Satellite at 01:45

[Gem (Grant)]

Hi all,

I have been observing for a long time but last night was a bit unusual. I observed a satellite at 1:45am (AEDST). Now seeing satellites is quite common, but around the middle of the night (allowing for daylight savings) is unusual. The satellite past Alpha Dorado at around mag 8 or 9 and continued towards the southern horizon. I could follow it easily in the finder and occasionally glimpse it in the 16" (but it was just a quick look at a fast moving object).

Happy New Year!

GEM

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by Gem

Hi all,

I have been observing for a long time but last night was a bit unusual. I observed a satellite at 1:45am (AEDST). Now seeing satellites is quite common, but around the middle of the night (allowing for daylight savings) is unusual. The satellite past Alpha Dorado at around mag 8 or 9 and continued towards the southern horizon. I could follow it easily in the finder and occasionally glimpse it in the 16" (but it was just a quick look at a fast moving object).

Happy New Year!

GEM

Great catch.
Over the poles satellites can be seen all night in the Summer time
I had one go through the SMC at 02:20 Qld time may years ago and for a moment thought I had my first Supernova,till I saw it moving in the eye piece.
Cheers

[gary]

Originally Posted by Gem

Hi all,

I have been observing for a long time but last night was a bit unusual. I observed a satellite at 1:45am (AEDST). Now seeing satellites is quite common, but around the middle of the night (allowing for daylight savings) is unusual. The satellite past Alpha Dorado at around mag 8 or 9 and continued towards the southern horizon. I could follow it easily in the finder and occasionally glimpse it in the 16" (but it was just a quick look at a fast moving object).

Happy New Year!

GEM

Hi Grant,

At that time of night to be not eclipsed by Earth's shadow and to be
down in Dorado it was most likely a high earth orbit (HEO) geocentric
orbit above 35,786km. Their ground track will have a westward
component.

[Gem (Grant)]

Thanks! The direction was probably SSW or SW in hindsight. Definitely not west though.
Amazing to find something so far away. I do a lot of observing and I haven't seen too many at that time of the night.