Bob: Thanks for your reply. I now understand. JIM Matson, Robert wrote: > Hi Jim, > > > Why did you say; <Timing is good right now since we're at new > moon> > > Because it is easier, contrast-wise, to see a sunlit satellite > transit the dark side of > the moon. Several days before or after new moon is thus a good > time to look. That's > not to say that you can't see a satellite transit the moon at > other times -- you can > always try a silouette transit for a satellite in darkness. But > the nice thing about a > sunlit transit is that you can track the satellite prior to > first-contact so that you know > exactly when it will happen. > > > Is there any way of answering how often a transit of this type > > can occurr during new moon? > > Transits of large objects are kind of like Iridium monster > flares -- it depends on how > far you want to drive. If you stick in any one place, you'll > see far fewer than if you're > willing to drive 10 miles. Still, you probably get one or two > per day, even if you sit > still. --Rob