Resurs 1-3 Solar transit

From: satcom (john@satcom.freeserve.co.uk)
Date: Sat May 10 2003 - 16:48:56 EDT

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    Subject: Resurs 1-3 Solar transit
    
    
    > This object may have been observed this evening  , slightly north of the
    > track  predicted by CalSky.com
    >
    > It passed across the lower half of the Sun's disk at 18:30:26 gmt
    appearing
    > in one frame of AVI (1/2500th sec 15fps ) as a small blur traversing north
    > of the main sunspot cluster , presently visible.
    >
    > I was using a webcam / 200 mm zoom lens combination fitted with Baader
    solar
    > foil and a glass Skylight filter  .Whilst this arrangement causes some
    > shadowing of moving objects on the individual frames , it certainly seems
    to
    > be effective.
    > This is the second solar transit in a week that I have observed in this
    way.
    >
    > I am however uncomfortable with the size of the target.
    > Last week I imaged a solar transit by a Cosmos rocket booster using the
    same
    > set-up.Again , the object seemed to be too large....so I have a couple of
    > questions.
    >
    > Is anyone else using CalSky to try and video solar transits.....if so I
    > would be interested to see the results.
    > Also , Wednesdays transit by Mercury was for the most part clouded out
    here
    > , but those frames  I did manage to grab , using the same equipment ,
    > produced good images of the planet which was about twice the predicted
    size
    > of  Resurs  http://www.satcom.freeserve.co.uk/solar.htm
    > .....so it is certainly feasible that tonights capture is correct , but ,
    > what causes this apparent magnification.....the booster is after all only
    > 10.4 metres in length and has a range of nearly 2000 km.
    >
    > Details from CalSky.com are as follows.
    >
    >
    > 19h30m29.4s Resurs 1-3 Rocket
    > (23343 1994-74-B) Crosses the disk of Sun. Separation:0.25d
    > Angular Velocity:12.9'/s.  Transit duration: 0.86s
    > Angular diameter: 1.1"  cylindrical, 10.4m x 3.9m
    > Direction towards center line: az:284.4d WNW
    > az: 285.0d WNW  h:  10.7    dist: 1999.5km mag=19.2m
    >
    > Thanks ,
    >
    > John.
    >
    > http://www.satcom.freeserve.co.uk
    
    
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