---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Björn Gimle <bjorn.gimle@gmail.com> Date: 2012/6/25 Subject: Re: Multiple Flares To: "W. C. Uher" <airhound@comcast.net> Cc: seesat <seesat-l@satobs.org> Continue by reading www.satobs.org ! All observations must contain observation time in UTC (or local+current offset from UTC) as well as observer's lat/long and/or COSPAR station no., now assigned by pierre-neirinck@wanadoo.fr An unidentified satellite needs a rough position, preferably relative to identifiable stars. A second position can serve to define the direction of motion, or it can be described by the track's angle to the line between two stars, or the DIRection (clock-wise) relative to the vertical line at the moment of observation (3h or 90 degrees for a satellite going horizontally to the right). The speed of motion, or the time between the two positions can also be useful. Using www.heavens-above.com and selecting your observing date and approximate alt/az (and time and lat/long) you can get a usable star map, and maybe even identify the satellite ! Giving the compass directions where leaving and reaching the horizon is less reliable, unless you actually observed these positions, or the satellite passed near zenith. For a known flashing or flaring satellite, the optical behaviour can be reported using the PPASinp.exe program. Positional obs can be reported with ObsReduce.exe, best using observations when/where the satellite passes the line (or its extension) between two close stars, or by measuring a digital (or scanned analog) image. Except in rare cases of "missing" satellites the timing and position accuracies (and your local coordinates) should match. A satellite in LowEarthOrbit can move ~7 km/s, and at 200 km range 1/10s corresponds to 1/20 degree in position, and 0.0001 degree in your lat/long ! A GEOsynch satellite requires much less time and lat/long accuracy. Best use a stopwatch with multiple memories (10 or more) and a digital or analog recorder (or smartphone) to avoid writing notes in darkness. /Björn 2012/6/24 W. C. Uher <airhound@comcast.net> > > Just began really watching from a relatively clear vantage (horizon to > horizon). > > Don't know all the jargon, etc but will eventually pick it up. If anyone > has a "guide" for reporting objects seen, I would certainly appreciate it. > > *22 June; Flare almost directly overhead, through Big Dipper. Path: S to > N; Visible for 6 seconds. > 23 June; Flare in western sky, approx 30 degrees from horizon. Path: NW > to SE. Visible for 4 seconds.* > > That's all I know. I want to know more. > > Bill Uher > > Location: Lat: 36' 37 20, 56" N; Long: 90' 46 23 79" W; Elevation: 441' > > Location: SE Missouri, USA > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/private/seesat-l/attachments/20120624/50aebff8/attachment.html > _______________________________________________ > Seesat-l mailing list > http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-l -- ---------------------------------------- Björn Gimle, COSPAR 5919 59.2576 N, 18.6172 E, 23 m Phone: +46 (0)8 571 43 312 Mobile: +46 (0) 704 385 486 -- ---------------------------------------- Björn Gimle, COSPAR 5919 59.2576 N, 18.6172 E, 23 m Phone: +46 (0)8 571 43 312 Mobile: +46 (0) 704 385 486 _______________________________________________ Seesat-l mailing list http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-l
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