>The ideal value of solar declination for any latitude is given by > > -.1511 sin(lat) >tan(decln) = ------------------ > 1 - .1511 cos(lat) > >Richard Clark >rclark@lpl.arizona.edu Based on this formula, I get 4 Mar and 8 Oct. Since I saw six on 5 Oct 99 with binoculars, there is some leeway. I guess I should try again soon. I did look for about 15 minutes last night but there may not have been any that bright during such a short obs period. For folks wanting to try looking for geosats under these conditions, I found one that may be an easy target. Here is the report: I received a private email questioning the magnitude of Intelsat 7F6 (or 706?), #23571, when I observed it last night. My response was about 11th magnitude and that was just a guess. I realized the obs report left a lot to be desired so tonight I again observed it. At 01:42 UT on 21 Oct 99 I judged the magnitude to be in the 10.5 - 11 range. I then determined where it would be when opposite the Sun's RA and observed it again between 02:47 and 02:53 UT. RA 1h 37 min (J2000). Magnitude as it passed a star of magnitude 7.3 was essentially equal to that star. Thus it flared about three (3) magnitudes. There was no shadow entry/exit since it was south of the earth's shadow. I like this satellite since I have found it every time I tried and its location low in the east sky means that I do not have to stay up past my bedtime to observe it opposite the Sun. Ron Lee ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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