Jan 26, 2002 Clear
Satellite Weather Photo More weather at the link at the bottom of the page
Mid-South Astronomy GroupCOSPAR(ROE)
# 8935
Tracking site: Jones
Orchard, TN
Timezone: GMT -5.0 hours
Report times: Local, CST
Latitude: +35.3166øN
Longitude: -89.8860øW
Altitude: +94.0 meters
Secondary site, Midtown Memphis # 8835
Latitude: +35.1477N
Longitude: -90.0135W
Altitude: +75.0 meters
1-Iridium Flares 2-Special
Interest 3-Bright sats 4-
ISS & Mir 5- Data 6-Asteroid/comets
7-Geo sats
If you would like a skyplot of any satellite listed
below for the Memphis area, go to Heavens
Above,
and use Memphis, Tennessee, USA as location and use the five digit satellite
catalog number before the name of the satellite you want plotted, (shown
in white in the example below).
Example:
0/ 6/10 21:19:08 168ø
15ø 21:23:45 256ø 84ø 21:28:25 345ø
15ø 5.1 24753
DMSP 5D-2 S-14
For a plot of ISS use catalog number 25544 or ISS.
1) Iridium Flares:
Update:
A Buyout of Iridium has been accomplished so the planned de-orbiting
of the constellation has been postponed. The new
owners are Boeing and a former PanAm Exec with
assistance from the Pentagon
Iridium Coordinates Range Sat Solar
Flare Peak Std Maximum
Flare Bearing
Ir# S Date
Local Time Azm El RA Decl (km) N Ill
Azm Elev M Angle Mag Mag Mag Latitude Longitude
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 2002- 1-26
17:42:14.2 200 34 0h59 -18.4 1260.8 D Lit 251 -4.1 R
0.41 -4.1 -7.0 -5.4 35.3487 -89.9301
15 2002- 1-26
17:42:16.3 199 34 0h59 -18.9 1271.8 D Lit 251 -4.1 R
0.05 -7.0 -7.0 -8.3 35.2172 -89.9263 0.8 E
15 2002- 1-26
17:42:18.4 199 33 1h00 -19.4 1282.9 D Lit 251 -4.2 R
0.42 -4.0 -7.0 -5.3 35.0857 -89.9225
66 2002- 1-26
19:03:05.0 030 48 6h49 64.3 1005.5 A Lit 261 -20.1 L
3.31 1.6 -8.1 1.4 34.7492 -90.5940
66 2002- 1-26
19:03:10.0 029 47 6h59 65.7 1025.0 A Lit 261 -20.1 L
2.99 1.3 -8.1 1.1 35.0201 -90.6040 61.4 W
66 2002- 1-26
19:03:18.0 026 45 7h17 67.9 1057.9 A Lit 261 -20.2 L
3.63 2.0 -8.0 1.7 35.4532 -90.6198
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Special Interest
Objects (of interest to researchers): Explanations
of the types
Color
Codes--
Objects for which elsets are not
available See explanation of the types, Iridium
tumblers, BWGS objects, Special
interest, Decaying object, Newly
launched.
Reading the lines-
Azim-Azimuth, is the compass direction, El-elevation is how high it is
with 90 degrees being straight up. Have an accurate timepiece.
More Viewing tips
Start of Track Peak Elevation
End of Track
Date
Time Azim Elev Time Azim Elev
Time Azim Elev VMag Cat # Satellite Name
-------- -------- ---- ---- --------
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- ---- ----- -----------------------------------
2/ 1/26 18:00:00 330ø
47ø 18:00:00 330ø 47ø 18:06:21 16ø
5ø 8.6 05680 NOSS 0 (C)
2/ 1/26 18:00:00 36ø
45ø 18:00:55 54ø 46ø 18:11:17 128ø
5ø 8.6 10594 NOSS 2 (F)
2/ 1/26 18:00:00
1ø 37ø 18:02:51 56ø 54ø 18:13:16
134ø 5ø 4.4 10544 NOSS 2 (E)
