Yes, RA was corrected immediately in a subsequent post, but of course there would have been a slight delay in you receiving it. Sorry about omitting elevation- a combination of excitement and needing to get to sleep, by the time I realised I had omitted it, I was almost asleep so had to wait till next morning our time. Apologies also for lack of timings- however I understand time and duration (20 seconds) of the burn were known anyway, and it would have been very difficult to time when it actually commenced and ended owing to the diffuse cloud generated. Estimated around 20 degrees elevation - certainly comparatively low but well above the hills which cut off my visibility to the east at around 10 to 12 degrees. The ground track indicates that the burn would not have been at a high elevation. At the point when it glowed a nice luminous green it did appear that the rocket shape was visible but naturally I wanted to be more sure before reporting definite obs - I was familiar with the shape as I had been watching it on ILS launch video coverage (though I was slightly delayed and missed the launch itself.) Unfortunately I did not have sensitive enough photographic equipment to pick it up but the luminous glow is firmly etched in my mind! So it seems observation is confirmed- made my day (or should be that week!) Weather conditions as mentioned were excellent, on probably our hottest day this year with temperature having reached 27 degrees C during the day and was probably still in the 20s at the time- perhaps I should not tell USA observers this, but I was observing in a short sleeved shirt and shorts, something I am rarely able to do! We had had a little cloud to the west but even that had disappeared- it is fortunate that my location is shielded from sea fog which has been causing problems in some local areas. It had only been dark enough for good observation about half an hour before- was 2155 our time and it is summer. Robert 41.261S 147.948S 103m ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ted Molczan" <molczan@rogers.com> To: "SeeSat-L" <SeeSat-L@satobs.org> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 11:27 PM Subject: RE: NROL-23 launched > Seems very likely that you saw the MES2 burn, which was predicted to pass > near > RA 12:50 Dec -34:40 at the time and site of your observation. > Congratulations! > > Can you estimate the observed elevation above the horizon at the time of > the > burn? > > Ted Molczan > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: > http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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