Howdy Folks! Saw a link to NASA's J-Pass/J-Track java-based program in my mail box and thought it would be of interest to the group. http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/RealTime/JPass/20/ I first thought it would be another one of those silly java windows with the toy object floating across the window, but I tweedled with it for a few minutes to get all the settings correct, and it seemed to be pretty functional. It quickly generated a list of what appeared to be around 75-100 satellites scheduled to pass or be visible at diverse magnitudes in my location for 24 hours. The list appeared to include both LEO and GEO orbitors displayed neatly on a 24 hour time-chart. Pass(es) were indicated on the timeline with colored blocks. When the blocks are clicked on they display a re-sizable sky chart complete with the projected track of the bird, and it also has function buttons to show the progression of the pass. I discovered that a left or right click of the mouse inside the field of the sky chart also gave me a ALT/AZ reading. The sky chart window also included an estimated visible Magnitude although it appears to have a problem. I have yet to test it against the night sky, but for those of you out there who can't afford tracking software or are in a pinch for time it might be worth checking J-Pass out. It might be very useful. Look up as much as you can! Sincerely, Robert Bloch kerbob@jax-inter.net 30.311359 N -81.396865W Neptune Beach, Florida, USA http://www.jax-inter.net/users/kerbob ``An expert is an oridinary fellow from another town". -J. Vernon McGee