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What Sat's did I see???



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 3rd 03, 01:00 AM
Ted Molczan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What Sat's did I see???

"G. Groth" wrote in message
...
I have been watching satellites for about 25 years. In the last 2 years I
have seen 3 satellites in a right triangle formation all within about a
degree of each other. I live in central Colorado and have seen them
traveling North in the winter months and just recently going South in the
summer months. I have seen them no less than 5 times in these past few
years but never before a couple years ago. Has anyone else seen these
satellites and know which sat's these are.


They are secret U.S. NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) satellites. They
determine the location of ships at sea by triangulating on their radio
transmissions.

The first experimental triad was launched in 1971. Seven first generation
triads were successfully launched between 1976 and 1987, on Atlas rockets.
They are small, and rarely visible to the unaided eye, typically requiring
the use of at least 80 mm aperture binoculars. Their orbits have become more
eccentric over time, making them somewhat easier to observe when near
perigee.

Second generation triads were launched in 1990, 1991 and 1996, on Titan IV
rockets. They are much larger than the first generation satellites. They are
reliable objects in 7x50 binoculars on favourable passes,. Occasionally,
they brighten to unaided-eye visibility, reaching magnitudes between 2 and
4. Rarely, they have been seen to "flare" to negative magnitudes.

Here are the U.S. government's SSN catalogue numbers of the 2nd generation
triad members:

NOSS 2-1 20691, 20692, 20642

NOSS 2-2 21799, 21808, 21809

NOSS 2-3 23908, 23862, 23936

The latest NOSS launch, in 2001, employed an Atlas 2AS rocket. Surprisingly,
only two satellites appeared, leading to speculation that the third failed
to deploy. Objects 26905 and 26907 are about as bright as 2nd generation
NOSS, and fly in a close formation, one behind the other. Another launch in
teh series may take place in the Fall.

The NOSS orbits are not published by the U.S. government; however, they are
routinely tracked by hobbyists who maintain accurate orbital elements,
available on Heavens Above, and elsewhere.

Ted Molczan




  #2  
Old July 3rd 03, 01:00 AM
Ted Molczan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What Sat's did I see???

"G. Groth" wrote in message
...
I have been watching satellites for about 25 years. In the last 2 years I
have seen 3 satellites in a right triangle formation all within about a
degree of each other. I live in central Colorado and have seen them
traveling North in the winter months and just recently going South in the
summer months. I have seen them no less than 5 times in these past few
years but never before a couple years ago. Has anyone else seen these
satellites and know which sat's these are.


They are secret U.S. NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) satellites. They
determine the location of ships at sea by triangulating on their radio
transmissions.

The first experimental triad was launched in 1971. Seven first generation
triads were successfully launched between 1976 and 1987, on Atlas rockets.
They are small, and rarely visible to the unaided eye, typically requiring
the use of at least 80 mm aperture binoculars. Their orbits have become more
eccentric over time, making them somewhat easier to observe when near
perigee.

Second generation triads were launched in 1990, 1991 and 1996, on Titan IV
rockets. They are much larger than the first generation satellites. They are
reliable objects in 7x50 binoculars on favourable passes,. Occasionally,
they brighten to unaided-eye visibility, reaching magnitudes between 2 and
4. Rarely, they have been seen to "flare" to negative magnitudes.

Here are the U.S. government's SSN catalogue numbers of the 2nd generation
triad members:

NOSS 2-1 20691, 20692, 20642

NOSS 2-2 21799, 21808, 21809

NOSS 2-3 23908, 23862, 23936

The latest NOSS launch, in 2001, employed an Atlas 2AS rocket. Surprisingly,
only two satellites appeared, leading to speculation that the third failed
to deploy. Objects 26905 and 26907 are about as bright as 2nd generation
NOSS, and fly in a close formation, one behind the other. Another launch in
teh series may take place in the Fall.

The NOSS orbits are not published by the U.S. government; however, they are
routinely tracked by hobbyists who maintain accurate orbital elements,
available on Heavens Above, and elsewhere.

Ted Molczan




  #3  
Old July 9th 03, 05:01 AM
Dave Nelson
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What Sat's did I see???

My wife and I saw the triangle on Saturday night (July 5) around 11:30PM in
Stoughton, WI -- a bit south of Madison (plenty of light pollution). We
were just watching many polar passes when this bizaar thing went over -- had
to do a couple of double-takes! But we watched it go over with naked
eyes -- north to south. Glad to find out what they are -- tethered Navy
birds!

Dave N.
"G. Groth" wrote in message
...
I have been watching satellites for about 25 years. In the last 2 years I
have seen 3 satellites in a right triangle formation all within about a
degree of each other. I live in central Colorado and have seen them
traveling North in the winter months and just recently going South in the
summer months. I have seen them no less than 5 times in these past few
years but never before a couple years ago. Has anyone else seen these
satellites and know which sat's these are. I got no reply from
Heavens-above about these. Got any ideas?? Thanks in advance..




