These abandoned satellites flash over a narrow cone as the satellites rotates around an axis, which is precessing by some hours of RA per year. Depending on the orientation of the axis, the orbit, the Sun, and the cone angle(s), the flashes may occur only for a few minutes each night, or a few hours, or during two or more short periods. This is my interest in this: With a number of observations, preferably from widely differing locations, over several seasons, both the cone angle, axis and precession can be computed, so predictions can be made. Few observers have the endurance to watch one object a whole night, or just look in vain for several at random times. Very accurate "simultaneous" timings by observers far from each other (or accurate determination of the change of flash period during a night) can also determine the DIRECTION of rotation. > > > >However, since geosynchronous satellites are not hard to spot (especially with > >today's go-to technology), I'm guessing there must be something unusual about > >Apple ... > Patrick, > its an abandoned comsat , and not quite geosynchronous. > Under right conditions it flashes up to one-power visibility, -- COSPAR 5919, MALMA, 59.2615 N, 18.6206 E, 33 m -- -- COSPAR 5918, HAMMARBY, 59.2985 N, 18.1045 E, 44 m -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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