Unknown of August 31
jim.varney@24stex.com
Thu, 19 Oct 95 18:56:57 -0700
Jeff Hunt wrote:
>Jim Varney recently posted an unknown sighting for Aug 31, 1995
>@ 04:47:49 UT from 38.45N, 121.40W, at R.A. 21h 25m, Dec 62 N.
>One possible canidate would be Landsat5 (14780) which passed near Alpha
>Cepheus at 04:47:00 based on a recent epoch. See what you think Jim.
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>Jeff Hunt, Charlotte Hall, Md. 38.51N, 76.76W
>E-mail: jhunt@eagle1.eaglenet.com
>----------------------------------------------------------------
August 31, Jeff? Wow! You're really behind on your e-mail ;)
Back on September 2 or so, Bjorn Gimle suggested that the satellite
I saw was DMSP B5D2-7 (23233).
Your post inspired me to go get an old Molczan TLE set to see how
Landsat5 and DMSP match up to my observation. The Landsat was very
close in time but off by several degrees in position. DMSP was
exactly correct in position but about one minute early.
I understand that TLE's tend to err more in time than in position.
This makes the DMSP a better candidate. I've also read that some of
the DMSP's are equipped with corner reflectors for laser ranging. The
glass first surface would make a great mirror for catching sunlight,
and could explain the extremely bright glint I saw that night (mag -2).
-- Jim
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Jim Varney, P.E. Sacramento, CA
Civil Engineer jim.varney@24stex.com
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