STARSHINE OBSERVATIONS WANTED

MALEY, PAUL D. (paul.d.maley1@jsc.nasa.gov)
Wed, 9 Jun 1999 12:16:16 -0500

As part of the STARSHINE project, I would like to encourage SEESAT observers
to report information on the brightness of the STARSHINE satellite at
available opportunities. It was hoped that the flash rate would be fast
enough to allow students to track it easily. From the reports I have seen
and my own experience last weekend from Maryland, the flash rate appears to
be irregular and possible once every 10-15 seconds. I saw one 2nd magnitude
flash 2.5 hours after deployment on an 8 degree max elevation pass where it
was located just ahead of the Shuttle. The next day my video system was
unable to detect it even though I could see stars to +9 and the satellite
was at 60 degrees elevation.

Again, we would appreciate information on flash rates in the hopes that
perhaps the rate may increase in upcoming months to permit more extensive
viewing by the many schools currently attempting to participate in the
program.

Paul
Paul D. Maley

tel. 281-244-0208; fax: 281-244-1140
email: paul.d.maley1@jsc.nasa.gov
latitude 29.6049 north, longitude 95.1086 west, elev 6m