While I was preparing the sky lists for IISAC for Mike I had Calsky tuned to Lostock (obviously) and received the attached alert for a possible de-orbiting satellite near Lostock this Sunday.
If you are around the Lostock / Singleton area of the Hunter on Sunday keep your eyes open.
Al.
Quote:
CalSky.com > Selected Menu > Artificial Satellites > Decaying Satellites > Decayers close to your Site E-mail & Alert Manager > Change subscription This e-mail is automatically generated and delivered to you on your request by CalSky.com. To change your settings please follow the links in the top right-hand corner. Start of used for calculation:Date:14. February 2014Time:15:12:10.71 Duration for calculation:3 Days
Satellites which could de-orbit close to your site
Remark: Output for small pieces of debris is suppressed.
Sunday 16 February 2014 Time (24-hour clock)Object (Link)Event 15h21m00s Cosmos 1220
(12054 1980-089-A)
→Ground track →Star chart  Daylight pass
Ascending Orbit. Earth revolutions since launch: 73045.9
Appears 15h18m23s 4.6mag az:181.6° S horizon
at Meridian 15h18m32s 4.5mag az:180.0° S h:0.8°
Culmination 15h21m00s 3.0mag az:124.6° SE h:7.8°
distance: 789.6km height above Earth: 153.4km elevation of Sun: +43° angular velocity: 0.57°/s
Disappears 15h23m35s 4.2mag az: 67.2° ENE horizon
Time uncertainty of at least 1 seconds. Calculated based on observations on 13. Feb 2014 14:15 UTC+10.
16hCosmos 1220 Cat:12054 1980-089AForecasted decay of earth orbiting object in the atmosphere.
Estimated uncertainty: +/-15 hours.
Orbit data for calculation from 13.02.2014 04:15:24 UTC (Decay date history).
Visibility latitude interval: +/-64.9 deg 16h50m05sCosmos 1220
(12054 1980-089-A) (probably decayed/landed)
→Ground track →Star chart Daylight pass
Ascending Orbit. Earth revolutions since launch: 73046.9
Appears 16h48m32s 6.9mag az:256.7° WSW horizon
Culmination 16h50m05s 6.4mag az:290.2° WNW h:2.3°
distance: 1061.0km height above Earth: 125.3km elevation of Sun: +24° angular velocity: 0.42°/s
Disappears 16h51m37s 5.4mag az:324.1° NW horizon
Time uncertainty of at least 3 seconds. Calculated based on observations on 13. Feb 2014 14:15 UTC+10.
Glossary:
TimeThe local time in 24-hour format at which the satellite is visible at its best. The satellite may be observable before this time. 0:00 or 0h00m is midnight, 12h is noon, 18h is 6 pm. The time zone is the one indicated on the left of the Earth icon on top of (almost) each page. Daylight saving is applied automatically. 
AppearsLocal time at which the satellite appears visually. The first figure indicates the visual brightness of the object. The smaller the number, the brighter and more eye-catching it appears to an observer. The units are astronomical magnitudes [m].
Azimuth is given in degrees counting from geographic north clockwise to the east direction. The three-character direction code is given as well. In case the satellite exits from the Earth shadow and comes into the glare of the Sun, the elevation above horizon is given in degrees for this event. If this figure is omitted, the satellite is visible straight from the horizon.
CulminationTime at which the satellite reaches his highest point in the sky as seen from the observer. For description of the figures see Appears.
Visually "better" passes of satellites are indicated by highlighting the information. The selection within the list of all possible transits is coupled with the observer level, the daylight, and several other conditions. at MeridianTime of the transit of the meridian, i.e. the satellite is due South or due North. At this time, the satellite will not reach its highest point of the pass. Look for culmination.
DisappearsLocal time of visual disappearance of the satellite. This may either be the time at which the satellite moves below the observer's horizon or the entry of the object in the shadow of Earth (the elevation is given for this event). The low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites are usually visible for about 10 seconds more than the listed time, when they start fading rapidly.