  #4  
Old July 9th 03, 05:01 AM
Dave Nelson
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What Sat's did I see???

My wife and I saw the triangle on Saturday night (July 5) around 11:30PM in
Stoughton, WI -- a bit south of Madison (plenty of light pollution). We
were just watching many polar passes when this bizaar thing went over -- had
to do a couple of double-takes! But we watched it go over with naked
eyes -- north to south. Glad to find out what they are -- tethered Navy
birds!

Dave N.
"G. Groth" wrote in message
...
I have been watching satellites for about 25 years. In the last 2 years I
have seen 3 satellites in a right triangle formation all within about a
degree of each other. I live in central Colorado and have seen them
traveling North in the winter months and just recently going South in the
summer months. I have seen them no less than 5 times in these past few
years but never before a couple years ago. Has anyone else seen these
satellites and know which sat's these are. I got no reply from
Heavens-above about these. Got any ideas?? Thanks in advance..




  #5  
Old July 14th 03, 05:48 AM
Tony Vinci
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What Sat's did I see???

/
I was going to start a new thread about my "triangle" sighting when I
happened to read this one. I sighted a triangle formation this evening
at my location in Nevada. Time was 2106 local (UT-7). I was attempting
to sight the "Okean O Rocket" as it passed overhead. I was using 10x50
binoculars. I spotted this somewhat elongated triangle with the
elements having about mag. 4 brightness. I picked them up as they passed
a little East (under) Vega (I was facing East) coming from the North and
proceeded in perfect formation to the SE. These were not conventional
aircraft but were (I am positive) orbital objects. I wish that I could
more accurately describe the size of the formation but am unable to do so.
The triangle was traveling "forward" ie.. the single lead object followed
by the two trailing objects that seemed to be an equal distance to either
side of the lead object's path. I must admit that I was both "thrilled"
and a little bit "spooked" from the eerie feeling that seeing this
formation gave me. Just a closing note: they did happen to be on a path
that would have taken them from approximately the location of the
"INfamous" Area 51 that is just a little NW of my location.
DISCLAIMER: That last comment, although true, was thrown in for humorous
purposes only!
I am now fascinated about these and would like to perhaps learn more
about them. Is there no way to have prediction information available for
future sightings.
Email welcome - send to " (disregard address in header)
Thanks
  #6  
Old July 14th 03, 05:48 AM
Tony Vinci
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What Sat's did I see???

/
I was going to start a new thread about my "triangle" sighting when I
happened to read this one. I sighted a triangle formation this evening
at my location in Nevada. Time was 2106 local (UT-7). I was attempting
to sight the "Okean O Rocket" as it passed overhead. I was using 10x50
binoculars. I spotted this somewhat elongated triangle with the
elements having about mag. 4 brightness. I picked them up as they passed
a little East (under) Vega (I was facing East) coming from the North and
proceeded in perfect formation to the SE. These were not conventional
aircraft but were (I am positive) orbital objects. I wish that I could
more accurately describe the size of the formation but am unable to do so.
The triangle was traveling "forward" ie.. the single lead object followed
by the two trailing objects that seemed to be an equal distance to either
side of the lead object's path. I must admit that I was both "thrilled"
and a little bit "spooked" from the eerie feeling that seeing this
formation gave me. Just a closing note: they did happen to be on a path
that would have taken them from approximately the location of the
"INfamous" Area 51 that is just a little NW of my location.
DISCLAIMER: That last comment, although true, was thrown in for humorous
purposes only!
I am now fascinated about these and would like to perhaps learn more
about them. Is there no way to have prediction information available for
future sightings.
Email welcome - send to " (disregard address in header)
Thanks
  #7  
Old July 14th 03, 06:41 AM
William R. Thompson
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What Sat's did I see???

Tony Vinci wrote:

Just a closing note: they did happen to be on a path
that would have taken them from approximately the location of the
"INfamous" Area 51 that is just a little NW of my location.
DISCLAIMER: That last comment, although true, was thrown in for humorous
purposes only!


Okay, you won't be investigated for mentioning Area 51, which in
fact is a supersecret government facility which specializes in hiding
countless tons of desert sand.

I am now fascinated about these and would like to perhaps learn more
about them. Is there no way to have prediction information available for
future sightings.


Yes; go to

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

and click on the "Select" a satellite line.

When the pages gives you the four boxes, type noss 2% in
the box for the name of a satellite. This will return a list
of the NOSS satellites. The triplets are NOSS 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3.

--Bill Thompson
  #8  
Old July 14th 03, 06:41 AM
William R. Thompson
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What Sat's did I see???

