It's based on a table of "standard brightnesses", the distance and the angle (observer - sat - sun angle where these 3 points make up two lines that intersect at the satellite and the angle between is the angle discussed). Anyway there is more information on this list about where to get the latest standard brightness table, etc. But those are the only 3 variables that heavens-above uses. Here's a good place to start (click on the "Satellite visual magnitude equations " links): http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2001/index.html#295 I'm pretty sure Robert Matson wrote one of the programs that does what your friend intends to do. There's really plenty of software out there that already does what heavens-above does but better. I use heavensat the most. - George Roberts http://gr5.org -----Original Message----- From: Steve Daniels Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 12:13 PM To: seesat-l@satobs.org Subject: Satellite Magnitude Calculation Hi All A programmer I know is writing software mainly for amateur radio use, but he is including satellite tracking, I have managed to persuade him to include satellite visibility from a visual point of view. I wonder if someone would be kind enough to tell me how to calculate the magnitude of brightness of the satellite? I can see this comes from the RCS value but don't know how. And is there is a good formula for calculating satellite visibility This is for free software, he no plans to charge. Thank you Steve Daniels G6UIM _______________________________________________ Seesat-l mailing list http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-l
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