Strange satellite during the lunar eclipse

I was observing the total lunar eclipse at the Akesta observatory in
Sweden (latitude +59°.6, longitude +16°.6) this morning (Oct 28).
While looking at our darkened satellite, at 3:31 UT, I saw a man-made
satellite (?) close by in Aries. It varied in brightness between
magnitude 2 and below naked eye visibility (fainter than 6th
magnitude). The period was 5-10 seconds and for every maximum it grew
fainter. For about one minute it moved slowly towards ESE. After
about 4°, I could not see it anymore. I first noted it between alpha
and beta Arietis, closer to alpha. Does anyone know what it was? If
it was a satellite, it's strange that it could be seen so close to the
eclipsed Moon, where the Earth's shadow was.

/Timo Karhula

"timokarhula" wrote in message
om...
I was observing the total lunar eclipse at the Akesta observatory in
Sweden (latitude +59°.6, longitude +16°.6) this morning (Oct 28).
While looking at our darkened satellite, at 3:31 UT, I saw a man-made
satellite (?) close by in Aries. It varied in brightness between
magnitude 2 and below naked eye visibility (fainter than 6th
magnitude). The period was 5-10 seconds and for every maximum it grew
fainter. For about one minute it moved slowly towards ESE. After
about 4°, I could not see it anymore. I first noted it between alpha
and beta Arietis, closer to alpha. Does anyone know what it was? If
it was a satellite, it's strange that it could be seen so close to the
eclipsed Moon, where the Earth's shadow was.

Satellite Akebono (1989-016A / 19822) fits your observation well. It has a
history of flashing, and it was moving toward azimuth 159 deg. It was at a
range of 7,400 km, and entered eclipse about 03:35 UTC, near the moon.

Here is Heavens-Above's prediction of the pass you observed:

http://www.heavens-above.com/PassDet...288.1400139858

Ted Molczan

Thanks Ted! It was Akebono. I immediately noticed the satellite as
an extra star in Aries, as bright as alpha. The satellite faded and
had moved a bit to the left (ESE) during the next flash.

You satellite experts have always been able to help me when I have
given a detailed observation. I will use Heavens-Above more often.
:-)

/Timo Karhula


"Ted Molczan" wrote in message ...
Satellite Akebono (1989-016A / 19822) fits your observation well. It has a
history of flashing, and it was moving toward azimuth 159 deg. It was at a
range of 7,400 km, and entered eclipse about 03:35 UTC, near the moon.

Here is Heavens-Above's prediction of the pass you observed:

http://www.heavens-above.com/PassDet...288.1400139858

Ted Molczan