Observations 04 June 2005:
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Cosatrak 1 (Computerised satellite Tracking System).
MINTRON low light level CCD surveillance camera (0.005 lux typical
in non integration mode) and 0.00005 lux in STARLIGHT mode with 128
frame integration.
Used with 145mm focal length f/2.5 lens and easily showing 12th
magnitude stars in "real time" on the monitor.
Site 0433 : Longitude 18.51294 deg East, Latitude 33.94058 deg S,
Elevation 10 metres - situated in Pinelands (Cape Town), South Africa
27168 02 001A 0433 F 20050604175037800 56 15 1051011+043444 39 +095 05
27938 03 041B 0433 F 20050604181214700 56 15 0923239-002155 39 +090 05
90013 03 564A 0433 F 20050604162407000 56 15 1224413+060643 39 +085 05
90018 03 790A 0433 F 20050604172402000 56 15 1524035+050319 39 +130 05
90018 03 790A 0433 F 20050604172402000 56 15 1524029+050047 39 +130 05
90031 05 546A 0433 F 20050604172402000 56 15 1518541+051456 39 +100 05
90031 05 546A 0433 F 20050604175411700 56 15 1549059+050914 39 +100 05
90033 05 558A 0433 F 20050604180125200 56 15 1119453+071323 39 +095 05
90034 05 592A 0433 F 20050604192112700 56 15 1417402+061601 39 +110 05
91031 05 638X 0433 F 20050604181716500 56 15 1620322+010546 39 +085 05
92032 05 638A 0433 F 20050604162540100 56 15 1422477+070306 39 +084 05
92032 05 638A 0433 F 20050604171655200 56 15 1512441+034256 39 +078 05
92032 05 638A 0433 F 20050604182837800 56 15 1623059-005122 39 +075 05
93030 05 629C 0433 F 20050604172202500 56 15 1524446+025026 39 +090 05
93030 05 629C 0433 F 20050604182958700 56 15 1632551+025323 39 +087 05
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT !!:
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27380 02 007A 0433 F 20050604173009500 56 15 1443516+051627 39 +095 05
27380 02 007A 0433 F 20050604191333000 56 15 1627292+051548 39 +090 05
91027 05 625A 0433 F 20050604173009500 56 15 1443551+051700 39 +100 05
91027 05 625A 0433 F 20050604191333000 56 15 1627348+051623 39 +095 05
UNKNOWN 4th magnitude LEO:
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91032 05 155LEO 0433 F 20050604181521800 56 15 1003555+115322 39 +040 05
91032 05 155LEO 0433 F 20050604181523700 56 15 1004300+113408 39 +040 05
91032 05 155LEO 0433 F 20050604181525500 56 15 1004597+111518 39 +040 05
Notes:
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(1) After two weeks of rain and continual cloud it cleared- well,sort of.
I spent most of the time dodging clouds and light showers and
eventually gave up in disgust after which it cleared completely but
I was done for the night!
(2) No sign of 90016 which I rate as an easy object. I did a 1.5 degree
search around the predicted position but no sign of it. Has it been
moved again? I tried the predicted location three times during the
session.
(3) Too close for comfort- if I was one of the operators of INTELSAT 904
(#27380) I would be doing it in my pants because of the proximity of
#91027.
They were almost touching the first observation but by the time of
the second observation they had increased the seperation slightly.
Since I am not sure which is INTELSAT 904 or 91027 I have reported
both objects but I think I have identified them correctly.
(4) The object 90018 is suspect. It appeared to produce a short
trail in the 400 seconds integration and I dont know which is the
start or end so gave the positions of each end. It is somewhat "off-
track" from where 90018 was predicted. At magnitude 13 or so its
possible it could be a ccd blemish/blotch etc but it does look
like a short trail, so treat with suspicion.
(5) The bright unknown crossed the corner of my field of view whilst
checking the calibration of the mount against Regulus. It was steady
and fairly fast. I can find no match in my element database. Guess
its another unknown that will escape unless someone can identify it.
(6) IF its clear tomorrow night I hope to track but since my location
is now in its winter rain spell I do not really expect to get much
observing done before early September when conditions improve.
(7) Hope not too many typing errors- after measuring all day my eyes are
all skewed and my brain is disconnected.
(8) I still have a few more to measure but they are commercial geostationaries
and leo objects-nothing exciting expected.
Cheers
Greg
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