Tony Vinci wrote:

Just a closing note: they did happen to be on a path
that would have taken them from approximately the location of the
"INfamous" Area 51 that is just a little NW of my location.
DISCLAIMER: That last comment, although true, was thrown in for humorous
purposes only!


Okay, you won't be investigated for mentioning Area 51, which in
fact is a supersecret government facility which specializes in hiding
countless tons of desert sand.

I am now fascinated about these and would like to perhaps learn more
about them. Is there no way to have prediction information available for
future sightings.


Yes; go to

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

and click on the "Select" a satellite line.

When the pages gives you the four boxes, type noss 2% in
the box for the name of a satellite. This will return a list
of the NOSS satellites. The triplets are NOSS 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3.

--Bill Thompson
  #9  
Old July 14th 03, 06:31 PM
Tony Vinci
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What Sat's did I see???

"William R. Thompson" wrote in message ...
Tony Vinci wrote:

Just a closing note: they did happen to be on a path
that would have taken them from approximately the location of the
"INfamous" Area 51 that is just a little NW of my location.
DISCLAIMER: That last comment, although true, was thrown in for humorous
purposes only!


Okay, you won't be investigated for mentioning Area 51, which in
fact is a supersecret government facility which specializes in hiding
countless tons of desert sand.

I am now fascinated about these and would like to perhaps learn more
about them. Is there no way to have prediction information available for
future sightings.


Yes; go to

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

and click on the "Select" a satellite line.

When the pages gives you the four boxes, type noss 2% in
the box for the name of a satellite. This will return a list
of the NOSS satellites. The triplets are NOSS 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3.

--Bill Thompson


I did as directed. I looked up the NOSS satellites and lo and behold.....
it seems that NOSS 2-3 (C),(D),and (E) transit times and headings
match exactly with what I witnessed. Even though it was a little hazy
and scattered clouds tonight (13th / 14th) I was able to log 10 separate
satellite sightings (NOSS group counted as only 1). My last one just a
few minutes ago was Cosmos 1356 at 0430. My location is Las Vegas, Nevada
Lat N36.2 Lon W115.0. Although this city throws up a great amount of
light pollution I live about 5 mi E of city center and about 800 ft higher
than the valley floor and the skies from NW to SSW are fairly dark.
Thanks for the info. That "Heavens-Above" site is a big help.
Keep-looking-up!
Tony
P.S. I have been out to Area 51, at least as close as can be attained
legally. 14 miles of straight dirt road across a flat to the base of some
hills. This is where the signs, sensors, and TV cameras begin. And YES
there is a truck with 2 armed gentlemen sitting on a small hill about
100 yds away watching with binoculars. I waved at the one watching me
but he did not respond (no sense of humor I guess). However, I DID NOT
go beyond the signs. Looked around, took some quick pictures as souveniers
and left.
  #10  
Old July 14th 03, 06:31 PM
Tony Vinci
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What Sat's did I see???

"William R. Thompson" wrote in message ...
Tony Vinci wrote:

Just a closing note: they did happen to be on a path
that would have taken them from approximately the location of the
"INfamous" Area 51 that is just a little NW of my location.
DISCLAIMER: That last comment, although true, was thrown in for humorous
purposes only!


Okay, you won't be investigated for mentioning Area 51, which in
fact is a supersecret government facility which specializes in hiding
countless tons of desert sand.

I am now fascinated about these and would like to perhaps learn more
about them. Is there no way to have prediction information available for
future sightings.


Yes; go to

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

and click on the "Select" a satellite line.

When the pages gives you the four boxes, type noss 2% in
the box for the name of a satellite. This will return a list
of the NOSS satellites. The triplets are NOSS 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3.

--Bill Thompson


I did as directed. I looked up the NOSS satellites and lo and behold.....
it seems that NOSS 2-3 (C),(D),and (E) transit times and headings
match exactly with what I witnessed. Even though it was a little hazy
and scattered clouds tonight (13th / 14th) I was able to log 10 separate
satellite sightings (NOSS group counted as only 1). My last one just a
few minutes ago was Cosmos 1356 at 0430. My location is Las Vegas, Nevada
Lat N36.2 Lon W115.0. Although this city throws up a great amount of
light pollution I live about 5 mi E of city center and about 800 ft higher
than the valley floor and the skies from NW to SSW are fairly dark.
Thanks for the info. That "Heavens-Above" site is a big help.
Keep-looking-up!
Tony
P.S. I have been out to Area 51, at least as close as can be attained
legally. 14 miles of straight dirt road across a flat to the base of some
hills. This is where the signs, sensors, and TV cameras begin. And YES
there is a truck with 2 armed gentlemen sitting on a small hill about
100 yds away watching with binoculars. I waved at the one watching me
but he did not respond (no sense of humor I guess). However, I DID NOT
go beyond the signs. Looked around, took some quick pictures as souveniers
and left.
 




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