Re: Three Vanguards

JAY RESPLER (JRespler@surfnj.net)
Tue, 15 Sep 1998 02:21:37 -0400

Eric Vondra wrote:
> 
> I had a window of about an hour tonight (early 14 Sep, UT) when
> Vanguards 1, 2, and 3 were all making good passes in a clear sky.
> They passed in numerical order. I tried for all in my 4.5-inch
> reflector at 50 power.
> 
> Vanguard 1 eluded me, but I spotted Vanguard 2 (59 001A - flashing,
> but I couldn't determine the period, brightest was 12.1 mag, average
> mag was about 12.3) and Vanguard 3 (59 007A - also flashing, and I
> couldn't determine the period. It varied from 10.2 to 12.8,
> averaging about 10.8, with three widely spaced quick flashes to
> about 10.0 throughout the pass.) I have tried for Vanguard 1 four or
> five times now and have never been successful.
> 
> Has anyone spotted all three in the same observing session?

I've seen 2 and 3, and 1 and 2 rockets, all, I think, in binoculars at 
different times. They were not all easy.  I've tried for V 1 several 
times in a 8" but have never been able to spot it.  Very frustrating.
That's the 1 I would really like to see.

-- 
Jay Respler
--
            JRespler@surfnj.net 
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