Another good cold night before the coming cold front
Observations 25 MAY 2006:
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Cosatrak 1 (Computerised satellite Tracking System).
MINTRON low light level CCD surveillance camera (0.005 lux typical
in non integration mode) and 0.00005 lux in STARLIGHT mode with 128
frame integration.
Used with 70mm focal length f/1.8 lens,integrating for 128 frames
which is equivalent to an exposure of 2.56 seconds per image.
Site 0433 : Longitude 18.51294 deg East, Latitude 33.94058 deg S,
Elevation 10 metres - situated in Pinelands (Cape Town), South Africa
For CLASSFD.TLE:
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25724 99 023A 0433 G 20060525183309900 56 15 0631255-083335 39
25724 99 023A 0433 G 20060525183434700 56 15 0646281-083953 39
25724 99 023A 0433 G 20060525183529300 56 15 0657002-083950 39
90037 05 638A 0433 G 20060525183824200 56 15 1559505-002402 39
Strays:
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GORIZONT 12 flashing, period>90 seconds?
16769 86 044A 0433 G 20060525184034400 56 15 1601361-004300 39 +070 05
Cosmos 1808
17239 86 100A 0433 G 20060525185900800 56 15 0858147+042530 39 +075 05
GORIZONT 23 initially flashing to +9 then later to +7.5,period~66 seconds
21533 91 046A 0433 G 20060525190442300 56 15 0928404+154333 39 +090 05
21533 91 046A 0433 G 20060525193422800 56 15 0958241+152813 39 +075 05
Midas 6 variable
00574 63 014A 0433 G 20060525193438200 56 15 1003235+162209 39 +085 05
Cosmos 1803 rocket
17178 86 094B 0433 G 20060525163446000 56 15 1445392-583657 39 +070 05
HESSI Pegasus rocket
27371 02 004B 0433 G 20060525163533900 56 15 1437207-563704 39 +070 05
Cosmos 1538 rocket
14760 84 019B 0433 G 20060525165135100 56 15 1452008-590818 39 +050 05
Cosmos 1176
11788 80 034A 0433 G 20060525165218800 56 15 1456247-591126 39 +055 05
Cosmos 586 rocket
06829 73 065B 0433 G 20060525165439500 56 15 1454593-591753 39 +060 05
OAO 1 rocket
02144 66 031B 0433 G 20060525171125600 56 15 0612474-203550 39 +045 05
Cosmos 2278
23087 94 023A 0433 G 20060525170851800 56 15 0606560-180927 39 +075 05
AMS3 (DMSP F3 ) variable
10820 78 042A 0433 G 20060525172228000 56 15 0612175-191016 39 +070 05
Cosmos 1704
16291 85 110A 0433 G 20060525173057200 56 15 0617272-191841 39 +075 05
FRA-1
01778 65 096A 0433 G 20060525173542600 56 15 0630550-184012 39 +075 05
Unknown:
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91066 06 145MEO 0433 G 20060525164105700 56 15 1450331-590127 39 +070 05
91066 06 145MEO 0433 G 20060525164117900 56 15 1448077-572111 39 +060 05
91066 06 145MEO 0433 G 20060525164137000 56 15 1445120-544855 39 +075 05
Comments:
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(1) Main purpose of the session was to use a wide angle lens to try and
capture #90006 and #90027, as well as investigate the new 6 inch f/5
reflector.
(2) Whilst I have called the object unknown #91066 I am reasonably
confident that this is #90006 which has proved elusive for the
past few weeks because my cameras normal field of view is too
small to catch objects somewhat "off" prediction. The object
found was optically easy with a short variability cycle.
(3) Tests with the 6 inch reflector are very encouraging. I used a
WATEC 902H ccd camera with an exposure of 1/60th sec ( its an
NTSC unit) placed at the focal plane and was able to see stars
down to magnitude +12-13 on the monitor with no trouble. Image
quality was excellant and ccd noise not a problem.
I am confident that integrating with the MINTRON camera should be
able to reach magnitude +16. Now to complete the equatorial mount
modifications in making it a GOTO mount - Im too old to get on my
hands and knees to physically aim a telescope ( cant get up
afterwards!) or read setting circles - hence my use of video . I
sit on my behind in front of a monitor and type in the coordinates
desired and away we go. Unfortunately this does not help my ever
expanding waistline - proof that my universe does expand :-))
(4) Cold front now passing over Cape Town, first of several predicted
for the next few days so no idea when next Ill be able to observe.
Cheers
Greg
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