Magnitude/Mag:The magnitude indicates the visual brightness of an object. The brightest star (Sirius) reaches -1.4m, whereas 6m is the limit of the unaided eye. Venus, the brightest planet, reaches -4m. The Moon at first quarter is -8m, about the same magnitude that the brightest Iridium flares can produce.
ObjectThe name and identification information of the satellite. Besides the name, the number in the catalog of the USSPACECOM is given (5-digits code), and the International Designator Code in the form launch year - launch number of the year - launch part (usually one launch produces several orbiting objects).
Spy Satellites:Satellites with name USA are US military satellites (common names e.g., Keyhole KH, Lacrosse).
Close to Moon/SunThe satellite is closer than 1.5 degrees from the center of the Moon or the Sun, but the satellite does not cross in front of the Moon/Sun. The direction and distance to the center line on Earth is given. For the Sun, move to the indicated center line position and observer with proper equipment. By no means observe the Sun without special filters!
Crosses the disk of Moon/Sun:The satellite passes in front of the Moon or the Sun; the event may be observed using a small telescope (equipped with special mylar filters for the Sun only!), especially if the event takes place in broad daylight. The direction and distance to the center line on Earth is given. Moon phases are not checked for. The timing may slightly change due to the quality and age of the used orbital elements and active orbit maintenance. By no means observe the Sun without special filters! Please feel free to report successful observations!
SeparationAngular distance of an object (e.g., star) with regard of the reference object (e.g., main star or center of moon), measured among the center of figures. Often, this value is given for the closest distance among two objects.
Position Angle / PAAngle, defining a position on an apparent disk or the position of e.g. a dimmer star (or the anti-solar point for lunar eclipses) with regard of the main star or the center of disk. It is counted around the reference points (center of disk/brighter star) from celestial north direction 0° to east (left) 90°, south 180° to west (right) 270° in counter clockwise direction.
Position Angle rel. VertexAngle, defining a position on an apparent disk. It is counted around the reference points (center of disk) from local up, zenith direction 0° to east (left) 90°, south 180° to west (right) 270° in counter clockwise direction.
Clock-face DirectionIn a simple clock-face coordinate system with the clock face superimposed on the satellite itself, with 12:00 o’clock being at the top and 9:00 o’clock being at the left, the satellite will seem to move toward the given direction. This number is helpful when observing with binoculars.
Daylight passThis satellite pass over the observer is taking place on broad daylight and cannot be observed without special equipment (automated guided telescope or radio ham equipment).
Radio passThe satellite is not outside the shadow of Earth during the whole pass (hence not lighted by the Sun) and is therefore not visible. However, using radio equipment, the satellite can be detected.
Ascending/descending Orbit:Satellites are orbiting around the earth center. Therefore the point on the Earth surface "below" the satellite (i.e., the sub-satellite point) crosses the equator twice every orbit. The part of the orbit with northernbound motion component is called ascending, and a southernbound motion is called descending.
RiseThe satellites rises above the horizon of the observer (cf. Appear for visual rising of the satellite).
SetThe satellites sets below the horizon of the observer, but may not have been visible before (cf. Disappear).
Side-lookTime at which the observer is passing exactly at the side of the satellite (as seen from the satellite).
Off-NadirAngle at which the observer appears from the nadir (down direction) as seen from the satellite.
Squint angleAngle relative to the satellite orbit; flight direction is 0°. The angle is counted clockwise, with right looking at 90° and left looking at 270°.
RangeDistance to the satellite. 0-Doppler / Zero-DopplerTime at which the range between satellite and observer does not change, i.e., the range rate is zero.
Forecasted Decay:All Earth orbiting satellites are exposed to atmospheric drag, which lowers the orbit. Usually, this is countermeasured by frequent firings of the rocket engines - as long there is propulsion available. At an altitude of about 120 km, the objects are destroyed in the atmosphere by a fiery play; the over 100 km long light trace is visible even at daylight. Predications however are difficult. CalSky calculates the evolution of the satellite elements and the time of final decay based on SatEvo by Alan Pickup.
|
