[AZ-Observing] Re: 2nd Magnitude Geostationary Satellite
- From: "Bob Christ" <bchrist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 08:24:28 -0700
I offer this .....
My Clouseau-work surfaced the GOES-N (Geostationary Operational
Environmental Satellite) being positioned in close proximity to where we
viewed the object of discussion. During the time when we viewed the object
Saturday night, GOES-N was a tad under 4*, Northeast of iota ceti (~ 0h
29m, -5* 3.6). This satellite is a joint venture between NASA and NOAA and
is used for monitoring weather. The altitude is 22,300 miles at an apparent
magnitude of 8.51.
Bob Christ
-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Workman, Brian
(AZ76)
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 7:56 AM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: 2nd Magnitude Geostationary Satellite
I'm no expert, but the location at 150.0 degrees is allocated JCSat 1B.
This is a geosynchronous communications satellite servicing Japan,
Eastern China, and other parts of the far Eastern part of the Pacific
Rim. I'm guessing the "JC" might stand for Japan-China? The brightness
(flare?) is most likely due to a fortuitous arrangement between the sun,
you, and the large solar panels. You should NOT normally get a bright
reflection from solar panels, as the satellite should be keeping them
directly facing the sun, so as to most efficiently collect light and
generate electricity, not angled to reflect light to you. However JCSat
1B suffered a a fuel leak near one of the thrusters while maneuvering on
July 22, 2005. The satellite lost attitude control, but was later
recovered. It is supposed to be operating in a reduced capacity without
use of the thrusters, but it is possible or even likely that the solar
panels aren't pointed quite right. By the way JCSat R is also in the
150.0 degree slot to act as a replacement. It is likely though that 1b
is the one you saw. I've never heard of a geobird becoming so bright
before.
Brian
> -----Original Message-----
> From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=20
> [mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tom Polakis
> Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 12:20 AM
> To: AZ-Observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [AZ-Observing] 2nd Magnitude Geostationary Satellite
>=20
> While several of us were observing from Steve and Rosie=20
> Dodder's place south of Maricopa, we observed an interloper=20
> 'star' to the northeast of Iota Ceti. It was distorting the=20
> constellation outline, just hanging there at 2nd magnitude or=20
> a bit brighter.
>=20
> After a few minutes, I put my scope on it, and it became=20
> clear that it was a geostationary satellite, occupying the=20
> -5.5 degree declination band. Over the next ten or fifteen=20
> minutes, it slowly faded from naked-eye visibility, but=20
> stayed pretty bright in the scope. We first noticed the=20
> satellite at its brightest at 10:00 p.m. Running the time in=20
> desktop planetarium software, the azimuth works out to be=20
> about 150 degrees, or 30 degrees to the east of the meridian.
>=20
> What causes an object that is 22,000 miles away to flare to=20
> 2nd magnitude? Has anybody seen a similarly bright rise in=20
> brightness of a geostationary satellite? Who is the local=20
> expert on this subject who would be able to help us identify=20
> the satellite?
>=20
> Tom
> --
> See message header for info on list archives or=20
> unsubscribing, and please send personal replies to the=20
> author, not the list.
>=20
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