Fwd: Multiple Flares

From: Björn Gimle (bjorn.gimle@gmail.com)
Date: Mon Jun 25 2012 - 17:11:08 UTC

  • Next message: Björn Gimle: "Re: Multiple Flares"

    ---------- 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
    >
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    --
    ----------------------------------------
    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
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