2/ 1/26 18:00:00 22ø
5ø 18:08:36 94ø 40ø 18:17:10 166ø
5ø 4.7 11852 KH 9-16 Elint
2/ 1/26 18:20:31
5ø 5ø 18:26:32 83ø 50ø
18:32:32 162ø 5ø 3.3 25615 STEX
2/ 1/27 18:26:45 317ø
5ø 18:29:53 245ø 32ø 18:32:59 172ø
5ø 4.5 01843 Cosmos 100
5.0 1.5 0.0 4.9
2/ 1/26 18:24:00 222ø
5ø 18:31:21 297ø 46ø 18:38:44 14ø
5ø 9.1 05678 NOSS 0 (A)
2/ 1/26 18:37:15 327ø
5ø 18:46:11 241ø 85ø 18:57:12 154ø
5ø 8.5 10502 NOSS 2 (A)
2/ 1/26 18:43:50 165ø
5ø 18:49:13 79ø 78ø 18:54:38 353ø
5ø 7.5 13172 KH 9-17 Elint
2/ 1/26 18:44:56 342ø
5ø 18:53:04 48ø 31ø 18:55:35
77ø 27ø 9.1 14180 NOSS 5 (G)
2/ 1/26 18:46:49 158ø
5ø 18:53:20 75ø 71ø 18:59:52 351ø
5ø 5.6 21798 DMSP B5D2-6
2/ 1/26 18:52:48 359ø
5ø 18:58:19 81ø 59ø 19:03:47 164ø
5ø 3.9 22286 COSMOS 2228
2/ 1/26 18:59:34 182ø
5ø 19:08:17 262ø 59ø 19:17:04 343ø
5ø 5.0 14139 KH 9-18 Elint
2/ 1/26 19:05:50 322ø
5ø 19:14:25 243ø 60ø 19:25:05 165ø
5ø 9.1 10529 NOSS 2 (D)
2/ 1/26 19:09:14 338ø
5ø 19:17:39 52ø 43ø 19:19:07
77ø 40ø 8.6 14143 NOSS 5 (C)
2/ 1/26 19:18:46 181ø
5ø 19:25:09 260ø 51ø 19:31:34 339ø
5ø 6.8 23233 DMSP B5D2-7
2/ 1/26 19:31:39 352ø
5ø 19:37:56 269ø 69ø 19:44:10 185ø
5ø 4.8 19460 USA 32
2/ 1/26 19:43:10 317ø
5ø 19:51:52 246ø 44ø 20:02:17 176ø
5ø 9.7 10594 NOSS 2 (F)
2/ 1/26 19:49:38 340ø
5ø 19:53:34 333ø 33ø 19:53:34 333ø
33ø 6.4 22081 SL-8 R/B
2/ 1/26 19:45:27 313ø
5ø 19:53:40 247ø 35ø 20:03:30 182ø
5ø 6.1 10544 NOSS 2 (E)
2/ 1/26 19:51:03 357ø
5ø 19:59:23 290ø 37ø 20:07:43 223ø
5ø 5.8 11852 KH 9-16 Elint
2/ 1/26 20:06:32 336ø
5ø 20:13:48 1ø 49ø 20:13:48
1ø 49ø 4.9 26997 JASON
2/ 1/26 20:21:45 252ø
31ø 20:21:45 252ø 31ø 20:26:12 218ø
5ø 8.6 07816 DMSP 7
2/ 1/26 20:14:57 326ø
5ø 20:24:09 242ø 75ø 20:24:24 227ø
75ø 4.4 14112 NOSS 5 (A)
2/ 1/26 20:18:48 327ø
5ø 20:26:40 310ø 69ø 20:26:41 310ø
69ø 8.6 14144 NOSS 5 (D)
2/ 1/26 20:35:22 324ø
5ø 20:43:07 288ø 58ø 20:43:07 288ø
58ø 9.0 14180 NOSS 5 (G)
2/ 1/26 20:45:00 329ø
5ø 20:51:05 321ø 40ø 20:51:05 321ø
40ø 5.5 27000 N DELTA 2 DEB
2/ 1/26 21:00:01 318ø
5ø 21:06:39 281ø 39ø 21:06:39 281ø
39ø 9.7 14143 NOSS 5 (C)
-
NOTES:
GENERAL: look for Iridium
flash "tracks" from Iridium tum's or t's. The NOSS objects are sometimes
brighter than prediction and are worth watching- they are usually
3 sats grouped together in an L formation.
Current Interest- Starshine3, Launched Sept. 30,
2001, and Starshine 2 launched from the shuttle Dec. 15, 2001, Students
are encouraged to observe these flashing satellites and report flash times.
The website is at: http://www.azinet.com/starshine/
Preliminary observations report
that the flashes from Starshine 3 are first magnitude and occur approx.
every 60 secs, Starshine 2 has reportedly 2nd magnitude flashes so far.....
Old Interest-
ABRIXAS - -Observations no longer
required as of December 1999.-
STARSHINE - NASA's Dr. Maley had
requested flash timings of this satellite. -Decayed Feb 2000-.
22925 Auxilliary motor Decayed.
3) General Objects-
some of the brighter satellite passes that should be
visible with the naked eye.
