Superbird A in Africa

ROB MATSON (ROBERT.D.MATSON@cpmx.saic.com)
11 Jun 1998 13:09:49 -0800

Hi All,

It's almost time for the return of Superbird A.  I know we've got a few
Seesaters in South Africa -- Willie Koorts and Koos van Zyl for sure.
Who will be first to see it?  Flashes should currently be visible from
Mauritius, the Seychelles, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia.  Superbird A will begin to peek above eastern
South Africa's horizon by the end of the weekend.  By the middle of next
week it may be just high enough to acquire the flashes.

On Wednesday morning June 17, I predict flashes for Pretoria, South Africa, should be centered on about 01:46 UTC, which I believe is 3:46am local
time (not very convenient), located about 4 degrees above Alpha Ceti.  As
far as I know, I was the last person to observe this satellite on May 6th, and
the above prediction is based on a rotation axis and precession rate that I
last fine-tuned on April 29.  In other words, the peak time is going to be off,
but I wouldn't be surprised if I've got it correct to within 15 minutes.  Good
luck to those that try!  --Rob