Mir Attitude constant?

From: Thomas A. Troszak (tom@bullhammer.com)
Date: Mon Nov 06 2000 - 06:46:19 PST

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    Dear List,
    
    At long last, on Nov. 1, 2000, I was able to get off a few more
    photgraphic shots of Mir.  The last time I was able to attempt this was
    Feb 10, 2000 due to weather, work, travel, weather, family, weather,
    etc.
    
    Of course, the relative angle (to the camera) of a satellite such as Mir
    changes markedly thoughout the pass, that is: you see it "coming" then
    you see the "side view" then you see the "backside" as it moves away.
    Therefore, during any pass, the views obtained and the appearance of the
    satellite changes dramatically.
    
    I have just gotten prints made (from the Nov. 1 pass) yesterday, and I
    am just beginning to scan them, but a remarkable thing appears to have
    occurred.  If I interpret the images correctly, it appears that Mir has
    returned to, or remains in, a nearly identical attitude relative to the
    Sun. I could be completely mistaken, but this is my interpretation for
    the similarity of the images.
    
    In other words, during both the Feb. 10, 2000 pass, and the Nov. 1, 2000
    pass, my telescope/camera moved through approx 45 degrees WSW. 
    Remarkably, the images obtained at this point in both passes are nearly
    identical, though the newest images are a bit clearer, (due to improved
    technique). Images from the two different passes can even be stacked.
    Sheer Luck seems out of the question. I have not yet posted the new
    pictures to my satphoto site yet, but I shall soon.
    
    Is this possible? Does Mir remain in, or is it returned to, a common
    orientation (relative to the Sun), say for the recent docking maneuver?
    
    I would appreciate any response that could "illuminate" me on this.
    
    Thanks in advance!
    
    Tom Troszak, Asheville, NC, USA
    35.601 N, -82.554 W
    mailto:tom@bullhammer.com
    
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