In the short run, and if you are within a few degrees of latitude from recent observers, you can expect a satellite to flash whenever you see it close to the declination and R.A. where those observers did. In this case, Ed Cannon saw it Jan.01 at RA=02:10 to 02:50, roughly. He is at +30N - Brad Young (Dec.27) at +35N, fading from about RA 02:20 The long observation times indicate the reflections travel along the satellite track, so it is not so sensitive to time/RA. But 0.5 degrees N or S (which makes about 4 degrees of latitude) the flashes would be fainter, or if there is a slight angular difference between the sat track and flash path, the time/RA of the brighest flashes could be hours away in other directions. Over time, the changing RA and declination of the Sun will cause similar changes. If observers (preferably from different latitudes) can determine the time/RA of brightest flashes over a longer period, I can determine the path of flashes, and even the flash cone angle, rotation axis, and its precession, to allow predictions for a longer time, and flashes appearing in other parts of the orbit. /Björn ----- Original Message ----- From: <mhorina@juno.com> To: <seesat-l@satobs.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 4:30 PM Subject: Re: another brightly flashing near-geosynch > Hello Group, > Please excuse the newbie question. I can get the > star = > charts etc. to track a near geosync over my location............. How > do I= > know when the "window of opportunity" occurs to see this satellite > flash= > ing? > Mark > Foley MO > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > 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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