Help Needed to Identify 3 Satellite Formation

From: Chris Zietkiewicz (magritte7919@greenspeedisp.net)
Date: Fri May 30 2008 - 03:41:11 UTC

  • Next message: Ted Molczan: "RE: Help Needed to Identify 3 Satellite Formation"

    Hello, I need help identifying a three satellite formation I recently 
    observed.  On May 28th, 2008 at approximately 10:17 PM local time I 
    observed a formation of three satellite like objects moving at constant 
    velocity from the west-northwest and heading to the east-northeast 
    (observer coordinates:  40.28, -105.36).  All of the objects were of 
    equal brightness and easily seen with 10X binoculars or just slightly 
    visible with the unaided eye. The objects appeared to move at 
    approximately 1/2 the speed of normal LEO objects and were observed 
    traversing 3.5 degrees in ~20 seconds.  The 3 objects consisted of 1 
    lead object trailed by another by 17 seconds (about 3 degrees) behind 
    and a third object directly to the north of the trailing object by about 
    2 degrees of arc.  The 3 objects delineated the letter L moving through 
    the sky (a right triangle), long section of the L was the direction of 
    motion and short section pointing to the north.  The objects vanished to 
    the east-northeast likely after passing though the day/night horizon at 
    about 10:28 PM and at an elevation of about 40 degrees (from the 
    horizon).  It was noted that objects disappeared at higher point in the 
    sky than typical of most LEO satellites.  I made a detailed drawing of 
    this observation that I can send to anyone you sends me a request.
    
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