Kevin, I last saw 02-009B/27387 in 5 different passes from May 4th through June 22nd, 2002 and its apparent magnitude ranged from [approximately] 3.1 to 5.0, corresponding to quicksat intrinsic magnitudes of 3.3 +/- 0.6 (or [Matson's] Skymap standard magnitudes of 4.6 +/- 0.5. As to 02-009A/27386, in four passes from April through August 2002, it was a little brighter, its quicksat intrinsic magnitude being 2.7 +/- 0.8 (and Skymap standard magnitude 4.0 +/- 0.9). In my light-polluted environment, I need binoculars to reliably see an object much fainter than about third magnitude, so neither object was ever really easy for me to see naked eye. When I have a chance, I'll try to see these objects and see if, as you observed, the rocket has significantly dimmed. Clear and dark skies! Ed Light Lakewood, NJ, USA N 40.1075, W 074.2312, +24 m (80 ft) On Tue, 6 Jul 2004 15:08:24 -0700 (PDT) Kevin Fetter <kfetter@yahoo.com> writes: > Is it just my eye's, are do people find envisat's rocket fainter this year. ... stuff deleted ... > ARIANE 5 R/B 10.0 2.5 0.0 3.5 d > 1 27387U 02009B 04188.24656446 .00000010 00000-0 18386-4 0 > 3159 > 2 27387 98.4297 252.1422 0031760 239.7010 120.1031 > 14.35252626123094 > > Last year in Aug, I had a pass of envisat and it's rocket, when I > could see them seperated by > around 10 degrees. They where both easy to see. This year I have no > problem seeing envisat, but to > me it's rocket seems way fainter. I can still spot it, but it not as > bright to me as last year. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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