Ariane 5 Launch Object Obs
Ron Lee (ronlee@pcisys.net)
Sat, 01 Nov 1997 22:57:49 -0700
Of the three currently catalogued objects, I saw two.
Missed #25026 (97066D). Must have been fainter than about
mag 10.5. Less than desirable viewing conditions.
Object Time RA DEC Range COSPAR
(UT) (HH:MM.M) (DD:MM.M) Km
25023 05:07:27.2 22:38.0 -28:18.4 12546 97-066 A
25024 04:58:17.8 22:39.0 -28:36 12345 97-066 B
Matson format phase 109 degrees for both.
Also saw #23127 (94-034 D Ariane Rkt) while observing #25023.
Wonder if it is the same size as the rocket I missed tonight?
This was an unexpected sighting
long - 104.5614 W, lat - 38.9478 N, elevation - 2073 m
all times are UT on 2 Nov 97 (The time for #25023 was originally
recorded as 05:06:27.2 but that is a minute early. Probably started
the watch at 05:06 UT instead of the preferred 05:05).
Used an 8" telescope at 120x.
Ron Lee