ObsReduce 1.3 introduces support for observers who record satellite transits using cameras, by means of two new geometries: the satellite may be located to the right or left of a pair of stars, or in any configuration with three stars. The reduction algorithms require the physical length on the image between one pair of stars, and between each star and the satellite, which must be determined independent of ObsReduce. The program accepts lengths measured using a ruler or calipers, or the pixel coordinates of the satellite and stars, from which it will compute the required lengths. Many thanks to Scott Campbell, who developed the algorithms, and performed the initial beta tests of them. Scott has used his two star algorithm for some time, and he used the ObsReduce beta implementation of both algorithms to reduce his observations of May 23, 24 and 29 UTC: http://satobs.org/seesat/May-2005/0249.html http://satobs.org/seesat/May-2005/0262.html http://satobs.org/seesat/May-2005/0286.html I have included quite a few of these observations in recent orbital analyses, and found their accuracy to be generally excellent. Time residuals typically were 0.03 s or better (often 0.01s or 0.02 s); cross-track residuals commonly better than 0.01 deg. Scott has found beta 04 to be trouble-free with camera observations, and I have found likewise with non-camera observations, so I believe it is time to widen the beta test to all who are interested. If you have already installed a previous version of ObsReduce, you need only download the new executable file and manual: http://satobs.org/programs/ObsReduce/ObsReduce_1.3_beta_04.zip Simply extract the new files into the directory in which the earlier version has been installed. You may wish to back up the earlier version, in case you need to go back to it. The camera reduction features are described mainly in Section D.9.2 of the beta 04 manual. First time users must first install an earlier version, such as 1.2.4, and a star file, both of which are available here: http://www.satobs.org/programs/ObsReduce/ObsReduce.html Please send any bug reports, questions, comments or suggestions to me off-list. Ted Molczan ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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