Intro + Re: see Mir/Atlantis in daylight using Moon

DJLaszlo@aol.com
Tue, 4 Jul 1995 13:08:10 -0400

First the introduction:

I'm an amateur naturalist/amateur astronomer.  I got hooked on satellite
watching a few years ago on a trip to Florida.  Many phone calls then got me
a list of predictions for the HST from NASA.  I later discovered the Amateur
Satellite Observers, and have to thank Jim Hale and Mike McCants for
patiently sending out those floppy disks with elements before everyone got
modems.

I like hunting unusual targets, and encouraging our local public to notice
the spectacular passes of the Space Shuttles and Mir.  Jeff Brower introduced
me to the 4000 satellites of Kilroy (JPL), to help me identify a slow-moving,
flashing satellite as Molniya 3-3, 75105A, in March 1995 .  I'd be happy to
participate in more systematic observing, when a site in Northeastern
Colorado, USA, would be helpful.  This summer, our weather has been better
for watching hail and white pelicans, unfortunately.

I enjoy using Bill Bard's Orbitrack 2.1.5, Tim DeBenedictis' SkyChart 2.2.1
for Macintosh, and Mike McCants' Quicksat.  After repeatedly running SkyChart
with the stars turned OFF, showing animation of all the satellites in the sky
(in TS Kelso's elements) at once, I realized I was truly satellite obsessed.
 Try it for an interesting perspective on the GPS, GLONASS, weather sats,
etc.

Regarding daylight satellite/shuttle observing:

I saw Mir last winter with 8x30 binoculars within 15 min of sunrise.  It was
passing near Denebola (Beta Leonis), about 20 degrees elevation in the West.
 The star became very difficult to see as sunrise approached, but it was
possible to stay on it by lining up on the corner of a roof.  It is tough to
maintain focus on a star against blue sky.  I was waiting for STS-63
Discovery when Mir popped into view, surprisingly easy to see.  It was very
favorably illuminated.  The point is, predawn viewing gives the opportunity
to precisely locate a guide star for a daytime look.