FOV diameter and limiting magnitude for telescopic positional observation

From: Ted Molczan (molczan@rogers.com)
Date: Thu Jul 17 2003 - 14:46:52 EDT

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    I have completed coding the final version of ObsReduce, my graphical program
    for reducing positional satellite observations into the standard reporting
    formats, IOD, UK and RDE (Russell Eberst's abbreviated UK format). 
    
    At present, ObsReduce's star database consists of 300,000 stars, to about
    magnitude 10, suitable for optics up to about 80 mm aperture, typically large
    binoculars or a small refracting telescope. 
    
    Several positional observers track very faint satellites using much larger
    aperture optics, for example, 200 mm. ObsReduce has been designed to support
    positional telescope users, primarily by providing the ability to work with an
    inverted or a mirror-image FOV (field of view). Also, I wish to provide a
    suitable star data base. To that end, I would appreciate advice from anyone
    who has used a telescope to make positional satellite observations. 
    
    Please tell me:
    
    - the typical and smallest FOV diameter that you use
    
    - the typical and faintest magnitude of stars you are likely to use as
    reference stars in a positional observation. This is not necessarily the same
    as the faintest magnitude that you can see.
    
    ObsReduce enables the user to set default FOV diameter, limiting magnitude and
    image orientation, all of which are easily changed at run time.
    
    I am writing the user's manual and testing and debugging. When finished (any
    day now), it will be available free of cost to anyone who wishes to download a
    copy.
    
    A screenshot is available here:
    
    http://www.satobs.org/programs/ObsReduce/ObsReduce.jpg
    
    Ted Molczan
    
    
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