Thanks for that link to images of ISS taken using just an 8" scope, 20 cm. This makes it possible the shape of that object in question could be resolved with an 8". Note also that 20", .5 meter, scopes are much more common than 1 meter scopes among amateurs. So they would provide a much more easily accessible method of confirming the shape of the object than by using a 1 meter. Here's a .5 meter binocular scope: 22" binocular. http://www.foothill.net/~sayre/22-in.%20binocular.htm Bob Clark --- John Locker <john@satcom.freeserve.co.uk> wrote: > Whiilst a 1 metre telescope is ideal , I wouldn't > deter anyone with simple > scope and webcam equipment from giving it a try. > Even a hand guided 20cm scope can bring in > acceptable results Robert ! > > John > http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/satcom_transits/lacrosse.html > > http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/satcom_transits/March2005.html > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Robert Clark" <bobbygc2001@yahoo.com> > To: <SeeSat-L@satobs.org> > Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 11:44 PM > Subject: RE: Orbital surveillance satellites now > exceed 1 inch resolution? > > > > > > --- Robert Clark <bobbygc2001@yahoo.com> wrote: > > > >> Definitive proof would be given by telescope > >> observations. This page shows images by a 1 meter > >> scope of Mir and ISS at around 400 km altitude: > >> > >> Gallery - Artificial Satellites. > >> > > > http://www.tsm.toyama.toyama.jp/curators/aroom/satellite/index.htm > >> > >> These space stations are around 30 to 40 meters > >> wide > >> at their widest dimensions. So at 2000 km > altitude > >> and > >> 1/5th the size, the object in question would > appear > >> 1/25th the size of the stations in these images. > You > >> could probably resolve its shape. Of course a 2 > >> meter > >> scope could do better. > >> > > > > > > The largest amateur scopes seem to be of size 1 > > meter. Two meter and larger scopes are available > at > > universities. > > Some meter sized scopes available to amateurs: > > > > The Searchers. > > The World's Largest Amatuer Telescope Draws > Scientists > > to the Wilderness. > > http://www.titanmag.com/2004/searchers/index.htm > > > > Dan Bakken & Hercules. > > http://www.runway.net/pilots/dan/welcome.html > > > > The observatory of Puimichel. > > http://www.groupeastronomiespa.be/pui.htm > > > > The Faulkes telescope project might be especially > > useful. It provides access to two meter scopes for > > educational purposes: > > > > Faulkes Telescope Web Site. > > "The Faulkes Telescope Project is the education > arm of > > Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network > > (LCOGTN). > > "Our aim is to provide free access to robotic > > telescopes and a fully supported education > programme > > to encourage teachers and students to engage in > > research-based science education. > > "Access to our resources and those of our partners > is > > provided at no charge to teachers and students." > > http://faulkes-telescope.com/information/about_us > > > > > > > > Bob Clark > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu May 03 2007 - 13:00:30 EDT