Satellite at 01:45

[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 :)

[astroron]

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. :sadeyes:
Cheers:thumbsup:

[gary]

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]

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.