exact position. Ted Pittman ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Feb 02 2000 - 08:43:36 PST