Re: Orientation of discarded HST array

Bill Welker (wwelker@wizrealm.com)
Mon, 10 Mar 1997 19:58:46 -0700

tcools@nic.INbe.net wrote: (about the HST Array)
> 
> Here are all the photometric period measurements found in PPAS6:
> 
> 90- 37 C 93-12-24 00:44      RIK               23     mag +7->4(4.5)
> 90- 37 C 94-02-11 01:26      MM   15   0.5   1 15     3.5-7
> 90- 37 C 94-02-12 01:31:25   WJW                      flashes to mag 8
> 90- 37 C 94-02-14 01:39:22   WJW                      peak elevation 20 degrees
> 90- 37 C 94-02-15 01:43:16   WJW                      problem with stopwatch
> 90- 37 C 94-03-30 02:47:17   WJW                      visible continuously
> 90- 37 C 94-05-14 04:20:46   WJW                      twilight, flashes visible
> 90- 37 C 94-05-16 04:23:14   WJW  71.8 0.1   9  7.98  sm
> 90- 37 C 94-05-17 04:26:13   WJW  71.8 0.1   9  7.98  sm
> 90- 37 C 94-08-24 01:54      MM  103.9 0.5   6 17.3   5-7, flash to 2
> 90- 37 C 94-11-27 02:11:22   WJW  52.0 0.1   6  8.67  sm, shadow
> 90- 37 C 94-11-28 02:11:25   WJW  69.3 0.1   4 17.3   2 complete array notation
> 90- 37 C 95-10-27 00:36      MM   51.6 0.5   3 17.2   flash to 3
> 
> General conclusion would be that the solar array is still tumbling with a
> period of about 17 seconds.  Its period didn't change much from 94-02-11
> untill the last observation so I do not believe it has settled into a stable
> position.
> 
> Still it should be nice to have some new observations of it, at least to
> know for sure.
> 
> Greetings,
> Tristan Cools

Well, as of November 10, 1996, my (unsubmitted) observations show the
flash period to be 17.6 seconds.  So, I can safely say the array has
slowed only slightly since mid-1994.  One of these days I'll get around
to submitting my flash measurements of the Array .... just so many
things to do ....

Bill Welker