Last night, we observed object 19822 89-016A (aka EXOS D or Akebono) for the third time this week and are EXTREMELY PUZZLED about its behavior. In the past, its two-second flashing has been reported and, indeed, the first time we saw it (2004 Sept 20/00:04 UTC) we saw it vary from apparent magnitude 2 to 5 in a two-second period. Two days later, however, at Sept 21/23:59 UTC, it was not obviously varying and, more notably, was only about 5th magnitude. To continue the confusion, last evening (EDT), Sept 23/23:54 UTC, last evening (EDT), at Sept 23/23:54 UTC, it never got brighter than about magnitude +6.7, again with no obvious variation. The observations are summarized below: UTC dates Appar Altit/ Astron Range 2004 Sept. Mag Azim Phase km +/- 2 sec (degs) (deg) ----------- ----- ------ ------ ----- 20/00:04:00 4.8 38/125 032 628 Faintest 20/00:04:09 2.1 39/116 029 614 Brightest 21/23:59:02 4.9 47/153 055 565 Steady? 21/23:59:22 5.2 57/129 049 515 " 21/23:59:38 5.5 60/101 046 513 " 23/23:54:13 6.7 66/179 074 501 " 23/23:54:27 6.7 79/157 071 481 " Observations made using 7x50 and 10x50 binoculars from Site 8840: +40.1075 N, +074.2312 W, +24m (80 ft) In IODi format: 19822 89 016A 8840 G 20040920000400000 28 N+048 03 002000 19822 89 016A 8840 G 20040920000409000 28 M+021 03 002000 19822 89 016A 8840 P 20040921235902000 28 +049 02 19822 89 016A 8840 P 20040921235922000 28 +052 02 19822 89 016A 8840 P 20040921235938000 28 +055 02 19822 89 016A 8840 P 20040923235413000 28 +067 03 19822 89 016A 8840 P 20040923235427000 28 +067 03 Is this bizarre day-to-day variation "normal"? Note that in all cases, the object moved from South towards East, in the local evening. Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated. Clear and dark skies! Ed and Darlene Light Lakewood, NJ, USA Site 8840, N 40.1075, W 074.2312, +24 m (80 ft) PS: As an aside, every now and then there have been discussions as to whether one should use the "NORAD" 5-digit satellite IDs or the "COSPAR" identifiers. As I was just reminded, in searching for information on this satellite, it is much easier to look for "19822" than for the many conceivable variants of this satellite's COSPAR ID - e.g. "89-016A", "89 16A", "89 16 A", etc. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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