Any idea what this is?

[rustigsmed]

Hi guys,

anyone got any ideas of what this white light could be in three photos in a row? each photo 20 seconds long, so was in the field of view for 1 minute ... seem pretty slow moving if it was a satellite? Too slow for a shooting star? and spans over three photos ... therefore cant be a single shooting star catching the end of one exposure and start of another ... hmmm camera ? but the rest of the shots just had the triffid in the set.

9/9/2012 8.35pm (melbourne local time)
:question:

rusty

[multiweb]

Satellite trail.

[rustigsmed]

I wouldve thought so too but does it seem a bit slow? 1 minute? or perhaps a higher orbit?

attached is another 20sec exposure i caught which is definitely a satellite which easily went in and out the FOV

rusty

[mithrandir]

Best guess is Cosmos 1383, assuming you clock is accurate and you really are in central Melbourne.

Calsky (http://www.calsky.com)is the tool you want to use.

Appears 20h31m59s 9.7mag az:348.8° N horizon
Closest 20h39m58s 6.9mag separation: 1.3° PA: 95.3°
Culmination 20h40m35s 6.8mag az:262.2° W h:71.3°
distance: 1020.7km height above Earth: 974.2km elevation of Sun: -31° angular velocity: 0.42°/s
at Meridian 20h45m27s 8.9mag az:180.0° S h:17.7°
Disappears 20h49m24s 10.1mag az:175.1° S horizon

[rustigsmed]

thanks mithrandir, that website is great :thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

Calsky and Heavens Above are your friends. :)
Unless it's a military satellite, then they won't tell you a darn thing. LOL.
"Vigilance from Above" is their motto. :)