Superbird A for Honolulu

Rob Matson (Rob_Matson@cpqm.mail.saic.com)
2 Oct 1996 19:32:27 -0800

                      Subject:                              Time:  18:35
  OFFICE MEMO         Superbird A for Honolulu              Date:  96/10/02

Just in case my theory about Superbird's rotation axis turns out to be
correct, the Hawaiian Islands would be in excellent position to observe
flashes.  Here is position information for Honolulu for early Thursday
morning, 10/3.  I'm assuming Hawaii observes Daylight Savings Time and that
they are currently UTC-10 hours.  If this is off by an hour, adjust
accordingly, but so there's no confusion I'm assuming that 2am Honolulu time
is 12am UTC for the purposes of the table below:

      Time
(UTC-10hrs)      RA         Dec
-----------------------------------------------
      02:20    2h 11.0m  -6d 10'
      02:25    2h 16.0m  -6d 05'
      02:30    2h 21.0m  -5d 58'
      02:35    2h 25.9m  -5d 52'
      02:40    2h 30.9m  -5d 45'
      02:45    2h 35.8m  -5d 38'
      02:50    2h 40.8m  -5d 33'

I'm sure these coordinates would be close enough to spot the satellite from
any of the Hawaiian islands, provided it is flashing.  Since Hawaii has a
considerably different geometry w/Superbird A than does California, it is
difficult to predict when flashes will begin.  If my thinking is correct,
California's flashes will begin at around 05:41PDT (12:41UTC).  Hawaii's
should start before this, perhaps by 10 minutes, since they are 12-14 degrees
further south.  Just to be safe, start looking at 02:20 Hawaii Daylight Time
(if such a thing exists), the first time in the table above.  Hopefully
someone will get this message in time to do some observing; if not, there's
always tomorrow!  --Rob