DMSP-F18 Optical 18 Oct 2009

From: Greg Roberts (grr@telkomsa.net)
Date: Mon Oct 19 2009 - 12:01:24 UTC

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    Observations 18 Oct 2009
    -------------------------------------
    
    Cosatrak 1 (Computerised satellite Tracking System).
    Camera mount now carries two systems that can be operated
    together as two totally different sytems and computers used.
    Generally the DSI Pro II camera will be used for high altitude
    slow moving objects. Tests seem to indicate that its sensitivity
    is comparable to the MINTRON ( possibly better) but as its not
    possible (?) to time stamp to better than 1 second accuracy the
    time resolution is not good enough for LEO objects.
    
    (1) 100mm focal length f/2.5 lens fitted to 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.
    Image integrated for 2.56 seconds but exposure depends on sky background
    brightness. Field of view 3.3 x 2.6 degrees and showing about mag +12
    stars in "real time". Used as a finder for the 4 inch refractor.
    Individual frames are video time stamped with GPS derived signal.
    
    
    Site 0433 : Longitude 18.51294 deg East, Latitude -33.94058 deg,
    Elevation 10 metres-situated in Pinelands (Cape Town),South Africa
    
    FOR CLASSFD.TLE:
    ---------------------------
    
    DMSP F18
    72900 09 100A   0433 G 20091018184748700 56 15 0615174-652910 39  +999 05
    72900 09 100A   0433 G 20091018184755500 56 15 0608133-655137 39  +999 05
    72900 09 100A   0433 G 20091018184817300 56 15 0541412-665743 39  +999 05
    72900 09 100A   0433 G 20091018184834200 56 15 0517233-673931 39  +999 05
    72900 09 100A   0433 G 20091018184847000 56 15 0456157-680154 39  +999 05
    72900 09 100A   0433 G 20091018184900100 56 15 0432244-681427 39  +999 05
    72900 09 100A   0433 G 20091018185006000 56 15 0210375-642039 39  +999 05
    72900 09 100A   0433 G 20091018185051000 56 15 0044532-543204 39  +999 05
    72900 09 100A   0433 G 20091018185136200 56 15 2345301-383017 39  +999 05
    72900 09 100A   0433 G 20091018185308300 56 15 2237499-001007 39  +999 05
    72900 09 100A   0433 G 20091018185432900 56 15 2204453+230647 39  +999 05
    
    DMSP F18 rocket
    72901 09 100B   0433 G 20091018184748700 56 15 0612295-652715 39  +999 05
    72901 09 100B   0433 G 20091018184755500 56 15 0605235-654850 39  +999 05
    72901 09 100B   0433 G 20091018184817300 56 15 0538047-665305 39  +999 05
    72901 09 100B   0433 G 20091018184834200 56 15 0512582-673213 39  +999 05
    72901 09 100B   0433 G 20091018184847000 56 15 0451360-675307 39  +999 05
    72901 09 100B   0433 G 20091018184900100 56 15 0426594-680138 39  +999 05
    72901 09 100B   0433 G 20091018185006000 56 15 0204176-633030 39  +999 05
    72901 09 100B   0433 G 20091018185051000 56 15 0039599-525817 39  +999 05
    72901 09 100B   0433 G 20091018185136200 56 15 2342015-360849 39  +999 05
    72901 09 100B   0433 G 20091018185300800 56 15 2239472-001712 39  +999 05
    72901 09 100B   0433 G 20091018185432900 56 15 2203201+245122 39  +999 05
    
    Notes:
    --------
    (1) I dont know the SPACETRACK catalog numbers so the identification
        numbers are incorrect. I have called what I think is DMSP F18
        72900 09-100A and the rocket is called 72901 09-100B. Of course
        the rocket is now in a heliocentric orbit so observations only of
        of historical interest.
    
    (2) I have not given magnitudes. The rocket was about a magnitude
        brighter than the primary payload. At its best I would estimate the
        venting envelope around the rocket as a negative magnitude
    
    (3) The lens used is prone to internal reflections on very bright
        objects so it is difficult to know what was real and what was
        generated by the internal reflections. I have never seen anything
        like this before on any bright satellites so some of it was real.
        On the video images one can detect about 4-5 concentric light rings
        around the rocket, getting brighter as one closes in on the rocket.
        Since there are reports of the rocket "puffing" I suspect these
        rings may be real and corresponding to "puffs" rapidly expanding
        as the rocket moved. The rings etc only incased the rocket-the
        DMSP satellite looked a "normal" satellite.
    
    (4) Ted does not regard himself as a rocket scientist but his
        prelaunch orbital data is outstanding and is why the amateurs have
        such a high success rate in acquiring new launches. His pre-launch
        elements for DMSP-F18 were virtually spot on.
    
    (4) Had some good news from Mike McCants - the unknown I found on the
        17th was observed by him last night (18th) so this unknown did NOT
        not bite the dust and has been given the identification 90085.
        Well done Mike!
    
    (5) I still have quite a few observations to report but am currently
        battling to keep my eyes open - had about 6 hours good sleep in the
        past two days- partly as a result of tracking to 2am two days in
        a row, partly as a result of the cat visiting me during the night
        and wanting affection-pats one's face with a paw to make sure you
        are awake and gets quite "violent" if you ignore him! and then
        generally not sleeping well- brain (is there one?) is always
        active/thinking! Will report the outstanding observations over the
        next day or two.
    
    Cheers
    Greg
    
    
    
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