Satellite observation is inherently fast-paced, so hobbyists were early adopters of the communications innovations of the past 20 years: fax machines, electronic bulletin boards, private computer networks, and The Internet. Acting on a suggestion by Walter Nissen, Bart De Pontieu created SeeSat-L in November 1994. Bart envisioned a low-volume, high signal to noise ratio list, focused on all aspects of visual satellite observation, SeeSat-L started slowly with a small number of invited participants. When Bart was confident of its reliability, he opened it up to anyone and everyone, and SeeSat-L quickly became indispensable to our diverse hobby. Today it has more than 600 subscribers. The ability to easily and accurately predict Iridium flares resulted from the co-operation of observers and analysts via SeeSat-L in the summer of 1997. Another memorable event was the tracking of the entire deployment sequence of the NOSS 2-3 triad during May-June 1996. There have been many others. The high reliability and convenience we enjoy in SeeSat-L required considerable effort at a time when Bart had many other responsibilities. He was the editor of FLASH (which he created in 1987), the journal of the Belgian Working Group on Satellites. He played a major role in organizing the European Satellite Observers Meetings (Eurosom) so that satellite observers could come meet in person to share their knowledge. And during that time he completed his Ph.D. and moved to California to begin his professional career. Bart, thank you for your initiative and steadfastness in providing us with this excellent forum for the past 8 years. I am honoured that you have entrusted SeeSat-L to me, and I will do my best to continue your vision. Ted Molczan ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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