Hi I have been observing Lacrosse satellites recently with an LX200, camcorder combination. I have had some success in resolving them and I was trying to interpret what I see. My best model to date is 2 panels attached to a central body. My images clearly show 2 panels which are sometimes perpendicular to the velocity vector and sometimes parallel to it. Equivalent to XVV and YVV modes for the ISS I expect. In December I observed a flare of Lacrosse 4 and I thought I could back calculate the orientation of the panel that caused it, since I know my location, the satellites location and the Sun's location. The result is encouraging. A panel perpedicular to the velocity vector and inclined at 25 degrees to the Earth's surface. Now 25 degrees or thereabouts is a common incident angle for a SAR antenna. So I assume it was the SAR antenna that flared. I would like to test that idea for other Lacrosse satellites so if anybody spots a flare please let me know with time and location of course. thanks Philip Masding My Lacrosse results to date are here http://www.zen32156.zen.co.uk/lacrosse.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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