XSS-11 rocket

From: Edward S Light (edlight@juno.com)
Date: Sun Nov 13 2005 - 09:58:49 EST

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    This morning I again saw 28637 = 05-011B, variously known as
    XSS-11 Rocket = Minotaur R/B, but today it was a little brighter than
    yesterday.  In all cases, using 10x50 binoculars, the following gives
    the maximum magnitudes ...
    
        Date      UTC    Apparent   Astron. Range  Magnitude
                +/- 2sec Magnitude  Phase    (km)  at 1000 km 
                          +/-0.3    (deg)
    2005 Nov 12 10:11:16   +7.1      098      994    +7.1
    2005 Nov 13 09:59:19   +6.5      109     1140    +6.2
    2005 Nov 13 10:00:22   +6.8      109     1074    +6.6
    
    
    IOD format:
    28637 05 011B   8840 G 20051112101116000 28                      M+071 03
          
    28637 05 011B   8840 E 20051113095919000 28                      M+065 03
          
    28637 05 011B   8840 E 20051113100022000 28                      M+068 03
          
    
    No hint was seen of the XSS-11 itself, which is not surprising
    considering
    my limiting magnitude of perhaps 7.5 and the several informative emails
    I received suggesting how faint the satellite itself is.
    
    Clear and dark skies!
       Ed Light
    
    Lakewood, NJ, USA
    Site 8840, N 40.1075, W 074.2312, +24 m (80 ft)
    
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