Orion 3 bright flashes
Edward S Light (light@argoscomp.com)
Wed, 13 Oct 1999 08:34:01 -0400 (EDT)
Last evening ( 1999 10 12/23:43 UTC ) while looking for 25727 (99-024A,
Orion 3) in binoculars, we were startled when it displayed a VERY
brilliant brief flash. It was essentially invisible before and after
the flash (local light pollution and a somewhat hazy sky), but about
20 seconds later it flashed again - easily visible to the unaided eye -
brighter than the first magnitude (i.e. comparable to Altair's 0.76).
We'd seen this object twice before (1999 06 19/02:15 UTC at apparent
magnitude 5-1/2 and 1999 06 20/02:02 UTC when it flashed to about 3rd
magnitude) but never this bright. Has anyone seen this interesting
object recently? (There were several postings a to SeeSat-L a few
months ago regarding 99-024B, the rocket, but I don't recall any
details about the Orion 3 itself.)
We'll try to observe it more carefully (including timing the flashes)
next time.
(Edited) quicksat output for the pass ...
40.107 74.232 69. Light House, Lakewood NJ 2000 9.5 3 F T T T T
*** 1999 Oct 12 Tue evening *** Times are PM EDT *** 1911 615
H M S Tim Al Azi C Dir Mag Dys F Hgt Shd Rng EW Phs RA 00 Dec
25727 Orion 3 17 4.5
19 43 6 .0 30 180 271 6.5 1 7 598 423 1029 1.0 78 2012 -20.4
19_43_26___.0_30_174_C_267__6.5___1_7__592_392_1022_1.0__73_2033_-20.3_<<<____
Clear and dark skies!
Ed Light
Lakewood, NJ, USA
N 40.1072, W 074.2317, Hgt +21 m (69 ft)
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