There are in fact three lasers - the first of which has failed, so presumably current observations are of Laser 2. The problem is a design flaw whereby gold and iridium react during operation of the laser, so all three of them are likely to fail prematurely: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=877 I am grateful for Gregg's email as I had not attempted observation on some good passes owing to cloud- apparently exactly the wrong decision to make! However there are more to come so now I will be watching. Robert Holdsworth Wainuiomata New Zealand 41.2610°S, 174.9470°E ----- Original Message ----- From: <k.t.mag@att.net> To: <SeeSat-L@satobs.org> Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2003 5:58 AM Subject: Observing ICESat > ICESat's orbit was changed recently and is now in a 91 day repeating ground > track orbit as opposed to the previous 8 day repeat with widely spaced ground > tracks.. Assuming the repeating ground tracks get evenly spaced around the > earth over the 91 days the tracks should be spaced approximately 14 miles apart > at 40 degrees north. So with some patience ICESat may come close to you. > > I believe the laser is planned to be powered off around 12 November and turned > back on in March 2004. > > I have observed the laser three times now and for good viewing suggest getting > as close to the ground track as possible, hope for some thin clouds, and look > directly towards zenith. When skis were clear observers have reported seeing > only a brief green flash at zenith but when there is some cloudiness to scatter > the beam the pass is much more interesting. > > This is likely the only satellite observation that is better with clouds. > . > > Gregg Hendry > > ----------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from SeeSat-L, send a message with 'unsubscribe' > in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@satobs.org > List archived at http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html > > ----------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from SeeSat-L, send a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@satobs.org List archived at http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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