Observations 28 Oct 2005:
-------------------------------
Cosatrak 1 (Computerised satellite Tracking System).
MINTRON low light level CCD surveillance camera (0.005 lux typical
in non integration mode) and 0.00005 lux in STARLIGHT mode with 128
frame integration.
Used with 60mm focal length f/2.8 lens. Integrating for 64 frames
giving equivalent exposure of 1.28 seconds.
Fieldof view 5.35 x 4.25 degrees and showing stars down to mag +9.5.
Site 0433 : Longitude 18.51294 deg East, Latitude 33.94058 deg S,
Elevation 10 metres - situated in Pinelands (Cape Town), South Africa
Camera operating in unattended mode and doing orbital plane scans
with prime objective of locating USA 129 and USA 186.
Possible USA 129:
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24680 96 072A 0433 G 20051028204126700 56 15 0845432-704208 39 +050 05
24680 96 072A 0433 G 20051028204140800 56 15 0826375-713730 39 +050 05
24680 96 072A 0433 G 20051028204254600 56 15 0805568-722035 39 +050 05
Note that 72058CB was predicted in the area at about this time. However
as this is debri it is highly unlikely that the object seen was 72058CB
as it would have been much fainter (?) so for the moment I am confident
the object seen was USA 129.
Possible USA 186 :
------------------------
91041 05 298LEO 0433 G 20051028210637200 56 15 1341596-840414 39 +050 05
91041 05 298LEO 0433 G 20051028210646100 56 15 1334323-834804 39 +050 05
91041 05 298LEO 0433 G 20051028210652500 56 15 1359207-843633 39 +050 05
91041 05 298LEO 0433 G 20051028210706600 56 15 1530596-860629 39 +050 05
Nothing else predicted in the area at the time, so looks like the target.
Notes:
-------
(1) I have a few other satellites to report that were observed during this
session so will do them later today.
(2) Looks like my keyboard is dying - very sticky keys resulting in much
extra key bashing!
Cheers
Greg
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