Re: unusual satellite formation

From: Edward S Light (light@argoscomp.com)
Date: Tue May 15 2001 - 05:49:10 PDT

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    Anthony Ayiomamitis recently asked ...
    
    > Can any of the local experts assist in the identifictaion of this
    > fellow's observation. His coordinates are 34-deg 35' S and 150-deg 46' E.
    >
    > Anthony.
    >
    > > Hi everyone,
    > >
    > > while observing the comet (A2 LINEAR) last night through my 20x80
    > > binoculars, I finally saw what some people have been reporting on this
    > > newsgroup. At approx. 09:18UT (May 14, 2001), a trio of satellites
    > > passed right in front of the comet, all travelling at exactly the same
    > > speed. They were arranged in a triangular formation, and (to me)
    > > resembled the outline of a Concorde jet. They flew from north to
    > > south.
    < ... stuff deleted ... >
    > >
    > > Regards,
    > >
    > > Rudi
    
    What Rudi saw was one of the NOSS trios - specifically  
    
    23862 = 96-029D = NOSS 2-3 (D) = USA 122
    23936 = 96-029E = NOSS 2-3 (E) = USA 123
    23908 = 96-029C = NOSS 2-3 (C) = USA 121
    
    which passed near C/2001 A2 (LINEAR) between 09:17.0 and 09:17.3 UTC
    on 2001 May 14, as described. (Incidentally, these satellites recently
    "celebrated" their 5th anniversary in space, having been launched
    1996 May 12.)
    
    Clear and dark skies!
       Ed Light
    
    Lakewood, NJ, USA
    N 40.1075, W 074.2312, Hgt +24 m (80 ft)
    
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