Iridium flares; HST; ISS.

From: RobDonRe@aol.com
Date: Wed Jun 06 2001 - 06:30:34 PDT

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    The following sightings were made during the period 05.23.01 to 06.03 .01. 
    All passes and flares were per Heaven's Above predictions. Unless noted, 
    sightings were done from the following location: 39deg 11min N  -119deg 45min 
    W elev. 1430m(4700ft).
    
    05.23.01:  Iridiun 17 flared as predicted at 05:23(12:23UT). Iridium 42 was 
    also      
                    predicted to flare at 04:34(11:34UT), but was not sighted.
    
    05.24.01:  Viewed a pass of HST at the predicted times. I was able to set up a
                    60mm telescope and watch as 'Hubble' passed through the field 
    of view
                    at 05:12(12:12UT). It was a small point of light, however, 
    realizing what
                    was passing by and seeing it was quite exciting.
                    Iridium 38 flared as predicted at 05:16(12:16UT), as did 
    Iridium 82 at 
                    05:19(12:19UT). a predicted flare of Iridium 39 at 
    04:27(11:27UT) was 
                    not sighted.
    
    05.27.01:   Sighted from 39deg 16min N  -119deg 49min W   elev. 1542m(5060ft) 
                    Iridium 39 flared at 04:27(11:27UT). This flare was 1 minute 
    later than 
                    predicted. From the initial sighting to max. flare approx. 2 
    seconds 
                    elapsed. This flare was followed by a second magnitude 0 
    flare, then a 
                    prolonged fade out. Total view time: 10 seconds.
    
    05.27.01:   Iridium 17 flared at 04:51(11:51UT). Again, this was 1 minute 
    later than 
                     predicted. Also, this flare was in the range of magnitude 
    -2, not the
                     predicted magnitude 0. Total view time: 6 seconds.
    
                     This flare was immediately followed by a second, unpredicted 
    flare at
                     Alt. 15deg  Azm. 29deg NNE. This flare reached magnitude -2 
    also.
                     The object traveled SSE to NNW. Total time of view: 5 
    seconds.
                     The only ID I can find that is close is Alouette 1 USSPACE 
    COM cat.
                     no. 424   International Designation code: 1962-049-A. The 
    Heaven's
                     Above pass prediction matches the direction, but the timing 
    is off.
                     Any thoughts??
    
    05.31.01:   Iridium 15 flared as predicted at 04:18(11:18UT). a predicted 
    flare of
                     Iridium 17 did not occure.
    
    06.01.01:   ISS passed over as predicted, however, the max. magnitude was 
    closer
                    to -4, not -0.8 as predicted. View was done both naked eye 
    and using
                    16x50 binoculars.
    
    06.03.01:   Sighted from 39deg 16min N  -119deg 49min W   elev. 1542m(5060ft).
                     ISS passed over at 04:33(11:33UT). This pass ran 1 minute 
    later than 
                     predicted. View was done both naked eye and using 7x35 
    binoculars.
                     The duration of the pass was 9 seconds, at which time it 
    faded from
                     binocular view.
    
    
    R. Morgan
    Carson City, Nv. USA
    39deg 11min N   -119deg 45min W
    elev. 1430m(4700ft).   
                        
    
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