This is in response to a request off-list for the Lacrosse standard magnitude plots: Lacrosse 1 http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/Lacrosse_flares/88106B_stdmag.jpg Lacrosse 2 http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/Lacrosse_flares/91017A_stdmag.jpg Lacrosse 3 http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/Lacrosse_flares/97064A_stdmag.jpg Lacrosse 4 http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/Lacrosse_flares/00047A_stdmag.jpg Lacrosse 5 http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/Lacrosse_flares/05016A_stdmag-1.jpg Note that Lacrosse 5's std mag is about 1 mag brighter than that of its predecessors; the likely cause is that it is also the first one that is not orange-red in colour, placing it closer to the part of the spectrum to which the human eye is most sensitive. Note also that during its first 9 days in orbit, Lacrosse 5's std magnitude plot was significantly different than it has been ever since. Here is the relevant plot: Lacrosse 5 (first 9 days in orbit) http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/Lacrosse_flares/05016A_stdmag-2.jpg It was about 1.4 mag fainter, and had a much greater coefficient of phase-angle. A possible explanation is that its SAR (synthetic aperture radar) antenna had not yet been deployed. For earlier discussion of Lacrosse 5's optical characteristics, please see the thread that began here: http://satobs.org/seesat/Oct-2005/0213.html Ted Molczan ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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