Any idea what this is?

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

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)


rusty

[multiweb (Marc)]

Satellite trail.

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

Satellite trail.

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 (Andrew)]

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

Calsky 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 (Russell)]

Originally Posted by mithrandir

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

Calsky 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

thanks mithrandir, that website is great

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

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.