Start of Track Peak Elevation
End of Track
Date
Time Azim Elev Time Azim Elev
Time Azim Elev Mag Cat # Satellite Name
-------- -------- ---- ---- --------
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- ---- ----- ------------------------------------------
2/ 1/26 18:00:00 58ø
26ø 18:00:00 58ø 26ø 18:02:26
31ø 5ø 2.9 05282 Cosmos 426 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:00:00 354ø
9ø 18:05:30 63ø 39ø 18:11:57 136ø
5ø 3.7 26070 Cosmos 2369 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:02:53 357ø
5ø 18:08:16 82ø 69ø 18:13:35 168ø
5ø 3.9 15370 Cosmos 1606 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:07:13
1ø 5ø 18:12:20 81ø 51ø
18:17:22 161ø 5ø 3.9 17911 Cosmos 1842
2/ 1/26 18:09:31 346ø
5ø 18:14:02 264ø 62ø 18:18:31 181ø
5ø 2.7 10582 Cosmos 975 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:14:43 187ø
5ø 18:19:38 269ø 89ø 18:24:34
8ø 5ø 3.3 05118 Cosmos 405 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:24:41 330ø
5ø 18:28:00 248ø 87ø 18:31:16 153ø
5ø 2.1 01843 Cosmos 100
2/ 1/26 18:28:00 353ø
5ø 18:33:31 81ø 88ø 18:39:02 174ø
5ø 4.0 17296 Cosmos 1812 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:43:53 273ø
5ø 18:49:59 189ø 88ø 18:52:11 97ø
34ø 3.8 03598 OAO 2 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:52:48 359ø
5ø 18:58:20 81ø 59ø 19:03:48 164ø
5ø 3.9 22286 Cosmos 2228
2/ 1/26 19:09:15 190ø
5ø 19:14:28 278ø 79ø 19:16:07 360ø
36ø 3.8 13154 Cosmos 1356 Rk
-
4) International Space Station, STS shuttles, Starshine 3.
Start of Track Peak Elevation
End of Track
Date Time
Azim Elev Time Azim Elev Time
Azim Elev Mag Cat # Satellite Name
-------- -------- ---- ---- --------
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- ---- ----- ---------------------------------------------
none visible predicted
Pass quality for ISS Color
Codes--
Excellent- is very bright and at
an elevation between 60 and 90 degrees.
Good - bright
and at an elevation between 25 and 60 degrees.
Fair
- bright at elevations of 15 to 25 degrees.
Poor -
visible but low at elevation less than 15 degrees.
5) Geo satellites,
you'll need a telescope for these birds.....
Start of Track Peak Elevation
End of Track
Date Time
Azim Elev Time Azim Elev Time
Azim Elev Mag Cat # Satellite Name
-------- -------- ---- ---- --------
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- ---- ----- ---------------------------------------------
2/ 1/26 18:00:00 58ø
26ø 18:00:00 58ø 26ø 18:02:26
31ø 5ø 2.9 05282 Cosmos 426 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:00:00 354ø
9ø 18:05:30 63ø 39ø 18:11:57 136ø
5ø 3.7 26070 Cosmos 2369 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:02:53 357ø
5ø 18:08:16 82ø 69ø 18:13:35 168ø
5ø 3.9 15370 Cosmos 1606 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:07:13
1ø 5ø 18:12:20 81ø 51ø
18:17:22 161ø 5ø 3.9 17911 Cosmos 1842
2/ 1/26 18:09:31 346ø
5ø 18:14:02 264ø 62ø 18:18:31 181ø
5ø 2.7 10582 Cosmos 975 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:14:43 187ø
5ø 18:19:38 269ø 89ø 18:24:34
8ø 5ø 3.3 05118 Cosmos 405 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:24:41 330ø
5ø 18:28:00 248ø 87ø 18:31:16 153ø
5ø 2.1 01843 Cosmos 100
2/ 1/26 18:28:00 353ø
5ø 18:33:31 81ø 88ø 18:39:02 174ø
5ø 4.0 17296 Cosmos 1812 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:43:53 273ø
5ø 18:49:59 189ø 88ø 18:52:11 97ø
34ø 3.8 03598 OAO 2 Rk
2/ 1/26 18:52:48 359ø
5ø 18:58:20 81ø 59ø 19:03:48 164ø
5ø 3.9 22286 Cosmos 2228
2/ 1/26 18:55:36 172ø
5ø 19:01:46 89ø 66ø 19:08:00
7ø 5ø 0.9 25289 Iridium 66
2/ 1/26 19:09:15 190ø
5ø 19:14:28 278ø 79ø 19:16:07 360ø
36ø 3.8 13154 Cosmos 1356 Rk
-
Viewing Tips:
Remember
that up to magnitude 3.0 or 4.0 can be seen with the naked eye,
depending on the atmosphere
and local conditions (the country
is better for observing than the city).
Sometimes the object will be brighter
or dimmer than
predicted. Binoculars should give you up to magnitude 5.0 or 8.0
again depending on
conditions. If you have a
telescope mag 9.0 and dimmer objects can be seen.
Predictions derived from Software
developed by 1) Rob Matson (Skymap and Iridflar) 2) Mike McCants
(Quiksat). Keplerian Element
sets used are from NASA's Orbital Information Group and from Mike
McCants' FTP site. Element sets from Mikes FTP site are derived from
observations by amateur astronomers and regular observers, if you would
like to contribute observations to this database check out this page
and contact MAG at nixj@bellsouth.net.
To
some Photos in and around Memphis TN
