K. Martins asked: > 1) I have couple of objects which do not fit with > heavens-above data and cal sky data. How can I identify these > objects? There are two general methods. 1. Non-graphical If your observation can be reduced to a reasonably precise position and time, say 1 deg position and 10 s time, or better), then I recommend using one of the non-graphical programs: either Mike McCants' findsat or my IDSat: http://users2.ev1.net/~mmccants/programs/findsat.zip http://users2.ev1.net/~mmccants/programs/IDSat.zip These programs process a file of TLEs (provided by the user) and list all that passed within a specified angular distance and time relative the observed position and time. > I want write this data in IOD format but I do not > know my station id. Where can I get info about my station id? The number of available Station ID numbers is limited, so they are assigned only to observers who demonstrate that they are likely to contribute precise positional or magnitude observations on a fairly regular basis. For new observers, this means that they will not have an ID number at first, in which case, they should simply enter zero for station ID when reporting in any of the formats that require an ID. Of course, the site coordinates should be included in each observation report, regardless of having an ID number. Note that neither findsat nor IDSat require the use of IOD or the other formal reporting formats; however, IDSat provides the option to use them. 2. Graphical If your observation cannot be reduced to a reasonably precise position and time, then a graphical method is best. Since you have already this with CalSky and Heavens-Above, without success, I recommend the use of a PC-based graphical program. A popular one is Rob Matson's SkyMap: http://users2.ev1.net/~mmccants/skymap66/index.html I do not use SkyMap; however, I know that other observers - Bjorn Gimle comes to mind - have used it successfully to plot all satellites that passed near the approximate position and time of an unidentified satellite. Like the non-graphical methods, Skymap requires that the user provide a file of TLEs. Space Track issues such files twice daily, which contain all unclassified objects: http://www.space-track.org/perl/login.pl The data is free, but you must wait for your subscription to be approved. You should be mindful of the site's restrictions on the sharing of data. > My location Riga lat:57 lon:23=20 Fairly precise site coordinates are required to maximize the probability of making a confident identification. Positional observers generally determine their lat and long to 0.0001 deg, and altitude to within a few metres. For casual (i.e. not very precise) observations, 0.01 deg accuracy in lat and long is sufficient, and you need not worry about altitude unless you live on a mountain. > 2) Is there some software which transforms IOD data to TLE > data and can I obtain this soft too? I do not recall any published orbit determination software that directly reads IOD or the other formal reporting formats. Here are a couple of differential correction programs used to update known orbits using new observations: http://users2.ev1.net/~mmccants/programs/fitelem.zip http://users2.ev1.net/~mmccants/programs/elcor.zip > 3) I have observed satelite which fits good with the solrad > 7b (usspacecom: 1291), but there is doubt because of > magnitude. May be its magnitude is grater than predicted. > Have someone observed this satelite too? In order to respond to this question, it is necessary to have the details of your observation. Ted Molczan ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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