Re: Counterintuitive Observation

From: Art Glick (omb00900@mail.wvnet.edu)
Date: Mon Jan 07 2008 - 18:51:36 UTC

  • Next message: Brad Young: "BY Obs Jan 7"

    Fellow SeeSater's,
    
    I'm sure someone on this list can explain an observation that's quite 
    counterintuitive.
    
    We have passes for USA193 tonight and tomorrow night.  The lower (46 
    degrees) more distant (392 km) pass is brighter (mag = 1.8) than the 
    higher (58 degrees) closer (334 km) pass (mag = 2.2).
    
    Why would something farther away be brighter?
    
    Assuming that the craft remains in the same attitude, it happens that 
    you're looking at the opposite side of the object between these two 
    passes, which could be less or more reflective, but I'm pretty sure 
    that Heavens Above does not keep track of such factors.
    
    The sun is lower for the closer pass, but not that much (-9.4 versus 
    -8.8 degrees).  Could that be the reason for the difference?  Seems 
    like such a small difference in sun angle.
    
    Then again, in the case of the brighter pass, the observer is "in 
    between" the sun and the object (so to speak) and in the case of the 
    dimmer pass, the object is in between the observer and the sun.  Is that it?
    
    Best Regards to all,
    
    Art
    
    Observing from our "Winter Location" in beautiful downtown Lewisburg
    +37.798
    -80.443
    Approx. 2300' above MSL
    
    
    
    Almost Heaven Group
    Phone 304-645-2310
    http://www.almostheaven.net/
    Offering direct sales of Saunas, Steamrooms.
    
    
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