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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 |
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"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 |
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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 |
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